Belize to Hold Third Annual End of the World Marathon

Posted on August 31, 2014

Placencia Belize, Larry Waight Reporting:

For many, the end of the 13th Baktun in the Maya Long Count Calendar, December 21, 2012, was a prediction of end times. Didn’t happen. To commemorate the event, the annual “End of the World Marathon” was organized in Belize, the heart of the Maya civilization.

This year’s marathon is scheduled for December 7 in picturesque Placencia, a town nestled up against the white powdery beaches and azure waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The event kicks off on Saturday, December 6, with registration and the traditional pre-race carb packing dinner. Sunday’s race events include a full marathon, half marathon, and two miles fun run.

The completely flat course is a loop along the Placencia peninsula, rapidly becoming one of the choice vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Runners will be alongside the sea at several points in the race.

All entrants who complete the course will receive a commemorative finisher’s medal. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s marathon, with special awards also given to the victor in age classes: under 29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & over.

At the conclusion of the marathon, an after party will keep winners and contestants reveling well into the wee hours.

Race registration is open until midnight EDT on October 15, 2014, and all registrants will receive a race tee, and have a chance to win prizes donated by local sponsors. Minimum age requirements are 18 for the full marathon, 16 for the half.

Race participants can plan to experience the wonders of Belize, arriving early or staying post race with an all inclusive race package from Chabil Mar Villas.

For water enthusiasts, Belize is home to the world’s 2nd largest barrier reef, a spectacular underwater environment for divers and snorkelers, and home to turtles, rays, nurse sharks, dolphins and moray eels. Playfully darting between the reef and onshore mango groves, communities of sea manatees inhabit the area from November to January.

One of the top things to do on a Belize vacation is the very unique caving tubing. On inner tubes, you’ll float through the Maya underworld, viewing amazing stalactites and stalagmites, “curtains” made entirely of crystal, cave drawings, and even skeletal remains. Up on the surface, the Maya world offers many surviving structures to visit, including ceremonial centers, tombs, and a complete astronomical observatory. Seek answers on where the Mayans came from, and what happened to them.

The special package put together by Chabil Mar Villas includes everything race participants need or desire. It includes your round trip flights between the international airport at Belize City and Placencia, ground transfers, race registration, five nights in a luxury villa, five breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Your package includes a half day snorkeling trip and a choice of one of three specially designed land tours.

Chabil Mar is an exclusive, boutique resort, with just 19 villas and one honeymoon suite facing the Caribbean. Guests can expect to be pampered in luxurious accommodations at a resort full of amenities tailored to discriminating travelers.

Travel Channel Features Placencia as a Daily Escape

Posted on August 28, 2014

The Travel Channel, one of the most popular travel sites on the Internet is currently featuring Placencia as a travel escape on their website which reaches thousands of intrepid travelers every day.

“Today’s #DailyEscape is from Placencia, Belize. “ says the tweet which was tweeted at 8am today.

“Made up of 2 deserted islands fringed by crystalline waters and covered in snow-white sand, the Silk Cayes are the preeminent spot to live out one’s deserted island fantasy. Located just 20 nautical miles from the bustling beach town of Placencia and nestled beside a barrier reef, it’s a popular spot for locals and savvy tourists who come here to free dive and snorkel while taking in the tropical aquatic life. Bring along some fish from the market and prepare to make friends; sunset island barbecues beneath coconut trees are becoming a nightly tradition,” reads the description of Silk Cayes on their website.

Speaking about the recognition, Larry France, Marketing Manager of Chabil Mar, the only guest exclusive resort in Placencia said that he was delighted to see a respected organization like Travel Channel feature Silk Cayes as a daily escape on their website.

“It definitely helps in promoting not only Placencia but the entire tourism industry of Belize,” he added.

For more information about the traveling to Belize or Placencia, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

The 10 Most Popular Belize Vacation Posts of All Time

Posted on August 20, 2014

For the past 9 months we have been blogging consistently on our Belize Travel Blog about different things like the top best foods to eat in Belize, the top best things to do in Belize and why you should visit Belize.

This morning we thought it’d be fun to take a look back to see which blog posts have received the most views so we compiled our top 10 most read articles.

Here they are:

1.) Come join us for Placencia Belize Lobsterfest 2014

The Placencia Lobsterfest is a grand celebration of the opening of the lobster season in Belize attracting thousands of local and international visitors. The event is organized by the Placencia BTIA and the Placencia Village Council and has long been a traditional mainstay of Placencia’s economy.

2.) 10 Exotic Dishes From Around Belize

This blog post highlights the top ten most delicious foods to eat in Belize.

3.) 25 Things You Need to Know Before You Travel to Placencia Belize

Located in southern Belize, Placencia has become a top beach destination in the Caribbean. Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide book publisher in the world describes this stunning Belizean paradise as follows: “How you wind up feeling about Placencia really depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s laid-back ambience, varied accommodations and some of the best restaurants in Southern Belize, this beachfront paradise may well prove to be your personal Margaritaville.

4.) 7 Reasons to Travel to Belize this Summer

Summer is right around the corner and many travelers the world over have started to plan their summer getaway. With beautiful attractions like the great Blue Hole, Maya temple sites like Caracol and Xunantunich, sumptuous Belizean meals like tamales and rice and beans, and the upcoming Lobsterfest in Placencia, Belize is a great ecotourism destination to visit this summer.

5.) 7 Must do Activities in Placencia Belize

Apart from the perfect opportunity to enjoy Belizean culture first hand and mingle with the locals with white sandy beaches and laid back vibes, Placencia Village is also an ideal hub to explore Maya Temple Sites, eat amazing Belizean food, snorkel the turquoise Caribbean Sea and even swim with whale sharks. Chabil Mar is located just ¾ of a mile from the Village center and is the closest full service resort to the Village.

6.) 9 Delightfully Geeky Facts About Placencia Belize

Placencia was settled by the English Puritans who were originally from Nova Scotia in the 17^th Century; however the settlement died out during the Central American wars of independence in the 1820’s.

7.) Watch Now: A Mesmerizing Video of a Belize Vacation

Alex Parillo recently visited Belize and created this amazing video that summarizes the things he did on his vacation. Watch now to find out the beautiful and mesmerizing things that awaits you in Belize.

8.) What It’s Really Like To Dive The Great Blue Hole

The Mysterious Belize Great Blue Hole is a large underwater hole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 100 kilometers (62 mi) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is perfectly circular in shape, over 300 meters (1000 ft) across, 3140 feet circumference and 125 meters (410 ft) deep.

9.) 12 Incredible Belize Vacation Photos

Time for a Belize vacation? Might be wise to consider Belize, a country where almost everything is just visually stunning. Hopefully these 12 shots nudge you into checking out the ATM Cave, Belize Barrier Reef and Chabil Mar, the only guest exclusive resort in Placencia in a country where you will find new adventures around every corner.

10.) 13 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Belize

Belize is one of the last unspoiled places on earth that offers a vast array of natural attractions for the adventure traveler. The country is a fabulous destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, visiting ancient Maya cities, canoeing, zip lining, cave tubing and much more.

In things blog post, we are delighted to share with you 13 stunning and remarkable pictures of Belize.

For more information about the traveling to Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Belize Wins “Top 100 Readers Choice Awards” from Scubadiving.com

Posted on August 11, 2014

Scubadiving.com is one of the largest scuba diving websites on the Internet that it is loaded with authoritative content on where to scuba dive, what to wear on a scuba diving expedition, and the latest news on what is happening in the scuba diving industry.

The website also asks its readers every year to vote for the “Top 100 Readers Choice Awards”.

“Based on the opinions of thousands of divers from across the globe, our annual Top 100 Readers Choice Awards showcase the best scuba diving in the world. Presented by category and arranged by region, this list represents the top destinations for wreck diving, big animals, underwater photography and more from the most trusted source possible: you” reads the description of the Top 100 Readers Choice Awards on their website.

Last week the website conducted the nomination for the best scuba diving in the world and Belize earned a host of 2014 Top Readers Choice awards including top 5 nods for the Caribbean and Atlantic’s best overall destination, big animals, wall diving and underwater photography.

“You might think you’re diving in the Pacific: Belize has three of the Western Hemisphere’s four coral atolls and the second-longest barrier reef on the planet. Bowing only to Australia’s great one, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef stretches for 700 miles along Central America’s western Caribbean coast. It’s protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to 500 species of fish and 65 stony corals. Gorgeous drop-offs lining the offshore atolls and cays are riddled with the dens of loggerhead turtles, green moray eels and a host of small stuff. And on the mainland, this tiny country packs enough big adventures to satisfy your inner explorer”, states the article entitled “Top 100: Belize”, and written by Brooke Morton.

At Chabil Mar, we have an assortment of scuba diving packages that will take you to the best scuba diving spots in Belize be either the great blue hole of Belize or Turneffe Atolls…explore our scuba diving expeditions below:

Scuba Diving Vacations – Placencia Belize

About Chabil Mar Dive Services:
Chabil Mar is a full service guest exclusive resort in Placencia Village, with private concierge services. We have partnered with the award winning scuba diving centers of Placencia Village to provide you with a bountiful combination of luxury accommodations, resort amenities and dive services. Read More

Dive Belize Blue Hole – 4 to 7 nights Belize Vacation Packages

Where Belize’s “Barefoot Luxury”, “Barefoot Perfect” and “The Perfect Dive” come together. These 4 to 5 dive-site packages are your opportunity to experience land, sea and culture, Belizean style. Read More

Dive Placencia – 4 Night Belize Vacation Package

This dive package is designed for the diver who wants to explore the near southern Belize cayes, just offshore from the traditional fishing Village of Placencia. Includes two 3-tank and one 2-tank dives. Read More

Belize Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Vacations

The pristine waters off the coast of Southern Belize are home to some of the best diving in the world. Chabil Mar has partnered with the award winning scuba diving centers of Placencia and created a host of dive packages designed to take advantage of all that Belize has to offer. From beginner to expert or add land tours to your vacation. We are pleased to bring you award winning service, quality and guided tour specialization. Read More

Whale Shark Diving in Belize

Placencia, Belize Whale Shark Diving – An annual world renowned event! Package include 3 Whale Shark dives, 2 world–class reef dives along the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and 7 nights at the luxurious Chabil Mar Resort. Custom scuba diving packages are out specialty. For groups or singles. Read More

Dive Belize – Turneffe Atoll and Southern Belize Dive Sites

With approximately 60 logged dive sites on the Turneffe Atoll alone, diversity and flexibility describe Turneffe Flats diving. Add the southern Belize dive sites, from Placencia and Chabil Mar, to your log. At last official count there are a minimum of 20 named dive sites in the southern waters of Belize, including Gladden Spit, home to the whale sharks, the Placencia inner reef and Glovers Reef Atoll. Read More

For more information about scuba diving in Belize or Placencia, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

AFAR.com Recommends Laughing Bird Caye For Your Next Trip

Posted on August 4, 2014

Afar, the travel publication that is focused on experiential travel is recommending Laughing Bird Caye to travelers as one of the highlights of staying in Placencia Belize.

“Laughing Bird Caye is less than an hour away from Placencia and offers great snorkeling and relaxing on the soft white sand oasis”, states the description of Laughing Bird Caye on Afar.com.

They also shared the article on their Facebook page which reaches more than 40,000 people:

“Laughing Bird Caye is indeed a beautiful and stunning Belize Isle,” says Marketing Manager of Chabil Mar Larry France. “In fact, almost all travelers who vacation in Placencia visit this gorgeous piece of paradise for a full day of diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking and even picnicking” he adds.

Laughing Bird Caye got its name from the Laughing Gulls – the birds that once used to breed on the Caye, however due to a growing human presence, the colonies moved to a nearby undisturbed Caye for breeding. Presently, the Island is home to a number of exotic birds like the brown pelican, green heron, and melodious blackbird.

The island stands on an elongated ridge of reef known as faro which is an angular atoll on a continental shelf, also known as shelf atoll, and is an important part of the Belize Barrier Reef System.

For more information about Laughing Bird Caye or traveling to Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377

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