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A recent bill approved by the Belizean legislature has banned all petroleum extraction and exploration in the country’s offshore waters. Hailed by domestic and international conservation groups, the move by Belize to completely freeze all petroleum activity in its offshore waters will serve as a beacon of inspiration to nearby countries.

“Today is truly a wonderful day for Belize,” said Nadia Bood, a scientist working in Belize on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund. “Last year, the reef was in danger from oil exploration, and now Belize has stepped up to make protecting the environment a priority.”

Although Belize does not have substantial petroleum deposits, a number of international corporations have identified areas on the reef where drilling for oil could potentially be profitable. At issue is the practice of exploratory drilling that sends out shockwaves through the reef, putting much of the reef’s marine life in peril.

It is estimated that Belize’s offshore reef brings more than $200 million dollars in revenue to the economy, primarily in the form of tourism and domestic fisheries. Belize is home to hundreds of endangered animals, birds, and plants that thrive on the reef, all of which could be endangered by drilling practices and potential oil spills such as the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010 that took place in the nearby Gulf of Mexico.

“We heartily applaud the government of Belize for putting the long-term health of the reef ahead of short-term profits from petroleum companies,” said Larry France, Manager Manager for Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia, Belize. “The reef is both a vital source of revenue in the form of tourism dollars and a natural heritage for our children and our children’s children.”

Chabil Mar is an award-winning luxury resort located on the Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize. Chabil Mar is dedicated to sustainable tourism practices and environmental conservation and is proud to employ locals on its staff and encourages guests to spend money at the nearby Placencia Village in order to sustainably develop the region.

Chabil Mar offers guests a number of Belize vacation packages that include guided tours to pristine areas like the Monkey River, the Belize Barrier Reef, and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary as part of its commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Chabil Mar also offers jungle and sea packages so that travelers can have the opportunity to explore the unique, natural beauty of Belize and learn more about the vital role that the animals and plants in the region play in maintaining the country’s thriving ecosystem.

Fodor’s, the world’s leading publisher of travel information and guidebooks, recently recommended that its readers stay at the luxury resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula in Belize.Highlighting the fact that the name of Chabil Mar Resort is Maya for “beautiful sea,” the Fodor recommendation lavished praise for the resort’s 400 feet of private beach just steps from the turquoise Caribbean Sea. The Placencia Peninsula is a narrow, 16-mile long peninsula in southeastern Belize with a mangrove-lined lagoon on the western side and the Caribbean Sea on the eastern side.

The Fodor’s report also included ample praise for Chabil Mar’s luxurious villas, each one furnished and decorated differently. The resort’s grounds were described as “indeed gorgeous,” and the resort received recognition for its lovely grounds that include topiary figures, tropical plants, and two freshwater swimming pools.

Chabil Mar was also recommended due to the delicious food available on site that can be enjoyed at the gourmet restaurant, on the verandah of a villa, poolside, or even by candlelight on the resort’s private sea pier. Chabil Mar was also recommended for being just a short distance from Placencia Village, the gateway to the popular diving, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing activities on the offshore cayes of the Belize Barrier Reef.

“We are truly delighted to have earned such a tremendously positive write-up by Fodor’s,” said Larry France, marketing manager at Chabil Mar. “At our resort, we welcome visitors to Belize with a taste of luxury and comfort just steps from the Caribbean Sea. We look forward to receiving readers of Fodor’s excellent travel publications and encouraging them to explore all the beauty that this country has to offer.”

According to Fodor’s, Chabil Mar was highlighted for its superior customer service, describing their stay at the resort as having “every comfort and convenience at hand.” Chabil Mar was also recommended by Fodor’s because of the resort’s substantial portfolio of Belize vacation packages that include snorkeling, diving, fishing, and adventure tours.

Fodor’s also recently published their famous “Go List” for 2018, and Belize came in at number 10. Belize was described as the ultimate getaway for travelers seeking to unplug from the modern world as the country’s prime attractions are its fantastic weather, the lush, natural scenery, an abundance of adventure activities, and its density of ancient Maya sites to explore. The eclectic cultures and long history were also recommended by Fodor’s as a reason to visit Belize in 2018.

World-renowned guidebook and travel information publisher Fodor’s recently announced its “Go” list for 2018. The report includes Fodor’s recommendations for which countries to visit in the upcoming year and why, and Belize made the top 10 list for 2018.

According to Fodor’s, Belize is the ideal gateway between Central America and the Caribbean, its lush nature and unspoiled landscapes making it the perfect place to “unplug” and enjoy a true getaway from the stresses of the modern world.

Fodor’s also highlighted the large number of exciting activities available to travelers in Belize, including spelunking through palatial caves, learning more about the ancient Maya by visiting a historical site, and enjoying a beach vacation in a country that enjoys balmy weather every month of the year.

“Fodor’s is the gold standard in travel guidebooks, and we are delighted to see Belize make their top 10 list for places to visit in 2018,” said Larry France, marketing manager at Chabil Mar. “We heartily welcome travelers who learned about Belize from Fodor’s, and we look forward to showing them the many beautiful wonders of our country.”

Chabil Mar is an award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula, a 16-mile-long stretch of golden beaches on the Caribbean coast of Belize. With  luxurious villas, a gourmet restaurant, tropical garden, and freshwater swimming pools, Chabil Mar is the perfect place to relax and unwind on a Belize vacation.

Chabil Mar is also conveniently located to all the top attractions in the country, including snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, and sailing on the reef, hiking through national parks such as the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (home to the world’s only jaguar conservation program), touring ancient Maya sites, Garifuna cultural centers, and boat expeditions along the pristine Monkey River.

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America just south of Mexico. Belize also has hundreds of offshore islands along the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Its lush natural landscapes and seas teeming with fish and marine wildlife have earned Belize the nickname of “The Jewel.”

All six of the biggest airlines in the United States and Canada now offer non-stop flights to Belize, with flight times ranging from just 2-5 hours, making it easier to enjoy a Belize vacation in 2018 than ever before.

To learn more about the country and to book an unforgettable luxury vacation in Belize, contact the Chabil Mar Reservations office.