The Lodge at Chaa Creek is helping travellers make an informed choice with their Christmas holiday decisions by listing some of the top reasons for enjoying Yuletide in Belize.
While Belize is known for many things, such as a top dive spot, for its rainforests dotted with many Maya temples and archaeological sites and a laid back lifestyle, it can also be the perfect place for a Christmas holiday, according to Denise Duran, Chaa Creek’s Guest Services Coordinator.
Ms Duran said that based on her own observations and feedback from guests, she’s picked three of the top reasons why Belize is the perfect Christmas holiday destination for families, couples, singles and groups of friends.
“If you consider all the factors including natural beauty, weather, close proximity to the major US airports and what you get for your money, Belize begins looking like the perfect Christmas vacation destination,” she said, and listed three of the most mentioned reasons why.
One – Weather. “The weather is wonderful this time of year, with temperatures between 71°F (22°C) with and 80°F (27°C) and a monthly average of around 75°F (24°C) in December.”
Two – Affordability. “People always tell me that they don’t realise what a good deal it is here until after they arrive and see how much there is to do. Over the years Chaa Creek has really become a destination within a destination, meaning that once you arrive here, you can have a complete, affordable Belize experience without leaving our 365 acre rainforest reserve.” she said.
“For instance, last year the father of a family said they had the time of their lives and spent less than the previous year at home, because everything everyone wanted to do, from the adults, the teens to the young children, was right here and included in their all-inclusive Belize vacation package.
With the horseback riding, mountain bikes, canoes, nature walks, pool and everything else, they never ran out of things to do, and since all meals, tips, taxes and everything is included in one price, they just didn’t spend much money after they arrived. He said that back home, things like dinners out, movie tickets, and all the little treats during Christmas added up to a lot of money they didn’t need to spend this year. Let’s just say he was very happy.
Three – Ease. “The same man, and others have said that another surprise was how easy Belize is. It’s just a short hop from the US, and once here you have the thrill of an overseas holiday with none of the hassles. Our official language is English, our money is pegged two-to-one to the US dollar, and Belizeans are famous for being very welcoming, friendly and helpful. Again, with our all-inclusive Belize Christmas package, we pick you up, drop you off, and everything, and I mean everything, in between is taken care of, so you just concentrate on enjoying a magic Christmas.”
Ms Duran said there are many other reasons, including Chaa Creek’s commitment to responsible travel. “People seem to really appreciate how we’ve made sustainability and being Green luxurious. After all, Chaa Creek wasBelize’s first eco resort, and we do a lot of educational work within the tourism industry and community, so it’s second nature to us, but I love that our guests agree that sustainability is important. When they learn that 10% of all room revenue goes directly to environmental and social programs, they see that as another plus,” she said.
Belize’s festive approach to Christmas and its unique combination of the traditional and the exotic are also attractions, Ms Duran said, “From the Christmas trees, decorations, carols, turkey dinners and all the other trimmings, it’s a very familiar Christmas, especially for kids and couples. But there is a distinctly Belizean flavour – the lilt of the Creole language, the Spanish fiesta feel, swimming on Christmas day and all those things that make Christmas in Belize so special and, with the all-inclusive Belize Christmas vacation packages, very affordable,” Ms Duran said. “It’s one of those things you need to experience to believe,” she added.