Ambergris Caye's Finest News Source

La Beluga Submarine in San Pedro

May 17, 2013 - 13:27

Submarines are said to have been sighted outside the reef along the north coast of Ambergris Caye during World War II.  Could this have been one of them captured and landed in San Pedro.  That would have been cool, but no, only wishful thinking.   This is actually one of those life boats used in those big container ships.  In times of emergency, several men could lock t

Real Estate Now Multi Million Business in San Pedro

May 14, 2013 - 15:10

Walk around San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye and at every block you will find a Real Estate Office with its walls pasted with photos of properties on sale. Real Estate is a multi-million dollar business on Ambergris Caye.  But this is not how it all started.

Casita over the Sea

May 7, 2013 - 10:02

In Havana, Cuba there is a very popular bar and restaurant named “La Bodeguita”. Ours are different. Fishermen and tourist guides have always found it fascinating and a convenience to build small ‘bodegas’ or storage space on the pier and very close to their operating stations. Most fishermen would build these ‘bodeguitas’ over the lagoon on the west side of Ambergris Caye.

Belize’s April the Tapir Turns 30!

April 29, 2013 - 10:29

World Tapir Day is celebrated on April 27 and in Belize it is also considered National Tapir Day thanks to a very special Tapir named April. It is the oldest female tapir living in captivity in the world and her home is known to everyone as the Best Little Zoo in the World – The Belize Zoo.

A Humble Yet Happy Life In San Pedro

April 23, 2013 - 09:47

Who is Mr. Nicolas Varela?  And why was he so happy?  He was the original owner of the Varela building located on Barrier Reef Drive now occupied by his son, Mr. Lioli Varela, who operates the cargo boat and barge, Ema V.  Mr. Varela was a coconut farmer who spent countless hours of hard work in the coconut plantations.

World Renowned Fido's

April 16, 2013 - 15:35

It has changed ownership over the years since the 1970’s and it has changed its looks, but it practically remains the same casual “all-friendly” and “anything goes” and “exciting things are happening” ambience that it started out with.  

What you see is what you get in San Pedro

April 5, 2013 - 16:33

Tourists visiting San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in the 1960’s certainly enjoyed the island in its simplicity and grandeur.

Easter in Belize Means the Caye!

March 20, 2013 - 13:39

Easter is the time when folks from the cities and other district towns flock to the cayes, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye included, to enjoy the beach, sun, and Caribbean Sea.  Visitors from the United States are also in Spring Break, so they too flock to Ambergris Caye.

The History of San Pedro's Community Center

March 5, 2013 - 15:59

You have heard this phrase “Multi purpose Building” used to refer to huge buildings that serve multi purposes. Well this building also served many purposes but at different times of its existence. The Community Center was built sometime around 1965. It was built with government material and 100% local labour.

Making San Pedro Go International

February 22, 2013 - 15:32

Marcial “Chico” Flores (RIP) has put San Pedro in the international spotlight in many ways.

A Laid Back San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye

February 18, 2013 - 15:35

You have always heard it said that San Pedro was a laid back quaint fishing village.  Well, this is what they were referring to.  The photo is not very clear but I think it was the best instamatic camera used back then and sometimes the film was not fresh.  The photo was taken from in front of Milo’s Store and Hotel at the northern end of Barrier Reef Drive.

The Emergence of San Pedro’s Fishing Co-operative

February 5, 2013 - 13:49

We go all the way back to 1963 when the fishing co-operative was founded in San Pedro. And listen to the conversation of the three gentlemen in the photo. (James Howel Blakc, Dimas Guerrero and Efrain Guerrero)

“So what do you think of our fishing cooperative?” asked Chairman Efrain Guerrero enthusiastically.

Ambergris Lodge a Local Hangout Spot

January 28, 2013 - 13:48

 “Carmita, let’s go swimming in front of the Ambergris Lodge,” said Lupita enthusiastically during the summer of 1975.

“Mek we go,” responded Carmita in a colorful Creole dialect.  “There are a few dories front a di beach and I sure Mista George Stefanko will lend us wan paddle fi go paddling.”

Police Presence in San Pedro

January 21, 2013 - 14:41

This Flashback photo takes us back in time to the 1950’s when a single police officer was stationed in San Pedro to take on the responsibility of law and order, immigration, customs, registrar of births, registrar of deaths, health, and a few other minor duties.  The only responsibility that the officer did not have was prosecution, and that was because back in those days there were no cri

The Roar of a Lion

January 10, 2013 - 16:31

The San Pedro Lions Club has been since 1975 the most active organization in San Pedro.

Papa and Mama Blake

January 8, 2013 - 15:43

If this couple would be alive today, they would be millionaires without a doubt.  They are James Howell Blake, better known as Papa Blake and Elena Alamilla Blake, also known as Mama Blake.  Papa Blake and his wife Leni lived in what was considered a mansion in San Pedro prior to 1908.  It was a magnificent Colonial style building, three stories high with polished floors and expe

The Fun of Kraals

December 31, 2012 - 09:59

A  Kraal is defined as an enclosure for livestock, particularly cattle, but in Belize it also refers to an enclosure in the sea and used particularly for private swimming.  Back in the 1950’s business lady from Belize City, Mrs. Serafina Encalada (+) had a kraal in front of her vacation beach house in San Pedro by the Tackle Box area.

The Incredible Santa To San Pedro by Sea

December 17, 2012 - 09:43

Santa Claus is known to travel by air and land but not by water.  However, in San Pedro before the days of airplane and before the coming of vehicles, Santa used to arrive by sea as seen in this memorable flashback.  He jumped into a skiff with all his bags of toys and goodies for the children of San Pedro from an unknown place and arrived right at the main pier in front of Daddy’s Cl

Christmas at the peak of progress in San Pedro

December 4, 2012 - 16:45

Christmas comes in different colors and sizes and in San Pedro it is no exception. This flashback photo takes us back at least fifty years when San Pedro was at its peak of progress in the lobster exporting business.

La Cabeza Del Cochino

November 20, 2012 - 15:54

It’s a pretty long name for a dance- El Baile de la Cabeza del Cochino.

The Highly Respected Sergeant Orillo

November 12, 2012 - 00:00

You have probably heard the name Sergeant Orillo mentioned many times when talking about law and order.  We can cite him as a good police officer because he serves as a good role model to many police officers.  Orillo had a huge grin when he was in the company of friends, but in business, he had a frown big enough to keep you at a distance.

Farewell to George Parham

November 2, 2012 - 15:06

Ambergris Today has learned of the passing away of Mr. George Parham, the last of four Parham brothers who spent their final years in San Pedro. George is a born Sanpedrano who emigrated to the United States for many years but spent his last 30 years in his natal hometown. He is a member of the Parham Family who was related to the Blake Family through intermarriage.

The Signs of Changing Times In San Pedro

October 26, 2012 - 13:46

Here we are on Pescador Drive in the center of town right in front of the world famous Elvi’s Kitchen. Call it progress or call it changing times, but what you see in this flashback is very different from what you see today.  The tiny short pants have been replaced with the short pants that go way below the knees.  No more cool sandy streets, only hot and dusty cobble stones.

Father Robert Raszkowski's Dream

October 15, 2012 - 00:00

We have always been encouraged to dream big and we will achieve good things.  And so was the case of the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church which you see today.  It was a dream of Father Robert Raszkowski S.J. back in the 1960’s and he lived to see its inauguration in the late 1970’s about ten years later.

Fido's -A beautiful Spot In San Pedro

October 8, 2012 - 10:16

A beautiful spot in San Pedro!  Perhaps you might not recognize it because it looks so different with new buildings and even cobblestones and a lot more of activity.  To the left is Fido’s and to the right is Ambergris Lodge, now Mayan Princess.