This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending one of my favorite community events of the year, the San Pedro Tourism Awards, presented by the San Pedro Town Council. On Saturday, November 15th, at the beautiful La Sanpedrana Restaurant at Holiday Hotel, the island gathered to celebrate the people who shape our tourism industry… and at the center of it all was a woman whose name has become synonymous with dedication: Amy Leiva.
After 35 years in tourism, Amy received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and watching her take the stage, I couldn’t help but feel proud of everything she has poured into San Pedro’s success. For decades, she has been part of the heartbeat of Ambergris Caye’s tourism, nurturing teams, shaping operations, and setting a standard of excellence that so many of us have admired.
The San Pedro Tourism Awards were created because so many of our hardworking locals go unseen at the national level. Our island knows this better than anyone, we’re the tourism capital of Belize, but many of our shining stars deserve more recognition. This awards night is our chance to shine a light on those businesses, organizations, and individuals who carry our island’s reputation on their shoulders every single day.
And Amy? She embodies the spirit of our tourism industry. When she took the mic, her words were full of gratitude: “I am truly honored and humbled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award… This journey has never been a solitary path. I owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated staff who tirelessly manage our operations, the fellow leaders who continually strive for innovation, and the local community that embodies the very essence of what we offer.” – stated Amy Leiva
Her speech was a beautiful reminder that tourism isn’t just about hotels or tours, it’s about people, culture, collaboration, and pride. She spoke about preserving our island’s integrity while elevating the visitor experience, and it’s clear she sees this award not just as recognition of her past, but as motivation to keep shaping the future. Amy told Ambergris Today that she would love to honor her own mentors, Mr. Ramon Nuñez (deceased), Nick Scavone, and Sir Sean Feinstein, a touching nod to the leaders who influenced her journey.
New to the Tourism Awards this year was the Fly Fishing Guide of the Year handed out to the young, but skillful, Kristian Marin. He comes from a long line of fishermen and tour guides in the family and has proven himself one of the best on the island. Myriam Lucel Mendoza recipient of the Small Eatery of the Year award for El Taco Loco, expressed her sincere gratitude and was humbled for the recognition.
“I must say, as it has been the trend every year since the tourism awards started, the participation of the public has been crucial in getting to know our winners,” commented Councilor Ernesto Bardalez. “The voting process was a huge success. And for the first year, the votes the three nominees received in each category, was really close. It was a very close margin between the winner and the other nominees. This speaks volumes for all those nominated; as it simply means that you all are doing a tremendous job and deserve to be recognized.”
2025 San Pedro Tourism Awards Recipients
This year’s awards celebrated so many deserving winners:
- Hotel of the Year: Ramon’s Village Resort
- Small Hotel of the Year: Ocean Tide Beach Resort
- Dive Shop of the Year: Ramon’s Village Resort
- Restaurant of the Year: Garage Seafood & Steakhouse
- Small Eatery of the Year: El Taco Loco
- Front Office Person of the Year: Tula Ayuso
- Bartender of the Year: Jordanie Garcia
- Tour Guide of the Year: Herman Alamilla
- Tour Operator of the Year: Xsite Belize Sailing & Adventures
- Fly Fishing Guide of the Year: Kristian Marin
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Amy Leiva
As the night wrapped up, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the passion that flows through our tourism industry. Amy’s award was a reminder that excellence isn’t built in a day it’s shaped by years of commitment, heart, and love for this island.
Congratulations, Amy. You’ve earned every bit of this honor. And congratulations to every nominee and winner, together, you continue to make San Pedro shine as one of the world’s most unforgettable destinations. Here’s to celebrating our people and to many more years of excellence on La Isla Bonita.
Ramon’s Reef Resort – Dive Shop of the Year (other nominees: White Sands Dive Shop and Elite Adventures)
Herman Alamilla – Tour Guide of the Year (received by his daughter; other nominees: Nestor Cerpa and Dorian Carrillo)
Shamira Sanchez, El Pescador Lodge)
