News
News Archives
Sleeping Giant Smoke Mystery Solved
On June 19, 2021, a joint team comprised of geologists and the engineer from the Geology and Petroleum Department, forest rangers from the Forest Department, and guides/cut men from St. Margaret’s Village visited the area near the Sleeping Giant Mountain range that has been emitting plumes of smoke.
San Pedro’s Coral Reef Pillar Garden Is Gone Forever
“San Pedro's pillar garden is gone forever,” these are the words of Valentine Rosado a Belizean biodiversity scientist/environmentalist, who pointed out about a week ago that a patch of coral just in front of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye is dead and will not recover. “I first saw this unique shallow-stand of pillar corals about 14 years ago,” commented Rosado on a Facebook Post. “It is located right in front of town, but only a handful of locals really knew about these interesting corals.”
10-Year-Old Dylan Participates in Lion’s 5K Birthday Run
Having taken up running for health and fun with his family for just a little under a month now, 10-year-old Dylan Guerrero took the initiative to participate in Ian Gordon’s King Lion 5K Birthday Run that took place today, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Belize Cruise Tourism to Kickstart in July
The Belize Tourism Board has announced that the country is preparing to welcome Carnival Vista, which is operated by Carnival Cruise Line, to Belize City on July 7, 2021. The ship will embark from Galveston, Texas and will be the first ship to call on Belize since the cruise industry in our region was suspended over a year ago. This is encouraging news for thousands of Belizeans that work in the tourism sector who are looking forward to welcoming cruise guests to our shores once again.
Belize Receives 100,000 COVID-19 Vaccines from Mexico
The Government of Belize is pleased to announce that a donation of 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was received on Saturday, June 12, 2021, from the Government and people of Mexico. A small delegation headed by H. E. Maximiliano Reyes Zúñiga, Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Secretariat of Foreign Trade and Immigration, arrived at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport to personally deliver the vaccines on behalf of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico.
Southwest Resumes Flights to Belize from Houston and Denver
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) announced today, Thursday, June 10, 2021, that Southwest Airlines will resume flights to Belize from Houston and Denver, Colorado starting November, 7, 2021. The Airline will offer a non-stop service from Houston from Sunday to Saturday departing Houston at 10:55 am and arriving in Belize at 13:15 pm. The flight will depart Belize at 14:10 pm and arrive in Houston at 16:40 pm. However, on Saturdays the flight will depart Houston at the same time, but will return a bit later at 16:45 pm arriving in Houston at 19:50 pm.
Island Athletes Heading to Mexico for Olympics Qualifiers
Belizean triathletes and Ambergris Caye natives, Kian Trejo and brothers Brandon and Jordan Santos will be traveling later this month to Huatulco, Mexico, to compete in Olympics qualifiers being held by World Triathlon on Sunday, June 13, along with their coach Kent “Bob” Gabourel.
Belize’s Medical and Dental Association Advise Not To Open Borders
Belize’s land borders to Mexico and Guatemala officially open today, Monday, May 31, 2021, for tourist only, after being closed for 14 months due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Belize Medical and Dental Association has expressed their concerns and are calling for the postponement of the re-opening of the country’s land borders
Jasmine Ashcroft Detained Pending Investigation in Henry Jemmott Shooting
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams has confirmed that Jasmine Ashcroft, a San Pedro resident and daughter-in-law of Michael Ashcroft, has been detained pending the investigation into the shooting death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott. Williams confirmed that Jemmott and Ashcroft were reportedly socializing on the dock near the beach when he was shot dead. Williams says that contrary to myriad comments on social media, police do not believe law enforcement personnel are under attack and rather, the situation seems to have been an isolated personal situation.
Rowan Garel is US Embassy Belize’s Youth in Focus Spotlight
The US Embassy Belize announced that Rowan Garel has been chosen for the Youth in Focus Spotlight for the month of May! Rowan has organized various fundraisers over the years to help raise awareness and funds for blind individuals and the organization Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) which aims to provide individuals blind and visually impaired with necessary skills and help to live their lives independently.
Over 3,300 San Pedro Residents Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The Ministry of Health and Wellness indicates that as of May 17, an estimated 53,496 persons have been vaccinated in Belize; of those, approximately +3,300 have received the first dose in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Approximately 310 second doses have been administered as of Friday, May 14, 2021.
Alaska Airlines Announces Non-stop Service to Belize
Belize becomes newest international destination added for leisure travelers - Alaska also announced today new nonstop service to Belize City, Belize, in Central America from the West Coast. Belize will be the fourth country Alaska flies to from its West Coast hubs, joining Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. Routes and schedules to Belize will be announced when ticket sales begin in early June.
Est/Her Receives Donation of Sewing Machines
A donation of four new sewing machines was made last week to the non-profit organization Est/Her (Establishing Her for More) in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The donations was made by the Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance Kevin Bernard, along with the department of youth services to Chelsea Muñoz, Executive Director of Est/Her.
Ian ‘Lion’ Gordon is Inspiring Belizeans to Move with Marathon Tour
Forty-three-year-old Ian ‘Lion’ Gordon (long-time resident of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye) is currently on an 8-day run of Belize challenging himself to complete 13.1-mile runs (or half marathon) in all the districts of Belize. He is running a total of 104.8 miles in eight different towns plus Belmopan and Belize City in eight consecutive days in celebration of his five years as a marathoner.
Belize Zoo Announces New Director
The Belize Zoo announced this week that Celso Poot, long time employee and Manager of Operations and Finance, will now lead the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center as Director. Celso succeeds the Founding Director, Sharon Matola, and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the zoo and education center.
Miss Belize Universe is BHA’s Travel Ambassador
Contributed by Belize Hotel Association - Bringing the industry back is no small feat, but small steps build to long strides. The BHA office has been working with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to sensitize and encourage people to get vaccinated. Earlier this month, the Belize Hotel Association assisted in the coordination of the first round of vaccinations for tourism workers at the Best Western Biltmore and Plaza. We then took to Turneffe Atoll, where three-member properties were visited for the administration of the vaccine.
Minister Perez Forms Task Force to Tackle Pandemic Issues
Hon. Andre Perez, Area Representative of Belize Rural South and Minister of The Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, met last night with key island departments and stakeholders in San Pedro to discuss a joint plan in preparing San Pedro and Caye Caulker communities as Belize prepares to open its land borders.
Norwegian Cruise Line to Resume Port Calls to Belize in August
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced last week that it will resume port calls to Harvest Caye in Southern Belize, on August 9, 2021. Norwegian Joy will depart from its home port in Montego Bay, Jamaica on August 7, and will include Belize as a part of its week-long Western Caribbean itinerary.
Residents Up in Arms at Another Approved Cruise Port for Belize
“True environmental costs must be weighed against any potential benefits to safeguard Belize’s economic backbone, its natural resources - Dismissing cumulative impact of multiple cruise port proposals is shortsighted.” - Oceana Belize
San Pedro Traffic Sticker Scam Under Investigation by Police
The San Pedro Traffic Department was closed on Thursday, April 8, 2021, as it went under investigation under the Police Department after reports indicated that a number of residents were conned in a well-put together scam carried out by former and current members of the public department.