San Pedro High Class of 1990 Has a Blast at Reunion
“We had a blast,” commented Corina Alvarez to Ambergris Today, describing her 30th Anniversary Class Reunion of San Pedro High School. The Class of 1990 got together over the weekend to celebrate their memories at San Pedro High and their lasting friendship as one of the funnest classes to come out of SPHS. Congratulations guys! […]
The Saharan Dust Effect on Ambergris Caye
The much anticipated and forecasted Saharan dust from the deserts of Africa has arrived in Belize and its effects are clearly seen here on Ambergris Caye. The current Saharan dust episode is leading to the worst dust storm in the Caribbean in decades. From bright blue skies to a foggy gloom, the difference is obvious. […]
San Pedro High Class of 1980 Celebrates 40th Anniversary
They are the sixth group of students to graduate from San Pedro High School; the Class of 1980 celebrated its 40th graduation anniversary over the weekend. The group boasts the only class to produce two Mayors for San Pedro Town – current Mayor Daniel Guerrero and former Mayor Elsa Paz. The remaining class members include […]
Belize Prepares to Reopen – Sets New Accommodation Sector Protocols and Guidelines
Press Release, (June 19th 2020) – As Belize’s tourism industry prepares for reopening, the health, safety, and well-being of the industry, its employees, the wider Belizean community, and visitors are more important than ever, as we mitigate the risk of COVID-19 and adopt to new travel norms. Earlier today, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) officially […]
US Donates Two Ambulances for San Ignacio and Santa Elena
Press Release – U.S. Embassy Belize, Belmopan – On June 19, the United States Government delivered two ambulances donated by the Virginia Emergency Services Program, a U.S. non-governmental organization, to the Belize Fire Department in San Ignacio and Santa Elena. The shipment was transported by the U.S. Department of Defense under the U.S. Department of […]
Open Letter to Minister of Tourism: "People Need Answers"
Open Letter to the Minister of Tourism June 19th 2020 Manuel Heredia Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation City of Belmopan, Cayo Belize Dear Minister Heredia, Since the end of March, the overnight tourism sector has had no business with the airport and land borders closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As has been reported, […]
Dengue and Malaria Concerns Increase Alongside COVID-19 in Belize
Although Dengue deaths have not climbed to alarming numbers in Belize, last year there were 10 reported deaths in the country. With the astonishing rise in the number of mosquitos in Ambergris Caye and the country, Belizeans are calling the Ministry of Health to provide relief through the spraying of malathion. As if the COVID-19 […]
Belize Re-opens National Parks, Nature Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries
Press Release – Belmopan. June 15, 2020. 4:20 p.m. – The National Biodiversity Office under the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development announces the re-opening of protected areas under its management, including national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments and wildlife sanctuaries. All visitors to these protected areas are advised that social distancing […]
Isla Bonita Elementary Holds Graduation Ceremony
In a short, small, but meaningful ceremony, the Isla Bonita Elementary School held its graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, 2020. It was a memorable day for the class of Standard 6; the senior graduating class consisted of 26 students. They received their certificate of completion as witnessed by the school staff and immediate family. […]
Curfew Hours Shortened and More Lockdown Restrictions Eased
Belmopan. June 11, 2020. 10:00 a.m. – Cabinet has supported recommendations resulting from a National Oversight Committee meeting held on Monday, June 8th, which will now see a further relaxation of the lockdown restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Though there has been no sign of community transmission of COVID-19 for […]
Is July Too Early or Too Late to Open Belize’s Intl. Airport?
Press Release – The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) recently polled its members to gauge their views regarding the reopening of the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA). The survey also asked members to share their views on the medical safeguards that should be in place once PGIA is reopened to minimize the importation […]
Belize’s 20th COVID Case is Illegal Immigrant in Punta Gorda
Press Release, Ministry of Health, Belmopan. June 9, 2020. 4:45 p.m. – As a result of a revised protocol that came into effect this week, persons entering Belize either legally or illegally are being swabbed and tested for COVID-19. That process identified a positive case for COVID-19 in a 22-year-old female who was caught entering […]
Guatemalan Scarlet Macaw Poacher Injured in Chiquibul National Park
Press Release – On Sunday, June 7, 2020, at about 6:00 p.m., Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) Forest Rangers were conducting a routine exercise mounting cameras to monitor the poaching of endangered scarlet macaws 1.2 kilometres east of the border, in area of Caracol, in the Chiquibul National Park. During this exercise they had […]
Lobster Season Won’t be the Same without Lobster Fest
Usually this week the San Pedro Lobster Festival committee is crazy busy making its final plans and arrangements for one of the most exciting annual festivals in Belize. Sadly this year the San Pedro Lobster Festival will not take place on Ambergris Caye. Lobster season in Belize opens on June 15. The COVID-19 pandemic made […]
San Pedro High Announces 139 Senior Graduating Class
San Pedro High School is set to graduate 139 seniors by mid month and this week the school announced the top students of the graduating class. Manuel Casasola took the top honors of Valedictorian while Rachel Alamilla will be the Salutatorian and the Vote of Thanks will be given by Stephanie Usher. Like most graduations […]
Belize Confirms 19th Case of COVID-19 53 Days After Last Case
Press Release – Belmopan, June 5, 2020. 4:30 p.m. – The Ministry of Health informs the public that a 19th case of COVID-19 was confirmed earlier today. This comes after the last four cases reported 53 days ago. The case is that of a 27-year-old male who arrived on Saturday, May 23rd, from a cruise […]
Islanders Organize Belize Children's Assistance Organization During Pandemic
Belize Children’s Assistance Organization was created by Ms Yamilet Tzib to assist jobless parents with basic grocery items. She then pushed forward to assist single parents with baby products such as diapers, formula and wipes, to name a few. With the help of Mrs. Debbie Howell Reed and Mrs. Sheila Midgett Mark and their GoFundme […]
Opening of 2020 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season
Today, Monday, June 1, marks the beginning of the 2020 hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin. The season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. However the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as shown by the formation of tropical storm Arthur on May 16 and tropical storm […]
Belize Pushing To Get Back to Normal Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Although Belize continues to be free of any active COVID-19 cases, the country is still under a national shutdown, with all its borders and airport closed, an evening curfew in effect and under laws of social distancing and use of masks in public. The global pandemic is wreaking havoc on its tourism industry and crippling […]
Island Academy Holds First Online Graduation on Ambergris Caye
The Island Academy is the first school on Ambergris Caye to hold it’s graduation ceremony for 2020, but there was nothing typical of the occasion as the COVID-19 Pandemic forced the school to hold it’s ceremony online, probably the first in the country. Zoom was the application of choice to conduct the graduation ceremony as […]
How Do We Dive in Belize During COVID-19 Pandemic?
How Do We Dive in Belize During COVID-19 Pandemic? Safety First as always! “Masks on Masks on Masks” is how island resident and dive enthusiast Ben Popik described his recent dive on a Facebook post. As Belize slowly eases of on strict restrictions during COVID-19 Emergency Shutdown, diving and other marine activities are now allowed […]
Ambergris Caye Cookbook Released to Raise Funds for Feeding Program
The COVID19 virus has crippled the world. It has done untold damage to our physical health, our mental health and our financial health. But, here on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Isla Bonita, the damage is almost beyond measure. Ambergris Caye’s only industry is tourism. With the closing of the borders, we instantly had a […]
Hol Chan’s Corals are Sick, Locals Administering Antibiotics
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) has been monitoring the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) since last year, which has now been spotted in several locations within the reserve on Ambergris Caye, Belize. This week the management team of the marine reserve made the announcement to the general public that the Hol Chan Marine […]
Belize at 36 Days with Zero COVID-19 Cases
As of yesterday, Tuesday, May 20, 2020,Belize is only country in mainland America with zero COVID-19 cases after Suriname reported a new case. Belize’s Ministry of Health reported last night that a further 33 samples were tested yesterday and all came out negative. Despite the large numbers in neighboring countries in its largest tourism market, […]
San Pedro RC School Registering Students Through WhatsApp
The San Pedro Roman Catholic School has just recently issued a notice to parents of students that the institution will be carrying out re-registration via WhatsApp and onine form. This is in lieu of precautionary measures taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic and currently being available for re-registration for the new school year 2020-2021. The […]