San Pedro Lions Club Feeds 300 Community Workers

san pedro lions club feed frontline workers national service day

In honor of National Service Day, Saturday, September 13, 2025, the San Pedro Lions Club extended a beautiful gesture of appreciation by serving BBQ meals to nearly 300 of our community’s frontline workers. This heartfelt act reached our Polyclinic staff, firefighters, police officers, traffic wardens, and the hardworking sanitary crew at the San Pedro Town […]

Belize Shines on the Big Screen at World Premiere of Looking Through Water

looking through water movie belize

New York, USA / Belize City, Belize – September 4, 2025 Belize took the international spotlight this week as Looking Through Water, a feature film starring Michael Douglas and directed by acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Roberto Sneider premiered at the prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theatre in New York City. Filmed primarily in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, the […]

Herla Ortiz Represents San Pedro at Queen of the Bay Pageant

herla ortiz queen of the bay

San Pedro beamed with pride this past weekend as Herla Ortiz represented the island at the 80th Annual Queen of the Bay Pageant, held on Saturday, August 30, at the Belize City Civic Center. While the crown ultimately went to Miss Stann Creek Central, Samantha Ramirez, who was named the Queen of the Bay Designate […]

Include Me 2: A Milestone for Autism Education on Ambergris Caye

include me 2 autism preschool

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending one of the most meaningful ribbon-cutting ceremonies I’ve witnessed in San Pedro, the opening of Include Me 2 Preschool, the island’s first early childhood institution dedicated to children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The new preschool, located in Tres Cocos, officially opened its doors […]

A Historic First Day at The Island High School

the island high school at island academy

Today I had the privilege of being part of something truly special in San Pedro, the very first day of classes at The Island High School, the island’s second high school. It was a milestone not just for education on Ambergris Caye, but also a deeply personal one for me, as my very own nephew […]

Miley Chi Crowned 66th Miss San Pedro

miss san pedro pageant miley chi

San Pedro has a new queen! Under the glittering theme “Beauty and the Sea”, the 66th Miss San Pedro Pageant was held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, delivering an evening of elegance, entertainment, and dazzling talent as five contestants vied for the coveted crown. A New Queen EmergesTaking center stage with poise, eloquence, and radiant […]

Isla Bonita Elementary School Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

isla bonita elementary school 25 anniversary

Isla Bonita Elementary School opened its new school year with extra joy as it proudly celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Founded by Mr. Chris and Diana Nuñez, the school marked the milestone during orientation day with colorful decorations, special classroom booths, heartfelt speeches, and even a fun visit from Ozzy the Clown to entertain the children. […]

Tribute to Tim Budd: A Life of Music, Friendship, and Inspiration

tim budd barefoot skinny

San Pedro and the wider Belizean community are mourning the loss of Tim Budd, known affectionately to so many as Barefoot Skinny. More than just a musician, Tim was a mentor, a friend, and a soul who lived life with passion, humor, and an endless generosity of spirit. He passed away yesterday, leaving behind a […]

Before the Island Wakes: The Stillness of Daybreak in San Pedro

downtown san pedro at sunrise

There’s something magical about sunrise in San Pedro. For a brief hour each morning, the island feels like it remembers what it once was, quiet, slow, and utterly peaceful. Walking downtown at daybreak, I’m struck by how still everything is. No golf carts rushing by, no bustling businesses opening their doors, no chatter of visitors […]

End of Town, A Different Time in Paradise

paradise resort hotel end of barrier reef drive flashback

The north end of Barrier Reef Drive, what we all know as Front Street, once marked the very edge of San Pedro village. Back then, Milo Paz’s property was where town life ended. For years, that was our northernmost limit… until Paradise Hotel appeared just beyond Milo’s and suddenly the “end of town” wasn’t the […]

Why a Sargassum State of Emergency Matters for Belize

Sargassum emergency on Ambergris Caye, Belize

The sargassum crisis on Ambergris Caye has pushed the island to the edge, and while the San Pedro Town Council has already declared an Emergency Phase, there’s now growing pressure for the Prime Minister to step in and declare sargassum a national state of emergency. But what does that actually mean, and why is it […]

“Declare It a Disaster”: Tourist Guides Demand National Action on Sargassum

sargassum being called a national emergency

I don’t think anyone on the island could have predicted just how much sargassum would hit our shores this year. Back in late 2018, the Belize Sargassum Task Force was formed to tackle the issue, but for a while, it seemed like little action followed. Then, two years ago, the problem “seemed” to have almost […]

Classic Fly Fishing Tournament Gives Back to Community

san pedro classic fly fishing tournament

The 2025 San Pedro Classic Fly Fishing Tournament, held August 14–16 in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, brought together 18 competitive teams for three exciting days of world-class fly fishing. Anglers and guides chased bonefish, tarpon, and permit across our pristine flats, with daily counts and community gatherings centered at Central Park. This year’s tournament was […]

Flashback to Sandpiper Street When It Didn’t Have a Name

flashback to sandpiper street 1993

It actually took me a moment to recognize this street in the photo, taken in 1993, because at first glance, I thought it might have been from the 1980s. I have this habit of looking at old island images and imagining they were from my dad’s youth, only to get the rude awakening that I […]

Belizean Kindness on Full Display: Tourist Touched by Store Owner’s Trust

belizean kindness in full display full basket grocery store

Belizean Kindness at it’s best! I just watched a TikTok that absolutely warmed my heart and reminded me, once again, why Belizeans are world-class in kindness. Richard Lindsey, an American visitor, found himself without cash and needed a few groceries. The store did not accept credit or debit cards but without hesitation, the store owner […]

Finding Traces of the Past in Modern San Pedro

nostalgic days of san pedro village

Even though San Pedro is no longer the quiet little fishing village it once was, there are still beautiful reminders scattered around that take me right back to those simpler days. One of those places is the dock at Amigos del Mar Dive Shop. Every time I pass by, I’m filled with a wave of […]

New Regulations Restrict House Moves to Nighttime Hours Only

house moves

The Department of Transport (DoT) has announced new regulations restricting the movement of houses and oversized structures on public roadways to nighttime hours only, in a move aimed at improving road safety and easing traffic congestion nationwide. Effective immediately, the transport of houses and large structures will only be permitted between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 […]

Flashback to the Early 90’s – How Does This Scene Look in 2025?

flashback middle street casa blanca hotel

Flashback – Sometimes I find myself walking through town, trying to see San Pedro through the eyes of a first-time visitor. I wonder what thoughts fill their minds, what grabs their attention, what makes them fall in love with our island. Their hometowns are so different from ours, places filled with high-rises, multi-lane roads, and […]

Miss San Pedro 2025 Delegates’ First Public Appearance

miss san pedro sashing ceremony

The Miss San Pedro Pageant held its official sashing ceremony to introduce the 2025 delegates vying for the island’s Crown. Karely Sho, Karisha Rubio, Ayana Neagu, Johanna Mas and Miley Chi were officially presented with their sponsor sash after a small runway presentation of the delegates held at Ramon’s Village. All five took time to […]

Herla Ortiz to Represent San Pedro at Queen of the Bay Pageant

herla ortiz miss queen of the bay san pedro

There have not been many young island ladies who have competed at the Queen of the Bay Pageant, but this year San Pedro will be proudly represented in the historic 80th Queen of the Bay Pageant by Herla Ortiz. The pageant will be held in Belize City at the Belize Civic Center on August 30, […]

Kids in Action: The Summer Program Transforming Young Lives

kids in action summer program

Every summer, I’m reminded just how amazing our island community can be when we come together for something bigger than ourselves. The Kids in Action Summer Program just wrapped up, and what a summer it has been! Watching these kids finish their diving, snorkeling, and fishing training feels like witnessing the birth of a whole […]

Saving Baby Sea Turtles: A Night of Magic with ACES and Hol Chan

baby sea turtle rescue san pedro

Sometimes I think this island has a way of reminding us just how connected we are to the natural world. Just when I was still beaming from the story of Bobby, the Booby bird that ACES Wildlife Rescue nursed back to health and returned to the wild, another wildlife rescue miracle unfolded this time involving […]

NBA Star Fred VanVleet Vacations in Belize!

fred vanfleet national basketball players association belize

Houston Rockets’ starting point guard and newly elected President of the National Basketball Players Association, Fred VanVleet, has been spotted enjoying some well-deserved downtime in beautiful Belize. Known for his sharp skills on the court, VanVleet is taking a break to soak up the sun, explore our tropical paradise, and experience the warm hospitality Belize […]

Miss San Pedro 2025 Contestants Announced

miss san pedro contestants 2025

The Miss San Pedro Pageant Committee this week introduced the five incredible young women who will grace the stage this year, embodying the beauty, strength, and vibrant spirit of our island. Inspired by the oceanic theme, “Beauty and the Sea,” these delegates are ready to make waves: Meet the Miss San Pedro Contestants Click Here […]