Tribute to Tim Budd: A Life of Music, Friendship, and Inspiration
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 – 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
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
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
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
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!
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
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 […]
WATCH VIDEO: Booby Bird Rescue, Caught in Sargassum
There’s something heartwarming about seeing humans step up for the animals that share our island paradise. This week we celebrate one such story, the successful rescue and release of Bobby, a juvenile booby bird, who found himself in trouble among the thick mats of sargassum along San Pedro’s shores. Bobby’s story began when a concerned […]
New Belize Banknotes to Enter Circulation August 4
The Central Bank of Belize has announced that the new 2025 banknote series will officially enter circulation on August 4, 2025. The new series includes enhanced security features, updated themes, and new portraits, reflecting the nation’s heritage and safeguarding the integrity of Belize’s currency. While the banknotes will have a new look, the exchange rate […]
Ambergris Caye at a Crossroads: Potential Impact of Zaragoza Channel Bridge
The Government of Belize has announced that a high-level meeting with delegations from Mexico and Guatemala was recently held to discuss major regional infrastructure initiatives. Among the projects on the table are the proposed extension of Mexico’s Tren Maya railway through Belize and Guatemala, as well as the construction of a bridge across the Zaragoza […]
Lobster Fest San Pedro is a Vibe!
There’s just something about Lobster Fest in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye that hits different. It’s not just a food festival, it’s a whole vibe. A celebration full of flavor, music, energy, and pure Belizean joy, with our beloved spiny lobster taking center stage. From the moment I stepped into the Block Party this past Saturday, […]
Alma Pinelo Makes History Again as First Female Commander, Belize Coast Guard
San Pedro’s own Alma Pinelo is once again blazing trails in Belize’s military history. On Friday, July 11, 2025, she was officially pinned as Commander (CDR) of the Belize Coast Guard, following her promotion on May 22. This groundbreaking achievement makes her the first woman in the country to hold this high-ranking title. She’s not […]
Isabella Zabaneh Miss Belize Universe Turning Heads on Social Media
Did you know Belize has only ever placed in the Top 12 at Miss Universe? That title went to Sarita Diana Acosta in 1979, and she came remarkably close to making it into the Top 5, missing by just 0.107 points. That’s the highest placement this country has ever seen on the world stage. Fast […]
Belize’s Wildest Season: When Rain, Mosquitoes, Sargassum, Lobster and Mango All Arrive at Once
Let’s be real, there’s a stretch of the year in Belize that tests even the most seasoned islander. We call it hurricane season, but it’s also rainy, mosquito, sargassum season, and the slowest of the slow tourism seasons all rolled into one. The sun shines a little less, the streets get muddy, puddles get bigger, […]
Tiktoker Declares Belize Food Best in Central America
Belize just might be the hidden culinary gem of Central America, and according to TikTok food adventurer @marissaa.mclean, it all starts with the chicken (but trust me, it definitely doesn’t end there)! She said something most of our visitors have been shouting for years: Belize has the best food in Central America, and yep, the […]