Belize: Costa Maya Festivities on La Isla Bonita

Mark your Calendars on August 2, 2012 for a Week of Costa Maya Festivities on La Isla Bonita

Belize’s number one tourist destination explodes with an exuberance of culture, dances, music, food and concerts with a number of local and international artists on August 2 for the grand opening of the San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival.

A regional pageantry of beauty ambassadors from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico mark the grand opening of this year’s 21^st anniversary. Miss Belize along with the Central American beauties and Miss Mexico vie for the coveted title of “La Reina De La Costa Maya” which translates into “Queen of the Mundo Maya.”  Like any other great festival, so too has this festival evolved from a local event to massive national and even international event for salt, sea, and cultural “fiestarama.”  Besides the festival’s first day’s pageantry morphing into an international pageant with full representation from Central America and Mexico, even the name has since changed from Sea and Air Festival to its present name. Mind you, even today many still refer to one of San Pedro’s oldest celebrations as such!

La Isla Bonita’s Costa Maya International Festival is a four day event packed with exciting and fun filled activities. The second day is Gala Night with full entertainment by Soca artist, from Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Kevin Lyttle and Belize’s very own Berne Vasquez. Government Officials, ambassadors and other dignitaries are always in attendance for this cultural extravaganza.

Saturday night is Noche International (International Night) and for good reasons. Perhaps this third night is the climaxes of the festivities as local and international artist take center stage for an explosion of music and entertainment. A collage of diverse cultures and ethnicities, of rich and poor, locals and visitors, of mainland and local islanders come together to celebrate and appreciate the many expressions of cultural multiplicities in food, music and folklore dances. All this on one island. It’s not just any island, its “Temptation Island.” The salty sea breeze carries the acoustic tunes of reggae, punta, steel pan, salsa, marimba and Mariachi music across the island paradise. Your hair is down; you are enjoying a cold Belikin beer, good company and the international entertainment. This is island life in “La Isla Bonita.”

As the iconic festival approaches closure, the fourth and final day ends with a final leg of cultural performances showcasing the very best of the participating countries. Featuring this summer is Ballet Camara De QROO from Mexico.

While on the beach, it is party time – sail race, beach volleyball, greasy pole and party with the DJ’s in island style! See the reef from the beach. Feel the sand between your toes. This is San Pedro. No shirt, no problem. No shoes, no problem!

You can aslo contact Splash Dive Center for more information via email at patricia@splashbelize.com or visit  www.splashbelize.com