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

Any unlucky anglers who haven’t been to Belize? Here is some bait to hook you….

Belize-is where you go catching not just fishing.  This small, yet so big blue Caribbean jewel, is synonymous with exceptional fishing.  Belize has long been recognized as a world-class angling destination, and fishermen from all parts of the world come for great sports fishing.

What makes Belize so appealing is the vast diversity of fishing grounds, of fish species, different types of fishing and the sheer natural beauty of the unique landscape where these grounds are found.  In addition to the endless numbers of cayes, deep blue water and turtle-grass flats, Belize boosts an abundance of rivers, lagoons, and freshwater lakes adding to the proliferation of fishing grounds.

Blogger- Megan Wood Fishing in Belize- http://meganlwood.com/

Make no mistake; Belize is no ordinary fishing spot.  Belize is home to the “Big Three,” where fly fishing enthusiasts have a chance at the revered Grand Slam – a bonefish, tarpon and permit in one day!

Prized for its incredible strength and speed, bonefish may average between 2 – 5 pounds and are caught on Belize’s flats throughout the year. The virgin waters around Placencia offer a fertile ground to sight and catch this top game fish.

Belize offers good fly fishing for tarpons. In fact, a couple hundred square miles of tarpon flats is featured throughout Belize. Tarpons are perhaps some of the strongest, largest (up to a whopping 200 pounds) and most acrobatic fish in saltwater. The best tarpon fishing months are from November through April or May.  Tarpon Caye lies offshore of Placencia.

Belize’s southern waters are not only known for tarpon and bonefish, but also the amazing number of permit that inhabit the long chain of cayes and flats. Also known as “Silver King

Outside of Belize’s magnificent barrier reef, dozens of other species are found in the deep blue sea including wahoo, dolphin fish (also known as dorado or maui-maui), grouper, barracuda, jack crevalle, yellowtail and mutton snapper. The three Atolls – Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef and Glover’s Reef offer good chances of catching the great Blue Marlin.

So for those who like variety to catch their prize fish, Belize is a top flat fishing mecca offering a number of experienced operators and guides with abundant local knowledge. No matter whether you are a veteran or a novice, Belize’s saltwater fishing features exceptional angling prospects.  So pack your fishing gear or use our fishing gear but come to Belize.  In Belize, you’ll experience the difference between “just fishing” and “catching.”

School is Out – Belize Summer Travels Offers a Journey through Time

Island Life

School is out and Belize’s Summer Travel is hotter than ever. Anyone who has travelled can attest to the gazillion charms that Belize has to offer from reefs to ruins, birds to blue holes, Belize adventures awaits you.

Like no other journey you have ever encountered, Belize is truly a journey through time.  Mark my word, Belize is no ordinary place! Often, we hear the expression, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” On this journey, it will take a thousand pictures to say one word – Belize.

First-time visitors will want to enjoy discovering Belize’s array of natural land and sea wonders. Expect the unexpected and pack accordingly. Savvy travelers will enjoy their stay more. Pack your cameras, film, diving, snorkeling, and fishing equipment, sunscreens, repellents and appropriate clothing for sub-tropical climate – serious adventure awaits the curious and brave of heart in Belize.

Like a mighty sun perched high on a mesmerizing sunset, Belize shines brightly over the completion.  She is colorful, vibrant and very exciting.  One look will never satisfy your curiosity. She must be scrutinized and explored from every corner to really appreciate her beauty.

Her highest point towers some 4,000 feet above sea level, where she watches over the majestic Maya Mountains. As one foot huddles in the warm sand of the coastal beaches, the other rests gently on the proud barrier reef. Her arms stretch out and embrace more than 8,000 square miles of unharmed natural beauty. You have seen no paradise more lovely. She is picture-perfect.

In fact, this rare gem called Belize is an endless voyage through snapshots and feelings. It’s an intimate date with Mother Nature that promises an experience oozing with excitement, adventure and memories. She is close, yet so far – old, yet so new. In every way, she is a trip one never forgets.

Lobster in its Barrier Reef Home

Visitors from all over the world find it wonderful, magical and beautiful, in a very natural way. Belize is the last outpost. It’s on the edge of the world.  It’s where the old world of the Maya, Garifuna, Creole and Mestizo meets the new and emerges into the cultural melting pot it is today. Simply put, she is splendid.

If Belize is famous for anything, it would be diving along its outer cayes and ecotourism inland. Belize is home of the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Diving is unquestionably outstanding. The cayes along the reef are picturesque – white sandy beaches and coconut palms. No footprints allowed here, except yours of course. So pack your bags, camera and film, Belize welcomes you!