Presidents of Honduras and El Salvador arrive for SICA meeting

Honduran President Porfirio Lobo and El Salvador's President Carlos Mauricio Funes touched down on Ambergris Caye today on their way to the SICA conference being held at Coco Beach Resort.

A press conference is scheduled to take place later this afternoon, and details will be posted/printed after...

Who do you think will be La Reina de la Costa Maya 2010?

Start calling The San Pedro Sun office at 226-2070 and tell us who you think will win the pageant on Thursday night, or leave your vote as a comment on this blog page. Be sure to leave your name, number and choice of contestant. At the end of the pageant, we will raffle the names of those who chose the winning delegate, and the winner will receive a framed, autographed photo with the new Miss Costa Maya 2010-2011!!!

Costa Maya Kicks Off with Noche San Pedrana

The long awaited Costa Maya Festivities kicked off in fine island fashion with the annual Noche San Pedrana held last night. Hosted by the San Pedro Lion's Club for the third consecutive year, the Lion's put out the welcome mat for La Reina de la Costa Maya Pagaent Contestants and the San Pedro community joined in greeting the young ladies to the Isla Bonita for a night of entertainment, dinner, fashion and dance.

The evening began with an address by reigning Costa Maya Queen 2010, Maritza Rivas.

One by one the Pageant Contestants were escorted to the stage and introduced to the applauding crowd.

Miss Belize, Liliana Mia Nuñez

Miss Nicaragua, Claudia Alejandra Trejos Gadea

Miss Guatemala, Gabriela Asturias

Miss Costa Rica, Krysia Ortiz Campos

Miss Honduras, Nicole Yaret Hawit

Miss Mexico, Priscilla Pastrana Lopez

Miss Panama, Yosibell Sánchez Espino

Miss El Salvador, Diana Ingrid Martinez Pineda

The Contestants, with Costa Maya Queen 2010 (center) and flanked by Miss San Pedro Lion's Club, Alexis Guerro (far left) and Miss San Pedro Rachelle Badillo (far right)

San Pedro Lion's Club President, Melanie Paz, extended a warm greeting to the Contestants.
The crowd was then treated to a fashion show where several clothing stores and boutiques on the Island showcased their designs. beautifully modeled by the Contestants.

After dance performances by the San Pedro Dance Company the crowd enjoyed a delicious dinner of roasted chicken with all the trimmings.

After dinner Rompe Raja provided jammin' music where Contestants got to dance with the crown and mingle.

Before the night ended the ladies were given a gift from the San Pedro Lion's Club, a very appropriate beach towel with the map of Belize on it!

Be sure to attend the much anticipated La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant this Thursday night!

TONIGHT...

Also on the agenda for tonight is the grand opening of Hidden Treasure restaurant at Coral Beach Hotel on Barrier Reef Drive.

Costa Maya Pageant Delegates Arrive!!

-Press Release-Costa Maya Festival Committee - July 30th, 2010 - The participants arriving today for the La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant are Ms. El Salvador Diana Ingrid Martinez, Ms. Honduras Nicole Yaret Hawit, Ms. Mexico Priscilla Pastrana Lopez, Ms. Costa Rica Krysia Ortiz Campos, along with Ms. Belize Liliana Mia Nuñez, and the reigning La Reina de la Costa Maya Maritza Rivas. They are presently staying at Ramon’s Village Resort in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye which is our official hotel for the Costa Maya International Festival 2010.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, Ms. Panama, Ms. Guatemala and Ms. Nicaragua will not be arriving today. It has been confirmed that they will be arriving tomorrow morning to join the other participants in the week’s schedule leading up to the pageant on Thursday, August 5th, 2010.

Costa Maya Presents: Miss El Salvador!!

The first of a bevy of beauties has confirmed participation for this year’s Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. 25-year-old Diana Ingrid Martinez Pineda is a Psychology student at La Universidad Jose Simeon Cañas. Standing at 5’ 5", and measuring 32-25-26, this lovely brown-eyed brunette enjoys swimming and extreme sports. Diana will be joined onstage on August 5th, 2010 by delegates from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama, all vying for the crown, currently held by Nicaragua’s beautiful Maritza Rivas. Best of luck!!

Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras devastated by Tropical Storm Agatha

June 1st is the beginning of Hurricane season, but Tropical Storm Agatha hit Central America early, as it has caused devastation and loss of lives in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras over the weekend. Above is an image of a giant sinkhole that was created by the extreme downpour of rain, and swallowed an entire 3-story building.

According to the Associated Press, the European Union has granted euro3 million ($3.65 million) in emergency aid for victims of Tropical Storm Agatha in Central America.
The storm has caused flooding and landslides that killed at least 150 people and made thousands homeless in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
The EU says the aid approved Tuesday will go toward buying food, water, first aid kits, sanitation supplies and emergency shelters for some 100,000 people.
EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva says "We will continue to monitor the situation closely, in case further needs arise."
More than 160,000 people in Central America have been evacuated from their homes.

Noche San Pedrana - What a Blast!!

The first of the many fun events for the Costa Maya Festival is definitely Noche San Pedrana. Hosted by the San Pedro Lions Club, this annual event is a night wherein the community at large gets to know the representatives from the various countries, mingle with them and in general have a grand old time.
This year was no different as the delegates got to once more enjoy the warm welcome that Belize is known for. With both a DJ and Rompe Raja Band kicking up the tunes, everyone who attended Noche San Pedrana had a great time. The festivities have begun, and they only get better each day!!
After a lovely dinner and some presentations, the lovely delegates presented the first ever fashion show, showcasing the items of Expressions Boutique, Mambo Chill, Letty's Fashions, MoonDancer Boutique and Sarai's Boutique.
The crowd got to dance and enjoy the company of the very lovely and friendly ladies as well...

Many more photos and video to come...stay tuned to The San Pedro Sun!!