Miss Nicaragua Takes the Crown!!

Maritza celebrates with her newfound friends onstage after her big win.

Exuberant and joyful, Miss Rivas greets her waiting fans backstage.

Miss Nicaragua, Maritza Rivas, was crowned on Thursday, August 6th, 2009 as the new International Reina de la Costa Maya. Nicaragua's first time winner is the beautiful Maritza, who captured the judges with her charisma, beauty, poise and personality. Congratulations to Miss Rivas, the new Miss Costa Maya 2009-2010!!! Maritza also took home the prize for Best National Costume.

Maritza took home the prize for Best National Costume.

Second runner up was Miss Mexico, Marliese Ayala, and First Runner Up was Miss Guatemala, Angelica Guevara Morfin. Congratulations to all the beautiful ladies, who did an amazing job and represented their countries beautifully!!

Miss Mexico.

Miss Guatemala alonside Miss Nicaragua.

Lemon Crush Belize launches luxury bikini line

Lemon Crush Belize and Moondancer presented beauties in bikinis and baubles. The ladies of Costa Maya helped support the launch of San Pedro's Sultry Sweet Lemon Crush Belize 2009 luxury bikini collection. A reception was held at El Patio with food provided by Hummingbird Cafe.

Settlement with “Azteca” reached

Belmopan, 3^rd August, 2009 - The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment informs the general public of an agreed settlement with the owners of the luxury yacht Azteca which had damaged the reef when it ran aground near San Pedro in April of this year.

The agreement calls for the payment of US $400,000.00 to be paid in installments of US $100,000.00. The first installment was received on 24th July, 2009 upon the signing of the agreement.

Separate and additional to these funds, the Ministry has secured commitment from the Mexican-based Fundacion Azteca to assist in activities to promote Belize on TV Azteca along with a technical corporation to give assistance relating to the environment and forest conservation.

Fundacion Azteca is an organization that drives both corporate social responsibilities as a social conscience. It was founded in 1997 and was recognized worldwide by the United Nations in 1999 for its programs of excellence in education, health, ecology and sports, in addition to supporting other organizations and enabling people to collaborate and disseminate their projects.

SeaDuced by Costa Maya beauties

The delegates from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama were on board SeaDuction Catamaran on Sunday for a day of fun, sun and sea. The ladies got to enjoy just a little taste of what La Isla Bonita is all about.

FOTHS fundraiser

Neither rain or a power outage could stop the SAGA fundraiser from going through this Sunday. Friends of the Humane Society (FOTHS) gathered out at central park with many fun items for sale. Smoothies, raffles, used baby clothes, jewelry, and much more were on sale. Kudos to FOTHS for a great fundraiser.