As per usual, kicking off the festival is the sexy, glamorous and exciting Reina de la Costa Maya 2008. Reigning Reina is no other than Belize’s very own, Maria Jeffries and she will be joined on stage by delegates from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize. With eight stunning beauties proudly representing their Maya heritage, judges will certainly have a difficult task finding a new ambassador. Confirmed for this year already are: Miss Belize – Iris Jessie Medina, Miss Honduras – Alejandra Mendoza, Miss Costa Rica – María Elena Quesada Córdoba, and this week, we add Miss Mexico and Miss El Salvador to the roster of splendor.

Natalia Alvarez, Mexico

Miss Mexico – Natalia Soledad Ruiz Alvarez

    Natalia Soledad Ruiz Alvarez is the fourth delegate to accept participation in this year’s International Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. The 20-year-old beauty stands at six feet one inch tall and was born on March 19th, 1988 in Tuxtla, Chiapas. She is currently a student working on her Master’s in Tourism and enjoys swimming as a sport, while her hobbies include shopping, modeling and reading terror books, as well as novels. Natalia’s motto for life is, “If you want, you can,” and she could. Last year, she was crowned Nuestra Belleza Chiapas 2007 but said that, according to her, her biggest body flaw is her butt, laughing while she states the comment. The body parts that she loves most about herself are her face and legs. Natalia is a down to earth young lady who loves spending time on the Internet and believes that it was the greatest invention in the 20th Century. With much charisma, glamour and beauty, Natalia plans to give the rest of the delegates “a run for their money” as she proudly represents The Land of Tequila, Mexico.

Daniella Augspurg Jimenez, El Salvador

Miss El Salvador – Daniella Maria Augspurg

    Daniella Maria Augspurg Jimenez is a 17-year-old blonde, green-eyed beauty hailing from El Salvador. She is the fifth contestant to confirm her participation for the Costa Maya Pageant. She is currently in her last year of high school, looking to further her studies and become an excellent psychiatrist. She enjoys reading, singing and kick-boxing, and is especially proud of her awards for her performance in the school choir and for her participation in science fairs. This reading buff counts Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabel Allende and Paulo Coellho among her favorite authors. Daniella looks forward to representing her beloved El Salvador, a country she believes is truly impressive with its wealth of natural beauty and culture; a place she is so proud to call home.

Reina de La Costa Maya Schedule of Events

    Delegates for this year’s event, will arrive in the country of Belize on July 31st and will enjoy a delicious dinner at the Riverside Tavern in Belize City on that night. On Friday, the ladies will have the opportunity to meet Mayor of Belize City, Zenaida Moya after taking part in Love FM’s morning show. The Mayor’s visit will be followed by a photo shoot held in downtown Belize and will continue with a lunch at Harbour View Restaurant. By 3:00 p.m. the young women, depart the nation’s Old Capital enroute to La Isla Bonita. As is the tradition for every year, host hotel is none other than Ramon’s Village, and once all eight participants have checked in, they will move over to Sunset Grill for a scrumptious dinner and feed the tarpons. Saturday the girls will have the opportunity to visit the island as they have some free time to shop for souvenirs for their loved ones back home before heading back to the hotel to get ready for what marks the beginning of the Costa Maya Festival, Noche San Pedrana.

    Noche San Pedrana will be hosted by the San Pedro Lions Club and will start at 8:00 p.m. As well as introducing all delegates to the community, the delegates will be sashed by outgoing queen Maria Jeffries and attendees will also enjoy an island buffet.

    While on the island, the girls will enjoy photo shoots at various beach sites including Ramon’s and meals from El Patio, Mickey’s Place, Hidden Treasures, Wet Willy’s, Fido’s Courtyard, El Fogon, and Elvis Kitchen. The beauties will also enjoy snorkeling our Caribbean waters courtesy of Seaduced, the Chicken Drop at Pier Lounge and will also participate in the Good Morning San Pedro show at the Reef Radio.

    A special treat for all will take place on Tuesday, August 5th, when Fido’s Courtyard will be the host for the first ever, Reina de la Costa Maya Runway Show. This event will be dubbed the La Reina Fido’s Bikini 2008 and will have no effect on the results of the official pageant. A runway is in the works and islanders will get to mingle with all delegates once the show has concluded that night. The event is set to kick off at 9:00 p.m.

    Tickets and booths:
La Reina De La Costa Maya (Thursday)
Adults: $25BZD Children: $15BZD

Opening Gala / Mega Concert (Friday)
Adults: $25BZD Children: $15BZD

Noche Internacional (Saturday)
Adults: $75BZD Children: $25BZD

A Night for the Family (Sunday)
Adults: $25BZD Children: $15BZD

Season Pass (Valid for all four nights)
Adults: $100BZD Children: $45BZD

    This year, committee members plan on laying away Season Passes for the Festival. Every week, pay a portion of the ticket, by the time Costa Maya rolls in, you have paid your ticket in full and have the opportunity to enjoy all the events sponsored by the International Event. For information call their main office at (226) 4271.

    One food booth is available for rental still. Showcase your most delicious meals and the international venue. Call (226) 2725 for further information.

Program:

    A Season Pass to this year’s Costa Maya Festival will allow you to enjoy all events which include: Thursday, August 7th – Reina de la Costa Maya International Pageant (gates open at 7:30 p.m.). Entertainment by: Nelita Castillo, San Pedro Dance Company and Alonzo Heredia from Mexico, while after party music will be provided by Islander’s Band. Friday, August 8th – Opening Gala (gates open at 7:30 p.m.) Opening Ceremony will include Cultural Presentation, music from Guatemala’s Fabiola, San Pedro Dance Company, El Ballet Folklorico De La Secretaria De Cultura De Quintana, Roo, Mexico and Grupo de Danza de El Salvador. Also planned for that night is a Mega Concert with Belize’s very own Supa G and Honduras’ Klan-Destinos who specialize in Reggaeton, Bachata, Salsa and Punta Rock. Saturday, August 9th – International Night (gates open at 7:30 p.m.) will have dance presentations from Grupo CLASH, Belize National Dance Company, music from Fabiola Rodas and of course, the stars of the night will be the much acclaimed Mexican Grupo Bryndis. Sunday, August 10th – Considered the Night for the Family (gates open at 7:30 p.m.) and will have performances by Natalie Arceo accompanied by the Islander’s Band, Dennis Wolfe’s Country and Western Band and Mexican comedian – Chupitos.

    The Costa Maya International Festival has achieved one of its biggest purposes and that is international acclaim. This will be highly apparent and the mass coverage that this year’s event will have. 205 performers are expected to arrive on the island for the grand event and that does not include filming by Director Arlando Smith and the Reina de la Costa Maya will be covered by five cameras and will also include live projections on screens for those who can’t access the full stage. Media coverage includes National Institute of Culture and History, San Pedro’s Coral Cable Vision, Channel Love TV and Centaur Cable who will all be present as well as International Media such as, Televisa, TV Azteca, La Hornada (Newspaper).