Phineas, a 13-foot, nearly 500-pound American crocodile, has become one of the most recognizable residents of the ACES Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary in San Pedro, Belize. Found in a precarious situation on a local balcony after twice being captured and relocated, Phineas was transferred to the sanctuary for his safety and that of the community. His story highlights the challenges of managing large crocodiles that inhabit areas near human settlements.
A new milestone in saltwater fly-fishing has been set off the coast of Ambergris Caye. Longtime visiting angler Ken Watkins and San Pedro fly-fishing guide Darrel Smith have broken the world record for the most Permit caught on fly, landing an incredible 515 fish and surpassing the previous records of 513 and 514 held by renowned anglers Del Brown and Mike Ward.
As the low tourism season continues, many stakeholders in Belize, particularly on Ambergris Caye, are optimistic about the upcoming high season following the announcement of new and expanded international flights from the United States and Canada. These additional routes are expected to boost visitor arrivals and strengthen the country’s tourism industry. One of the most anticipated additions is Spirit Airlines’ new non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, set to begin next month.