Miss Honduras has also joined the bevy of beauties, as her participation was announced shortly after Miss Belize. Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo is a stunning 5’5” brunette TV presenter who enjoys playing wind instruments, volleyball, visiting historic locations, and learning about new cultures.
Mary is excited to be part of the Reina de la Costa Maya 2018 pageant, and is ambitiously seeking to take the title home to Honduras.
Mary joins Belize’s Marcia Moody, Costa Rica’s Adriana Moya Alvarado, Naydin Madeline Valladares Renderos of El Salvador, Guatemala’sHilary Cumings, Cynthia de la Vega of Mexico and Panama’s Emigdielys Arlyn Samaniego Batista in awaiting the announcement of Nicaragua’s candidate. All contestants will be participating in the highly-anticipated Reina de La Costa Maya pageant to be held at the festival grounds inside the Hon. Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex in “La Isla Bonita”, San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Belize. On Friday, August 3rd, the title of Miss Costa Maya International will be transferred from our current queen, Belize’s very own Michelle Estrella Nuñez. Hosts for this year’s pageant will be Daedra Haylock and Eiden Salazar Jr.
Intermission performances will be done by Grupo Crash from El Salvador. After the winner is announced, the after party will be headlined by Belize’s very own Chico Ramos. He will be accompanied by Sweet Pain band, so get ready for some amazing Belizean soca and punta!
There has been a change in schedule for the festival, with the pageant moving up a day. Thursday August 2nd will feature the official opening ceremonies, as well as pageant preliminaries.
Entertainment for that evening will be provided by Alma Caribeña, the Charikanari Dance Group of San Pedro, Belize and Grupo Crash from El Salvador. After the preliminaries and official stage events, the Youth Connection Band, alongside Ernestine Carballo and Dawgy and DJ Patron will lead the after-party.
Saturday August 4th – Noche Internacional – features the amazing headliner Ivy Queen.
The Queen of Reggaeton will be on the island performing her greatest hits. Also on stage will be the Garifuna Collective, Grupo Crash, Tagg International and Belizean songstress Marilyn Vansen!
Ticket prices have been announced as well. Season passes for Adults is $120 and Children $70. Thursday – Opening Night/ Pageant Preliminaries: Adults $20, Children $10. Friday – International Costa Maya Pageant: Adults $50, Children $30. Saturday – International Night/Ivy Queen: Adults $70, Children $40. Sunday – Festival at the Field: Free
The International Costa Maya Festival would not be possible without the assistance of generous sponsors. Grand Sponsors: Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Ramon’s Village Resort, San Pedro Town Council. Diamond Sponsors: Chamberlain Consulting, Designing Solutions, Jose Luis Zapata Photography. Platinum Sponsors: Belize Border Management, Channel 5 Belize. Gold Sponsors: Reef Radio, Ambergris Today, The San Pedro Sun, National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). Silver Sponsors: Belize Airport Authority, Karen Brodie Photography, Maya Island Air, Hitz 100.7/Oye FM, Wine de Vine. Bronze: Grand Caribe Belize, Toucan Gift Shops. Friends: Kay Brown, Castillo’s Hardware, Pete’s Enterprises, RefriTech, Wally’s Electrical, Wayo’s. Hotel Sponsors: Blue Tang Inn, Caribbean Villas, Holiday Hotel, Matachica Resort & Spa, Nellie’s Property Management, Sunbreeze Hotel, Sunbreeze Suites, Ocean Tides Beach Resort, Victoria House, Lina Point Resort, Del Rio Hotel. Pageant Sponsors: Alejandra Gomez Beauty Clinic, Poco Loco’s, Caprice Restaurant @Holiday Hotel, El Fogon, Elvi’s Kitchen, Island Dream Tours, Mahogany Bay Village, Mambo Café @Matachica Resort, Nook Restaurant, Pineapples Restaurant, Rain Restaurant, Secret Paradise Bar & Grill, Star Island Fantasy, The Candle Garden, Wild Mango’s Restaurant.
