Boca del Rio beach park

San Pedro Town started the Thanksgiving celebrations with the sixth annual Turkey Trot, held on Thursday, November 28th, at Boca del Rio Beach Park. The 5K (3.1 miles) run or walk raises funds for the island’s non-profit organization and orphanage, Hope Haven.

San Pedro Town is the most populated and developed area of Ambergris Caye. Over the years, it has rapidly expanded to accommodate progress and the growing population. As it grows, the challenge of balancing progress and conservation remains a concern for the local authorities. To address this, studies have been conducted in partnership with international organizations such as IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture SAU, and the Inter-American Development Bank to develop a master plan that will include protected areas. While the project is being finalized, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has launched an aggressive project to protect the downtown beaches by implementing a nature-based approach.

The Crocs Sunset Sports Bar team, along with supporters and donors, launched the San Pedro Belize Christmas Collection project during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The initiative provided thousands of meals to those affected by the pandemic and distributed toys to children at their respective schools across the island. The project has since expanded its impact on the community. On Tuesday, July 23rd, a dedication ceremony was held for a brand-new playground at the Boca del Rio Beach Park.

An official ceremony occurred on Friday, June 21st, to inaugurate the Department of the Environment (DOE) office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The office space will also accommodate the Belize Forest Department and will not only serve Ambergris Caye but Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel. The event was held at the Boca del Rio Beach Park and consisted of a brief ceremony attended by officials and guests. Area Representative and Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management, the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Honourable Orlando Habet, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai, and Councilor Jose Castellanos were present to officiate this significant milestone for the island.

On Sunday, May 5th, eight teams participated in the first annual LandShark Beach Volleyball tournament at the Boca del Rio Beach Park in San Pedro Town. The teams were from Caye Caulker and San Pedro. At the end of the all-day competition, the first-place prize stayed in San Pedro after the duo Badyr Sajia and Roger Chi won the contest. They also took home a cash prize of $600.

San Pedro residents commemorated Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th, with an educational and fun fair at the Boca del Rio Beach Park. The family activity was themed ‘Neon Glow Night.’ The gathering included educational booths, mechanical games, music, lively presentations highlighting the importance of preserving the planet, and the presence of Miss Earth Reyna Choj.

The anticipated traditional island celebration, El Carnaval de San Pedro, is taking place this weekend, starting on Saturday, February 10th, with a first-ever Carnaval Comparsa talent show at Central Park. The fun continues Sunday through Tuesday with paint and powder parties by the Boca del Rio Beach Park and downtown San Pedro. Of course, the famous comparsas (street dances) will take place on the main streets of downtown throughout the festive days between 4-10PM.

The sight of what appeared to be a construction project on public property in front of a building near the Boca del Rio beach park raised eyebrows on Wednesday, August 3rd. Following reports from concerned island residents, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) addressed the issue a day after and told everyone that proper approval from the town council must be obtained before constructing or expanding their infrastructure.