This year the event organizers will be continuing with an aspect of the festival introduced at last year’s festival – the Lobster Crawl 2013 passport, which will be available prior to the start of the Festival and will allow festival-goers to collect stamps at every venue during the week’s celebrations. Each stamp will entitle the passport holder to a ticket to enter a grand raffle of a vacation package for two to the San Pedro Lobster Festival 2014. The raffle will be drawn on the night of the Block Party. Last year, Grand Caribe owners, the Betz’s won the prize. *Anyone that visits Hol Chan Marine Reserve can get their Lobster Festival, Lobster Crawl passport stamped when they give the park ranger their park ticket.

The kickoff event is at El Divino Restaurant at Banana Beach on the night of Saturday, June 15  Always a great party, featuring the opening ceremonies, live music with Tanya and Zac and a whole lot of fun. This years menu: Lobster Sushi Roll, Tropical Lobster and Key Lime Pie price $50 bzd. Join the opening night facebook invite sent out by  Banana Beach Resort page.

The Festival charges full-steam ahead into the week with events at the following venues:

Sunday, June 16 – Head on down to Grand Caribe Resort for the 2nd annual Lobstermania pool party at Cowboy’s Pool Bar & Grill. Tasty lobster dishes and ice cold Rock Lobster’s, also being served, $5 BZD local rum, $4 BZD 10 oz beer, $7 BZD 16 oz beer. Live Rock and Roll music with toucan jam. You can join Cowboy’s Pool Bar facebook invite.

The festival then continues into the night at Kama Lounge Beach Club.at 7:00 p.m  for Lobster Fest Retro Party with Limbo Dance Off.

Monday, June 17 – Beach Bar at Exotic Caye Resort 7pm – 10pm. Always a good time at Crazy Canucks known for for their coconut lobster From 7-10pm: Purchase a coconut lobster and a beverage to get your passport stamped.

Tuesday, June 18 – A night event at Pineapple’s Restaurant at Ramon’s Village Resort

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 Belize Chocolate Company 10:00am, what ever they do guaranteed it is going to be delicious.

Wednesday, June 19 – A night event at Pedro’s Pizza at Pedro’s Inn, where you will find  tasty lobster pizza.

Thursday June 20th Bring your voucher to the SEAduced Office on Thursday June 20th for any tour booked with SEAduced June 15th through June 22nd 2013 and get your passport stamped.Wednesday, June 19 – A night event at Pedro’s Pizza at Pedro’s Inn, who doesn’t love the annual all you can eat pizza night.

Thursday, June 20 – Another night event at Fido’s Restaurant, where each lobster dish purchased entitles passport-holders to a stamp.Good Live Music.

Friday June 21 – Come by Bistro Mestizo and enjoy our Lobster Crawl Specials and get your passport stamped! Open from 11:00am until Midnight!

Friday, June 21 – Dennis Wolfe and the Usual Suspects will Rock the Dock tonight! Enjoy fantastic Lobster Dinner Specials over the best view of the Caribbean starting @6pm! Kitchen serving until 10 pm, come hungry! The bar is opened till Midnight. 5 for $20 Buckets of Beer!

Saturday, June 22 – the festival wraps up the week with a Block Party at the Central Park. The annual San Pedro Lobsterfest Block Party has always been the main highlight of the week-long festivities and this year promises to top the chart.This year marks the 8th Annual San Pedro Lobster Festival Block Party, in addition to delicious food and drinks, the entertainment line up is great, Steel Drums. Fire Dancer Lara Goldman and Super G.

Contact us at Grand Caribe for more information on the 2013 San Pedro Lobsterfest, and for booking a stay in San Pedro to attend this year’s exciting week-long event.
011-501-226-4726 (Belize) | 1-800-488-5903 (TOLL FREE) | reservations@grandcaribebelize.com

All pictures Courtesy of San Pedro Lobsterfest Facebook page.

Delicious drinks were being served the night of the big block party

Lobster on the grill

Live steel drum music

Brightly decorated booths at the annual block party

Zac and Tanya will be playing opening night at El Divino

Lobstermania 2010 at Cowboy’s Pool bar and Grill

Close by Caye Caulker is a perfect spot to go spend a day and up your relaxation time. The colorful island’s signature saying is ‘go slow’ and it’s tranquil island energy makes you do just that. Measuring about 5 miles 8.0 km long  by less than 1 mile / 1.6 km wide five miles long you can easily enjoy a long leisurely stroll the sandy streets and cover a lot of ground. You will also see lots of bikes and golf carts.

Strolling the sandy streets of Caye Caulker

Looking for somewhere in particular to go? The Lazy Lizard bar is a perfect destination and located on narrow waterway known as the split, which divides the island in two. Lot’s of lounge space, picnic tables, sun and shade options, tasty, reasonably priced food, cheap rum, buckets of Belkin, make the Lazy Lizard great one stop shopping.

The Lazy Lizard at Caye Caulker split

Relaxing at the split

View from the Lazy Lizard bar

Another fun thing to do on the island is take a golf cart taxi tour.  Ask your driver to point out interesting things, colorful houses and tell you the history of the island. If you are feeling adventurous tell him you would like to feed the tarpon, an experience that will get your heart racing a little. Nick is a friendly taxi driver who drives a 6 seat golf cart 607-9419 there are plenty of 4 seat taxi’s too, just flag one down and ask the price for a short island tour.

Golf cart taxi’s on the beach

However you end up spending your day on Caye Caulker island, you will feel refreshed and renewed and ready to go back to the slightly ‘faster-paced life’ on Ambergris Caye

Peaceful

For those who like short movies, below is the official video of the Caye Caulker chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association.The video shows a day on Caye Caulker, from sunrise to sunset, from diving and snorkeling to kayaking and kite surfing in and around the second largest barrier reef in the world. From breakfast on a sundeck to the a sea food dinner so fresh, you could actually meet the fishermen while the drop of their catch.

Official video: A day on Caye Caulker, Belize, Central America

Contact our friendly reservations staff to help you set up your flight, catamaran day sail or water taxi to Caye Caulker. reservations@grandcaribebelize.com.

There are many great restaurants options on Ambergris Caye and very good ones at that, but sometimes you just want to eat in.  The island has several markets and loads of veggie and fruit stands.  Some are more expensive than others and you can often bargain at the produce stands.  When shopping in the stores be sure to check expiration dates.  Most markets are much better nowadays than they were years ago when options weren’t as plentiful.

When you are in the north part of town, right by the roundabout it Richies Supermarket and a bit north of Richies is the Casa Pan Dulce Bakery as well as lots of smaller grocery stores.  If you are more in the center of town on Middle Street you will find Greenhouse and Big Tree, both great for produce.  You can often find more organic products at Greenhouse and some things that other markets may not carry.  On Back Street a bit North of the Football field you will find a big purple building and this is Superbuy (there is also a Superbuy South store).  Here you can again find pretty much what you need.  They also carry paper products such at paper towels and toilet paper as well as personal hygiene products etc.  Across the road and a bit north is the tortilla factory, here you can buy tortillas hot and “fresh off the press” for a great price but be sure to get there before they close (usually by 2pm)

For meat and chicken Linos is between front and middle street and across from there is a Casa Pan Dulce bakery outlet.  Don’t be afraid to try multiple little markets.  Some places may look like a “hole in the wall” but those places can also be some of the best.   If you are looking for a quick meal to take home, across from Greenhouse is a restaurant where you can buy rotisserie chicken for take out and they are delicious.  Stop along the way and pick up fresh veggies from a stand and pick up your salad fixings.

If you want is to shop for you so it is ready and waiting when you arrive, we can also do that, just emails us at reservations@grandcaribebelize.com and we will set you up.

Ambergris Caye Restaurants worth eating at post coming soon.

Cowboy’s Pool Bar & Grill hosted the fundraiser yesterday. This was the second time Karen Waldrup played there and this time she brought a plus 1, Ashlee Thomas.

The Midtown Violets (Two Girls, Two Guitars, Two unique sounds come together with tambourine and sometimes a violin) played and even Cowboy Doug got to sing. He kept the crowd laughing for a bit with his rendition of a boy named Sue by Johnny Cash..

The fundraiser included drink specials and spaghetti feed. Mama Vilma’s had t-shirts on hand to buy and donations were accepted. There was a 50/50 draw and prizes. Many locals and tourists came to enjoy the great music. We all loved the music of Karen and Ashlee. While here, they also played at Wet Willy’s Cantina to help raise money for Mama Vilma’s Family Home, of course Cowboy Doug went to support that event too and won a trip to Memphis in the silent auction. We can’t wait until they come back to Cowboy Doug’s for another great show.

Midtown Violets playing on the roof of the pool bar

Cowboy Doug singing a boy named Sue

Midtown Violets were so good people were dancing

One of our guests was reading a book in the pool while enjoying the show

Belize Fashion week promises to be a huge hit in coming years  The event was a runaway success , showcasing original designs on both local and international models. The Week began late in the day on the 11th, with a ceremony and an evening reception at the Caprice Bar & Grill. There, attendees got to mingle with the organizers of the event, Enrique de Leon and Patricia Greif, as well as with the models and designers whose talent would be showcased over the next two nights at Fido’s Courtyard.

Designer seminars and runway classes were held in the morning on the 12th and 13th. The lessons were very informative to aspiring designers and fashion models, who were not given simply random textbook advice, but real stories of the experiences and struggles of industry professionals.

On Friday night, at exactly 8:00 PM, the show got underway. A variety of styles and colors emerged down the runway, from black and white pieces to those sporting the polychromatic shades of the Caribbean. There were traditional pieces that showed great creativity and attention to detail. The more unusual designs were inspiring and thought-provoking. By the applause and cheers that met each model as she or he came down the runway, the designs certainly won the approval of their very diverse audience, who represented people from many different tastes and walks of life. Friday designers were Francis Alfaro, Adrian Rocker, Addiction by Gaby Bararra, His Glory by Maureen Navarette, formal line also by Gaby Barrera.

Saturday night saw exhibitions from the collections of two well-known Belizean designers. Joris  Hendrik opened saturday night,  a young Belizean designer whose unconventional style incorporates recycled materials, showed off some of his more traditional, ready-to-wear works. He was followed by then accessories designers Maricio de Canelo and Elton Silva, then Ras Hahta, who sent several beautiful, tasteful pieces down the runway, showcasing his unique fashion acumen. Next came  CSG by the Sea, then Marisol Hendriquez, then Momosoho.The elegant styles were accompanied by the striking jewelry of Meloba and De Yans, local fashion lines that are owned by Melody Sanchez Wolfe and Mauricio J. Canelo, respectively.

International designers Marisol Henriquez, of the Dominican Republic, and Momo Soho, of New York City, also exhibited their pieces that night. Henriquez’s designs were pleasant, diligently-spun pieces. Momo Soho’s pieces consisted of Oriental-like dyed silks, masterfully arrayed on each model as she came down the runway.

All in all, the event was a resounding success, and is certainly an important one for a country as diverse as Belize. Fashion is one of the rare ways that a great variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions can be expressed all at once. Over the course of those three days, it was more than just fabric that was on exhibit; it was also the sum total of Belizean culture, which served as the primary influence of all the styles and tastes that emerged. Grand Caribe congratulates the executive commitee,  Enrique de Leon, Patricia Grief, Carlos Barrientos, Caitlin Stolley Greer, John Greer, Event director was Emmy award winning Arlando Smithand all the models and designers that participated. The Belize Fashion Week promises to become a staple event that will draw a world-wide audience to our tiny Central American home in the years to come.

Please check see CSG website.  Belize Fashion Week Website for more details. Like Belize Fashion Week 2013 Facebook page to keep updated.

Miss Costa Maya 2012, Miss Karen Jordan from panama in look #1 from CSG by the Sea

Miss Sophia Miglio, daughter of Ak’bol owners Kirsten and Milo

CSG by the Sea final walk

bow by CSG and model Alexandra Boiton

Backstage Fashion Director CSG with Belizean designer Adrian Rocker

Producers’ bow, Patty Grief, John Greer, CSG, Carlos Barrientos, not pictured Enrique de Leon

It is easy to see why Ambergris Caye was named Top Island in the Travelers Choice Awards 2013. Our small island offers so much, there are no shortage of great places to eat from inexpensive local foods to fine dining with a wide range of options in between. Our staff will help you find what ever it is you are craving.

Looking for adventure? You will find great diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, people watching. We even have a good range of have more athletic water sports like kite surfing, stand up paddle boarding and pedal boats.

For those of you who are interested in the community, there are many schools, 2 libraries, Saga Humane Society and other organizations that welcome help and donations. We also have a San Pedro branch of the Belize Red Cross. Please contact our reservations staff if you would like to organize a mini a volunteer vacation on your trip to Belize. You will be glad you did. reservations@grandcaribebelize.com.

Wood carver on the beach

Front street

In addition to sending staff, Cowboy’s Pool Bar and Grill and Leisa Mercer sponsored 2 places so that the boys in the post office could start getting training. Porfilio Ack was the first to receive training. They recognized that the post office in the center of town is a good spot to have people trained. Porfilio is also a NEMO supporter.

Our sister resort Banana Beach sent Caroline Williams from Laundry. El Divino, because they could not send staff sponsored someone specifically from Holy Cross school or San Mateo. Andrew and Ricardo knew that helping someone get certified in either area was important.

As it turns out the person that the Belize Red Cross and and a visiting Nurse from Yellowknife were able to coordinate for training was a volunteer community health worker in San Mateo. Since Maggie Chi would be one of the first people to be acting in an emergency situation, getting her enrolled in the sponsor program was a great thing. Tune in to Reef Radio and TV on Ch 20 at 7:00 am Monday Morning to see an interview with Maggie by the new San Pedro Branch Chairman. Some of you will recognize Eiden Salazar as our favorite Wedding officiator, you can see him our Weddings in Belize category along with some great beach wedding pictures .

If you are out and about in town today be sure and drop by to the Belize Red Cross at the San Pedro Lions Den Health Fair from 10:00am onward.

Instructor Evelyn teaching Josh and Alberto how to save a child from choking

Porfilio leaning how to hold a chocking child and do back blows thanks to Cowboy’s Pool Bar

Volunteer Community Worker Maggi Chi leaning Chest compressions thanks to El Divino

Fishing my way…

I really love to go fishing, not for the reasons most people do but fishing soothes my soul.

When we are in Belize we are always sure to fit at least a half day fishing trip. We are Met at Grand Caribe dock bright and early. Once we have finished our bait hunt and have enough sardines, we head out into the vast blue waters.

We find a place to troll very slowly and start casting lines.  We usually catch grouper and have caught some BIG barracuda. AHHH this is the life…I find my towel and park myself in the front of the boat where I relax and catch some sun.

Best Part B is now my hubby and our guides are doing some fishing. This means my dinner is going to be very fresh!  After a couple hours and a lot of fish, it’s time to head back to the resort and let the guides clean and filet our fish. We go grab a drink at the pool bar and head back  to the dock to watch..

Best Part C is while my dinner is getting prepped, I can enjoy a cold beverage with my husband.  When the fish are all cleaned and filleted, we take them up to our condo, we like a full kitchen option our vacation.  All the while I am thinking how we should cook our fish. My options are a coconut curry, grilled in foil with veggies or pan fried, I decide on coconut curry. My husband and I enjoy another drink and cooking a fresh Belize fish dinner together.

Being out in a boat, on the water, someone else catching dinner, enjoying sun, time with my hubby and staying a great place to end the day, This is why fishing soothes my soul.

Fishing trip on Strike Force Belize

Ambergris Caye Belize has some of the best fishing grounds in the Caribbean. The island runs parallel to miles of unrivaled barrier reef and offers classic fishing flats, attracting more than just your average fishing.  Sport fishermen come for its variety of Saltwater fly-fishing. Bonefishing is also very popular as is deep-sea fishing for wahoo, mahi mahi, tuna, and the ultimate bill fishing.  Anglers will also find barracuda, kingfish, tarpon, grouper, and snapper closer to shore.

Want a great fishing adventure on your Ambergris Caye trip? Look no further than Rudy Lewis, and Strike Force Belize. You will have a fun time and get a great catch. Rudy offers full-day and half-day fishing trips.

If deep sea conditions are not right Captain Rudy will put plan (B) into action and take you back country fishing. Captain Rudy knows the best fishing spots in the area,  he also respects nature and observes a strict catch and release policy when applicable.

To prearrange your fishing trip or find out about our fishing packages and charters email our Concierge department at tours@grandcaribebelize .com You can get more details on our Fishing Tours page. Please note: Cost for charters depends on the type and the number of people fishing. Trips should be booked in advance to ensure space with Captain Rudy and Strike Force Belize.

Big Barracuda

Sailfish

Big Dorado

Perfect ending to a great day

Carnaval in San Pedro, is an annual event held on the three days before Ash Wednesday. This year Carnaval 2013 was extended to a 5 day island fiesta running February 9th – 13th. Scheduled events included a masquerade & block party, live performances & music, karaoke, carnival comparsas, dance presentation & awards ceremony

It is fun to watch the carnival comparsas dancing through the streets of San Pedro in their colorful costumes, men dress like women and the women like men. There are also community comparsas which are organized to raise funds for school’s and other worthy causes.

You will also see kids of all ages painting each other and some enjoy throwing eggs too.  If you plan to go out on the town for the painting fun, we recommend that you wear old clothes. In general if you don’t want to be painted say no and you’ll be left alone.

2013 Carnaval party San Pedro Belize

Painted kids

Carnival Comparsas

Painted at Carnival party

Painted kids chasing each other through Central Park

Carnival Comparsas