The entire community is pulling together to assist the fire victims (3 families/19 individuals, including small children) who have lost their entire belongings during last night’s devastating fire. The following is useful information for anyone who wants to assist. Thank you for your kind donations.

List of Fire Victims

10 Adults :

Family Unit 1 :
Shamir Chi – 32 yrs male 625- 0898 husband
Nadisha Mesh – 31 female wife
10 years old- Razial Chi- Girl

Family Unit 2:
Mr. Juan Chi 69 yrs -Father
Ms. Norma Rodriquez 60 yrs – Mother
Neicy Chi – 31 yrs female – Mother
2 year Nathel Auguilar a boy
4 old twins – Nathalia and Natalie Auguilar twin girls
6 years – Nathan Aguilar boy
8 years – Nathaniel Auguilar boy

Family Unit 3:
Qaquin Chi – 39 yrs male 602-8844
Lilliana Olivarez – 31 years female
Einer Rodriquez 35 years old male cousin
Christina Olivarez – mother in law 50 years
Luis Olivarez – male 33 years
10 years old- Xainy Chi girl
2 year old baby Girl – Ireni Chi
12 years old – Gian Chi – Girl

Donations: For secure and safe donations, the San Pedro Lions Club is accepting monetary donations to its bank account for even distribution and taking up any type of donations at 1p.m, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the San Pedro Lions Den.

Volunteers are also picking up clothing donations: Contact 600-8247.

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A San Pedro family is tonight facing one of life’s most heartbreaking moments after a devastating fire destroyed their home and everything they owned. Mrs. Norma Rodriguez and her family lost their three-bedroom house, including a rear extension, in a blaze that broke out around 7:00 p.m. in the Eiley Subdivision, just behind Two Brothers Grocery Shop.

According to Mrs. Norma, the family was preparing dinner when tragedy struck. She explained that the butane hose became disconnected from the stove, causing gas to spew out and immediately ignite. Within moments, flames spread rapidly through the home. The family had only seconds to react; everyone inside rushed out with nothing but the clothes on their backs, leaving behind all of their belongings as the fire consumed the house.

Fire Victims Need Assistance

The household consisted of 19 family members, and in the midst of the loss, there is one blessing to be grateful for, everyone escaped unharmed. Now, however, the family is left with nothing. They are urgently appealing to the San Pedro community for assistance as they begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives. Among those affected are several children, ages 2, 4, 6, 9, and 13, all of whom are in immediate need of clothing and basic necessities.

At times like these, San Pedro has always shown the strength of its heart. Whether through clothing donations, food, household items, financial support, or temporary assistance, every act of kindness can make a difference for this family.

Anyone wishing to help can contact the family at:
+501-629-1492
+501-624-7622

Tonight, one family has lost a house, but with the support of the community, they do not have to lose hope.

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This Flashback Friday takes us back to one of the most memorable little hotspots of old San Pedro, the beloved Cannibal Café. Just feet from the water’s edge, this charming café sat in a prime location where diners could enjoy beautiful ocean views and feel the cool trade winds rolling in off the Caribbean Sea. Back when San Pedro was still a sleepy little island town, places like Cannibal Café helped define the laid-back charm that made visitors fall in love with Ambergris Caye.

Known for its delicious comfort food, Cannibal Café became a favorite hangout for locals, tourists, and anyone looking for a relaxed meal in a fun island setting. It wasn’t fancy or overdone, it was authentic, welcoming, and full of personality. Great food. Great ambiance. Great service. And the kind of people who made you want to keep coming back.

Even the name turned heads, but longtime fans remember the humor and warmth behind it. Their famous slogan said it all: “We love to have you for dinner!” 🙂

Looking at this photo, you can almost feel the barefoot island vibe. Sandy ground underfoot, picnic tables out front, palm trees swaying overhead, and that colorful sign proudly welcoming hungry guests. It was San Pedro in its purest form, casual, quirky, and unforgettable.

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Like so many places on the island, time and development have transformed the area. Today, the Cannibal Café site is home to Gill-E’s Pour House, another popular gathering spot that has built its own loyal following and adds a new chapter to the location’s history. Still, for those who remember, Cannibal Café holds a special place in old San Pedro memories. A true island gem from simpler times.

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Every now and then, you come across something that makes you pause and appreciate just how rich Belizean culture really is. Would you ever think about palm art? This is one of those moments. Over at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, something special has been happening. Not your typical resort activity, but something much deeper. Their team recently put together a showcase of traditional palm art or weaving, and the results were nothing short of impressive.

We’re talking about intricate designs made from fresh green palm… a butterfly, a pineapple, even a grasshopper. And the detail on these pieces? Clean. Creative. Full of personality. But what really stands out isn’t just how cool they look. It’s what they represent.

More Than Just a Craft
Palm art/weaving isn’t new to Belize, far from it. This is a multi-generational Maya tradition that has been passed down for centuries across Belize, Mexico, and Central America. Back in the day, it was all about function. Mats, baskets, hats, roofing, everyday essentials made by hand from what the land provided. There were no machines or shortcuts, just skill, patience, and knowledge learned by watching, practicing, and repeating.

Green palm leaves would be harvested, dried, split into fine strands, and then woven into something useful. Simple, but powerful because every piece carried a story: a connection to ancestors and a reflection of life rooted in the land.

Palm Art Bringing Tradition Into Today

What Chaa Creek is doing is taking that tradition and giving it a fresh spotlight. They’re not just preserving it, they’re celebrating it. Seeing employees, not just artisans by trade, but everyday team members, embrace this craft and turn it into something creative and expressive is a reminder that culture doesn’t have to stay in the past. It can evolve, adapt and can still be relevant. And honestly, those designs? They deserve attention. You don’t see palm weaving shaped into butterflies and pineapples every day. That’s creativity meeting heritage.

Why It Matters
Here’s the thing, as Belize continues to grow, develop, and attract the world, there’s always that quiet risk… that we start to lose pieces of what makes us who we are.
> Traditions fade
> Skills disappear
> Stories get forgotten
Unless we make an effort to keep them alive. That’s why what’s happening at Chaa Creek matters. It’s not just about weaving palm leaves. It’s about keeping identity alive. It’s about showing younger generations that these traditions still have value. That they’re still worth learning, practicing, and sharing. And it’s about reminding visitors that Belize isn’t just a destination, it’s a culture and a living one.

A Living, Breathing Tradition
Palm weaving is more than craft. It’s resilience. It’s sustainability. It’s knowledge passed from one generation to the next without ever being written down. And when you see it come to life like this, shaped into something beautiful, something modern, something unexpected, you realize just how timeless it really is. Big respect to the team at Chaa Creek for doing their part because in the end, keeping culture alive isn’t about looking back. It’s about making sure it still has a place moving forward.

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San Pedro is stepping up its fight against illegal dumping and littering, sending a clear message across the island: keeping La Isla Bonita clean is everyone’s responsibility. With rapid development, a growing population, and increasing tourism placing added strain on infrastructure, garbage management has become one of the island’s most pressing challenges. From overflowing bins to construction debris and illegal dumping sites, the issue has become more visible and more urgent.

Now, the San Pedro Town Council is taking stronger action.

Cameras, Fines, and Zero Tolerance
In its latest move, the Town Council announced the installation of special surveillance cameras at known illegal dumping hotspots. The goal is simple: identify offenders and hold them accountable. This step builds on the Council’s ongoing “Clean It or Tek Yuh Ticket” campaign, where fines ranging from $100 to $500 for littering and $5,000 for illegal dumping are already being issued for improper waste disposal.

The message is getting louder: enforcement is no longer optional, it’s necessary. “We all want a clean home,” the Council emphasized, calling on residents and businesses alike to do their part in protecting the island.

Following a National Push Against Illegal Dumping

San Pedro’s actions are not happening in isolation. They align with a broader, nationwide crackdown being led by the Government of Belize. During a recent budget debate, Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet made it clear that illegal dumping across the country is being targeted aggressively. “The days of irresponsible dumping must come to an end,” he stated, outlining plans for increased enforcement, expanded waste services, and the installation of surveillance cameras across the country.

A recent national assessment identified over 400 illegal dumpsites, with the highest concentration in the Belize District, making San Pedro a key area of focus. The government is also backing these efforts with increased funding, including a $2 million budget allocation to strengthen waste management systems, expand transfer stations, and double enforcement capacity through additional personnel.

For San Pedro, this means more than just policy; a stronger enforcement presence is expected on the island, working alongside the Town Council to identify dumping sites, monitor compliance, and carry out cleanup operations.

At the same time, structured garbage collection schedules, improved waste handling systems, and the anticipated northern transfer station are all part of a larger plan to improve efficiency. While enforcement is tightening, the Town Council continues to stress that real, lasting change depends on the community.

Volunteer groups like the Ambergris North Alliance have been actively supporting cleanup efforts, removing plastic waste and sargassum from beaches and roadsides. These efforts highlight what’s possible when the community comes together, but also underline how much more needs to be done.

Improper garbage disposal doesn’t just create an eyesore. It pollutes waterways, damages marine life, contributes to beach erosion, and threatens the very tourism industry that sustains the island. San Pedro is at a critical moment and the combination of stronger local enforcement and national support presents a real opportunity to tackle the garbage problem head-on. But it will take cooperation, from residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Properly bagging waste. Following collection schedules. Avoiding illegal dumping. Simple actions that make a big difference. Because in the end, protecting San Pedro isn’t just about keeping things clean. It’s about preserving the beauty, health, and future of the island we all call home. The crackdown has begun. Now it’s up to all of us to make it work.

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There was a time in San Pedro when if you needed a nail, a hammer, a hinge, or just about anything to fix something around the house… there was only one place to go – Mash Hardware, one of the first. This small but essential shop sat right on Front Street, tucked beneath the Salazar residence, directly across from the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church. It wasn’t big. It wasn’t fancy. But it was everything the island needed at the time.

Back then, San Pedro was still a quiet fishing village, far from the busy tourism hub we know today. Supplies were limited, and getting materials wasn’t as simple as walking into a large store or ordering online. If you needed something beyond the basics, it had to come from the mainland, often taking time, planning, and patience.

That’s what made Mash Hardware so Important

It carried the essentials. The everyday items that kept homes standing, boats running, and small projects moving forward. Whether you were fixing a wooden step, patching up a roof, or working on a skiff, chances are you stopped by Mash Hardware at some point.

You can almost picture it in this photo – The wooden structure, raised slightly off the ground. The open doors welcoming anyone who stepped in. A bicycle parked out front, the main mode of transportation. And that classic Coca-Cola sign hanging above, marking it as a place where people gathered, not just to shop, but to talk, catch up, and share a moment.

It wasn’t just a store. It was part of daily life.

As the island began to grow and development picked up, the needs of the community expanded. More construction, more homes, more businesses. Eventually, Mash Hardware closed its doors, making way for the many hardware stores we now see spread across San Pedro today.

And while today’s stores are bigger, more stocked, and easier to access, there’s something special about remembering the days when one small shop helped keep an entire island running. Mash Hardware may be gone, but its role in San Pedro’s story is unforgettable. A true piece of island history.

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Sargassum season has become part of life on Ambergris Caye; not the part we love, but the part we’ve learned to deal with. But what if… we’ve been looking at it all wrong? What if the very thing that frustrates us, chases visitors off the beach, and piles up faster than we can remove it… could actually help rebuild what we’ve been losing?

Quite frustrating this year was seeing those thick brown mats start rolling in earlier than expected. For the past few year we have been bracing ourselves; we watch the horizon, we check the tides. And sooner or later our beaches are invaded.

The San Pedro Town Council recently shared something that, at first glance, might raise a few eyebrows. Those large piles of sargassum you’re seeing around town? They’re not just waste. They’re part of an ongoing effort to turn sargassum into sand.

It sounds almost too simple, but it’s already been happening quietly over the past couple of years. With time, sunlight, and regular turning, the organic material breaks down and contributes to beach nourishment. Sections of our beach, believe it or not, have already been rebuilt using this method. It’s not pretty. Not at first. These piles can look messy, even out of place. But they serve a purpose. And if we give the process time, it works.

Sargassum is a Community Effort

Of course, like everything on this island, success depends on all of us. The Town Council made it clear, these are not garbage piles. When trash, coconuts, and debris get mixed in, it slows the process and affects the quality of what’s being created. If we want better beaches, we have to respect the process. It’s a small shift in mindset. Instead of seeing sargassum as something to dump and forget, we start seeing it as part of the solution.

A Bigger Season Than Usual
And we’ll need solutions. Fast. This year’s sargassum season isn’t easing in quietly. It’s coming in strong. Reports show that across the Caribbean, levels are already unusually high. Scientists are even warning that 2026 could be a record-breaking year.

Right here on Ambergris Caye, about 75 tons of sargassum were moved just ahead of the Easter weekend. That’s a massive effort, and we’re only at the beginning. Hotels are putting up barriers. Cleanup crews are working overtime. Everyone is doing their part to keep our beaches inviting. But the truth is, removal alone isn’t enough anymore.

There’s also talk of bigger, long-term solutions. International interest is growing, with companies looking into ways to recycle sargassum into useful products. Belize is starting to explore those opportunities too. That’s encouraging, because this isn’t going away anytime soon.

A Different Way of Seeing It
For years, sargassum has felt like an enemy. Something we fight, something we complain about, something we wish would just disappear. But maybe the answer isn’t just in fighting it. Maybe it’s in learning how to work with it; we just have to learn how to gather it before it starts accumulating on our beaches and rotting.

If we can turn sargassum into sand… if we can rebuild our beaches with it… then maybe, just maybe, this nuisance becomes part of our resilience story. And that’s the kind of shift San Pedro has always been good at. Turning challenges into something we can stand on. Literally.

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Influencers abound – San Pedro got a fresh dose of energy and creativity as TIA Belize hosted its very first influencer event, bringing together some of Belize’s rising digital voices for a weekend of connection, content, and island experiences.

Among those invited was Ambergris Today’s own Madison Edwards, stepping into the spotlight as an influencer and joining a dynamic group that included La Bestie, Yasthalia, Harmonie Rose, DJ Smallz, Alexa Ricela, and more. Together, they explored some of the island’s most popular hotspots, including Aurora’s Bar and Grill, Agave Beach Club, and Captain Morgan’s Retreat.

Each location became a stage for storytelling. From beachfront vibes to food, music, and nightlife, the influencers captured their experiences in real time, sharing them with audiences across Belize and beyond. It was more than just a social outing, it was a showcase of what San Pedro has to offer through the eyes of people who know how to connect with today’s audience.

The event wasn’t just about content creation. It marked the official launch of TIA Belize (Trio Island Agency), a new San Pedro-based agency with a clear mission of helping Belizean businesses grow through marketing, events, and talent development.

The influencer gathering served multiple purposes. It celebrated the agency’s debut, built relationships with content creators who already have strong engagement with local audiences, and gave participating businesses a firsthand look at how influencer marketing can amplify their brand. Local businesses got exposure, influencers created authentic, engaging content, and TIA Belize set the tone for what looks like a promising future in collaborative marketing on the island.

What’s Next for TIA Belize
TIA Belize is already working on its next big project, a Belize travel series that will bring influencers together to experience and document dream adventures across the country. From island escapes to mainland explorations, the goal is simple: highlight Belize through real experiences, real people, and real storytelling.

Influencers-Driven

Founded in 2026 by Jennifer Springer and Elwell Lisbey, TIA Belize blends international expertise with deep local roots. Jennifer brings years of experience in marketing, merchandising, and business development, while Elwell offers an authentic connection to San Pedro’s culture, lifestyle, and community.

Together, Jennifer and Elwell say that they’ve created more than an agency; they’ve built a platform designed to elevate Belizean talent, support small businesses, and create meaningful connections through storytelling.

Jennifer mentioned that events like this signal a shift. Belize’s tourism and business landscape is evolving, and influencer-driven storytelling is becoming a powerful tool in shaping how the country is seen by the world.

With initiatives like this, TIA Belize is tapping into that momentum, bringing together creativity, community, and opportunity in a way that feels fresh, authentic, and very much Belizean. And if this first event is any indication, there’s a lot more on the horizon.

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Last week in San Pedro was one of those feel-good stretches that reminds you exactly why this island is so special – celebration mode. From music and youth achievements to environmental awareness and powerful recognition of women in our community, there was plenty to celebrate across Ambergris Caye.

Mighty Blue Jaguars Take the Stage
Big congratulations go out to the San Pedro Roman Catholic School Marching Band, the Mighty Blue Jaguars, who proudly captured first place in the School Band Category during Band Fest. Their performance was more than just music, it was discipline, teamwork, and pride on full display. Moments like this continue to highlight the talent and dedication coming out of our schools, and it’s always inspiring to see our young people shine.

Earth Hour Brings Families Together
Flamboyant Park came alive for Earth Hour, turning a global movement into a community celebration. Families gathered for an evening filled with music, dance, and a shared message of caring for our planet.

It wasn’t just about switching off lights, it was about switching on awareness. Events like this show how San Pedro continues to embrace sustainability while keeping it fun, engaging, and family-friendly. (pics by San Pedro Town Council)

Welcoming a New Wave of Tour Guides
Tourism is the heartbeat of our island, and this week we welcomed a new cohort of licensed tour guides ready to represent Belize.

These individuals are more than just guides, they are storytellers, ambassadors, and the first impression many visitors will have of our country. Seeing them step into this role is a big win for the tourism industry and for the future of San Pedro.

Honoring Women Who Inspire Change
One of the most meaningful highlights of the week was the Champions of Change Awards 2026, held in celebration of...]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:30:09 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/wT6NEu6YK0oP9HQ0xwb2qFsnRWG5shN0?utm_source=follow.it https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/wT6NEu6YK0oP9HQ0xwb2qDFK0VLYUxLj?utm_source=follow.it

Central Park has always been the heartbeat of San Pedro, a place where everything seems to come together. And this photo takes us back to a time when that “center of activity” looked a whole lot simpler.

Back then, Central Park wasn’t the developed space we know today. It was a sandy open lot, lined with a few concrete benches where people would gather, sit, chat, and watch the day go by. No landscaping, no paved walkways, just open space and community.

In this image, you can spot the old police station standing nearby, a quiet reminder of how small and close-knit the island once was. Just behind it sits the Spindrift Hotel, one of the early landmarks of San Pedro’s growing tourism scene.

Central Park + Front Street

And right in the foreground, Front Street in all its glory, nothing but sand. No pavement, no traffic, just a wide, dusty stretch where footsteps, bicycles, and the occasional passing cart marked the rhythm of the day.

The row of colorful concrete park benches set out under the sun hints at everyday island life. Maybe a gathering spot, maybe someone selling something, or just neighbors finding a place to sit and enjoy the breeze. Either way, it speaks to a time when life was slower, simpler, and deeply connected.

Even then, Central Park was where people came together. For conversation. For events. For community. Today, it’s still the same in spirit, just dressed a little differently. A beautiful reminder that while San Pedro has grown and changed, its heart has always been right here. (Follow us on Instagram)

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