Nate Womack
CA DRE# 01369153
+501-633-0880
925-954-5040 (US)
nate@nateinbelize.com
CA DRE# 01369153
+501-633-0880
925-954-5040 (US)
nate@nateinbelize.com
Nate's Neighborhood Notes
June 2023
2023 NateinBelize.com. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |
Margaritaville is OPEN!
Although there have not yet been any official announcements, it looks like the main water taxi on the island, Belize Express is planning on relocating its operations south, just north of the under construction Marriott Residences. It looks like they will have a parking lot and/or loading area entrance on Coconut Dr., which may help alleviate the additional traffic.
It is not clear why the use of the lagoon side terminal is still not being utilized as it was originally planned, but I am sure that additional costs and business profits have something to do with it. The lot was originally cleared last December and quite quickly. Construction just started in April and it looks like they are trying to finish by the end of this month.
Whether there will be an addition to the existing pier or dredging that will be required is certainly a question to be asked. Who is willing to answer may come under from those more concerned about the environment and public awareness as this is the second attempt in the past few years of the water taxi to relocate on the reef side of the island.
Although there have not yet been any official announcements, it looks like the main water taxi on the island, Belize Express is planning on relocating its operations south, just north of the under construction Marriott Residences. It looks like they will have a parking lot and/or loading area entrance on Coconut Dr., which may help alleviate the additional traffic.
It is not clear why the use of the lagoon side terminal is still not being utilized as it was originally planned, but I am sure that additional costs and business profits have something to do with it. The lot was originally cleared last December and quite quickly. Construction just started in April and it looks like they are trying to finish by the end of this month.
Whether there will be an addition to the existing pier or dredging that will be required is certainly a question to be asked. Who is willing to answer may come under from those more concerned about the environment and public awareness as this is the second attempt in the past few years of the water taxi to relocate on the reef side of the island.
Caye Caulker Airport Closure
There will be a temporary airport closure on Caye Caulker, due to planned runway work by the Belize Airports Authority at the Caye Caulker Airstrip (CUK). Service to the island will be temporarily suspended from June 5th for six weeks (16th July). Passengers currently holding tickets for that period are asked to contact the airline reservation team at reservations@tropicair.com or +501 226 2626 to arrange for a full future credit or refund. Service until June 5th remains as per normal schedule.
There will be a temporary airport closure on Caye Caulker, due to planned runway work by the Belize Airports Authority at the Caye Caulker Airstrip (CUK). Service to the island will be temporarily suspended from June 5th for six weeks (16th July). Passengers currently holding tickets for that period are asked to contact the airline reservation team at reservations@tropicair.com or +501 226 2626 to arrange for a full future credit or refund. Service until June 5th remains as per normal schedule.
San Pedro Town Council Updates New Paved Roadwork
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) released a photo of the proposed street paving project in the southern part of town. Phase 1 (in the teal color) is just past the southern gas station on Blake Street down to Marina Drive. South on Marina to the canals at Mahagony Bay Village. Phse two (in yellow) connecting the roads from Seagrape Drive to Marina and north on Seagrape past the gas station. The western side of the airport and more of Marina seem to be next after that.
There are many ongoing road projects with the SPTC. For updates you can check their Facebook page.
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) released a photo of the proposed street paving project in the southern part of town. Phase 1 (in the teal color) is just past the southern gas station on Blake Street down to Marina Drive. South on Marina to the canals at Mahagony Bay Village. Phse two (in yellow) connecting the roads from Seagrape Drive to Marina and north on Seagrape past the gas station. The western side of the airport and more of Marina seem to be next after that.
There are many ongoing road projects with the SPTC. For updates you can check their Facebook page.
3 Lobster Festivals at Once in Belize
This year, for the first time in my recollection, there will be 3 Lobster Festivals at one time. San Pedro organizers have have expanded our local Lobster Festival to run 13 days. Traditionally, the San Pedro LobsterFest runs for about 8 or 9 days starting at the beginning of the season. The festival coincides with the opening of lobster season, which is now July 1st. It use to be June 15th, but that was pushed back a few years ago.The festivals in Caye Caulker and Placencia usually follow the week after.in Belize. This year, they will all overlap as the San Pedro festival is much longer. The culmination of events in San Pedro is the Block Party on the 15th.
The Lionfish portion of the festival (typically at the very beginning) seems to be omitted in San Pedro this year. Maybe there just have not been enough participants for that to continue. Festival goers will have to decide where they will be on the night of the Block Party. You might be able to enjoy both Caye Caulker and San Pedro, if you are on one of the islands. People in Placencia will most likely remain there..
Caye Caulker will be holding its Lobsterfest on July 14th through the16th. Placencia will also have those same dates. Each place has its own way of celebrating and their own unique feel and customs. I may very well hop over to Caye Caulker Friday or Sunday, depending on who I am with, but I am not going to miss the Block Party here on the 15th.
Send me a message if you plan on attending all three as it is possible and your opinion would be unique from most of the rest of the festival goers.
This year, for the first time in my recollection, there will be 3 Lobster Festivals at one time. San Pedro organizers have have expanded our local Lobster Festival to run 13 days. Traditionally, the San Pedro LobsterFest runs for about 8 or 9 days starting at the beginning of the season. The festival coincides with the opening of lobster season, which is now July 1st. It use to be June 15th, but that was pushed back a few years ago.The festivals in Caye Caulker and Placencia usually follow the week after.in Belize. This year, they will all overlap as the San Pedro festival is much longer. The culmination of events in San Pedro is the Block Party on the 15th.
The Lionfish portion of the festival (typically at the very beginning) seems to be omitted in San Pedro this year. Maybe there just have not been enough participants for that to continue. Festival goers will have to decide where they will be on the night of the Block Party. You might be able to enjoy both Caye Caulker and San Pedro, if you are on one of the islands. People in Placencia will most likely remain there..
Caye Caulker will be holding its Lobsterfest on July 14th through the16th. Placencia will also have those same dates. Each place has its own way of celebrating and their own unique feel and customs. I may very well hop over to Caye Caulker Friday or Sunday, depending on who I am with, but I am not going to miss the Block Party here on the 15th.
Send me a message if you plan on attending all three as it is possible and your opinion would be unique from most of the rest of the festival goers.
Increased "Airport Fees" Coming to BZE!
The “Belize Airports Authority Airport Development and Passenger Service Fees”, which was initially pegged at $18, has now been bumped up to $36. It's double the price it use to be that will make your departure from Belize a bit more expensive..
This will bring the total cost that tourists exiting Belize will now need to shell out to about $150Bz in total. The fee adjustment is part of a broader strategy to finance a new $264-million revamp of the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). The plan was announced by the Cabinet back in March and is to fund these exciting enhancements through changes in the non-Belizean airport development fee.
It's not a huge impact to tourists traveling to the country, but something you need to be aware of, particularly if you come here often. Hopefully the fee increase will not stop the number of tourists visiting for the first or any other time.
The “Belize Airports Authority Airport Development and Passenger Service Fees”, which was initially pegged at $18, has now been bumped up to $36. It's double the price it use to be that will make your departure from Belize a bit more expensive..
This will bring the total cost that tourists exiting Belize will now need to shell out to about $150Bz in total. The fee adjustment is part of a broader strategy to finance a new $264-million revamp of the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). The plan was announced by the Cabinet back in March and is to fund these exciting enhancements through changes in the non-Belizean airport development fee.
It's not a huge impact to tourists traveling to the country, but something you need to be aware of, particularly if you come here often. Hopefully the fee increase will not stop the number of tourists visiting for the first or any other time.
Hurricane Season Begins!
Just a little reminder that "Hurricane Season" is from June 1st until November 30th. This might be a good time to check to see that you have basic emergency food and water stored away so that you don't have to rush out and get it later, when there may be a need.
It's been warmer than usual this May and early June, but that doesn't really mean anything. Reef TV/Radio (CH20) has begun tracking any storms in the Caribbean and are a good resource when you hear of a potential problem during the season.
Just a little reminder that "Hurricane Season" is from June 1st until November 30th. This might be a good time to check to see that you have basic emergency food and water stored away so that you don't have to rush out and get it later, when there may be a need.
It's been warmer than usual this May and early June, but that doesn't really mean anything. Reef TV/Radio (CH20) has begun tracking any storms in the Caribbean and are a good resource when you hear of a potential problem during the season.