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2021 Hurricane Season Ends

Today marks the official end of the 2021 hurricane season. The season runs from June 1st through to November 30th each year.

This year, the season produced twenty-one (21) named storms having winds of 39 mph or greater including seven (7) hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater. Four (4) of these named storms grew into major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater. This year was the third most active year on record in terms of named storms, it marks the sixth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, and this was the first time on record that two consecutive hurricane seasons exhausted the list of 21 storm names.

This above-average hurricane season was accurately predicted by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, in their May and August outlooks.

Source: NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System – Did you Know…

Did you know that the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS), which was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996, is comprised of seven protected areas? The seven protected areas of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System are:

1) Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve
2) Blue Hole Natural Monument
3) Half Moon Caye Natural Monument
4) Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve
5) South Water Caye Marine Reserve
6) Laughing Bird Caye National Park
7) Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize, roughly 300 meters (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometers (25 mi) in the south within the country limits. The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometer (190 mi) long section of the 900-kilometer (560 mi) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous from Cancún on the north-eastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula through the Riviera Maya and down to Honduras.

It is the largest reef complex in the Atlantic-Caribbean region and represents the second-largest reef system in the world. The seven protected areas that constitute the BBRRS comprise 12% of the entire Reef Complex. The Belize Barrier Reef is Belize’s top tourist destination, popular for scuba diving and snorkeling and attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is also vital to the country’s fishing industry.

Belize’s Greatest Female Cyclist of all Time!

The first Belize Women Cross Country Cycling Classic was held in 1990, and Belizean cycling athlete, Camille Solis, won it in grand style. Though there were only three Belizean female cyclists that answered the call to Belizean cycling mentor and coach Stans Bowman to be a part of the first female Cross Country, Solis’s victory broke the gender barrier in Belize in the male-dominated Holy Saturday Cross Country since 1928.

Camille Solis came straight out of Belize Junior College (Six Form) at St. Johns College at the age of 18 years old to become Belize’s first Woman Cross Country cycling champion. She said that she had always loved to ride and that a bicycle her parents gave her as a means of transport to school was where it all started. So when the cycling scout Bowman saw her ride at the former National Stadium now Marion Jones Sporting Complex, he immediately asked her to participate in his pioneering efforts to make the Belize Women Cross Country a reality.

The athletic and hard-driven Solis began training with some of the most dominant Belizean male cyclists of the 1990s like the Lewis brothers, Charlie and Michael Lewis, as well as cyclist Deon Gentle on the road. But before her cycling career had begun, Solis played softball at the high school level in Belize and had loved the game for its athleticism and competition. If cycling didn’t come along, she would have become an outstanding Belizean softball player. She remarked that she felt like she came out of the womb with a softball mitt in her hands, an admittance that expressed the deep passion she had for sports and the will to compete and win.

Then Camille Solis went on to win 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and the 1999 Belize Women Cross Country Cycling Classic though there was much competition between her and the other two dynamic Belizean cyclists Hazel Morrison and Leticia Westby that joined the pioneering efforts of Stans Bowman’s call to the first Belize Women Cross Country. There was no race in 1995. She remembered how she responded, that because there were only three of them that were riding the Belize Women Cross Country for the years she won that there was not much of a competition.

“There is a myth that I rode alone and had no challenge, “ said Solis. “Not at all, I always had a challenge from the others like Hazel Morrison who had only ridden two of the Women Cross Country.”

The first Belize Women Cross Country had started at Mile 25 on the former Western Highway now George Price Highway as to give the women a jump ahead of the male Belize Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. It was 115 miles in all going and coming back from Belize’s Cayo District. And that’s when Solis won the grueling race that was believed to have been only made for Belizean male cyclists since its proud origin in 1928 that saw the legendary Elston Kerr conquer the rough terrain just on a coaster bike. For the first Belizean woman, Camille Solis, to have ridden the acclaimed Belizean cycling classic all the way to Cayo and back in her first race is a remarkable accomplishment for a Belizean female athlete.

But in 1996, the race changed to a one-way course, and the Belize Women Cross Country Cycling Classic started at the Belize Cayo District and finished in Belize City. And since Solis was recovering from a traffic accident in which she was knocked down, she did not defend her title in the 1996 Belize Women Cross Country. After recovery, Solis continued training and became the only Belizean cyclist to be qualified to represent Belize at the 1996 Olympics. Before that, she had also represented Belize in the 1992 Olympics.

These again were historic achievements for Belizean women in sports since before that no Belizean woman had ever qualified to represent Belize in cycling. She also represented Belize in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in cycling. Solis was also the only female cyclist along with four Belizean male cyclists to represent Belize at the 1995 Pan American Games where she placed 16th. in the women cycling road race. However, none of the Belizean male cyclists had finished their races.

The year 1997 found Camille Solis staying out the Belize Women Cross Country Cycling Classic. But in 1998 she rode again and came in second to an American cyclist that had entered the Belize Women Cross Country with Belizean female cyclist, Fiona Humes, placing third. Incredibly in 1999, Camille Solis won the Belize Woman Cross Country again with Fiona Humes placing second. It became the seal to her fascinating cycling career before her temporary but long absence from competing.

At this time, the cadre of Belizean female cyclists to ride the Belize Women Cross Country had been increasing after Solis’s memorable and historic ride and crossing the Belize gender line. Her six Women Cross Country Cycling Classic victories had set the standard that would be followed by many other Belizean female cyclists that were inspired by her accomplishments in the sport.

Solis did not ride the Belize Women Cross Country for seven years since her historic wins in the 1990s as a rising Belizean female cycling legend in the making. During a long departure abroad, her absence was deeply felt in the Belize Women Cross Country from 2000-2007. On her return to Belize Bowman told her it would have taken her three years to prepare herself to return to the competitive form she had after such a long absence.

However, due to family obligations, her comeback attempt was cut short after just two years, after which she decided to permanently retire from competitive cycling. She remembered recalling Bowman’s advice and realized that it takes a lot to prepare and train for the Cross Country.

The exemplary record that the Belizean phenomenal cyclist, Camille Solis, established as a mark of excellence for those aspiring Belizean female cyclists is astonishing. She paved the way for many who came after her to win the Belize Women Cross Country Cycling Classic through her national cycling victories as well as her international cycling competitions representing Belize.

She said that she had found it very inspiring to compete against the internationally recognized Cubans and Americans in world-class cycling at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games across the world. She thanked her first sponsor, Stans Bowman, for seeing the cycling athlete in her as well as her other sponsors, Abel Rodriguez, Belize Dry Cleaners, and Belchi Cycling Club.

As a Massage Therapist today, Camille Solis has contributed back to the sport of cycling by helping Belizean male and female cyclists through her sport medicine skills. She feels that she cannot give back to Belizean cycling what it has given to her of the high level of discipline that molded her and the many places around the world that it has taken her.

Her most rewarding contribution that she is most grateful for to the sport of cycling in Belize is that she has not demanded any recognition for her solid ten years or more of an enduring cycling history only that she is always willing to help any Belizean cyclist in the best way she can. The amazing sense of humility exemplified by this Belizean cycling athlete is the reason why she has become the greatest Belizean female cyclist today.

Credit: Bilal Morris

New E-Passports for Belize

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration hereby inform of the transition from the design phase of the new ePassports to the process phase of the new Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System (ePICS).

On November 4, 2021, a kick-off meeting was held with the project stakeholders including the Department of Nationality and Passports, Belize Police Department, the Office of the Accountant General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and E-governance, the Central Information Technology Office, the Office of the Solicitor General, the International Organization of Migration. Topics at this session included project management in reference to the scope of the project, deliverables, timelines, communication, and team roles.

Currently, the ministry is hosting a team from the Canadian Bank Note Limited (CBN). For the next two weeks, the CBN and the ministry’s teams will be engaged in technical meetings with the project stakeholders. This engagement includes visits to the offices in Corozal Town, Belize City, and Belmopan, the only three locations where Belizeans can currently apply for passports. When the new ePICS system comes online in August 2022, acceptance of applications will be extended to offices in Punta Gorda Town, Independence Village, Dangriga Town, and Orange Walk Town. Additionally, there will be an online portal for renewals.

The new ePICS system and ePassports will be incredibly secure and will allow for efficient processing through modern border management systems. It will be a symbol of national pride for Belizeans and will establish a bond of trust between Belize and those countries reading it. Furthermore, it will open Belizeans to travel globally with fewer restrictions.

The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), the Belize Tourism Board, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade contributed immensely to the design phase of the new ePassports.

CBN has customers in 80 countries and a proven track record in addressing travel document security threats with technological innovations in design, manufacturing, printing, and biometrics technology. Their solutions are constantly evolving to counter new and emerging security threats and they work closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization to ensure that documents exceed international standards.

This initiative is in line with the strategic plans of the Ministry and the Department of Nationality and Passports, the Global Compact on Migration, the Government of Belize’s eGovernance strategy, and Plan Belize’s immigration policy as well as international and regional agreements that advance Belize’s development.




Taiwan Awards Outgoing Belizean Ambassador with Prestigious Medal

Outgoing Belizean Ambassador Diane C. Haylock on Tuesday (Dec. 29, 2020) was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu for her contribution to Taiwan-Belize relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued a press release Tuesday stating that Wu gave a speech recognizing Haylock’s active promotion of exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Belize in various fields such as politics, economy, and culture. Wu congratulated the ambassador, who took office in 2016, and wished her a smooth return to Belize, adding that he hoped she would regard Taiwan as her “home away from home.”

The ambassador expressed her gratitude for the prestigious medal and especially thanked President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) for valuing the friendship between the two countries. She said that Taiwan’s assistance to Belize has been deeply rooted in the hearts of Belizeans, particularly Taiwan scholarships given to students to cultivate talent and Taiwanese-funded cooperative hospitals to train medical personnel, both of which will help with the Central American country’s long-term development, CNA reported.
2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Belize. MOFA stated that Taiwan and Belize have a stable and friendly relationship.

The ministry said the two sides have cooperated closely and have achieved remarkable results in the fields of infrastructure construction, public health, and medical care, information and communications, agriculture and fishery, economy and trade, education, and culture, with “outstanding results.” In recent years, the countries have successively signed cooperation agreements in the areas of clean government, mutual legal assistance, aviation, and economics, MOFA added.

Credit: Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2022 Belize Public and Bank Holiday List Released

The public is notified of the 2022 Belize public and bank holidays specified in the First and Second Schedules to Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011. The holidays will be observed on the following days during the year 2022 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act.

New COVID-19 Measures

The Ministry of Health & Wellness hereby notifies the public that in an effort to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the curfew hours have been adjusted. Effective today, Monday, October 4, 2021, the curfew hours will revert to 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. daily.

Until further notice:

  1. Restaurants, saloons, diners and other similar establishments allowed to operate may offer dining-in services by reservation only, for no more than fifty per centum of its seating capacity, with fully vaccinated persons only;
  2. Restaurants that have proper ventilation or a restaurant that is an open-air restaurant, outdoor restaurant, or an al fresco dining restaurant that is allowed to operate, may offer dining-in services by reservation only, for no more than seventy-five per centum of its seating capacity, with fully vaccinated persons only;
  3. Churches and casino are to remain closed;
  4. Contact sports are not allowed.

Public Notice (SI No. 111 of 2021) Comes into Effect

Be reminded that the latest Public Health Statutory Instrument (SI No. 111 of 2021) takes effect today, October 1, 2021.

The principal Regulations of the new SI are amended to include:

  • that neck gaiters, fishing face masks, ski masks, any closed tube of fabric or other similar face, neck or head covering that resembles any of the aforementioned types of masks or which is designed to expose only part of the face, are now prohibited.
  • the owner or manager of a business, office or establishment may prescribe the types of face masks or other face (nose and mouth) covering which are permissible for entry into that business, office or establishment, but which shall not include any of the types of masks prohibited under this new SI.
  • that any person who wishes to enter a public medical institution, government office or the office of a statutory body shall, prior to entering that office, present proof of immunization together with a valid identification card.
  • that the Chief Executive Officer, Head of Department, or head of a statutory body, as the case may be, shall allow–
    • entry to a person, who works in that public medical institution, government office or office of a statutory body and who is not immunized, if that person presents–
      • (i) every two weeks, a negative rapid test or PCR test; or
      • (ii) an immunization card which shows that the person has received the first dose of a vaccine and the date for the second dose of the vaccine has not elapsed;

View the complete Statutory Instrument No. 111 of 2021 here.

The Best Tourist Attractions In Belize

Must-See Tourist Attractions in Belize

Belize is a tropical country tucked on the eastern coast of Central America and is known for its majestic mountains, exquisitely clear beaches, and sunny weather. Like many other countries around the world, Belize is a bucket list destination that has several popular tourist attractions that are a must-see when traveling to the coastal country.

The Great Blue Hole

If you are fascinated by mysterious natural phenomena, you should have a look at the Great Blue Hole situated a few miles from the coast of Belize. This massive underwater sink water hole is one of the largest of its kind. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with its surrounding areas on the coast in 1996. The Hole is so remarkable that it remains one of the world’s most distinguished scuba sites.

Belize Zoo

If you are a tourist that enjoys experiencing zoos from various countries, the Belize zoo is a must-visit. The zoo is 29 acres, making it relatively small compared to its counterparts, however, it boasts numerous animals of which some are only native to central America. The Belize zoo is a perfect outing for families with children because it’s filled with great activities especially created for the young. The zoo also consists of numerous accommodations ranging from cabanas, dorms, guest houses, and cabins. Other zoo activities include Sibun river canoe trips, savanna nature trails, and nocturnal zoo tours.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Jaguars are the largest cats native to the Americas and in Belize, these magnificent creatures have a monopoly over their land. The best place to catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures is at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was founded in the 1980s with the aim of protecting endangered species native to Belize. The sanctuary has also welcomed a number of other species including pumas, otters, and native birds. If you happen to be an avid hiker, the sanctuary has some trails to explore too.

Lamanai

Located along the west bank of the New River Lagoon, Lamanai is one of the oldest inhabited archaeological zones in the Mayan World. The archaeological park is the second largest site in Belize, covering about 860 acres/384 hectares. The word Lamanai means submerged crocodile in Mayan and the name is fitting because what you will encounter at the site are some artifacts depicting representations of crocodiles along with some other interesting pieces of history to marvel at.

Caye Caulker

About 20 miles north of Belize City, lies Caye Caulker, a 4-mile island with sunny beaches that are known for its hidden snorkeling and scuba diving spots. The island remains mostly unoccupied by the locals, and as for tourists, they prefer to visit the restaurants and shops located at the northern tip of the island. Other water activities available at the Caye Caulker Island include sailing, kayaking, and fishing.

Belize has many other amazing tourist attractions that will resonate with different types of people who love everything from seeing the sights to playing at grandrush.com. Whether you enjoy nature, water, shopping, eating, or site-seeing, Belize offers everything and more. Spoil yourself on your next holiday trip and visit Belize to experience a thrilling tropical adventure.

The Best Tourist Restaurants In Belize

Best Restaurants to Experience in Belize

Traveling is never complete until you experience some local cuisine. What better way to explore a country than to eat at its most prominent restaurants? Belize is a coastal country and seafood is their most common cuisine, however, there are restaurants that also serve world-renowned cuisine ranging from Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, and many more. Have a look at the best restaurants you need to explore when you’re in Belize.

 Montagna Ristorante

This restaurant forms part of the Francis Ford Coppola’s luxury resort, the Blancaneaux Lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in Cayo. Montagna Ristorante is a posh restaurant that specializes in Italian dishes ranging from pasta, seafood, and brick-oven pizza. The aesthetic of the restaurant consists of an open thatched-roof dining room overlooking the beautiful forest that the resort is nestled in. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and pair their dishes with the finest selections of wines from the Coppola vineyards.

Bistro at Maya Beach Hotel

This restaurant is owned by an Australian-American couple and lies on the Placencia Peninsula. The bistro overlooks the beach, giving it a serene feel. A favorite to the locals and tourists at large because they manage to incorporate traditional tropical Belizean cuisine and mesh that with some French notes which produce flavors that are phenomenal. If you’re looking to try out some unique dishes then this is the place for you.

Elvi’s Kitchen

Situated in San Pedro Belize. Elvi’s Kitchen is a well-known restaurant in the area because it serves common and classic Belizean dishes. Owned by chef Elvia Staines and her daughter Jennie, this restaurant has been in operation for almost 39 years. The most ordered meals at Elvi’s Kitchen are the fried chicken, crab claws, sweet corn, fried green plantain, and many more delectable dishes. Elvi’s Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

El Fogon

El Fogon was opened by the Arceo-Eiley family in the early 2000s and they mainly specialize in Belizean cuisine. Situated in Ambergris Caye Belize, this area is commonly known for the Mestizo people who are descendants of the Mayan and the Spanish people. The word Fogon means “kitchen hearth” and all their food is cooked in a traditional outdoor oven which gives their food a rich textured smoky flavor.

Chef Rob’s Gourmet Café

One of Belize’s top chefs, chef Rob, owns this restaurant situated at his resort, Parrot Cove Lodge in Hopkins Village. This stunning restaurant overlooks the beachfront and serves its customers a worthwhile fine-dining experience that is not too common around Belize. Chef Rob’s Gourmet Café serves a four-course menu made with products that are sourced locally, which is why their menu is updated according to which products he has sourced on that particular day. Reservations are recommended at this restaurant because it does get busy and just like the Lucky Creek promotional games, you don’t want to miss out.

These are some of the best restaurants in Belize, but there are many more to explore that may match your preference. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or have specific dietary requirements, you will find a restaurant suitable for your appetite.

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