International Costa Maya Festival

View on map
MusicSan Pedro
Dates6–8 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe multinational scope is what
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: BZD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

International Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro

San Pedro on Ambergris Caye hosts Belize's largest annual festival each August, built around a pageant that brings delegates from all eight countries of the historical Maya world, Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Three days combine parades, cultural exhibits, regional cooking competitions and beach parties, closing with a concert by an international artist. The festival began in 1991 as the Sea and Air Festival before its current identity took hold.

The Ambergris Caye chapter of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched this festival in 1991 as the Sea and Air Festival, a name that stuck for barely a season before organizers dropped the aerial component and rebranded around Maya heritage instead.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The multinational scope is what distinguishes this festival from other Belizean cultural events: representatives from all eight Mundo Maya countries participate, giving San Pedro a genuinely international character for one weekend rather than a purely local celebration

02

The mystery stays covered

The pageant judges contestants on cultural knowledge of their home country as well as presentation, which keeps the competition tied to substance rather than spectacle alone

03

The city starts moving

Because the whole event unfolds on a small caye reachable only by boat or plane, the crowd, vendors and performers all end up sharing the same compact streets, producing an unusually concentrated version of a normally sprawling festival format

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Traditions include the queen pageant representing all eight Mundo Maya countries

Water and renewal

Living ritual

street parades in national costume

The sacred route

Living ritual

and cultural exhibits presenting Maya history alongside contemporary Central American identity

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

6–8 August 2026

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of San Pedro you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Light tropical resort wear and sandals suit the beach parties and daytime parades, with a slightly dressier outfit useful for the evening pageant events. Sun protection matters throughout...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if International Costa Maya Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

BZD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map17.92 N, 87.97 WOpen in Google Maps

San Pedro, Belize District, Belize

Nearest airportBZE — Philip S. W. Goldson
TransportStay close enough to the part of San Pedro you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if International Costa Maya Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to San Pedro via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near San Pedro, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLight tropical resort wear and sandals suit the beach parties and daytime parades, with a slightly dressier outfit useful for the evening pageant events. Sun protection matters throughout, since most of the festival happens outdoors on the caye.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Belize and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Costa Maya Festival?

International Costa Maya Festival is listed for 6–8 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Costa Maya Festival take place?

The festival is listed in San Pedro, Belize. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Dates confirmed in curated data. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

San Pedro, Belize District, Belize

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed dates6–8 August 2026
Source statusDates confirmed in curated data
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