×

Belize🇧🇿 | festivalsCosta Maya FestivalMiss Costa Maya pageant, San Pedro Town, early August, street parades, beachfront nights | things to do and best time to go

Explore Chocolate Festival of BelizeExplore Garifuna Settlement Day

Backpacking in Costa Maya
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The festival opens with the Miss Costa Maya International pageant at the Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex in San Pedro Town, where contestants from Central American countries and Mexico take the stage under floodlights, with the Caribbean humidity thick enough to fog your camera lens. Costa Maya Festival fills San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, in the north of Belize, for about a week in early August. Expect soca and punta from sound systems, grilled meat smoke drifting along the sandy streets, and a crowd of locals, Belizeans on holiday and a scattering of backpackers. Costs catch people out: August is rainy season but beds still fill, so book early, bring cash for small stalls, and allow for ferry queues on the weekend. Carry a rain jacket and bug spray. Your first day could mean an afternoon wandering the waterfront, then the pageant at night.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Belize Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #99 festival in BelizeWhy Costa Maya should be on your travel list

Costa Maya Festival gives you a week when San Pedro Town stops performing for tourists and throws a party for itself. That is the main draw. The festival is a regional contest with delegates from Central America and Mexico, so the crowd and the conversations around you are far more mixed than a typical beach week. Locals fill the grandstands, shout for their favorite contestants and then spill into the streets, which makes striking up a chat easy even if your Spanish is shaky.

The second reason is timing. Early August sits in the quiet stretch of the Belize season, so you can pair it with cheaper beds and thinner dive boats than in winter. Reef trips, snorkeling at Hol Chan and long afternoons on the dock all fit around the evening events. If you are already moving between Mexico and Belize, … read more 👉
Costa Maya Festival gives you a week when San Pedro Town stops performing for tourists and throws a party for itself. That is the main draw. The festival is a regional contest with delegates from Central America and Mexico, so the crowd and the conversations around you are far more mixed than a typical beach week. Locals fill the grandstands, shout for their favorite contestants and then spill into the streets, which makes striking up a chat easy even if your Spanish is shaky.

The second reason is timing. Early August sits in the quiet stretch of the Belize season, so you can pair it with cheaper beds and thinner dive boats than in winter. Reef trips, snorkeling at Hol Chan and long afternoons on the dock all fit around the evening events. If you are already moving between Mexico and Belize, the festival gives your route a hook and a reason to linger on the island a few extra nights.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Costa Maya

  1. Miss Costa Maya International pageant: The opening event at the Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex is what the festival is known for. Delegates from Central American countries and Mexico compete in evening wear, cultural costume and talent rounds, and the crowd is loud, partisan and joyful.
  2. Costume and cultural presentations: Contestants wear elaborate outfits that reference their home countries, with plenty of feathers, sequins and handwork. Get a seat early to see the details up close.
  3. Street parades and carnival energy: Floats, dancers and music move through San Pedro Town, and the narrow sandy streets become a shared dance floor. Wear closed shoes you do not mind getting dusty, and keep a poncho handy for sudden rain.
  4. Beach and waterfront events: Festival activities spread along the shoreline,
… read more 👉
  1. Miss Costa Maya International pageant: The opening event at the Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex is what the festival is known for. Delegates from Central American countries and Mexico compete in evening wear, cultural costume and talent rounds, and the crowd is loud, partisan and joyful.
  2. Costume and cultural presentations: Contestants wear elaborate outfits that reference their home countries, with plenty of feathers, sequins and handwork. Get a seat early to see the details up close.
  3. Street parades and carnival energy: Floats, dancers and music move through San Pedro Town, and the narrow sandy streets become a shared dance floor. Wear closed shoes you do not mind getting dusty, and keep a poncho handy for sudden rain.
  4. Beach and waterfront events: Festival activities spread along the shoreline, with the Caribbean breeze cutting the heat. Stalls sell grilled fish, fry jacks and cold drinks, and the sea is a short walk away when the crowds get dense.
  5. Nightlife around the island: After the main shows, bars on the beachfront and back streets run live music and DJs late. Golf carts hum past, and the mood is relaxed and friendly rather than rowdy.
For a first visit, the pageant opening night is the one to prioritize, since Costa Maya Festival makes the most sense when you watch the regional delegates compete alongside a packed local crowd.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Costa Maya Festival?

Costa Maya Festival is held in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye in August, running about a week, with the schedule set each year around the Miss Costa Maya International pageant and events in the center of town and along the beachfront.
  • Best days: The pageant night and the weekend street parade bring the biggest crowds and the most color. Weekdays are calmer, with beach events that are easier to join.
  • Weather: Expect 27 to 32°C (81 to 90°F), heavy humidity, short afternoon downpours and about 13 hours of daylight. Bring a light rain shell, reef-safe sunscreen, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag for your phone.
  • Booking: Reserve beds and the water taxi 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Rooms often cost 20 to 40 percent more during festival week.
  • Crowds and transport: Arrive by midday on a weekday, since late boats
… read more 👉
Costa Maya Festival is held in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye in August, running about a week, with the schedule set each year around the Miss Costa Maya International pageant and events in the center of town and along the beachfront.
  • Best days: The pageant night and the weekend street parade bring the biggest crowds and the most color. Weekdays are calmer, with beach events that are easier to join.
  • Weather: Expect 27 to 32°C (81 to 90°F), heavy humidity, short afternoon downpours and about 13 hours of daylight. Bring a light rain shell, reef-safe sunscreen, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag for your phone.
  • Booking: Reserve beds and the water taxi 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Rooms often cost 20 to 40 percent more during festival week.
  • Crowds and transport: Arrive by midday on a weekday, since late boats and flights fill up. Leave the morning after the closing night, when ferry queues are shorter than that evening.
Aim to land two days before the pageant so you get a bed and see the setup.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBelize Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Belize
The digital guide (168 pages) contains:
✅ 44 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The best base for backpackers is San Pedro Town itself, within walking distance of the festival action, with the stretch from Central Park south along Barrier Reef Drive working best.
Central San Pedro puts you a few minutes on foot from the main stages, parade route and the beachfront bars. This is where solo travelers meet people easily, because hostels and guesthouses cluster here and the streets stay lit and busy at night. Golf carts and bikes are the main traffic, so walking after dark is generally comfortable, though you should still stick to the main streets late at night.
The south end of … read more 👉
The best base for backpackers is San Pedro Town itself, within walking distance of the festival action, with the stretch from Central Park south along Barrier Reef Drive working best.
Central San Pedro puts you a few minutes on foot from the main stages, parade route and the beachfront bars. This is where solo travelers meet people easily, because hostels and guesthouses cluster here and the streets stay lit and busy at night. Golf carts and bikes are the main traffic, so walking after dark is generally comfortable, though you should still stick to the main streets late at night.
The south end of town, toward the bridge and past the airstrip, is quieter and often a little cheaper. Rooms there are good if you want sleep after late concerts, and it is a 10 to 15 minute walk or a short golf cart ride back to the party.
North of the bridge is mostly resort territory. It costs more, so skip it on a budget.
Caye Caulker, about 45 minutes away by water taxi, is a more social and cheaper fallback if San Pedro fills up, but the last boats run early, so you will miss late nights.
Best hostels in Belize


Best quality hotels in Belize

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Costa Maya

Costa Maya Festival costs a backpacker roughly US$65 to 140 per day, with accommodation the biggest variable.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$10 to 30Street parades, beach events and many concerts are free. Pageant night and special shows need a ticket.
AccommodationUS$25 to 45Dorm beds or basic private rooms in San Pedro cost more in festival week, and the cheapest ones sell out early.
Local transportUS$0 to 10Most of the festival is walkable. Bike rental is around US$10 a day, and a golf cart costs far more. The water taxi from Belize City is about US$20 to 25 each way, paid separately.
Food & drinksUS$20 to 35Street snacks cost US$2 to 6, local meals US$8 to 15, and a Belikin beer US$2 to 4. Waterfront restaurant prices run higher.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$10 to 20Sunscreen,
… read more 👉
Costa Maya Festival costs a backpacker roughly US$65 to 140 per day, with accommodation the biggest variable.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$10 to 30Street parades, beach events and many concerts are free. Pageant night and special shows need a ticket.
AccommodationUS$25 to 45Dorm beds or basic private rooms in San Pedro cost more in festival week, and the cheapest ones sell out early.
Local transportUS$0 to 10Most of the festival is walkable. Bike rental is around US$10 a day, and a golf cart costs far more. The water taxi from Belize City is about US$20 to 25 each way, paid separately.
Food & drinksUS$20 to 35Street snacks cost US$2 to 6, local meals US$8 to 15, and a Belikin beer US$2 to 4. Waterfront restaurant prices run higher.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$10 to 20Sunscreen, a rain poncho, ATM fees and tips. Cash is useful at small stalls.
Total Daily BudgetUS$65 to 140Excludes the water taxi or flight to the island.


source: travelbelize.org
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Food at Costa Maya Festival is a beachfront spread of Belizean street fare, grilled seafood and cold drinks, with stalls set up around the center of San Pedro Town and the waterfront.
Start with fry jacks (puffy fried dough) for breakfast, then move on to garnaches (crisp tortillas with beans, cheese and sauce) and panades (fried corn shells filled with fish or beans). Grilled lobster and conch appear in season, and the ceviche served in plastic cups is fresh, sharp with lime and a good place to start. For something heartier, look for stew chicken with rice and beans and fried plantain.
Drinks are led by Belikin beer, sold ice cold, and rum punch or rum with coconut water. Fresh juices and watermelon or lime drinks are worth it for the humid afternoons.
Bring cash, since small stalls rarely take … read more 👉
Food at Costa Maya Festival is a beachfront spread of Belizean street fare, grilled seafood and cold drinks, with stalls set up around the center of San Pedro Town and the waterfront.
Start with fry jacks (puffy fried dough) for breakfast, then move on to garnaches (crisp tortillas with beans, cheese and sauce) and panades (fried corn shells filled with fish or beans). Grilled lobster and conch appear in season, and the ceviche served in plastic cups is fresh, sharp with lime and a good place to start. For something heartier, look for stew chicken with rice and beans and fried plantain.
Drinks are led by Belikin beer, sold ice cold, and rum punch or rum with coconut water. Fresh juices and watermelon or lime drinks are worth it for the humid afternoons.
Bring cash, since small stalls rarely take cards and prices are often quoted in Belize dollars (tied to the US dollar at two to one), though US dollars are widely accepted. Portions are generous, so share a plate with a friend. Lines move slowly when pageant night crowds arrive, so eat early.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Costa Maya Festival takes place in August in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, Belize, and usually runs for about a week. The exact dates change each year, so check the local schedule before booking. The biggest days are the weekend parade and the pageant night. Arriving two days before the main events helps you find a bed.
Costa Maya Festival costs most backpackers about US$65 to 140 per day, including a bed, food and transport on the island. Many street events and beach parties are free, while the pageant and special concerts cost roughly US$10 to 30. Dorm or budget rooms in San Pedro run about US$25 to 45 a night, and prices rise in festival week. The water taxi from Belize City is about US$20 to 25 each way.
Costa Maya Festival does not require tickets for most events, since the parades, street stages and beach activities are open to everyone. Tickets are needed for the main pageant night and some ticketed concerts, which usually cost around US$10 to 30 and can be bought locally in San Pedro Town. The real advance booking is for beds and transport, so reserve rooms and the water taxi 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Belizean festivals near Costa Maya

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Belize including Costa Maya and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Belize has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Belize
Country photo of Belize
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Costa Maya Festival works best as the middle of a longer Belize run: dive or snorkel Hol Chan in the mornings, then save your evenings for the pageant and street parties. I would pair it with a few quiet nights on the mainland afterward to recover. Bring cash, a rain layer and patience for ferry lines.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Belize. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story