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Honduras Looking at Ambergris Caye as Inspiration to Save Guanaja Island

by tacogirl 14/08/2015
written by tacogirl 14/08/2015
Bay Islands Honduras

Looking to Ambergris Caye for inspiration

I received an interesting email below from Miguel De Leon asking for my thoughts and help on cars. He wanted to know if Ambergris Caye is experiencing an influx of cars when golf carts are more than sufficient, and would I share my thoughts as to why his island should avoid the same pitfall and try to stay car free all together.

On Ambergris Caye our infrastructure was just not designed for cars. There are narrow roads and few areas with sidewalks. With the growth of the island it is inevitable that there are more cars now than ever but at what price? While it is understandable that some commercial vehicles are useful and needed, cars take away the charm of our cute golf cart island which is what so many people fall in love with.

I will extend my thoughts to Caye Caulker as well. Sadly I saw my first car there when I was on island judging for the Belize Tourism Board Awards. It made me sad and as we were on our way past I could not help but say a fast prayer that this was not the beginning of the end – hopefully not.

Here are 3 pictures all shot on Pescador Drive (Middle St.) downtown San Pedro, within a few minutes of each other. They clearly show that our roads are not very wide and were not designed with regular cars in mind.

Ambergris CayeAmbergris CayeGetting around Ambergris Caye

Help keep Guanaja, Honduras stay car free by Miguel De Leon

I’ve started an online petition for the island of Guanaja, of the Bay Islands of Honduras, to move towards being a car-free island. The island’s warm, clear waters support an extensive coral reef that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and second only to the Great Barrier Reef off the coasts of Australia.

Unfortunately, our island is in danger of sacrificing the very things that sets it apart from other over-developed Caribbean islands. For over 100 years, the island community survived without any land motor vehicles. Only in the past couple of decades, have vehicles begun to appear on the island ever since 1 major road was constructed.

There’s this misconception that more roads and cars will equate to progress and more tourists. When in reality, it will equate to increased population, stress on freshwater supply, long-term environmental effects from increased wastes, improperly disposed of motor fluids and tires.

Sadly the mentality is growing that cruise ships, roads and cars will somehow lift this island into the stratosphere. What I want to convey to them is that the island already offers the very things that the type of tourists we need are looking for. We do not need mass tourism. We just need to care for our island and then we’ll get tourism on the scale we are suited for. As I mentioned on the petition page (see link below), this island was never meant to have roads or cars.

I totally know I have started a challenging cause, but I could not sit by and just watch it happen without at least trying to intervene. Only way I could sleep with myself. I was not born or raised on Guanaja but my family is from there. I went every summer and the coolest thing for me was being able to tell my American friends that I was from a place where there were no cars. The look of them not being able to comprehend that was incredible and made me feel proud. I just want the same for my kids and the locals.

I am not an official non-profit or non-government group, just a concerned islander living abroad and watching the going down a road from which there will be no returning from. Please help me in this effort to save Guanaja for future generations by signing the Petition to keep Cars off Guanaja Island.

Bay Islands Honduras

Island of Guanaja, the Bay Islands of Honduras Picture by
Miguel De Leon

Bay Islands Honduras

Guanaja island by
Miguel De Leon

Bay Islands Honduras

Beach on Guanaja island by Miguel De Leon

Bay Islands Honduras

House on Guanaja by Shawn Holder

Bay Islands Honduras

Guanaja Honduras by Shawn Holder

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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7 comments

Miguel Deleon 15/11/2015 - 12:42 am

I’ve created a new website to further push our efforts. Please visit and leave a comment.

Thank you again.

http://guanajathegreenisland.com/

Reply
tacogirl 15/11/2015 - 7:54 am

Good luck Miguel. Will go check it out.

Reply
tacogirl 02/12/2015 - 7:13 am

Great site Miguel, good luck with your continued efforts.

Reply
Miguel Deleon 14/08/2015 - 4:25 pm

Thank you Emily and tacogirl for your feedback. I guess I was naive in think that Guanaja would always remain I how I remember it when I would go there for my summer vacations. Getting there the first day and running around barefoot most of the time. My fear is that their idea or progress will unknowing result if the sacrifice if the island there will be no turning back.

Reply
tacogirl 14/08/2015 - 4:36 pm

Could be naive Miguel but never stop trying. It is important to preserve such an innocent happy child hood memory in this world of heavy commercialism and “keeping up with the Jonses”. Hopefully what ever comes next will not sacrifice your island and it’s unspoiled charm.

Reply
Emily Smith 14/08/2015 - 11:17 am

Looks like a beautiful island, and I hope he will be successful, but it is certainly difficult to stop the march of “progress”. I am saddened to hear about a car on Caye Caulker. Always hoped it could resist the lure and stay as a golf-cart only island.

Reply
tacogirl 14/08/2015 - 4:19 pm

You are so right Emily difficult to avoid progress but hard to watch when it takes over places that are unspoiled.

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
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I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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