International Costa Maya Festival Victory

Each year, the Island of San Pedro comes alive with the festivities and entertainment provided by the International Costa Maya Festival. Over and above breathtaking concerts, parades, food, dancing, music and world famous entertainers, the festival is also known for the La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. The pageant is supported by beauties from a variety of countries and this year, the stage was set alight and audience captured by the lovely brunette from Nicaragua, Maritza Rivas. She not only walked away the winner of the La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant, but made every resident in Nicaragua extremely proud.

The festival was held from the 6th to the 9th of August 2009, and audience members crowded the venue of the La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant to catch a glimpse of the eight delegates who had entered to represent their countries. The first time the audience and judges saw the girls, they came onto the stage in beautiful shimmering silver costumes and everyone was able to see the confidence and sparkling smiles of Natalia Tamayo (Miss Panama), Angelica Morfin (Miss Guatemala), Felicita Arzu (Miss Belize), Raquel Bonilla (Miss El Salvador), Jennifer Miranda (Miss Costa Rica), Marliese Ayala (Miss Mexico), Ruth Arita Luna (Miss Honduras) and Maritza Rivas (Miss Nicaragua).

Each division of the pageant was a colorful and entertaining beauty extravaganza as the delegates modeled their dresses, costumes and bikinis. Of course, it was the evening gown division that most of the ladies in the audience were waiting for, and could only be described as breathtaking. All the ladies glided across the stage extremely elegantly, building up to the most dreaded part of the pageant, answering questions. Everyone did their countries proud and the Best Costume Award was announced first. The winner was Miss Nicaragua, with Miss Mexico as second runner up and Miss Guatemala as first runner up. Then came the moment of truth, as everyone held their breath and silence fell over the audience. Together, the hosts of the 2009 La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant announced the winner as Miss Nicaragua, Maritza Rivas, sparking celebration not only at her achievement, but the first pageant that has been won by Nicaragua. It was truly a historic and exciting moment for all.