Cancellation & rescheduling policy

At Palmento Grove Garifuna Cultural Healing Retreat, every booking supports cultural preservation, local employment, community empowerment, and the preparation required to deliver our Garifuna cultural experiences well. Because many of our experiences are personalised, weather-coordinated, and involve advance staffing, food sourcing, transportation and cultural preparation, we keep to the following policy.

Room reservation policy

Standard reservations

• 30+ days before arrival — full refund, minus a 10% administrative processing fee.
• 29–15 days before arrival — a 50% refund, or the full amount as a credit valid for 12 months toward a future stay.
• 14 days before arrival — no cash refund. A one-time rescheduling credit, valid within 6 months.
• Within 7 days of arrival — non-refundable.

No-show policy

• No-shows are charged 100% of the reservation total.
• This includes failure to arrive for the scheduled boat transfer without communication.

Early departure policy

• Early departures after check-in are non-refundable.
• Unused nights, meals, tours or transportation cannot be refunded once the experience has begun.

Tour & cultural experience policy

This applies to the Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Experience, Paddle to Plate, Bioluminescence Kayaking, Drumming & Dance sessions, Healing & Wellness activities, private group tours, study abroad and educational programmes, and group and private experiences.

Because staffing, transportation, food preparation, musicians, guides and cultural practitioners are arranged in advance:

• 30+ days before the activity — full refund, minus a 10% processing fee.
• 15 days before the activity — 50% refund, or full credit toward a future booking.
• Less than 7 days before the activity — non-refundable.

Weather policy

We run many experiences rain or shine, and we are well equipped for immersive cultural engagement in varying weather. However, if management judges conditions unsafe — severe storms, lightning, flooding, high winds or unsafe lagoon conditions — guests may reschedule, receive credit, or receive a partial or full refund depending on the circumstances.

Light rain or cloudy weather does not qualify for a cancellation refund.

Boat transfer policy

• Guests must coordinate arrival time at least 1 hour in advance.
• Missed boat departures caused by guest delays may incur additional transfer fees.
• Shared boat transfer fees are non-refundable once scheduled.

Large groups, retreats & study abroad

For retreats, educational institutions, destination groups, family reunions, private events and wellness packages:

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure dates.
• Final balances are due 7 days before arrival.
• Customised group experiences are non-refundable within 30 days, due to staffing and preparation commitments.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against airline disruptions, illness, weather delays, family emergencies and international travel interruptions.

Our commitment

We aim to stay fair, compassionate and flexible wherever we can, while protecting the sustainability of a local cultural enterprise, our staff’ livelihoods and our community-centred mission.

Your booking contributes directly to Garifuna cultural preservation, local employment, youth empowerment, sustainable tourism, and authentic cultural education in Belize. We appreciate your understanding and support.

Questions about any of this? Get in touch — we normally answer within 24 hours. All prices are in USD.