Basket Weaving & Culinary Adventure

6 Hours

Group Size

2 - 10
Group Size

2–10
Meals

Lunch — the hudut you cook
Language

English, Garifuna
Guide

A Garifuna elder and members of the family
Fitness Level

Easy — seated weaving, standing to cook

About this day

The Basket Weaving & Culinary Adventure is a six-hour day on Kalipuna Cultural Heritage Island in Hopkins, Belize: you weave a basket with a Garifuna elder, cook a traditional meal over the fire, and finish on the drums.

The morning is weaving. You sit with one of our elders and learn it properly — natural materials, techniques handed down through generations, and enough time to finish a basket rather than just start one. It's the slowest part of the day, and the one guests remember.

Then the cultural kitchen: fresh fish, herbs from the garden, local coconuts and plantains, cooked over the open fire hearth. You make the meal, and you eat it at our table with the baskets beside you.

The day ends on the drums with our instructor. Weaving, cooking and drumming are all part of everyday Garifuna life here, and a full day lets you see them side by side.

What you'll do

Weave with an elder, and finish a basket you take home
Cook hudut over the open fire hearth
A drumming session to close the day
A full six hours with our family
Groups of up to ten

How the day runs

Basket weaving

With an elder. Natural materials, traditional technique. You keep what you make.
Cultural kitchen

Hudut over the fire hearth — fish, herbs, coconut, plantain.
The meal

Eat together, baskets on the table.
Drumming

Session with the drumming instructor.

What's included

Free pickup from your hotel within Hopkins
Kayak crossing to and from the island
Cultural attire to change into
All weaving materials
The basket you make
All cooking ingredients
The meal you cook
Drumming instruction

What's not included

A boat crossing instead of the kayak — available at extra cost
Transport from Placencia, San Ignacio or Belize City — add a transfer
Tips and gratuities — not included in the price

Questions guests ask

Planning your day

How long is the experience?

About six hours.

Do I take the basket home?

Yes. The basket you weave is yours to keep.

Do I need any weaving experience?

No. You learn from one of our elders, with enough time set aside to finish your basket.

I'm vegetarian, or I can't eat fish. Can I still join?

Yes. Tell us when you book and we'll prepare a vegetable option for vegetarians, or an alternative such as chicken instead of fish.

Where do we meet?

On the northern side of Hopkins, at the estuary where the lagoon meets the sea — locals call it Hawaii. If you're staying in Hopkins, we'll pick you up from your hotel for free.

How do we get to the island?

By kayak — a short, calm paddle across Fresh Water Creek Lagoon, included in the price. If you'd rather not paddle, a boat crossing is available at extra cost.

What should I bring?

Sun protection, insect repellent (we also have natural repellent), light clothing, and shoes that can get wet and dry quickly for the kayak crossing. We provide cultural attire to change into. Bring swimwear if you'd like a swim in the sea at Hawaii afterwards, on your own time.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel 30 or more days before for a full refund minus a 10% processing fee, or 15 days before for a 50% refund or full credit toward a future booking. Cancellations less than 7 days before are non-refundable. The full policy is on our Terms page.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Many of our experiences run rain or shine. If we cancel because conditions are unsafe, you'll receive a refund, minus a 10% processing fee for card payments.

Are tips included?

No. Tips aren't included in the price. They're never expected, and always appreciated by the people who host you.