Garifuna Drum Making & Playing

7 Hours

Group Size

2 - 12
Group Size

2–12
Language

English, Garifuna
Meals

Traditional Garifuna lunch
Fitness Level

Easy

About this experience

Garifuna Drum Making & Playing is a seven-hour experience in Hopkins, Belize, starting at 8:30 AM: you make your own Garifuna drum with one of the drum makers we work with, paddle to Palmento Grove for a traditional lunch, learn to play it, and take it home.

A drum is made before it is played, and making one yourself changes how you hear it. You spend the morning with a drum maker, working on your own drum. Then you paddle to the island, share a traditional lunch with us, and learn your first rhythms on the drum you made.

You leave with the drum, and with something to play on it.

What you'll do

Make your own Garifuna drum with a drum maker
Paddle to Palmento Grove on Kalipuna Island
A traditional Garifuna lunch
A drumming lesson on the drum you made
Take your drum home

How the day runs

Make your drum

Spend the morning with one of the drum makers we work with, making your own Garifuna drum.
Paddle to Palmento Grove

Kayak across the lagoon to Palmento Grove on Kalipuna Island.
Traditional lunch

Share a traditional Garifuna lunch with our family.
Drumming lesson

Learn to play, on the drum you made.
Take your drum home

Your drum is yours to keep.

What's included

Free pickup from your hotel within Hopkins
Drum-making session and materials
Your finished drum to take home
Kayak paddle to the island
Traditional lunch
Drumming lesson

What's not included

Transport from Placencia, San Ignacio or Belize City — add a transfer
Gratuities

Questions guests ask

Planning your day

Do I keep the drum?

Yes. The drum you make is yours to take home.

Do I need any experience?

None, for either the making or the playing.

Can you cater for vegetarians?

Yes — tell us in advance. If you don't eat fish, we'll prepare vegetables or an alternative such as chicken, also with advance notice.

What should I bring?

Sun protection, insect repellent (natural repellent is available on site), light clothing, and shoes that can get wet and dry quickly.

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?

If we cancel because conditions are unsafe, you'll receive a refund, minus a 10% processing fee for card payments.