GariMaya Cultural & Culinary Experience

8 Hours

Group Size

2 - 10
Group Size

2–10
Meals

Both meals you cook, plus chocolate
Language

English, Garifuna
Best Season

Year-round
Fitness Level

Easy — a long day on your feet

About this day

The GariMaya Cultural & Culinary Experience is an eight-hour day across two cultures: a Maya cooking class and cacao farm in southern Belize, then hudut and drumming with our family on Kalipuna Cultural Heritage Island in Hopkins.

You start in a Maya kitchen, grinding corn, mixing spices and cooking over the open flame with Maya cooks.

Then a Maya cacao farm, where you follow chocolate from the tree through fermenting and roasting and make some with your own hands.

The day ends with us: hudut over the fire hearth — fresh fish, plantain pounded in the mortar — and the drumming that goes with it.

Two food traditions that have grown up side by side in Belize, in a single day.

What you'll do

Cook in a traditional Maya kitchen with Maya cooks
Walk a Maya cacao farm and make chocolate by hand
Cook hudut over the fire hearth with our family
Garifuna drumming to close the day
Two food traditions, side by side, in one day

What's included

The Maya cooking class
Guided cacao farm visit and chocolate making
The Garifuna cultural and culinary experience
Cultural attire to change into for the Garifuna part of the day
All ingredients and instruction
Both meals you cook

What's not included

Transport to Hopkins — add a transfer from Placencia, San Ignacio or Belize City
Tips and gratuities — not included in the price

Questions guests ask

Planning your day

How long is the day?

About eight hours.

Where does it take place?

The Maya cooking class and cacao farm are in southern Belize. The day ends with our family on Kalipuna Island in Hopkins.

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, for the Garifuna meal.

What should I bring?

Sun protection, insect repellent (we also have natural repellent), light clothing, and shoes that can get wet and dry quickly. We provide cultural attire to change into for the Garifuna part of the day.

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.