On our Volunteer Reporting Forms that we fill out quarterly, we are always asked the question, “What is one thing you wish Americans knew about your host country?”
Without a doubt, the answer to that question is diversity. The diversity in Belize, of people, animals, foods, plants, types of game meat, terrain, and hot sauce is incredible. It’s a beautiful country with an incredible wealth of cultures (Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna, Kriol, Chinese, East Indian, Mennonite) and landscapes (jungles, beaches, hills, valleys, rivers, lagoons). There is so much to learn and appreciate about this country…I’m just getting started.
Far from “just a vacation destination,” Belize is a country where approximately 340,000 people make their home. While tourism is a valued part of the local economy, it is also one of the realities that makes life challenging in this country.
Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and travel through some of the country. I’m best acquainted with my home base, Toledo, but I hope to be able to visit most of Belize before I COS.
Here is my very minimal-rather-uninformed list of places I like. It’s just like Lonely Plant’s guide or Zagat, except with a highly biased opinion that doesn’t include most of the country or any restaurants that serve non-vegan options.
In progress! I will add to it. And update!
(Maybe)
Enjoy.
Feeding and Win-ing
(Just kidding! No wine here!)
Punta Gorda
Gomier’s
Mr. Gomier is an incredible man who I worship with my whole heart and soul. He runs a restaurant right next to the Punta Gorda welcome sign. He has more vegan and vegetarian food options than it is possible to fathom. The first meal that Team Toledo BH2 shared, upon arrival before moving into site, was at Gomier’s. He welcomed us and brought me a tonic for my cough. It was a wonderful beginning.
Everything is homemade. We’ll see Mr. Gomier at the market, buying fresh veggies. He prepares vegan baked goods, and vegan ice cream once in a while. Jacob keeps bringing me this incredible homemade tofu that Gomier makes daily.
Sometimes it even arrives warm, and I weep a little bit as I eat freshly made tofu. (This might be a weird reaction. Sorry if you can’t identify.)
Asha’s
Asha’s overlooks the Bay of Honduras and serves (apparently) really wonderful seafood and chocolate cake. I’m forever loyal because they’ll give you sweet potatoes, plantains, and calloo (a green spinach type vegetable) on a plate and let you call it dinner.
They often have live music, and while some PCVs find it a little too pricey, if you stick to sweet potatoes, it’s really quite reasonable.
Piece of Chicken
That Place that Used to Be Driftwood but now We Don’t Know What it’s Called
Caves and Hiking
Blue Creek
Rio Blanco
Very Inexpensive Lodgings
Dangriga
Cultural Events, Holidays, Celebrations, and Things Not To Miss
Cacoa Fest, Punta Gorda, May
Garifuna Settlement Day
Placencia Marathon
Holy Week Festivities
These are a few of my favorite things:
Must try fruit: Mami! With a hard brown exterior and a large mahogany colored nut in the middle, this INCREDIBLE fruit tastes like a cross between a pumpkin and a sweet potato. You eat with a spoon. You consider later that it has about 450 calories.
Favorite vegetable: Well sweet potatoes, duh, but a new favorite here is callaloo…like spinach but a little more bitter, calloloo can be boiled or sauteed. Herman once took me out into the bush to find some, and I apparently picked a bunch of poisonous stuff, so maybe it’s best to stick to purchase at the market.
Best beverage: Fresh green coconut water. I’m now allowed to use a machete to hack off the top. You can pop in a straw, but it looks really cool if you tip the whole coconut up and spill half the water all over yourself. Trust me.
Our First Year Out 