Heritage that healsGarifuna culture in Hopkins, Belize
A Garifuna family’s island in the lagoon, where you’re invited into our culture as a guest at our table. Cook over open fire, learn the drums, walk the herb garden. And when you’d rather sit by the water and say nothing, that’s a full day here too.
By reservation only.
Every visit to the island — experiences and stays — is booked in advance. There are no walk-ins, so please reserve before you come and the family will be ready to welcome you.
Now offering pickup fromPlacencia·San Ignacio·Belize CityAdd it to your booking as an extra service.
Garifuna-owned & family-run
A cultural island retreat
Rooted here since 2007
Garifuna language, dance and music: UNESCO-recognized heritage
Come to the table, not the sidelines.
Palmento Grove is a Garifuna cultural and healing retreat on Kalipuna Island, just off Hopkins on Belize’s southern coast. It’s owned and run by our family — and what happens here is simply what happens in a Garifuna home, with room made for you.
You’ll immerse yourself in the culture. You’ll pick fresh herbs from our garden and greenhouse. You’ll pound green plantain for hudut and eat it at the same table we do. You’ll put your hands on a primero drum and feel why it’s called the voice of the ancestors. Then you’ll sit by the water and let the day slow down.
And if what you need most is quiet, that’s here too. There’s a garden where the plants are still grown to be used, a spiritual centre holding our family’s books and artefacts, and water on every side. Nobody will hurry you through any of it.
Ways to spend a day with us
Each experience is hands-on, led by our family, and capped at a small group. Prices are per person in USD; tips are not included.
Stay long enough to put something down.
Two solar-powered rooms on the island — Anichigu and Isieni — each with a private bath, a porch, and the lagoon a few steps away. Wake to birds and the smell of breakfast, not traffic.
Most people come for a day. Staying turns it into something slower: mornings on the water, an evening with the drums, and no schedule anyone has to keep.
From $99 a night, double occupancy. Sleeps four.
She left a 14-year career rather than stop speaking her language.
Uwahnie Martinez spent fourteen years in banking. Then came a policy that barred her from speaking Garifuna at work — her own language, in her own country.
She resigned, came home to Hopkins, and built Palmento Grove instead. What started as refusal became a place: somewhere Garifuna language, food and rhythm are practised daily and shared openly, where the money guests spend stays in the community that made it — and where anyone who arrives carrying something heavy is given the room to set it down.
The people you will actually meet
Uwahnie Martinez Owner
Left a fourteen-year banking career rather than stop speaking Garifuna at work, came home to Hopkins, and built Palmento Grove instead.
Eugene Martinez Storyteller
The youngest-ever mayor of Punta Gorda Town and a veteran of Belize’s tourism industry. Eugene blends decades of Garifuna knowledge with sustainable tourism, and captivates visitors with his storytelling.
Wasani Martinez Resident guide & ecologist
First-class honours in ecology and environmental science from UWI, and the person behind this website. Shares Garifuna culture and wildlife tales with guests — when he isn’t diving.
Rayton Martinez Drumming instructor
Began at five, mesmerised by the elders’ beats. With no drum, he started on a milk pan, graduated to a bucket, and saved up for his own Garifuna drum. Now he teaches you.
Nadia Martinez Dancer
Uwahnie’s sister-in-law, and Aunt Nadia to all of us. She teaches guests traditional Garifuna dances.
Diamond Martinez Dancer
Uwahnie’s daughter, Dye to the family. She teaches guests traditional Garifuna dances.
Tyana Nunez Massage therapist
Uwahnie’s daughter-in-law, known to everyone as Tee. A certified massage therapist offering deep tissue and hot stone massage, and facials.
Easier to reach than you’d think.
Hopkins sits on Belize’s southern coast. We offer pickup from Belize City, San Ignacio and Placencia.
The last stretch is the good part: we meet you at the water and paddle you across to the island. Boat transfer can be arranged instead if you’d rather.
Pickup from
Belize City
San Ignacio
Placencia
Kalipuna Island, Hopkins, Stann Creek, Belize
Come sit with us.
Tell us when you’re in Hopkins and we’ll build the day around you.
