San Antonio Women's Cooperative
History and location of the experience
The cooperative is located in the village of San Antonio, in the municipality of San Ignacio, and has been active since 2012. San Antonio has one of the largest agricultural communities in the area and is located in the heart of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, where six of the country's 14 archaeological reserves are found, making it a place of great interest for tourists.
The participants in this experience are 13 women who work in the traditional fields of cooking, embroidery, pottery and domestic labour. Tourism activities have allowed the women of the cooperative to diversify their sources of income, as well as to access training in business management. It should be noted that the cooperative has represented Belize in ceramic art exhibitions in the United States.
What does it offer?
What does it offer?
The cooperative offers a cultural experience, with a duration of 2-4 hours, which shows their way of life and Mayan heritage. This experience includes the preparation of traditional dishes such as corn tortillas, which are made of corn kernels that must be ground before cooking. Other products offered for sale include clay items, traditional fabrics, woven baskets, typical clothing, embroidered cushions, necklaces and rings, among others.
Several of the women who are part of the cooperative have mobile phones and laptops, but the organization does not have a website or active social networks. In order to promote the business, the cooperative is present in gift shops and local events, which helps to spread information about its activities and products. As for marketing, the women of the cooperative sell their products directly to visitors.
Sarteneja Homestay Group
History and location of the experience
The group is located in the municipality of Corozal and is made up of 20 women. This experience was created in 2020 and was born out of the need to provide food and accommodation services for the guests of non-profit organization Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD). This organization, founded in 2013, works for the conservation, education and promotion of the sustainable use of natural resources.
What does it offer?
What does it offer?
The group provides 10 rooms and offers its guests a safe and comfortable place to stay, either in a private or shared room, with the option of receiving three meals a day. The activities that take place as part of this experience range from practicing Spanish to preparing tortillas.
Access to the Internet by the community is limited, and is only available at cafes or through the NGO Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development. Despite this limitation, the group has access to Facebook and email, which are used to promote its services, as well as to communicate with tourists and manage reservations.
For information or reservations, contact [email protected].
Mayan Cultural Visit
History and location of the experience
The Mayan Cultural Visit is located in the municipality of Toledo and its 30 members belong to one of the four groups of Mayan women, who are dedicated to crafts, cooking, rental services and planning cultural events. This experience is carried out with the financing and support of the NGO Ya'axché Conservation Trust, and its branch of sustainable business and conservation called EcoTourism Belize (ETB).
What does it offer?
What does it offer?
The experience offers an authentic cultural tour for foreign students, universities and international tour operators. During the Mayan Cultural Visit, visitors can appreciate various local traditions, including cooking on wood fires, weaving, stone and woodcarving, as well as traditional music and dance presentations. The kitchen plays a major role in the visit, since tourists can help to prepare and enjoy a traditional Mayan meal.
In terms of promoting the services offered, two of the four groups of women that are part of the experience have access to mobile phones, which are used to promote activities and manage visits. These two groups use Facebook and email, and have participated in training to incorporate digital business planning, as well as marketing and financial management tools.
Meanwhile, the other two groups are in the process of receiving training from Ya'axché and ETB. These two NGOs provide constant support to the groups, with the aim of strengthening their development and growth.
