Did you know that you can go on a cultural tour in Belize? On this adventure, you will learn about the Mayan and Mennonite cultures. I was a little skeptical about this activity, because I truly thought it was going to be boring. However, this could not be further from the truth.
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San Antonio Women’s Group in Belize
You begin the day by driving for about 30 minutes to arrive at the San Antonio Village in the Cayo District. While being transported, the driver will explain various interesting facts about the history of the village and its people. You will go to a group of Mayan women who will explain even further about their way of life. What makes it a very memorable trip is the women using a hands-on approach to teach you about their culture.
Making Corn Tortillas in Belize
Yes, you read right. You actually get to make corn tortillas on this cultural tour. The women take you through the entire process, which starts by grinding the corn.
- Grind dry corn into masa
- Form masa into a flat, small tortilla shape
- Bake the tortilla on a hot comal.
You will experience all of this outside, under a palapa. Everyone in your group will take turns to grind the corn, form the tortillas, and bake your own tortilla. You are provided with olive oil to eat the tortilla that you baked. It was a very exciting experience for me. I’ve made my fair share of flour tortillas, but I’ve never tried making corn tortillas from scratch before. I could not figure out how to shape my tortilla into a perfect circle 😂. Please let me know in the comments if you were successful at forming a perfect circle.
Making Clay Pottery in Belize
After you finish experimenting with making delicious corn tortillas, you will go to a small building where you will see and learn how to make clay pottery. Remember when I mentioned that this women group have a very hands-on approach? Well, you will get the opportunity to try and make your own pottery design. Most of us failed at this venture, because it takes many months of practice in order to perfect the art. However, it was a very fun experience for my group. I can be shy at times, so I decided to opt out of trying to form one. I regret that decision now, because I am curious to know how good (or bad) I would have been at forming clay pottery. If you decide to go on this tour, please try to make one and then share your experience, below. Let me live through you!
Photo Credit: Samantha Angba 
Photo by Anthony Shkraba on Pexels.com
Lunch Time!
Ah, my favorite part of every day. Lunch! I Love eating, and even more so, I love eating DELICIOUS food. This was my exact experience when eating the lunch the Mayan women prepared for us. They do not serve the same thing every day, so there is no guarantee for exactly what you will eat. Some of the options I’ve heard of are tamales and a few rice dishes. However, no matter what they prepare, I’ve always only heard great feedback. Everyone who goes on this tour always comes back raving about the food, because it is just that good.
After baking tortillas, making pottery and having a hearty meal, your group will return to the vehicle so you can start heading to the Barton Creek Mennonites to learn a little about their culture.
Barton Creek Mennonites
The Mennonites in Belize have always been a mystery to me. The don’t use much technology, still drive around in horse and buggies, and dress very traditionally. None of the other cultures, in Belize, hold on to their traditional ways of life as much as the Mennonites. When I found out that there was a tour that would teach me more about these humble and successful group of people, my curiosity and interest were piqued.
It is a short drive from San Antonio to Barton Creek, where you will enter the home of one of the Mennonite families who live in that Area. This is after you receive a quick tour of their village and the small wood cutting structure that they utilize. You will be welcomed into their living room and get the opportunity to ask them any of the millions of questions that you may have about their culture. They can explain why they don’t support the use of technology, why they don’t like to use currency among themselves, and why they use traditional machinery to complete their daily tasks.
My Takeaway
After meeting the Mennonite family, my appreciation for their presence in Belize grew tremendously. I was even a little jealous of the care-free and simple lives that they live. Sometimes, I wonder if they are happier than the mass majority of people who worry about the latest technology, fast cars, big houses, and so much more material things. I wonder if they are happier than even myself, who is working so hard to try and make it in life and be successful. I can’t help but wonder, what makes someone successful? Because I truly believe the Mennonite community in Belize is a thriving and very successful one, even without the technological advancements that the rest of the world strives towards.
Booking Information
If you would like to experience this fun and knowledge filled cultural tour, you can go to www.mayawalk.com. Mayawalk Tours is the tour operator that I used to go on this adventure. If you have a deep appreciation for different cultures, and want to add two more unique cultural experiences to your travel history, then this is the perfect tour for you. You can even use my code TLTMAYA5 when booking, to receive a 5% discount off this tour and off any other activities that Mayawalk Tours offers. *Conditions may apply*
If you would like to see other activities you can do while in Belize, or if you would like to see different accommodation options, click the respective button below.
Send me a message if you would like further information on this activity, or if you need help deciding what activities you should do while in Belize.
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