Maya Village Homestay Network
Punta Gorda Town, Toledo
Hotel Description
Do you ever pass the small, thatched roof houses dotting sides of the
highways and wish you could meet the families who live there? The mission
of this program is to provide just that chance by connecting persons
desiring to share life and learn from the traditional way of life lived
by the Mayans. Visitors on this cultural exchange program will sleep in
the same house with the family, share meals and chores around the house.
The experiences may also include harvesting corn or working in the fields
(for the men) or grinding the corn, killing chickens, making tortillas or
doing laundry in the creek (for the women). The visitor is treated as
part of an extended family, an aunt, cousin or uncle, not as anyone
"special". Living conditions are simple and there is not much privacy.
Meals are the same as the family eats everyday which is definitely corn
tortilla at each meal along with eggs, beans and hot pepper or sometimes
game meat. The experience is not for everyone and there are a variety of
programs to meet the interests of visitors. One thing is for sure,
participants will have an unforgettable experience and stories to
tell!
History & Owners
The program began in the early 1990?s as Alfredo and Yvonne Villoria
worked with local villages to create a grass-roots homestay program.
While they help to market the program and work with visitors, each of the
three active villages (Aguacate, Na Luum Ca and San Jose) has a
coordinator who works with participating families in the villages.
Currently there are approximately 20 families participating in the
program. The registration fee that is paid for the program benefits the
entire village, not just the families participating.
Amenities
 | Laundry Service | | Meals Available |
| Snack/Gift Shop | | Children Allowed |
Tours
| Can Arrange | | References Provided |
Languages Spoken | English | | Spanish |
| Mopan Maya | | Kekchi Maya |
Location & Directions
80 Main St. #3, Punta Gorda Town
Dem Dats Doin?, the main office for the homestay program, is located at #53 Main Middle Street. From the central park go north for 3 blocks. The office is located up the street from St. Charles Inn and across from Earth Runnings. Alfredo and Yvonne Villoria come to town on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and can be found at the office between 6:30 and 11:30 am. They can discuss the program further with you and get you to the right place.
The three villages currently doing homestay programs are Aguacate, San Jose and Na Luum Ca. After arriving in Punta Gorda, transportation to these villages is by the local village buses that operate only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and depart from PG between 11:30 am and 12 noon. This is very important when planning your trip. The villages are remote and it is difficult (and costly) to hire a taxi. There are now a few independent rental car agencies in Punta Gorda but the most economical way to get to the villages is by bus.
Local Flavor
Recipes:
Caldo
Caldo with Corn Tortillas
Chicken Escabeche with Corn Tortillas
Chocolate Drink (Local)
Cohune Cabbage with Corn Tortillas
Music, Art & Interesting People: Alfredo & Yvonne Villoria
Interesting Person - Interesting Character
Originally from Hawaii, USA, the Villorias relocated to Belize many years ago. They run a small organic seed company, have a small botanical garden, coordinate the Maya Village Homestay Network, help with TASTE (Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Environment) as well as many other activities that benefit others.
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