Villa Verano sits in the heart of one of Belize’s most attractive Garifuna villages, and is the perfect spot for immersing in the culture and indulging in the cuisine.

Belize has been considered a cultural melting pot for some time, but only recently has the country become known for tantalizing the taste buds of visitors and taking them on a culinary journey. With so many ethnicities, there is a wide variety of interesting food options. The typical Creole rice-and-beans dishes and the Mestizo soup specialties have become favorites, but there is so much more to be discovered. With the Caribbean Sea at its doorstep, seafood delicacies are a main attraction with lobster, conch, shrimp and fresh fish as the main ingredients.

November is the month for celebrating the Garifuna culture, and the perfect time of year to feast on Garifuna cuisine, which is as enticing as the music, dance, fashion, language and rich heritage. The Garinagu are descendants of African, Carib and Arawak people, and are one of Belize’s main ethnic groups. According to tradition, a dugout canoe carrying a group of Garinagu arrived in then British Honduras on November 19th, 1802. This day is now a national holiday in Belize celebrated annually in commemoration of the arrival of the Garinagu people to Belize. Festivities include drumming, dancing and pageants throughout the country.

UNESCO has proclaimed the Garifuna language, dance and music as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and must be experienced on any visit to Belize. Hopkins is a colorful Garifuna village, and guests frequently interact with the residents. It was actually voted ‘The Friendliest Village in Belize’ in 2010.

Villa Verano organizes drumming sessions with guests, and arranges Garifuna meals. Local chefs prepare ereba (cassava bread), hudutu (a meal made from green and ripe plantain together with a fish soup cooked in coconut milk), bundiga (made from green banana) and many other Garifuna specialties.

Cassava is a staple, and is very versatile. In addition to bread, it can be used to make pudding and even wine. Many of these traditional dishes represent the love for the sea and living on the coast. Guests can choose to venture into the village or have a private chef prepare specialties to order.

Now, more than ever, visitors can enjoy international fine dining in Belize. The combination of different ethnic elements make for fusion cuisine beyond compare. Guests undoubtedly have the opportunity to embark on a culinary adventure with each meal.

Villa Verano, www.villaveranobelize.com