Weekday room and board will be arranged by the project director. Given the limited water supply at Minanha itself, all students and instructional staff will stay at the Martz Farm, a Belizean run eco-resort located ca. 5 km from the site. Students will stay in the project’s dorm building, but will be required to supply their own bedding (i.e., mattress, sheet, and blanket, and/or sleeping bag), and mosquito net. Although there is no electrical power at the farm, there is abundant water, fabulous food, and amazing scenery. Martz Farm is a 15 minute drive from the town of Benque Viejo, and the Guatemalan border. The larger town of San Ignacio is roughly a 35-40 minute drive. San Ignacio is a picturesque, hilly town of approximately 16,812 inhabitants. The town has 24 hour electrical supply, treated tap water, a hospital, three banks, plus daily and dependable bus service.

Meals will generally consist of local cuisine (rice, beans, chicken, fish etc.). Belizean food tends to reflect both Central American and Caribbean influences. Although we can generally cater to all dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, allergies etc.), you will find that the variety of foods is limited. We are very lucky, however, in that our cooks at Martz Farm are some of Belize’s best. Regardless of personal tastes, the food always seems to satisfy everyone, and no one ever leaves the table hungry - unless of course you show up an hour late for supper!

Following the suggestion of past students, weekends will be totally open. As part of the program fees our bus will carry people into San Ignacio town after work on Friday, and return them to the Martz Farm on Sunday evening, after supper (all extraneous transportation costs must be covered by the individual participant). The free weekends will allow you time to travel, and to get to know the country of Belize (and its neighbours) better. It will also give you the opportunity to consume those foods you might miss (pizza, pasta, steak, chinese etc.), learn some Belizean dances, and to make new friends. All weekend costs will be the responsibility of each individual student.