Visiting Belizean and Mexican local and expat permaculture communities this Winter? Anyone going?

I'm n the preliminary stages of trip planning. Anyone interested in a convoy or sharing expenses and permaculture adventures. I have a cargo van. How practical is it to drive there? I'm very curious to discuss visiting and volunteering along the way. Learn about the culture, food, water, nature, and regenerative good energy happening there. I've been to Panama, Nic, and Costa Rica on a backpacker trip. This is my first time considering driving from Oregon. I'm currently in Bend, OR. My cabin in N. Idaho can wait for me lol. It seems visiting Belize is relatively straightforward. No visa required. Inexpensive. Gorgeous. Any stories to share? Thanks.

hi Jeremy,
I am also looking for local and/or expat sustainable community,s but am more interested in Mexico because it has so much traditional culture .As far as I know Belize has very little left. I will not be able to participate in your trip but am very interested if you find any sustainable and/or permaculture communities on your travels. Keep me posted
Thanks, Penny

Hi Jeremy,

Belize still have culture from north to south, east to west and am glad to hear you are planning to visit and see for yourself. If you would like know more about Belize before arriving you can by emailing to info@betterinbelize.com or visit our website at http://www.betterinbelize.com/

Thanks Penny and Dee for the input. Both the Southern Mexico and Belizean culture sound wonderful. Great farming and Indian culture I hear. Am open to both cultural education and permacultur experiences.
The migration is happening. I'm in Bishop, CA one step ahead of the first big cold front. I've been reading about the Paiute Tribe here and their great food sovereignty project, community garden, permaculture gardens. There's a interesting herbal apothecary also.
I'll definitely look at the sites on Belize you linked. I've still got one ear to the ground for other folks who have been there or driven there. I'm leaning towards taking my van this time around unless a inspired group forms. Right now I'm just blessing out on being so close to my hero John Muirs mountain haven here in Bishop. Will be here a month or so getting ready and sojourning to the desert wilderness on a little quest.
I'm also a solar and renewable energy tech so will write a message looking for those type of projects down in Central America. Cheers

Jeremy Baker wrote:How practical is it to drive there? I'm very curious to discuss visiting and volunteering along the way. Learn about the culture, food, water, nature, and regenerative good energy happening there. I've been to Panama, Nic, and Costa Rica on a backpacker trip. This is my first time considering driving from Oregon. I'm currently in Bend, OR. My cabin in N. Idaho can wait for me lol. It seems visiting Belize is relatively straightforward. No visa required. Inexpensive. Gorgeous. Any stories to share? Thanks.

There is a Mennonite community in Lott, Texas (SE of Waco / NE of Temple - half-way between Dallas and Austin). Some members of that group lived in Belize, but chose to move back. I know there were a couple of Mennonites who would drive through Lott on their way to Belize once a month hauling whatever the Mennonite communities in Belize needed - supplies, furniture, windows, etc.

You could try calling Falls Farm & Auto at 254-584-4600 or you might be able to reach them through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fallsfarmauto/. They would probably be willing to share information or maybe even introduce you to the men who drive down there monthly.

I once bought a book about moving to Belize and living there as an ex-pat, but when I downsized I didn't keep it as I had decided not to move there. My friends who had lived there and moved back said it was somewhat dangerous living there and they felt they stood out too much. (They're very blond-haired light-skinned people.)

There is information online about the Amish and Mennonite communities in Belize.

Gail. Thanks for the links. That's interesting the Mennonites and friends returned. I'm getting closer lol. Am camped South of Vegas getting ready to drop down into The Sonoran Desert. I'm still sitting on the fence regarding driving this year. Planning and financing further in advance is good.  I remember hearing from several people in Central America that vehicles driven down there often don't make it back. I've invested a fair amount of time customizing this van and don't feel inclined to abandon it anywhere. I might buy a cheap van and take that however? And plan on giving it away. Chatting with those delivery drivers would be helpful.
I grew up in Kenya and was conditioned to tropics and exotics. However then it felt safe to go out at night. Not so much these days. I miss it though. The tropical nights. I would drive a beater in Kenya now. Much more enjoyable if one isn't worried about the vehicle much.
 I'm very tall and dont fit in the chicken buses down there lol. That was very uncomfortable. And finding lodging at backpacker hostels was restrictive. Theses are some motivators to take a vehicle. Also I look at a vehicle as a tool to do work. Help create a permaculture site somewhere.