There are tours that show you a culture. Then there are experiences that let you feel it in your hands. My cooking class at Upe Nai in San Antonio Village, Belize, was the second kind.

Tucked into the lush hills of the Cayo District, about 30 minutes south of San Ignacio, Upe Nai is a hands-on Mayan cooking immersion run by a woman named Stephanie. And when I say hands-on, I mean it. No stand mixers. No gas burners. No shortcuts. You are grinding corn by hand, cooking over an open-air fogon (a traditional wood-fired hearth), and learning recipes that have been passed down through generations of Yucatec Maya families.

Let me tell you, grinding corn on a stone metate will humble you fast. It looks simple until you try it. Your arms are burning, and you still have a long way to go before that masa is smooth enough for tortillas. But that is part of it. You start to appreciate what goes into a single tortilla when you have done the work yourself.

We made fresh handmade corn tortillas, tamales, salbutes, and stewed chicken. Every ingredient was either grown on the farm or sourced from nearby neighbors. Nothing shipped in. Nothing processed. Just real food, prepared the way it has been prepared here for centuries.

Stephanie is the kind of host who makes you feel like you have known her for years. She walks you through every step with patience and humor. She is also incredibly accommodating. Whether you are traveling as a couple, bringing the kids, or have dietary restrictions, she adjusts the experience so everyone is involved and well-fed.

What struck me most was how the class was not really about cooking at all. It was about connection. Connection to the land, to ancestral knowledge, to a way of life that prioritizes community and sustainability over convenience. That is what regenerative travel looks like in practice. You are not just observing a culture. You are participating in it, supporting it, and walking away changed by it.

If you are planning a trip to Belize and want something beyond the usual cave tubing and zip-lining itinerary, put Upe Nai on your list. Classes run Monday through Friday by reservation, and they also offer special cultural lunches on Sundays. Spots are limited and prepared in advance, so book ahead.

This is the kind of experience I build into Travelers Roam itineraries because it is exactly what I believe travel should be. Less spectating, more participating. Less consuming, more contributing.

Your hands will be tired. Your heart will be full. And you will never look at a tortilla the same way again.

About the Author

Rick Brazil is a travel advisor specializing in archaeological, cultural, and regenerative travel. He designs small group and private journeys that prioritize historical context, local insight, and thoughtful exploration of ancient places.

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All images Copyright Rick Brazil 2026