A Golden Celebration: Inside Belize's Yellow Ginger Festival in Punta Gorda

That first bite of warm, turmeric-spiced tacari under the sway of palm trees will stay with you forever.

In the laid-back town of Punta Gorda, where the Caribbean breeze mingles with the earthy aroma of fresh coconut and roasted spices, something magical happens every August. The streets come alive, the music gets louder, and the golden hue of yellow ginger—better known to many as turmeric—becomes the star of a two-day celebration of heritage, flavor, and community.

Welcome to the Yellow Ginger Festival—a cultural treasure of Belize and an experience that leaves your senses singing.

Punta Gorda, the cultural heartbeat of Belize’s southernmost Toledo District, is home to a diverse mix of Garifuna, Maya, Kriol, and East Indian communities. The Yellow Ginger Festival is organized by the East Indian Council of Belize – Southern Chapter, and it honors one of the most enduring contributions of the East Indian population to Belizean cuisine and medicine: turmeric.

But this isn’t just a food fair—it’s a bold, joyful statement of identity. The festival, now in its 9th year, has grown into a celebration that bridges generations and cultures through shared traditions and delicious storytelling.

As the sun sets over the Gulf of Honduras, the festival begins with Culture Explosion Night—an evening packed with music, dance, poetry, and performance art that blends East Indian roots with the vibrant multicultural spirit of Belize.

Picture this: children in traditional dress step barefoot onto the stage, performing rhythmic tassa drumming routines. Teen poets speak of family, migration, and yellow ginger fields. Elder women demonstrate how masala was once ground by hand using stone, the way their mothers did.

The energy builds as Garifuna drumming joins the mix, and Creole dancers shimmy to the beat of Belizean brukdown. It’s a living, breathing showcase of cultural fusion—and it’s absolutely electric.

Come morning, Punta Gorda’s Central Park transforms into a sensory playground. Under tents strung with colorful cloth, vendors set up stalls brimming with handcrafts, turmeric-infused snacks, and bold-smelling spices. Families and foodies gather for Park Fest, the centerpiece of the Yellow Ginger Festival.

You’ll spot: - Chutney-making contests with ingredients like mango, pineapple, and habanero - Traditional tacari rice dishes, glowing golden from the turmeric - Live demonstrations on coconut grating and turmeric root grinding - Tacari eating competitions (don’t let the gentle look of this dish fool you—some versions are seriously spicy) - Fresh turmeric tea, turmeric juices, and even turmeric-infused desserts

The smells alone are worth the visit. Sizzling masala. Wood smoke. Banana leaf. Tamarind and lime. It’s not just food—it’s memory, medicine, and magic.

At the far corner of the park, a group of elders huddle over a traditional stone grater. One speaks softly in a melodic English-Kriol blend, explaining the way her grandmother used to extract ginger juice for healing. Next door, a DJ mixes Belizean soca with Indian pop tracks, and somehow, it just works.

Children play with turmeric-stained fingers, giggling as they sample sweet potato pudding. Nearby, a tourist carefully scrawls notes about turmeric’s anti-inflammatory benefits while sipping an icy yellow juice that tastes like sunshine.

Everything is alive. From the bright fabrics worn by vendors to the golden powder drifting through the air, this is a full-body Belizean experience.

The Yellow Ginger Festival is more than a feast—it’s a form of preservation. As Belize modernizes, the risk of losing minority traditions looms. This festival ensures the East Indian story remains part of Belize’s national identity.

What’s more, it’s inclusive. You’ll find Garifuna performers, Maya artisans, and Creole chefs alongside East Indian families sharing stories over warm rotis and dhal. The event becomes a meeting ground for cultures—one meal, one song, one conversation at a time.

It’s also an economic catalyst. Local hotels, tour guides, and craft makers get a much-needed boost during the slow season. Travelers who plan their trips around cultural events like this contribute to sustainable tourism that uplifts entire communities.

The 10th Annual Yellow Ginger Festival is slated for August 15–16, 2025, in Punta Gorda Town, centered at the Welcome Center on George Price Street.

Event Highlights: - Admission: Free - Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM - Evening performances on Day One start around 6 PM - Food and drink vendors accept cash; bring small bills - Dress light—August is warm in PG - Family-friendly and pet-tolerant (but leash up!)

Use the festival as your jumping-off point to explore Toledo’s natural and cultural wonders:

·      Nim Li Punit or Lubaantun Maya Sites – Explore ancient ruins just outside town.

·      Barranco Village – Take a boat to this Garifuna settlement for cultural tours and home-cooked meals.

·      Agua Caliente Hot Springs – A local secret, tucked in the jungle, perfect for post-festival relaxation.

·      Copal Tree Lodge – Eco-luxury at its finest, with farm-to-table experiences and chocolate-making tours.

Stay an extra day, or two. Let the rhythm of southern Belize slow you down.

There’s something poetic about yellow ginger. It stains your fingers, warms your belly, and leaves a taste that lingers—like memory itself. At the Yellow Ginger Festival in Punta Gorda, you don’t just learn about Belize’s East Indian heritage. You feel it.

So whether you’re a Belizean looking to reconnect with your roots, or a traveler seeking stories instead of souvenirs, mark your calendar for August. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to dance.

Because in Punta Gorda, when yellow ginger takes center stage, everyone’s invited to the table.

The Belize Hotel Association (BHA) is proud to promote cultural tourism in every district—and events like the Yellow Ginger Festival are proof that Belize’s travel story goes far beyond its blue waters and white sands.

By working with local councils, sponsoring cultural content, and supporting events like these, the BHA helps ensure visitors experience the real Belize—one that’s vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted in tradition.

From recommending nearby hotels and eco-lodges to curating cultural guides, the BHA’s goal is simple: connect curious travelers with authentic Belizean moments they’ll never forget.