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Introducing you to GariMaya Gift Shop in Hopkin Belize | A Belize Talk Radio Story with Macarena Rose
GariMaya Gift Shop: When you think of Belize, you think of turquoise waters, warm smiles, and a melting pot of vibrant cultures. But what truly makes Belize magical are the people who weave these cultures together through love, intention, and community spirit.
On a recent episode of Belize Talk Radio, Macarena Rose, the leading Luxury Real Estate Agent in Belize and host known for spotlighting authentic Belizean stories, visited the heart of the southern coast — Hopkins Village, a Garifuna seaside gem near Placencia.
There, she discovered GariMaya, a one-of-a-kind cultural gift shop and guesthouse that beautifully represents Belize’s essence — a place where Garifuna and Mayan traditions meet in harmony, creativity, and community love.
A Love Story That Built a Legacy | GariMaya
When you step into GariMaya, you’re greeted not just by art and color, but by heart. The owners, Marlon (Garifuna) and Emma (Mayan), chose the name “GariMaya” to honor both their heritages — blending two powerful Belizean cultures into one inspiring story.
As Emma shared with Macarena,
“We picked the name GariMaya because my husband is Garifuna and I’m Mayan. We wanted to keep both cultures alive.”
That simple, beautiful intention became a living symbol of unity — and it’s reflected in every handmade product, traditional outfit, and piece of art that fills their shop.
A Decade of Community and Creativity
For nearly 15 years, GariMaya has stood as one of the most beloved and recommended stops in Hopkins. Tourists and locals alike say, “You have to visit GariMaya!”
Inside, visitors find authentic Belizean creations — from local chocolates and coffees to handmade crafts, jewelry, and clothing made by artists from every corner of Belize — from Barranco to Corozal, San Pedro to Punta Gorda.
But Marlon and Emma’s contribution goes far beyond business. They’ve made community giving a cornerstone of their success.
One Easter, instead of taking a vacation, they decided to gift something lasting to Hopkins:
“We said, let’s give back something to the village. So we built the Hopkins sign so everyone could take pictures and celebrate our village.”
That sign — now a beloved photo spot — stands proudly as a beacon of love, culture, and creativity.
Belize’s Spirit of One Love at GariMaya
In a world often divided, GariMaya and Abacana remind us what makes Belize so special: unity, authenticity, and generosity of spirit.
As Macarena says:
“Belize is unique because we’re a mixture of cultures. And here we see it — the Garifuna, the Maya, and even me, the gringa Americano — all connected by one love.”
This story reflects the very soul of Belize — a place where you come as a guest and leave as family.
Plan Your Visit to Hopkins to Experience GariMaya and Abacana
📍 GariMaya Gift Shop & Abacana Guest House
Location: Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, Belize
Hours: Daily | Locally owned & operated
What to find: Authentic Belizean art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, chocolate, coffee & gifts
Stay: Abacana Guest House – ocean views, local charm, and heartfelt hospitality
About Macarena Rose
Macarena Rose is the leading Luxury Real Estate Agent in Belize, an international REALTOR® with Keller Williams Belize, and the beloved host of Belize Talk Radio.
For over 21 years, she has shared Belize’s stories, culture, and opportunities with the world — connecting dreamers with paradise and celebrating those who make Belize beautiful.
Explore more of Belize’s people and properties at: Belize Talk Radio or Rainforest Realty Properties
GariMaya Gift Shop Full Video Transcript Below
[00:51.3]
Hello, everybody. It is Macarena and Ben from Belize Talk Radio. And where are we today? We are where? Hopkins. Hopkins, Hopkins. Not Placencia. Near Placencia. Hopkins, Belize. And it’s one of the. We’re in Hopkins. Are we?
[01:07.0]
Well, we’re at the GariMaya And I have to share with you that we are here actually with two beautiful people that literally you have to share your names and why you named it GariMaya because there’s a story there that you want to hear. Yeah. My name is Emma Marlon and we are GariMaya.
[01:26.3]
We pick the name of GariMaya because my husband is Garifuna and me Mayan. And that’s why we pick the name for keep the two cultures alive. GariMaya, which I love the name. Thanks very much, maam.
[01:41.8]
I love when people do things intentionally and I always tell. Tell people when they’re looking at coming to Belize that, that Belize is very different because we’re a mixture of cultures. And here we have it. Right. And then here we have me, the gringa Americano. We settled the dispute because my wife from Guatemala and I’m from Belize.
[02:00.9]
So it’s done. No, it’s all this is it. One love. And that’s what we all need to be. So I wanted to share this with you, Ben and I wanted to pop in because this is the most unique gift shop you will find in all of Belize.
[02:17.9]
And how can I say that? Because in 21 years I’ve been all over the country and I’ve been blessed to see so many stores in so many places and I have yet to ever find somewhere that has incredible collection of arts from lots of artists that we know from all over, like from Cayo.
[02:33.4]
All different areas. Not. Not in one area. Right. But you have like the real. Between the. Got it. The authentic, authentic things. And from the chocolates and the coffees and everything. It’s a one stop shop. Yeah. Plus you have the coolest Hopkins sign.
[02:50.8]
Yes. Oh, we built that sign, me and my wife. She always saved money for a vacation. And what happened? Easter were coming and she said, you know something, we won’t take a vacation. We go give back something to the village. So we go put up a nice Hopkins sign so everybody could come take picture at Our Hopkins sign that represent GariMaya.
[03:10.7]
See, you gave back, didn’t you? And look, and look what it is, because, like, everybody stops and wants to take pictures there, you know, and say, you’re in Hopkins. It’s beautif. Beautiful. So how long have you actually been here in this building? We have almost 10 years.
[03:26.3]
Yeah, it’s been 10 years to have the gift shop. Close to 15 years. And you will stop in Hopkins and people be like, oh, you have to go see GariMaya. Oh, you have to see GariMaya. So we really wanted to come today, and I am so blessed that we’re going to go to a gala for a wonderful foundation that does, great work in the Toledo district.
[03:47.0]
And I actually didn’t bring. Because when we left Cayo, I didn’t bring anything really, to wear to a gala. And look at what I’ve actually been blessed to find here in your beautiful store. So tell me about this. Yes, this is a, Garifuna outfit, a traditional Garifuna outfit.
[04:07.0]
What most, of the time, the woman have the head tie, the blouse and the long skirt. What, represent a lot of happiness, a lot of colors, a lot of culture there in one piece of outfit.
[04:25.2]
And it fit me. I was so perfect. Like, there’s one special for you. Like, they take the measurement, and you just come and blend right in. Boom. And he found this one, and he’s like, oh, my God, this is the one that had the money. Green. Yes. There you go.
[04:41.2]
What I think is that the outfit is representative of Belize of the region in Belize where we are. And it also represents you two as a beautiful couple. You’re vibrant, you’re loving, you’re happy. And the energy that we feel when we come into your space here is just wonderful.
[04:58.6]
It’s a wonderful space you’ve created. And you also have a wonderful story that you were sharing with us a little earlier that I think people would be interested in hearing when they come to your gift shop to. To visit you all. Yes. And to stay at. Also at your guest house, because I know you have accommodations.
[05:16.2]
Tell us about. Yes, we need to know these things, because, as you know, we have clients from all over the world that come to visit. So tell us about your guest house. We got real nice room, a spectacular view. You can see the islands. You can see the Mayan Mountains. Yeah, beautiful. Oh, you do it.
[05:32.0]
And we got some cabanas, because what happened? We try to fit the budget. You know, it’s like, it’s not about the Money, because sometime people traveling, but they have a budget. But as well as you want the appreciation, because if they appreciate they stay at your place, then you win a customer.
[05:47.9]
Yeah, the more customer you win, the more money you make. But it’s not about the money. We want to make sure that we could fit the budget. The money comes when you do the right thing. Yes, correct. And the name of the accommodation is Abacana. Abacana.
[06:04.1]
The nickname for my husband is Abba. Everybody call him Abba. So we want to put it in creole name. Abacana, the corner of Abba. Yes, I like that. Yes. 90% of the time when you would look for rooms, they go A, B, C.
[06:22.0]
So Abba, that’s a nickname my grandmom gave me. So I tell my wife if we go name our hotel, go near Abba because it’s easy to find on the website and then you will enjoy your stay whenever you stay here. I love how you do things so intentionally. Well, I can tell that I would love to want to stay with them their pure love and pure.
[06:41.1]
If you’re coming to Hopkins, look for Abacana, right. To stay at the guest house and then definitely come to the GariMaya gift shop right here in Hopkins. But we have, a lot of local produce. Local, I say local for producing from Belize all over.
[06:59.0]
We have from Barranco, from all the way to Corozal Punta Gorda, Corozal San Pedro, Caye Caulker all over Belize. We support a lot of small producers and that is what you can find here.
[07:14.9]
Artists and artisans and artisanal, foods. Wonderful. And that’s why they say Belize is a must visit country. You would love it because here is sweet Belize, where we live with ease. Plant vegetable, beans with cheese.
[07:30.5]
Get our honey straight from the bees. There mainland, we go to the Keys, enjoy the nice Caribbean breeze. Welcome to the land of milk and honey that everyone love more than money. Where you come as a guest and go back as a family. Check it out.
[07:44.9]
Check it out. It’s true. It’s so true. Because I came, what, 22 years ago and I moved 21 years ago because I felt that. And that is the draw of Belize.
[08:00.6]
You’re not a stranger and not looked at what you wear or your color. Oh, here is one love. Right as. As we really are to be. And you’re proof positive. And I just. Yes, Maam, you’re welcome. No problem,. Thank you.
[08:15.9]
So do yourself a favor. Come and see Marlon and Emma and literally Abacana. And it’s 100% free for looking check it out. I wish you a wonderful day. Wherever in the world you’re watching, it’s always been a pleasure.
[08:32.7]
All right, my brother. Maximum respect. Yeah, good, good.
