Raising awareness of the Toledo District as a responsible tourism destination to increase visitors in itself helps improve the lives of many families, whether through employment in the tourism industry or through the 'ripple effect' spreading money throughout the community.

The CacaoFest Committee believes it is also important to directly benefit the community, and our Central Park Refurbishment Scheme is a three-year project to improve the Park and provide a focal point for the town for families to enjoy.

CacaoFest 2007 saw the initial stage completed -- the re-painting of the benches and children's equipment, as well as a clean-up operation -- but the longer-term project will see the provision of new children's play equipment and the landscaping of the area.

Lubaantun Visitor's Centre

Our 2008 community project focusses on the Maya site of Lubaantun, and involves the repairs, security measures, and the restoration of display cases for the visitors' centre to facilitate the return of the artifacts found at Lubaantun and moved from the site for safe-keeping in Belmopan after Hurricane Iris in October 2001.

The admission price for the special performance of the Deer Dance also includes a contribution to our Visitors' Centre fund, to improve the facilities at Lubaantun.