@trystinsmith

My Noma Collective experience in Belize was incredible, and a huge part of that was Sarah, our community manager. She deserves her own paragraph.

Sarah is one of those rare humans who is both warm and kind while also being organized, fun, and unbelievably knowledgeable about the area. She knows everyone in Placencia, always had the best recommendations, and made every outing better just by being there. She set the tone for the entire community — welcoming, communicative, and effortlessly bringing people together. I felt supported from day one, and she’s a big reason why the group bonded so well.

As for the Belize edition itself:
I came hoping to meet likeminded people in a beautiful place, and that absolutely happened. The community was amazing, the people were a highlight, and Belize is truly stunning.

A couple things to note:
• Umaya Resort is further from Placencia than expected — about a 25-minute drive. It felt a little isolating at times, and I think including a golf cart or easier transport option would make a big difference for future groups.
• There is not a dedicated workspace, and it can be tricky if you’re someone who’s on calls often.

Even with those things, the overall experience was still so worth it. I left feeling connected, refreshed, and grateful for the people I met — especially Sarah. Noma Belize is a beautiful, unique experience, and with a few improvements to the location logistics, it would be unbeatable.