Preparing for your arrival

Getting Here:

By this point, it is likely that you have already organised your travel to Placencia, however here is some info in case you haven’t: 

Placencia is easily accessible by land, sea and air; so however you want to reach us, you can! Flights operate regularly from America, Canada and neighbouring Guatemala and Mexico. 

Air: Once you’ve arrived to Belize International Airport (BZE), the easiest way to get here is to take a short local flight to Placencia Airport (PLJ). The flight duration is about 20 minutes. There are two local airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Placencia Airport pick up is complimentary and the resort is a 15 minute drive from the airport. Be sure to let us know if you would like to be collected from the airport and we can arrange this for you.

 Land: If you are arriving in Belize City and want to make your own way to Umaya, please find options below: 

Shuttle service run by Umaya Resort: please contact reservations@umayaresortbelize.com and they can help you book this. Note that it takes approx 3 hours and can be up to $300 each way. 

There is a nationwide network of public buses that will get you to Placencia. From the main bus station in Belize City, the journey to Placencia takes around five hours. The price is around $15 for a one-way journey, but be aware that buses are often quite crowded.

Arrival Process

If you are being collected from Placencia, Umaya Resort van will be waiting for you. We have all of your flight information and the resort are in regular contact with airlines in case of any changes. 

If you are facing any flight delays, please also DM us so that we are aware too. 

Umaya (The resort) Team will give you a hotel orientation, then our Noma representative will come to greet you once you're settled in.

Orientation

Upon your arrival and check-in at the hotel, we'll host a warm welcome ceremony. During this orientation session, we'll guide you through the program details and provide a tour of the hotel. This occasion also serves as a wonderful chance to connect with fellow Noma community members.

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Things you should know before you pack: 

Weather:

The best time of the year to visit Belize is from December and April when rainfall is low and temperatures are milder. Since it is the dry season, you can expect warm and sunny days with clear blue skies and cooler weather in the evening/night.

Packing List For Belize

• Lightweight clothing both long sleeve/ leg and short sleeve/ leg
•  Swimwear Hiking type clothes: comfortable sneakers/ water shoes/ hiking boots. 
• A dry bag for water excursions (not necessity, but useful) 
• Eye mask
•  Earplugs 
• Sunscreen 
• Bug repellent/oil 
• International credit/debit card 
• Cash - USD or BZD are accepted everywhere
•  Ethernet cable (not a necessity) 
• A portable monitor if your work would benefit from this
• Ethernet cable for extra connection 

Communication

Important - all guest communication is on slack. 

Please click on the below image to join our Noma slack channel
Slack App is available on Web, Android and iOS. Please join Noma Collective on Slack clicking on the slack logo above.

When you are in our workspace, please DM us on @TeamNoma and we will add you to the correct channel for your Edition. 

NEWS AND EVENTS CHANNEL - For anything related to on-site events and activity sign-ups.

@teamnoma uses this channel to let you know about the onsite event programme and a daily announcement.

ONSITE CHAT - For community conversation. In order to respect people’s time, please keep it brief.

RESOURCES - The go to spot for useful information about the area and your trip. 

# alumni - For our whole Noma Collective Community

You can also DM anyone by selecting their name in the bottom left which will enable you to discuss anything in private.

Please can you add a display picture and a short bio sentence of current/ previous job roles and any personal information of interest that you’d like to share in the ‘what I do’ section in the edit profile section. This will help our Noma community identify each other!

If you have any questions for us, or any issues with anything on-site, please DM @TeamNoma. Also, if you’d like to flag anything in a general chat for our attention, simply add @TeamNoma to your post and we’ll pick it up. 

We will monitor slack between 8am and 8pm daily, if there’s anything urgent outside of those hours then please contact the front desk at the resort.

Location

The Neighborhood - Maya Beach and Placencia Village

Maya Beach, nestled by the coast near Umaya Resort, offers guests a convenient array of dining options, relaxing spots to unwind with a drink, and easy access to essential amenities at the nearby supermarket. Whether seeking a nice local cuisine meal, a refreshing beverage, or necessary supplies, Maya Beach provides a cozy setting for guests to enjoy within reach of Umaya.

Placencia Village, a scenic 20-minute drive from Umaya, sits within Belize's Stann Creek district and serves as a vibrant hub for diverse activities. Embraced by the captivating landscape of mountainous rainforests, visitors can partake in an array of adventures such as kayaking, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and exploring ancient Mayan ruins. Surrounded by a lagoon to the west and the turquoise Caribbean Sea to the east, this paradise offers a delightful blend of natural wonders. The village center hosts supermarkets, an assortment of restaurants, and lively bars, promising a mix of conveniences and cultural experiences for travelers to enjoy.

Umaya Resort - Placencia Our Noma Home

Noma Collective is in partnership with Umaya Resort. The Resort consists of several 1,000 sqft two-bedroom apartments and condos spread across 13 acres of land stretching from the sandy white beach to the Placencia lagoon.

Being surrounded by water on both sides and home to an Olympic-sized swimming pool gives Umaya a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere; perfectly suited to the laid-back lifestyle of the Caribbean.

The local area is teeming with stunning wildlife; see if you can spot gibnuts, coatimundis, manatees and even dolphins from your balcony!

Onsite Amenities   

There are free hand weights available to use, upstairs in the clubhouse.  You can borrow paddle boards, kayaks, and bikes whenever you please.

The Resort Team

The Front Desk/Reception is as it is in any hotel, worldwide. They are your first point of call for any queries about your room, the resort, or requirements. You can call them from the room phones on 5001 or visit them in person in the clubhouse. 

Open 7am-10pm daily, call security outside of these hours.

They can help with:

 All room issues 

Maintenance requests 

Internet/WiFi

 Taxi bookings 

Airport transfers 

Housekeeping 

Laundry 

Daily shuttle booking to Placencia 

Any security issues 

Housekeeping: your room is cleaned twice a week. 

Laundry: On these days please leave your laundry in the laundry bag. One load costs $10USD and is turned around in under 24 hours.

Food & Beverage 

The Pool Bar

 11am - 7pm every day

 Restaurant Laguna 

Breakfast:  7am- 10am 

Lunch: 12pm- 3pm 

Snacks: 11am - 7pm 

Dinner: 5.30pm - 8pm 

For menus please click on the following image:

When Going Offsite 

Here is a list of our recommended bars, restaurants, and shops worth visiting in the local area.

Maya beach (within cycling distance) - Maya Beach Bistro, Buzzed Birds coffee @ Singing Sands, Singing Sands Restaurant, Mangos, Jaguar Lanes Bowling, Verns, Finger Food Delight!

Placencia Village -  Rumfish y Vino, Rick's Cafe, The Shack, Barefoot & Tipsy Tuna, Turtle Inn, Wendy's Creole Restaurant, Omar's. 

There are plenty of beautiful beaches, surfing, snorkelling/diving, and jungle treks waiting to be explored.

 Transportation 

There are shuttles that you can catch into town or the grocery store at 10am and 2pm Monday to Saturday. Please arrange this with the front desk.  

There are bicycles to borrow onsite, free of charge, by the security booth. There are several restaurants and bars within a short cycle ride.

 You can rent golf carts from Captain Jak’s, prices from $65 USD a day.

  Taxis to Placencia cost BZD40 and can be booked through reception. Make sure you agree prices upfront.

There are several buses that run up and down the peninsula. The going rate is 2BZD from the resort to Placencia Village.

Work 

Your Digital Nomad Guide 

Working onsite at Umaya

Connection 

We provide each apartment with a hotspot MiFi device, loaded with a local sim & data so that you can connect during calls or if there are any dropouts for any reason. You can also take these offsite with you if you require connection in Placencia.

Work Locations

As digital nomads ourselves, we know how important it is to our community to change their working environments. 

This is why, we have established two areas that you can work from (outside of your room & terrace, one on the beach side under a breezy palapa and in the Restaurante Laguna, with an amazing lagoon and mountain backdrop. Be prepared to make your co-workers jealous of the Zoom backdrops! 

The apartments also have table areas both inside and outside so that if you're sharing with another nomad, you both have space and privacy. 

Of course, all of these areas have great wifi however if there are any drops, please contact the front desk and John, our technician will be with you as soon as possible.

Community

Our community, events and code of conduct

Events Schedule

We announce the weekly events schedule on Slack every Monday morning which can include at least one event a day, offering something for everyone.

The events consist of 4 categories:

Wellbeing: yoga classes which are included as part of your package/ HIIT classes/ run club/ beach workouts

Adventure: weekly group excursions ranging from boat trips to jungle treks, to historical cave tours.

Community: we host various community events to bring everyone together including a weekly family dinner, volleyball, and group games nights

Professional Growth: Noma community members have the chance to host workshops that are either their professional background or something they find interesting or useful for other guests. We usually have one a week. If this is something you're interested in - please reach out to Mariela to plan this into our schedule.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a huge part of the Noma Collective community, with regular ad hoc games, beginners practice and tournaments against local teams, it’s a great way to connect with others during a little friendly competition. If you are an experienced volleyball player and would like to nominate yourself to either lead beginners practise or put yourself forward for the Noma team then please reach out.

Code of Conduct 

We are a diverse and inclusive community, committed to supporting one another in our shared journey. Please extend your support to those organizing events and don't hesitate to ask questions; there are no such things as 'stupid questions' or 'boring events.'

At Noma, the safety and comfort of every member are paramount. We have solo travelers and staggered arrivals, so let's make every newcomer feel genuinely welcome and supported in their experience.

Understanding and Consideration

Noma attracts individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ideologies. It's essential to be mindful of this diversity. Avoid making comments or jokes related to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, divisive political figures, or national stereotypes. Let's practice empathy and understanding at all times.

Respectful Communication:

In our community, respectful communication is paramount. Avoid making any sexual references, innuendos, or passes that could make others uncomfortable. Let's foster an atmosphere of professionalism and mutual respect, ensuring everyone feels secure and valued.

Ensuring Safety:

1. Consent Matters: Never touch someone without their clear and enthusiastic consent.

2. Respect Personal Space: Everyone deserves their privacy and personal space; please respect their boundaries.

3. Reporting Concerns: If you witness any unsavory, criminal, or unwelcome behavior, please report it to a member of the resort staff immediately. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation and are unsure how to handle it, Team Noma is always available to assist.

Maintaining Confidentiality:

We value discretion and will handle issues with utmost sensitivity, unless you specify otherwise. Reach out to us in person or DM on slack if you have concerns or need assistance.

Accountability and Support:

If you wish to report something related to your Community Manager or escalate any issues, please feel free to email the Head of Community Operations at calla@noma-collective.com or DM her on Slack. Your safety and comfort are our top priority.

Leaving Process

Leaving Ceremony 

We will have a space to share how it was to spend a month in this wonderful Caribbean island! Drinks, food, and games will be in order.

Transfers to the Airport 

Shuttles to Belize Airport will be organized.

If you prefer to make your own way, please let us know.