Banana Mountain Permaculture

Clean Food, Close to Nature

It's no longer a secret that the global food supply has been poisoned and "organic" labeling is rife with fraud. Through our own laboratory testing, we have found extraordinarily high levels of pesticides in nearly every commercially available food product, including both organically and non-organically labeled items.

The problem is monumental. Trying to solve it by changing the established system seems futile. Therefore, our primary objective on the Banana Mountain Permaculture estate is to produce our own independent food supply, abandoning the conventional system completely.

Learn more about the pesticide problem >>

Acheiving 100% food self-sufficiency is the most challenging first step, but it doesn't end there. Continue reading or schedule a visit to find out how our bigger picture agenda involves a complete re-imagining of the entire industrialized post-war way of life.

Projects

Livestock

Sheep are the original plant-based meat. Our flock of specially bred miniature Katahdin and Dorper sheep are well adapted to our tropical environment, require no shearing, effortlessly handle steep hills, and are small enough to be managed with a greater degree of safety than full size breeds.

Agriculture

With a year-round growing season, there are always crops to be planted and harvested. Our use of permaculture design techniques means the utilization of small spaces and steep hills with little dependence on machinery or power tools. Bananas are almost always in season, and depending on the time of year, our other crops range from the classics like carrots and cabbage to exotics like dragon fruit and guanabana.

Lifestyle

Living off the land means living close to nature. All of our facilities are powered by solar energy, our water is sourced from natural springs, and our isolated location demands a high degree of self-reliance. In a climate where there's never a need for heating or air conditioning, we find very little distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces. We strive not for more comfort, conveniences, or material consumption but rather for more balance and harmony with the Earth.

Activities

Be ready for a full schedule throughout your visit. Let us know your preferences and interests, and our activities director will prepare a daily itinerary for your stay.

Download the complete 2026-2027 activities list >>

Outdoor Adventures

With over 300 acres of wild jungle, miles of trails, and more than 1km of private river access, there is plenty for the outdoor enthusiast to explore.

Agriculture

Participate in the real day-to-day chores of a functioning permaculture farm. From planting to harvest, there is always a crop in need of attention.

Educational Workshops

Learn about topics such as solar energy production, soil nutrient cycling, off-grid water pumping, indoor/outdoor plumbing, stone working, and many others in our hands-on classes.

Arts and Crafts

Make soap from natural ingredients or dye your own T-shirts. Have fun and produce something useful at the same time.

Culinary Arts

Discover more ways to eat bananas than you ever imagined, such as banana tortillas or banana spaghetti. Learn how to nixtimalize corn with wood ash or how to trap and prepare small game for an abundant and delicious source of wild meat.

Sugar Mill

From planting, to harvest, to processing, participate in every step of sugarcane processing with our small scale sugarcane mill.

Accommodations

Orlando House

This was the original plantation owner's mansion built in the early 1950's. Lost to the jungle after the plantation shut down decades ago, it was fully restored in 2019. The house features solar hot water, solar electricity, a master bedroom, a secondary bedroom, a pull-out sofa bed, indoor bathroom with shower, and a full kitchen.

Situated near the base of the mountain, the house is a short walk from the main river where you'll find numerous waterfalls and swimming holes.

Casa Hermana

Originally the plantation owner's sister's house, this small cottage was almost entirely destroyed through a series of hurricanes over the last 75 years. Rediscovered in 2025 and completely rebuilt, the house features a studio layout with a full bed, sleeping couch, indoor bathroom with shower, kitchen, dining area, solar panels, and on-demand propane hot water.

This location offers seclusion, privacy, and views of both the valley and the ocean.