The True Utila Project, Pumpkin Hill, Utila

Just under two kilometers from Pumpkin Hill and only about 300 feet from Ironbound Beach, there's a place on the North Side of Utila that feels like something out of a storybook, or maybe like something our ancestors left behind. That’s exactly the goal of True Utila a botanical garden and conservation project dreamed up by Trey and Marichi, the same couple behind The Safe Spot.

Trey is originally from the U.S., Marichi from Guatemala, but their love for the island is deep and real. During the pandemic, while most of the world slowed down, they were quietly working behind the scenes to bring this vision to life. One of the most impressive things Trey did was rally the neighboring landowners online and convince them to donate narrow strips of their land. That effort created a completely new road that cuts through the Pumpkin Hill area to the North Side, very necessary. They’ll be donating this strip of land to the Utila Municipality in order for it to be a free access for locals. Before, the only way to get there was by kayak through the canal by boat around the island or though the heavy mangrove forest. I did the kayak trip a few years ago, and let me tell you, it’s not easy: 60 minutes there, 50 back. Beautiful, yes. But exhausting.

Now, thanks to that road, visitors can access this property much more easily. And it’s worth the visit. True Utila isn’t just a garden, it’s a growing vision. They're cultivating a wide variety of native plants to add more to the existing ones that have been there for many years, many of which are medicinal, and they’re setting things up in a way that makes it feel like you're stepping into an ancient plantation that’s been rediscovered. The idea is to honor the past, not just by showcasing flora and fauna, but by making you feel like you're part of it.

On my tour, Trey and Marichi had fresh coconuts waiting for us. After we drank the water, his worker cut mines open and handed me a spoon carved from sugarcane to scoop out the soft coconut meat. We also tried raw sugarcane and sweet, juicy starfruit, all grown right there. If fruit is in season when you visit, they’ll happily share it with you. They want everyone to have that same connection with the land, taste it, touch it, feel it.

The property has been a labor of love since the early days of COVID. It’s still a work in progress, and that’s part of what makes it so special. Right now, it’s reservation-only. You can’t just wander in. A guide will take you through the trails—about a mile total, with an exit halfway if you don’t want to walk the whole loop. They’re being thoughtful about the experience and the conservation of the area.

Looking ahead, the vision keeps expanding. They want to collaborate with groups like the Iguana Station, BICA, and even Tom from the museum to create artificial habitats and help preserve and reproduce the island’s native species. They’re also planning to open a small, high-end restaurant featuring local cuisine, and there's talk of a tiny museum at the entrance, backed by KANAHAU, that could one day display artifacts from up to 400 years ago. The long-term goal is to offer wellness retreats, yoga gatherings, women’s nature excursions, anything that brings people into harmony with the land, in a way that feels personal and intentional.

It’s still early days for True Utila, but the foundation is solid, and the idea behind it is clear. If you want to experience something real and rooted, and see where this journey is headed, go ahead and schedule a private visit. You’ll walk away with coconut on your hands, sugarcane on your lips, and a much deeper appreciation for the island and its history.