Meet Donovan: Purveyor of Coconuts On North Ambergris Caye
Donovan sells fresh coconut water—perhaps with a splash of local rum—to folks driving the road north on Ambergris Caye. You’ll find him in his stand, located about 4 miles north, and you’ll hear him shout to you as you drive by. I pass him every day on my way to town. He smiles and waves. I always give him a ride when he hails me, but what do I really know about Donovan? It’s time to learn more!
So yesterday, I pulled over on the way to town and asked him some questions. In honour of Labour Day, I add those very British “u”s to those words and I present to you…Donovan of “Coconut Row”.
For those of you who haven’t visited North Ambergris Caye – on your way to Secret Beach or just on a drive – we have an area that I call “Coconut Row”. A stretch of road where a few vendors try to wave you down to sell you freshly opened coconuts…
And here are my TOP pro tips for loving Ambergris Caye: Eat at the local food stands, buy snacks from the bicycle vendor with a cooler on the front of his bike, pick up the daytime hitchhikers in your golf cart when you are with friends/husband, try the fruit at the roadside vendor that you’ve never seen before, buy the creole buns from the guy selling on the corner from a plastic bin, try the homemade hot sauce, ask your bartender where he loves to eat…all of it.
Donovan is the first vendor you’ll pass on your way north and the first to sell coconuts for those headed to Secret Beach. Here’s a bit about Donovan.
Donovan, where were you born? Born in Belize City and lived in Ladyville, Belize (a large village 8 miles NW of the city- home to the international airport, the Belikin brewery and the main BATSUB – British Army Training Support Unit Belize – base)
What’s the first language you spoke? I ask this question because even though English is the official language of Belize, almost everyone speaks a different language at home. Kriol, Spanish, Mayan. But Donovan spoke English first. He moved to Los Angeles as a toddler and lived with his aunt until age 10. He moved back to Ladyville in 2001. (That makes him about…33 years old)
When did you move to Ambergris Caye? First, he moved to Caye Caulker and then to Ambergris Caye in 2009.
Were you the first guy out here selling coconuts? Yup. Donovan had a stand a bit farther north (closer to the Secret Beach junction in 2017 – but moved south when that lot began to be developed.
That’s all I asked…but that opens the door for you to learn more when you see him or meet him for the first time. I need to work on my list of questions…for folks I see and chat with every week or even every day…
Please send me suggestions, and for those of you in Belize, Happy Labour Day.
Also, if you are into coconuts (one of the world’s most miraculous trees) – here are some additional articles:
Who Knew? Coconut Trees Get Sick – Giving them Antibiotic Shots
101 Uses of Coconut Palms & The Weird And Loved Coconut Apple
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Donovan has become a friend over the years….a good hand…always positive….and his rum coconuts….whew
Loved it
FYI…Donovan’s stand is actually about 2 miles north of the bridge…not 4. He’s just a bit past White Sands Cove, which is about 1.75 miles north. Not trying to be nit-picky…just don’t want folks to drive past him by mistake! (4 miles north would put him near RBR, which I think might have been his previous location).
Just when I thought I knew everything you proved me wrong, again: TIL – Ah neva noa notn bowt coconuts until I clicked on your blog link above – “101 Uses of Coconut Palms”. I mean, “coconut apple”? Who knew? I should have known, that post was in 2021, long after I started reading the Scoop. But if I had read it I would also know that I needed Mito Paz’ book, ‘San Pedro: History of Tourism’. Which I want to buy now. So I just went on Amazon and of course your book pops up as a Belizean best seller, but Mito’s isn’t listed. Wai di hel noh?
I’ve only seen them sold locally – I’ll grab one next time I see them and send one to you!
Good point. I am usually deep into solving a major crime at that point (listening to a podcast) and the ride slips away!
There’s Stephen too, a little north of Donavans stand. He’s a single father to 2 adorable boys. We always try to support his business. He told us they have to pay the government a vendor fee now . Stephen’s great too, and a kind man.
You got me at Local rum. I’m in!
I met Donovan several years ago with my friends, Dan and Robbi. Donovan makes the best coconut water with rum! He’s one of the first people I met on the island and I try to see him each time I visit. Not to be missed!