For five years now, Nashville singer/songwriter Mike Nash has been bringing more than just guitars and good vibes to San Pedro. His annual Meeting of the Mayans event has grown into a two-week celebration of music, sunshine, friendship, and purpose, drawing hundreds of loyal fans from across the United States and Canada to Ambergris Caye.
What started as a simple idea has evolved into something much bigger.
Mike and his wife Melissa’s first visited the island in 2018 and immediately felt it. Walking along the beach, he knew this was the place to build something special. Coming from a world of cruise ship performances and destination events, he saw the magic here, and he knew his fans would too. Many of them come from the “Parrot Head” and trop rock community inspired by legends like Jimmy Buffett. They’re travelers, music lovers, and philanthropists who know how to have a good time while giving back.
The first official event in 2021 brought about 30 people to the island. They took over a small resort up north and simply figured things out as they went. Secret Beach logistics? Thirty golf carts at once? Let’s just say there were lessons learned. Mike’s wife Melissa has been at the helm of organizing all the details of the event. They are a power couple and work amazingly together.
But each year the event grew and Mike Nash is bringing down musicians to play along with him. Thirty turned into one hundred. Then two hundred. This year, approximately 550 visitors flew in over two weeks, about 325 the first week and nearly 200 the second, plus a strong showing of local expats and island supporters. With a 60% return rate, what began as a music getaway now feels more like an annual family reunion.
And that’s exactly how Mike describes it.
“We know these people,” he says. “We’ve played for them back home. Now they come here and become one big family.”
Mike Nash Gives Back to the Island
But the real impact goes beyond packed venues and decorated golf carts. This year alone, the group raised $14,000 for island charities. The biggest beneficiary continues to be the San Pedro High School Marching Band. Over the past few years, donations have helped with uniforms and equipment. This year, roughly $4,500 was raised for the band, and Mike plans to source affordable instruments back in the U.S. to bring down personally. The band even performs during the event, allowing donors to see exactly where their contributions are going.
They also raised $3,000 in just two hours for Hope Haven, $2,200-plus for the kids’ crab races hosted by Rob and Krista at The Naughty Crab, and nearly $3,000 for a local mother facing ongoing medical expenses for her son. Even Elmer Jordan, the Maya carving artist from the mainland who sets up during the event, saw direct support for his village school.
Mike calls it “real charity.” Instead of sending money into a distant system, his fans meet the people they’re helping. They shake hands. They see the smiles. They feel the impact.
And they keep coming back.
Beyond fundraising, the economic ripple effect is significant. Hundreds of visitors fill hotels, rent golf carts, dine at restaurants, book tours, and explore the island for two full weeks during what is typically a slower period. The Town Council supports the event with staging, local businesses step up as sponsors, and this year even featured a police-escorted golf cart parade that turned heads across town.
Tiburon Rum has emerged as a major sponsor, helping with promotions and event planning, strengthening the connection between the music scene and Belize’s growing brand identity.
Mike and Melissa have made their commitment even deeper. Married here, property owners at White Sands, and frequent visitors since 2018, they consider themselves part-time locals. He makes it clear to his followers: come as guests, respect the island, and give back more than you take.
“Our people party with a purpose,” commented Melissa. “They drink, but they donate.”
There’s also careful thought behind the growth. Mike understands the island has limits, airline seats, Tropic Air connections, golf carts, hotel rooms. He doesn’t want to overwhelm the system. The goal isn’t to take over the island. It’s to build something sustainable that benefits everyone.
Next year’s dates are already set: January 22nd to February 6th, 2027. And while the numbers may continue to grow, the heart of the event remains the same: music, friendship, and meaningful impact. In a time when destinations compete fiercely for visitors, Meeting of the Mayans does something different. It doesn’t just promote Belize as a beautiful place to visit. It promotes Belize as a place to belong. And that kind of tourism? That’s the kind that lasts.
