Punta Mona

A couple of weeks ago we had an opportunity to participate in an all-day Medicinal Plant Workshop at Punta Mona. In addition to the course material, the meager cost of $30 included a 30 minute boat ride there and back as well as lunch. I have always wanted to visit this 85 acre permaculture farm that’s about 5.5 km beyond the end of the road in Manzanillo. Normally it would require a hike through the jungle for a few hours to get there. So the boat ride sounded really good to me.

We were met at Punta Mona by our instructor, Sarah Wu. She and the founder, Steve, showed us around the farm before we began learning all about 35 different medicinal plants which are readily found in this area. Punta Mona is an “off the grid” sustainable community. They grow more than 100 tropical fruits, vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants for their own consumption on the farm. Conservation of energy and reduction of waste are practiced daily complete with composting toilets. Solar panels provide electricity and rainwater is collected for drinking and washing. They even have solar internet! Lunch was delicious and included a salad made with numerous greens from the various plants and trees that grow there. The information was great and even greater were the cuttings of several different medicinal plants for our own gardens. I’m watching every day and hoping for lots of potent greens.