Explore Punta Gorda, Belize: Top Things to Do and See

If you’re looking for a quieter side of Belize beyond Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, Punta Gorda offers jungle adventures, Maya culture, local food, and laid-back Caribbean atmosphere without the crowds.

It’s the southernmost town in the Toledo District and Belize. It is rich with cultural diversity and history, and its sustainable travel and eco-tourism industries are on the rise.

Travelers interested in a laid-back, relaxing Caribbean destination might find that Punta Gorda (or PG as the locals call it) is just the place.

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Punta Gorda Belize Quick Planner

Planning a trip to southern Belize? Punta Gorda is one of the country’s most underrated destinations. It’s best known for its laid-back atmosphere, Maya culture, eco-tourism opportunities, and access to jungle adventures without the crowds found in northern Belize.

• Best time to visit: December through April for drier weather. November is also a great time to visit for Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations
• Length of stay: 2 to 4 days, longer if you’re into relaxing
• Best for: Budget travelers, eco-travelers, backpackers, slow travelers, and travelers looking for a quieter side of Belize
• Budget level: backpacker to mid-range
• Getting there: Reach Punta Gorda by bus from Belize City in about 7 hours or by domestic flight in about 1 hour
• Top attractions: Nim Li Punit Maya ruins, kayaking through mangroves, local Belizean cuisine, jungle tours, Garifuna culture, and eco-tourism experiences
• Getting around: Walking, biking, taxis, and local buses
• Atmosphere: Relaxed, local, less touristy than Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker
• Good to know: Expect warm, humid weather year-round and frequent rain, especially during the rainy season

If you’re looking for a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path Belize experience, Punta Gorda is one of the best places to slow down and experience the country’s cultural and natural diversity.

How to Get to Punta Gorda, Belize

If you’re already in Belize, there are a few different options to get to Punta Gorda – bus or plane. Coming from Mexico? Check out my guide to bussing from Cancun to Belize City.

Rome2Rio provides all available routes and options with direct links right to booking sites.

Travel by Bus

First, old American school buses are the most popular and affordable way. Several bus lines offer a bus from Belize City to Punta Gorda several times a day for less than $30 BZD. They are low-cost, but crowded, often with three or more to a seat and some standing in the aisle.

Get to the terminal early to ensure yourself a spot on the bus! A conductor will collect fares while the bus is moving, tickets are not sold beforehand. Regular buses will stop for passengers along the road at any point between destinations and Express buses stop only in larger towns. Keep this in mind, because it makes a difference in the arrival time, which could be upwards of 7 hours between Belize City and Punta Gorda.

Travel by Plane

The other, much faster and less crowded option is by domestic flight with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.

You’ll cruise over the beautiful Belizean coastline in a plane that might only fit 11 passengers, and in about an hour you’ll be on the ground in Punta Gorda.

However, a round-trip flight could cost you $200-$300. The views from these small planes are unBelizable, though! (Sorry – I couldn’t resist)

Travel Tips for Visiting Punta Gorda, Belize

Belize is So Affordable

The exchange rate is $2 BZD per $1 USD. In US currency, most restaurant meals cost $5-$10, bottles of Belikin (the local beer) were $2 each, and souvenirs ranged from $1 for bottles of local hot sauce to $20 for a hammock.

Everyone is Friendly

After you arrive, it won’t be long before you befriend plenty of chatty locals, expats, students, and volunteers from all around the world. Everyone you meet will be friendly!

Visit During a Local Holiday

Visit during the week of Garifuna Settlement Day, held annually on November 19, if it fits well with your schedule. It’s a national holiday observing the settlement of the Garifuna people in Belize. Stores close for the day, no one works, and everyone gathers in the town center to play games, dance, and celebrate. Other local festivals are scheduled around this day as well.

Note the Name of Your Airport

If you decide to fly domestically out of Belize City, know which airport you’re flying from – the municipal or the international. Making this simple mistake could cost you time, extra cab fare, or additional airline fees. TRUST ME.

Go Prepared For a Wet Climate

December through April is Belize’s “dry season,” but it’s warm and humid every day, and the rainy season gets longer each year.

Helpful things to pack include a small travel towel (to wipe sweat from your brow every five minutes), a light and breathable raincoat for hands-free rain protection (you know where I stand on the raincoat vs umbrella debate), and waterproof boots if you plan to go trekking through the jungle.

Best Things to Do in Punta Gorda, Belize

Visit at Least One Maya Ruin

Close to Punta Gorda, right off the Southern Highway in the Maya village of Indian Creek, is Nim Li Punit. After paying a small entrance fee, you can tour this site on your own. Catch a bus there and back to PG for $5 BZD each way.

Bike Around Town

Rent or borrow a bike to get around town. Some guesthouses offer bikes to guests, but be careful riding at night because many streets are unpaved and riddled with potholes. Some are deep enough to swallow whole bike tires!

Kayak in the Mangroves

The folks at Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge are super friendly and accommodating. An hour-long kayak rental was $15 BZD.

Unlike other places, they didn’t have me sign a waiver or do any paperwork of any kind before going out on the water, so consider purchasing for your trip traveler’s insurance. Even though I didn’t feel in danger of being injured, it felt good to know I had coverage just in case.

Support Local Sustainable Tourism

Support local conservation efforts, community development, and sustainable tourism by booking tours with them. Like a hike through the protected Belizean jungle with a local Maya Ranger. I recommend booking through EcoTourism Belize; there are several types of activities from which to choose.

Eat Your Heart Out

Enjoy the local cuisine, including beans and rice or rice and beans. Yes, there is a difference! My favorite restaurants were Waluco’s Bar & Grill, the cafe at A Piece of Ground Hotel, and Eatery, Joycelyn’s Cuisine, and Asha’s Culture Kitchen.

Where to Stay in Punta Gorda, Belize

I lucked out and stayed with a friend who was living and working in Punta Gorda when I visited. It was actually the whole reason why I visited in the first place.

There are accommodations for all types of budgets, though. Punta Gorda has many hostels, guest houses, b&b’s, hotels, and even resorts ranging from budget to high-end.

Some that I heard about from locals and expats I met during my visit were A Piece of Ground (although, this one might be closed now), Tate’s Guest House, Hickatee Cottages, and BlueBelize B&B.

But there are others! Find the accommodation that suits you:

By Brittany Quaglieri

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