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.
This post contains affiliate links. This post was last updated in May 2026.
Punta Gorda Belize Quick Planner
Planning a trip to southern Belize? Punta Gorda might be 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 and cultural travelers, backpackers, slow travelers, and travelers avoiding the resort-heavy 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, notably less touristy than Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker
- Weather: 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 your best bet.
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 only stop 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.
I thought I’d have to exchange all my American dollars to pay for anything, but shops, restaurants, and especially street vendors accepted them willingly.
Speaking of money, cash is king. Do not rely on using your debit or credit card for everything. Thankfully, I brought enough cash with me for a budget-conscious trip, because I found working ATMs hard to come by.
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 from Belize City to Punta Gorda like I did, know the name of the airport! Or whether it’s the municipal or international airport at least.
Making this simple mistake could cost you time, extra cab fare, and additional airline fees. TRUST ME.
Commit these to memory: The municipal is called Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (TZA), and an international is called Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
Go Prepared For a Wet Climate
December through April is Belize’s “dry season,” but it’s warm and humid every day. 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, and waterproof boots if you plan to go trekking through the jungle.
Where do you stand in the big raincoat vs umbrella? I like hands-free rain protection for outdoor activities like hiking in the rain!
Best Things to Do in Punta Gorda, Belize
What is there to do in this tiny fishing village in the southern reaches of Belize?? Well, quite a bit, actually.
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. There are
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. It’s fast and the breeze feels great on your skin!
There was no dedicated bike rental shop when I was there, and I’m not sure if that has changed at all. I just borrowed my friend’s roommate’s bike when she wasn’t using it. However, I was told that most guesthouses offer bikes for guests to use during their stay.
Be careful riding at night because many streets are unpaved and riddled with potholes. I swear some were 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 travel insurance for your trip.
Even though I didn’t feel in danger of being injured – there were no rapids or anything, you just never know what could happen. I mean, I did have to lay flat on my kayak and float under a really rusty footbridge at one point while kayaking. So, 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 to choose from.
Eat Your Heart Out
Enjoy the local cuisine! Seafood fans rejoice – it’s as fresh as can be! So are all the tropical fruits and veggies. And you’ll find the food is as diverse as the people – Garifuna, Maya, Creole, and East Indian – sample them all.
Some dishes to look out for:
- Mayan caldo – a chicken soup served with corn tortillas.
- fry jacks – deep fried and stuffed dough, could be cheese, meat, refried beans, or eggs.
- rice and beans with stewed chicken – slow cooked, flavored with coconut, and served alongside fried plantains and potato salad
Of all the restaurants that I tried while I was there, it looks like Waluco’s Bar & Grill is the only one still operating. They don’t have a website – not many businesses in town do – but I ate there twice in one week and highly recommend!
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:
Is Punta Gorda, Belize Worth Visiting?
Punta Gorda might not have the beach clubs and resorts that many travelers picture when they think of Belize, but that’s exactly why I think it’s special and worth visiting.
Especially if you’re a budget traveler or someone who simply enjoys slowing down a bit. This little corner of Belize offers a lot without requiring a huge budget.
You can spend your days like I did – exploring Maya history, kayaking through mangroves, and eating delicious local food. Best of all, it’s a place you can really get to know the people who call it home.
For me, Punta Gorda felt like a place where I could settle into everyday life for a while. It felt welcoming, relaxed, and refreshingly unhurried at a time that I really needed it.
If you’re planning a trip to Belize, I think southern Belize deserves more than a quick stop. Give yourself a few extra days and let Punta Gorda surprise you.
More Related Reading
- A Guide to Visiting Tulum on a Budget
- Cycling in México: Why Yucatán is the Perfect Destination
- Great Budget Find: Hotel Kinbe in Playa Del Carmen
- Sport Fishing in Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Some of these links are affiliate links.
Use these BMT-approved travel resources to plan your best budget-friendly trip yet!
Flights – Learn our tried and true strategies for finding the cheapest flights.
Accommodations – Using Booking.com to search for hostels and budget hotels has many benefits, including free cancelation and member upgrades.
Travel Insurance – Now more than ever, we encourage the purchase of travel insurance for every trip. Insurance protects you against cancellations, lost luggage, theft, injury, and illness. Here are the ones I use the most often:
- SafetyWing – covers travel medical and trip delay/cancelation
- Battleface – customizable protection including cancel-for-any-reason
Activities – Find amazing things to do that won’t break the bank in destinations worldwide on Viator or GetYourGuide.
Car Rentals – Road trip at home and abroad with a reliable and affordable car found at GetRentaCar.com.
Sites that do it all – Find and compare prices for nearly everything you need to plan a trip including flights, accommodations, rentals on Klook and Agoda.
Need an international SIM card? We suggest pre-ordering from SimOptions.
2 replies on “Punta Gorda, Belize Travel Guide + Best Things to Do”
And visit Warasa Garifuna Drum School!
That’s one thing I didn’t get to do! But I did enjoy the music and dancing in town center on Garifuna Day!