Punta Gorda, Belize: the Port to Guatemala

Base Camp in Southern Belize...

Punta Gorda, the administrative capital of the Toledo District, offers fascinating river and fishing trips and tours, as well as caving and bird watching expeditions. There are chances to relive and explore the world of ancient Mayan empires. Positioned on the coasts low cliffs, Punta Gorda is afforded deliciously cool sea breezes that take the edge off the summer season's worst heat.

From Punta Gorda, Belize it's just a hop, skip and jump away from Guatemala's port, Puerto Barrios. Or, you can head on even further to Livingston, Guatemala's Garifuna paradise.

Haggling at the Local Market...

Punta Gorda, Belize is a relatively small city, with a population of only about 3500 people, but it is still an integral part of the country's economy and commerce. Indeed, there are many people who commute from as far away as 900 miles for work and trade!

The city offers a public dock and a thriving market, which you'll find open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Not only is there a certain freedom in haggling over local handicrafts and other mementos, the prices are awesome too! Altogether, Punta Gorda offers that laid back atmosphere with just enough to keep you entertained.

Punta Gorda: Natural and Cultural...

In Punta Gorda you get the best of both worlds: a wild array of natural beauty and a stimulating cultural diversity. The environment thrives thanks to the mild climate, but one of the natural area's boons is a tourist's bane: the rain. There's just no escaping the city's wet weather since Punta Gorda is nestled away in the wettest area of the entire country.

While visiting Punta Gorda, you'll like encounter Maya, Garifuna and Indian Belizeans, each with their own music, crafts, recipes and distinctive flare.