Review of Punta Gorda, Belize

The country of Belize is small in size and made up of just six districts, from north to south they are:- Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo. Punta Gorda lies in the extreme south of the country, is more commonly referred to by Belizeans simply as P.G. it is the largest town in the south of the country, as well as being the main town of Toledo District. The road to P.G. is by way of the southern highway, the only road in and out. It is now a paved road for all but about ten miles that is currently being upgraded. Before this the dusty, potholed dirt road was often impassable in wet weather and was not a good option. Apart from boat the only other option to get to the town was the expensive one of flying. Two companies currently operate a service into the town, flying 10-12 seat planes from other destinations within Belize.

With a population of around 5000 people this town has not so far benefitted from a large influx of tourists. With many Mayan ruins in the Toledo district to choose from, this mostly remote and least explored part of the country offers the more adventurous tourist a wealth of discoveries. Within the town itself are many small family run hotels. A number of North Americans and Europeans have made this their home and are trying to make a living here. Without an increase in the number of tourists it is hard to see how many will prosper in this sleepy town. Fishing had long been the major industry for the town, and with many of the outlying villagers turning to farming the land it is possible for them to make a living. With little to no industry here many choose to leave given the choice. Until 1992 the British Army had a base here in PG, and the hotels and bars made a good living from the soldiers as they recuperated in the town during any time off.

The first settlement in Punta Gorda appeared in 1832, when Garifunas (see my article titled 'the People of Belize', for a description of this colorful group of people) emigrated from Honduras. The town today is a colorful mix of this group as well as Creoles, Kekchi Maya, Mopan Maya, Chinese, East Indians as well as an influx recently of US, Canadian and British expats.

The town is easy to navigate around, with the sea to one side and the airstrip to the other. It is mostly a grid pattern of streets. Punta Gorda has a small park at its center as well as a decorative clock tower, colorfully done in blue and white. Although it is next to the sea there is no beach and this may be one reason why the town does not get an influx of tourists. The daily street market along the street closest to the water's edge is well worth a visit. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings it is at its busiest, with many traders coming into the town from the surrounding area.

A few tours are on offer to the Mayan ruins that are dotted throughout the area, local tour guides will happily pick you up from your hotel and escort you during the tour and most have a wealth of information on these ancient sites. Boat tours to some of the more southerly islands that make up the barrier reef are easily accessible from Punta Gorda, as well as fishing trips.

Another place to explore from here is by boat to Guatemala, we were quoted a fee of $50US to take us across the open water in a small motor boat for a visit to this country, we declined the offer.

A visit to this sleepy town is a very good way to see how the Mayan population is adjusting to the modern day through farming, a practice that was not until recently carried out in this area. Most evenings you would here the drums of the Garifuna playing around the town, on occasion still beating as you attempt to sleep. We stayed here for a little too long, but a visit of a few days to savor the laidback lifestyle here is well worth the long drive south through some of the most picturesque parts of this country.

Source: - personal knowledge and experience
wikipedia