Visit Punta Gorda On Your Belize Vacation

August 15, 2024
by Belize Hub +

Punta Gorda Town, commonly referred to by locals as “PG” or “PGT”, is the capital and largest municipality in Belize’s southern Toledo District. Although the name of the town comes from Spanish (meaning “Fat Point”), the town is primarily home to speakers of English, Creole, East Indian languages and Mayan dialects.

Why You Have to Visit Punta Gorda On Your Vacation

This small fishing town on the Gulf of Honduras is the gateway to the deep south of Belize. The area nearby is home to some of the country’s best cacao plantations, the principle ingredient of chocolate. PG is also a great jumping off point to explore nearby rivers, caves, Maya ruins and mountains.

PG is an eclectic mix of different peoples, and is considered a major center for Garifuna drumming culture as well as other forms of traditional music. The town is laid out along the waterfront, ideal for relaxing strolls or stopping at small bars and cafes.

The Garifuna people refer to Punta Gorda as “Peini”.

Watch this video of tourism in Punta Gorda:

Where in Belize Is Punta Gorda Located?

PG is just over 200 miles south of Belize City and is the southernmost municipality in the country. Punta Gorda is also a popular transit point to neighboring Guatemala to the south and there is an immigrations and customs office located adjacent to the PG town dock.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Punta Gorda Belize

Thanks to cool breezes from the Gulf of Honduras, visiting Punta Gorda during even the hotter months is pleasant. One of the most exciting attractions is the annual Chocolate Festival, held every May in Punta Gorda.

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Best Way to Get to Punta Gorda Belize

There is an airstrip just outside Punta Gorda with regular domestic connections to Belize City and other destinations in Belize. There are regular bus connections from PG to Dangriga, Belmopan and Belize City.

Water taxis connect PG to Puerto Barrios across the border in Guatemala. There are also regular bus routes connecting PG to points south in Guatemala.

Best Way to Experience Punta Gorda Belize

The town itself is a lovely collection of shops, cafes, and bars spread out across the Bay of Honduras, perfect for shopping, eating, or a leisurely stroll. PG is a great base of operations for exploring southern Belize, including kayaking and canoeing on local rivers, fishing, snorkeling offshore, and hiking. There are also several nearby Maya ruins to explore, including Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit, and Pusilha.