If you’ve never been to Punta Gorda, let me tell you something from the heart — this is where a great vacation truly begins.
Down here in southern Belize, life slows to the rhythm of the sea. Punta Gorda — or as we lovingly call it, “PG” — isn’t about crowds or cruise ports. It’s about connection. To people. To culture. To the land.
And once you experience it, it stays with you.
Firstly, let’s take a look at where PG got its name from.
“Punta Gorda” is Spanish for “Fat Point,” a reference to the broad point of land that stretches into the Caribbean Sea. But long before that name stuck, the Garifuna people called it Peini.
The town was officially declared on January 21, 1895, though its story goes back much further. In 1823, Garifuna families arrived here from Honduras, settling what was once a quiet fishing village. Today, PG remains a proud seaport town — small in size but rich in identity.
With a population of about 5,000 people, it’s the capital of the Toledo District and the southernmost sizable town in Belize.
PG sits along the Caribbean Sea near the Bay of Honduras, framed by the dramatic Maya Mountains in the background. The town rests only about fifteen feet above sea level, and from the Fisherman’s Pier, you can watch boats drift out at sunrise while the mountains glow behind you.
The setting alone feels like a painting.
Getting here is part of the adventure.
By Air: Domestic flights from Belize City via Maya Island Air and Tropic Air land at the small Punta Gorda airstrip.
By Road: James Bus Line runs daily routes connecting PG to Independence, Dangriga, Belmopan, and Belize City.
By Sea: Water taxis run to Puerto Barrios and Livingston, Guatemala — offering an international coastal experience that feels raw and authentic.
No matter how you arrive, the welcome feels personal.
One of the things I love most about PG is how beautifully cultures live side by side here. Garifuna drumming. Maya traditions. East Indian curries. Creole storytelling. The town’s population includes Garifuna, Mestizo, Ketchi Maya, Mopan Maya, Creole, East Indian, and others — each preserving their heritage while sharing space harmoniously. It’s not something you just read about. You feel it in the markets, the churches, the food, and everyday conversations.
Punta Gorda has a tropical rainforest climate — warm year-round, with average temperatures above 25°C every month. Lush greenery surrounds the town, and rain showers often feel refreshing rather than inconvenient.
It’s the kind of place where mango trees grow in backyards and the air smells like salt and earth.
Punta Gorda is the gateway to offshore fishing, river trips, snorkeling, and exploring the southern cayes.
Nature lovers will find themselves in paradise with jungle accommodations like:
The Lodge at Big Falls
Copal Tree Lodge
Hickatee Cottages
The Punta Gorda market is a must. Fresh produce. Handmade crafts. Spices. And if you time it right, you can buy the day’s catch straight from returning fishermen.
Every May, PG hosts the Toledo Cacao Festival — celebrating Toledo’s deep connection to cacao and chocolate. It’s one of the most authentic cultural festivals in Belize.
Eating in Punta Gorda is like tasting Belize in one place.
Garifuna hudut (fish in coconut broth with mashed plantain).
East Indian curries and roti.
Maya corn-based dishes.
Fresh seafood pulled from the sea that same morning.
We can’t forge, you can also find our beloved Rice & Beans here with a variety of meat options.
Here, meals aren’t rushed. They’re shared.
Because it’s real.
It hasn’t been polished for mass tourism. It hasn’t lost its soul.
When I walk along the pier at sunset, I don’t feel like a tourist — I feel like I belong. The fishermen wave. Someone calls out a greeting in Kriol. The mountains stand quietly in the background.
PG is for travelers who want more than photos.
It’s for those who want stories.
Every time I visit Punta Gorda, I discover something new — a hidden river spot, a new family-run eatery, a conversation with an elder sharing stories about Peini.
There’s a calm here that resets you.
The sea is softer.
The smiles are warmer.
The pace is intentional.
This is the beginning of a great vacation — not because of luxury, but because of authenticity.
Punta Gorda is known for its rich Garifuna and Maya culture, fresh seafood, cacao farming, offshore fishing, jungle adventures, and access to Maya archaeological sites. It’s also famous for the annual Toledo Cacao Festival.
English is the official language. However, many residents also speak Kriol, Garifuna, Q’eqchi’ Maya, and Mopan Maya.
The dry season (February–May) offers ideal weather. May is especially popular due to the Toledo Cacao Festival.
At Authentically Belize, we believe travel should connect you to the true heart of a place — its people, its stories, its traditions. Punta Gorda embodies everything we stand for: cultural richness, natural beauty, and meaningful experiences.
If you’re ready to experience Belize beyond the usual, let Punta Gorda be your starting point.