by Lucinda Davis

Created on: March 13, 2011

Punta Gorda, Belize is located in the Toledo District which is the most southern district in Belize. The Toledo district borders Honduras and Guatemala. Punta Gorda is a safe town and full of friendly people. The body of water next to Punta Gorda is the Gulf of Honduras.

It is best to travel to Punta Gorda by plane however you may travel by car. It is probably safer to fly into the city and will take much less time to get there. Belize has mountains and jungles. Belize City has a lot of crime and is a city to avoid.

About half of the residents in the district are Maya. With Belize being a melting pot you'll find several different cultural groups such as Garifuna, Chinese, Hispanic, Creole, East Indian, Maya and more. Everyone speaks their own language but the main languages of Belize are English and Creole.

The local Mayan women will sell you their handmade crafts, dolls, jewelry, bags, clothing, and woven items. There are plenty of vendors willing to sell you their handmade treasures. The Fajina Craft Center on Front Street is the best place to shop. Always remember to negotiate for the best possible price.

The Toledo District depends heavily upon cocoa. The Mayans have an ancient cocoa based drink called kukuh and the local people say it gives them strength. Cocoa is one of the most maintainable crops of Belize.

There are plenty of place to eat in the Toledo area and you'll find a wide variety of cuisine to choose from. Emery's and Grace's Restaurant serves up Belizean food that is tasty on your palate. You can find vegetarian and seafood at Gomier's. If you are looking for some Asian cuisine take a walk down Main Street.

There is plenty to do in Punta Gorda from shopping to water activities. Anglers flock to the Bay of Honduras to catch permit, a type of fish. Monkey River is just north of Punta Gorda and they offer tours of Monkey River and the jungle. Blue Creek Cave is one of the most visited sites. You can hike and swim and be sure to bring the whole family.

If you are looking for a place to stay you can find rooms as inexpensive as fifteen US dollars per night and as high as three hundred US dollars per night. The Sea Front Inn has hotel rooms and apartments available. They offer air conditioning, cable television, private bath, and wireless internet. They have a restaurant on site called the Rainforest Restaurant.

The Tranquility Lodge is located on twenty acres in the lush tropical jungle. They have elegant accommodations, dining on site and spa services. Garbutt's Fishing Lodge offers seaside cabins, restaurant, bar, boat docks, scuba instruction, dive shop, and tours.

If seclusion is your thing then you might want to stay at Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge. This is a luxurious resort set on 12,000 acres of jungle and coastal environment.

If you are looking for peace, relaxation, adventure, excitement, culture or just a fun family vacation Belize is definitely a place that can provide these things and more.

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