Visiting Maya ruins, heading to a beach on a nearby caye, and simply relaxing are just a few of the things that make Punta Gorda Belize such a wonderful travel destination. Punta Gorda is the southernmost Belize town of repute, and it's found on the coast at the Gulf of Honduras. Locals refer to Punta Gorda simply as "P.G.", and of the some 6,000 residents, you'll find an interesting mix of Garifuna, Maya and Creole cultures, with Chinese, Lebanese and East Indian groups boasting representation as well. The Mopan and Kekchi Maya Indians who reside in and around Punta Gorda came from Guatemala, and they have established villages in the area that help to bring authenticity to the nearby ruins. Shopping for Maya handicrafts is a big part of Punta Gorda tourism, especially on the Wednesday and Saturday market days. Hiking, scuba diving, and bird watching are just a few of the more adventurous pursuits that are associated with Punta Gorda tourism, and though this town is often a stopover point for those entering or exiting Guatemala, you can certainly have a great time here should you stay around for a bit.

Founded in 1823 by the Garifuna, Punta Gorda Belize was long little more than a small fishing village that could only be reached by boat. The addition of the paved Southern Highway has made it easier to get here by car and bus, and the handful of daily flights between Punta Gorda and Belize City can get you back and forth in no time. Once you get here, there's plenty to keep you busy. The enduring Maya culture is often a focal point of Punta Gorda travel, and many of the villages in the area are much like they were centuries ago. You can find buses that take visitors to some of the area Maya villages, and though the southern Maya ruins in Belize may not be as impressive as those found further north, they beg a visit nonetheless. Lubaantun is the largest of the Maya ruin sites found near Punta Gorda Belize, and though the tallest temple here tops out at just around 50 feet, climbing it affords some great forest views. It's interesting to note that the architectural styles found at the ruins near Punta Gorda often differ from other Maya styles incorporated in other parts of Central America and Mexico. After you learn a little bit about the Maya people here, you can get some insight into the local Creole people by stopping at the Kriol Museum in Punta Gorda Town. It's small, but intriguing, and surely worth at least a half-hour of your time at least.

After you get your cultural fill, you might be up for switching gears a bit. There are a good amount of tour operators in P.G., and more often than not, you'll find that arranging excursions at the Punta Gorda hotels is also possible. Punta Gorda travel can keep you busy with a myriad of fun outdoor activities, so you can definitely wear yourself out here in a good way. Off the Punta Gorda coast, the southern edge of the long Belize Barrier Reef makes for world-class scuba diving that will take your breath away. You can head to some of the nearby cayes to either snorkel, swim or scuba dive, and it's on the cayes that you will find the best Punta Gorda area beaches. Though Punta Gorda Town is found on the coast, there aren't really any good beaches right in or near town, much like the village of Dangriga to the north. Punta Gorda is the main hub and capital of the Toledo District, and this region offers an array of interesting terrains and settings.

Lagoons, swamps, forested mountains, and the aforementioned cayes make Punta Gorda travel diverse enough to suit just about anyone. Kayaking down a jungle-lined river might be your idea of a perfect afternoon here, while others might choose to enjoy the world-class fishing. From spin to fly-fishing, anglers can pretty much have it all here. Also, the fact that you can fish here year round certainly doesn't hurt Punta Gorda tourism. Tropical rainforest hikes might be what some choose to add first to their Punta Gorda travel itineraries. It's often best to hire a guide, though, as the trails in southern Belize are known to crisscross and get hikers quite lost and confused. Plus, should you go with a guide, they can help you to better enjoy the experience by pointing out things like medicinal plants and hidden wildlife that you might have otherwise missed. If you really love being outside, camping in the Punta Gorda area is something you might consider. There are organized camping tours that you can arrange to join in southern Belize, but if you are going it alone, you'll need your own gear. It tends to rain more here than other parts of the country, especially during the rainy season, so bringing the proper water-proof equipment is a good idea if you plan to enjoy Punta Gorda tourism on the more adventurous side of things. The Punta Gorda hotels and lodging choices present a pretty good array, so you should be able to find suitable Punta Gorda Belize accommodations to help you better enjoy your visit.