The Toledo District, Belize

Photo: Hickatee Lodge

The town of Punta Gorda, often referred to as PG, is the gateway to everything this region has to offer. PG has a population of around 5,500 and is a laid-back Caribbean fishing village. Visit the market here and look out for exotic local produce. Make sure you arrive at the harbour in good time to catch the fishermen returning with their fresh catch. From Punta Gorda, you can explore the diverse surrounding area.

Untamed nature

The jungle, rivers and the sea. It all comes together in the south of Belize. The interior of the Toledo District consists mainly of jungle. It’s worth noting that a large part of the jungle is a protected area and you can’t just walk anywhere. Fortunately, there are plenty of places where you can explore the jungle.

Take a boat trip along the Monkey River, north of Punta Gorda. Here you’ll have the chance to spot crocodiles, turtles, marsh birds and the noisy howler monkeys. In Rio Blanco National Park, you’ll be surrounded by rivers and towering waterfalls. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars, as it’s an excellent spot for birdwatching.

If you’re looking for a more active way to explore the jungle of Belize, Blue Creek is a great place to visit. Here you can enjoy a fantastic canopy trip consisting of 9 high zip lines and 15 platforms, allowing you to glide through the treetops. You’ll also find the Blue Creek Cave here, also known as Hokeb Ha. To get there, you’ll need to take a walk of about 20 minutes through the jungle. The entrance to the cave is overgrown with plants, and to get inside you’ll need to wade through a shallow pool of fresh water. Beyond this lies a vast chamber which is said to have been used by the Maya to perform sacred ceremonies.

You’ll find undiscovered gems not only inland, but also in the sea just off the mainland coast. At Sapodilla Cayes, about a 2.5-hour boat ride from PG, you’ll find a variety of tropical marine life. It’s therefore a wonderful place for diving and snorkelling. But closer to the coast too, for example at Snakes Cayes, you can enjoy some fantastic snorkelling.

Immersion in different cultures

What makes this area special is its rich cultural diversity. The south of Belize is home to the Garifuna culture, a fusion of African and Caribbean indigenous cultures. Their melodious language was designated as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2001. In Punta Gorda, you can learn a great deal about this culture. Here, you can sample unique local dishes, such as cassava pudding, and immerse yourself in Garifuna music. If you’re here in November, don’t miss the annual ‘Battle of the Drums and Food’ festival. A three-day event entirely dedicated to Garifuna music, flavours and history.

Photo: Hickatee Lodge

Alongside Garifuna culture, Mayan culture is also very much alive here. Accompanied by a guide, you can visit the Kek’chi Mayan families, who open their homes to show you how the Maya lived 50 years ago and how they live today. A traditional meal will be prepared for you, and you’ll have the chance to try your hand at making baskets, textiles and hammocks.

Ancient civilisations

The unique cultures you see today in Punta Gorda and the surrounding area owe their origins, in part, to the ancient civilisations that settled here many years ago. In the south of Belize, you’ll find some of the earliest Mayan settlements. The best known are Lubaantun, once a ceremonial centre, and Nim Li Punit. The latter is impressive for its pyramids and stone pillars. Archaeological research into Mayan sites is still being carried out at various locations in southern Belize. This is helping us to learn more and more about how the Maya used to live.