Territory capital · Belize
Punta Gorda
Spend 2 days in Punta Gorda: day 1 market, river and Garifuna culture; day 2 nearby Maya ruins or a boat trip to Livingston.
Punta Gorda is the southernmost town of Belize and the capital of Toledo District. Its compact centre, river, market and nearby ruins make a 2‑day stay comfortable.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BZD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- PGD
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Punta Gorda911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Punta Gorda, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.Belize-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Belize-wide
- Tap waterTreated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.Belize-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.Belize-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belize-wide
- SafetyPunta Gorda is generally safe; petty theft can occur in market areas, so keep valuables hidden and stay alert after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; bring paper for bus stops.Belize-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 90 Medical
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on Sundays in small towns and on Good Friday.Belize-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPGD Punta Gorda Airport (Maya Air and Tropic Air flights; check schedules).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; free bike hire at some hotels and Mr Pops near the university.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMarket food (fruit, snack)BZ$2–5
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Water taxi to Guatemalacheck weatherUS$20–25
- Museum or sight ticketMaya ruin entryBZ$10
- Budget bedDormitory or basic hostel, a night, per personBZD 50
- Mid-range bedEco‑lodge private cabin, a night, per roomBZD 150
- High-end bedEco‑lodge private cabin, a night, per roomBZD 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BZD 70 · Mid BZD 120 · High BZD 200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PGD Punta Gorda Airport (Maya Air and Tropic Air flights; check schedules)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Punta Gorda: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; free bike hire at some hotels and Mr Pops near the university. One‑way traffic system on Front/Main streets – watch signs.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lubaantun Mayan Ruins
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Drive north on Southern Highway ~30 km (19 mi), about 45 min; hire a car or join a tourDrive north on Southern Highway ~19 mi (30 km), about 45 min; hire a car or join a tour
Entry BZ$10, well‑excavated site
Nim Li Punit Ruins
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Drive north on Southern Highway ~30 mi, 45 min; local taxi or tour
Entry BZ$10
Rio Blanco National Park
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h
45 min–1 h drive from town, private car or tour
Waterfall swim, entry $10
Livingston, Guatemala (boat)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Direct water taxi departs 10 am Tuesdays/Fridays, 45 min ride
Check weather, ticket US$20–25
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cotton Tree Lodge
Eco‑lodge on Moho River, 11 private cabanas, $109+ per night
Hickatee Cottages
Caribbean‑style cottages, $95 per night, bike hire
Blue Belize Guest House
Front‑street flats, $75 per night, kitchenettes
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BZ$70–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- BZ$120–180 excl. bed
- High
- BZ$200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory or basic hostel2 × 2 nights × BZD 80 | BZD 320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BZD 120 | BZD 480 |
| Kayak rental (full day)2 × BZD 13 · US$12.5 per day | BZD 25 |
| Water taxi to Livingston (round trip)2 × BZD 23 · US$20–25, check schedule | BZD 45 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × BZD 25 · check provider | BZD 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BZD 92 |
| Trip total≈ BZD 253 per person per day, bed included | BZD 1,012 |
2026 estimate in Belize dollars; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Kayak 1‑hour rental | BZ$2.50 |
| Kayak half‑day | BZ$7.50 |
| Kayak full‑day | BZ$12.50 |
| Market food (fruit, snack) | BZ$2–5 |
| Maya ruin entry | BZ$10 |
| Water taxi to Guatemalacheck weather | US$20–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- One‑way system (south on Front, north on Main) – follow signs
- Water taxis may cancel in bad weather
- Limited night transport; plan return before dark
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Medical
- 90
Pocket card
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Punta GordaPunta Gorda
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Medical90
Embassy
US consulate in Belize City (check address); other embassies in Belmopan.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Belize City → Punta Gorda (James Bus Line): US$12, 5¼ h express, 6–6½ h regular
- Water taxi PG → Livingston (Tue/Fri): US$20–25, 45 min, weather‑dependent
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Tank yu — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the market? — Where is the market?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Punta Gorda. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Punta Gorda
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