With a population
of just under twenty-three thousand, Toledo is Belize's least
populated district.
 Punta Gorda is the largest town in Southern Belize and capitol of the Toledo District. Known
locally as PG, the
6,000 inhabitants are mostly English speaking Garifuna and
East Indian.
The Public Dock, off Front Street, marks the center
of town for most visitors. Immigration & Customs, along
with the post office are nearby.
The market is one block up the street. Wednesdays and Saturdays are the big market days and when people from the surrounding villages come into town to trade.
Here Guatemalan ware, and handcrafted items from
local Mayan artists can be purchased.
For those looking for a new way to experience
the rainforests and the cultural heritage of the Mayan
people, Maya Life, allows
visitors to stay in a Maya Village and participate with
the Maya as they perform their everyday tasks.
 Sleep in thatched-roof
huts in Maya Villages and sample
"caldo", a tasty Maya-made lunch of homemade tortillas, chicken stew and
listen to their Stories. In addition, Village guides
take you on tours to nearby caves and waterfall. Along the
way you will have the opportunity to learn about medicinal
plants and their uses.
These off-the-beaten-path destination can only be characterized
as a "back of beyond" edge of the world experience.
 San Antonio is believed to be the largest Mopan
Maya community in Central America with a population of around
2,000. It's located seven miles beyond the Punta Gorda turnoff.
San Pedro Columbia is a Kekchi indian village as
is nearby San Miguel. Here you can experience village life,
try your hand at dugout canoeing, hike to nearby caves and
falls and visit Lubaantun,
the largest Maya Archeological site in Southern Belize.
 Santa
Cruz, is located 4 miles west of San Antonio. What remains
of Uxbenka can be found just off the main road,
less than half a mile from the village. From the village
you can walk to Rio Blanco Falls. It's located between the villages of Santa Cruz and Santa Elena.
is a farming community
at the base of the Maya Mountains. Both Maya and Mennonites
live here.
 , it's a 20 minute hike
to Blue Creek Cave. Along
the way you'll pass the Blue Creek Rainforest Lodge, with it's 80 foot suspended walkway.
is a Maya village just outside Punta Gorda.
From here take a medicinal plant path to nearby Quink
cave. At nearby Agua Caliente lagoon, wood storks, egrets,
ducks, herons and other large waterfowl can be observed
in large numbers.
Air
Maya Air and Tropic Air from Belize City to PG.
Private Vehicle
From Belize City it's 200 miles to PG. Take the Manatee
or Hummingbird highway to the Southern highway. Some
areas of Toledo District receive up to 170 inches of rain
annually. Best time to visit is during the dry season (February
- June).
Bus
Public Buses to PG have scheduled daily runs
from Belize City and Belmopan with stops in Dangriga Town.
Visit Belize as part of a duPlooy Travel
Belize Vacation Package
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