Punta Gorda - Culture

Blue Creek is approximately 25-30 miles from Punta Gorda and can be reached by a secondary unpaved road. Blue Creek comes from the mouth of a limestone cave in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The trail that has been developed to the lodge and beyond is easy to follow. At the lodge you may want to embark on many different excursions that can be arranged. The canopy walk gives you a beautiful view of the rain forest canopy and should be taken if possible. The trail can then be followed to the mouth of the cave where there are pools you can swim in both inside and outside of the cave. Many trips can be taken from here including different caves to explore.

Lubaantun is situated in the Maya Mountains next to Fallen Stone Butterfly Ranch. It is a well manicured ruin, but does not have any large pyramids like some of the other sites. It is known for the manner in which is was constructed of stones with rounded edges and each stone being placed in such a manner that no mortar was used to hold the structures together, none was needed. It is said that the crystal skull was found here. You will find a guide at this site and craft items to buy. It is well worth the time and effort to go and see it. A new visitor's centre has been built with restrooms and now is open.

Nimi Li Punit is a much smaller site up the Southern Highway from Punta Gorda about 25 miles. It is known for its over 25 stellae. Like Lubaatun, a new visitor's centre has been built and some of the stellae are now in it. The trail is well marked with many placards to guide you through. Although the area encompasses several groups of buildings, a small ceremonial group and two civic and elite groups are a part of the area you can explore. The visitors centre is filled with artefacts, that I have never seen in Belize.

The butterfly ranch is one you must see. It sits up on top of the Maya Mountains. The dining hall and lodge are on the top and graduated down the hillside to the Butterfly Ranch, are cabanas with their own solar panels and full bathrooms. In the valley is the butterfly operation. You can go into an atrium and have butterflies light all over you. There are several different kinds, but the most popular is the Blue Morphia. These butterflies are shipped all over the world for use at flower shows and other events and also sold to collectors. The only time you might not be able to make it up the mile long driveway would be during the rainy season, when the road can sometimes become impassable. 

San Antonio waterfall can be reached by going from Punta Gorda through the village of San Antonio. Many local Punta Gorda dwellers go to the falls for a Sunday outing to cool off and enjoy the beauty of the setting.

You will find many Mayan settlements throughout the Toledo District. Trips can be arranged up the Moho River where you can see many of these settlements along the banks of the river and even encounter many local Mayans in their dugouts. Mayans today live much as they did over a hundred years ago. Their life is very simple, and in most of the villages, there is no electricity. A local stream is there bath tub. They grow corn and a few other items which some Mayans bring into the market in town on Wednesday and Saturday. Many of the women have learned to do needle work pictures, bead bracelets, and the most common of all baskets. You will be asked often if you want to buy a basket, and most of the workmanship is good. Artefacts should not be touched, and left where they are found. Looting is still a big problem here and anyone coming up to you with artefacts, should be ignored and you should walk away. Caving is a thrilling experience. Think about the fact that you may be where the ancestors of the Mayan worshiped their Gods. Some say that the cave system runs through the Mayan Mountains all the way to Guatemala. Many of the caves have never been fully explored. The caves that have guides are easy caves, but there are hundreds of caves that have never been explored

There is a sink hole in the south-western area of the Toledo District. The local medicine men gather medicinal plants from the bottom of the sink hole that cannot be found elsewhere. Found in San Jose about 45 min from Punta Gorda is some of the most pristine area of Belize. Trips for the day or overnight can be arranged. The hiking trips are $ 20 US a day. If you ever wanted to get next to nature this is the place to do it. The area is also full of caves to explore. It might be a rough hike, but would be well worth adding to your list of things to see and do. Just think of the stories you could tell your friends

From Punta Gorda you can take a short trip out to one of the many caves for snorkelling and diving, or take a little longer trip and enjoy the southern tip of the reef. This woman swims over an impressive garden of Elkhorn coral. Seal Cave has been noted for its excellent diving and should be in your water adventures. The barrier reef is about 60 min from Punta Gorda and there are many places to camp so you could fish, camp, dive, snorkel you pick or combine them all. With over 110 miles of reef to explore how could you go wrong on whatever you chose

Punta Gorda consists of five main streets running parallel with the ocean. Front Street is the one running along the ocean front and could be considered part of the main drag and that is the street you come into town on. You can keep on Front Street past the Texaco Station and you come to the Post Office, with Custom's across the street and further down will be the outdoor market.

If you turn right at the Texaco station, that is Main Street and it takes you by several local businesses, the BTL telephone building and the Belize Bank in the centre of town, across from the town park. All around the park and down the side streets you will find local vendors selling from shoes to rugs. At the end of the park is the focal point of downtown, which is the clock tower.

You will find several grocery stores and if you can't get what you want in one, chances are you can in another. If you keep on going down Main Street, at the end before it turns, you will see the local hospital and new eye clinic on the right side of the road and the new Red Cross building on the left. If you go on around the turn past the cemetery, take a right, the Traveller's Inn, which is also the Z-Line Bus Terminal, will be on your right and then Punta Calienta Hotel and Restaurant. A couple streets over is the airport where Tropic and Maya airlines come in several times a day.

Frank Dirkis is a German wood artist. Frank makes modern day furniture, with exotic woods such as mahogany, emery, rosewood, cedar, Santa Maria and many other woods only found in a tropical environment. He is very particular on how he acquires his wood. Frank only takes mature trees that he cuts himself. Trees that have hollows or other damage, and is very careful not to damage other trees that surround the tree he wants. It is possible to send him a picture of furniture that you like and he will copy it, or you send the dimensions of what you want and he will make it. Just think, a solid mahogany computer desk or a wardrobe made out of cedar.

After the civil war, some confederate soldiers, fled the south to establish themselves a way of living they were accustom to. They settled in the Seven Hills area of southern Belize. Even today, long after their venture failed, you can see the massiveness of the mill that they installed. It is a bit of a hike after a boat trip, but it is worth exploring this old confederate sugar mill.