Planning a Trip

Getting There & Departing

By Plane -- There are several daily flights into and out of Punta Gorda's little airport (PND). Maya Island Air (tel. 223-1140 in Belize City, or 722-2856 in Punta Gorda; www.mayaairways.com) has four flights daily between Belize City and Punta Gorda. These flights leave from the Municipal Airport at 8 and 10am, and 2:30 and 4:30pm. Most of these flights stop 15 minutes later at the Goldson International Airport to pick up passengers. The fare is BZ$176 (US$88) each way from Municipal Airport, and BZ$207 (US$104) each way from the international airport. When you're ready to leave, Maya Island Air flights from Punta Gorda to Belize City depart at 6:45, 10, and 11:30am, and at 1:50 and 4pm. Most of these flights stop first in Placencia and Dangriga, and then at the international airport, before continuing on to Municipal Airport.

Tropic Air (tel. 800/422-3435 in the U.S. or Canada, 226-2012 in Belize City, or 722-2008 in Punta Gorda; www.tropicair.com) has five daily flights from Municipal Airport to Punta Gorda at 8:15 and 10:20am, and at 12:20, 2:20, and 5pm. These flights stop 15 minutes later at Goldson International Airport to pick up passengers. The fare is BZ$176 (US$88) each way from the Municipal Airport, and BZ$207 (US$104) each way from the international airport. Tropic Air flights depart Punta Gorda for Belize City's airports daily at 6:50, 9:30, and 11:30am and 4pm.

Flight times run between 55 minutes and 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on the number of stops, since most flights to and from Punta Gorda on Maya Island Air and Tropic Air stop in Placencia and Dangriga to pick up and drop off passengers. On both airlines, flights are sometimes added during the high season or suspended during the low season, so check in advance.

By Bus -- James Bus Line (tel. 207-3937 in Belize City, or 702-2049 in Punta Gorda) has regular service throughout the day between Belize City and Punta Gorda. In Belize City, buses leave roughly every hour from the main terminal on West Collett Canal. It's worth getting an express bus, which should only take around 5 1/2 hours. However, there are far more frequent nonexpress buses. On these, the trip takes between 6 and 7 hours. In some cases, you may have to change buses in Belmopan or Dangriga. The one-way fare is BZ$24 (US$12).

By Car -- It is a long way to Punta Gorda. However, the Southern Highway, which starts just outside of Dangriga, has been paved almost the entire 100 miles (161km) to Punta Gorda, where it ends. Actually, there's a 10-mile (16km) stretch just outside Punta Gorda that is still not paved. Coming from Belize City, head first to Belmopan and turn south on the Hummingbird Highway. Just before Dangriga, the Hummingbird Highway connects with the Southern Highway, which takes you all the way to Punta Gorda. Alternatively, you can take the Manatee Road turnoff just past the Belize Zoo, although the Manatee Road is a washboard dirt-and-gravel road for most of its length.

By Boat -- Several boats run daily between Punta Gorda and Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. If there's enough demand, the boats may stop in Livingston, Guatemala, as well. Expect to pay between BZ$20 and BZ$40 (US$10-US$20) per person. The boats leave from the main pier in Punta Gorda. Requena's Charter Service, 12 Front St. (tel. 722-2070; watertaxi@btl.net), is one of the more dependable operators. When the seas are calm, the crossing takes about 1 hour. Departures for Guatemala tend to leave between 8:30 and 9am, although there are often afternoon departures as well. The boats tend to return from Puerto Barrios between 2 and 4pm. You'll have to pay the BZ$7.50 (US$3.75) in exit taxes. Note: When coming and going, be sure to get your passport stamped at the immigration office just up from the dock.

Getting Around

Punta Gorda is a very small and compact town, and you should be able to get around primarily on foot. If you're just too hot or tired, or you're heading further afield, call Galvez's Taxi Travel & Tour Service (tel. 722-2402) or the Roots & Herbs Taxi Service (tel. 722-2834).

Another option for getting around is to rent a bike. For bike rentals, head down to Aba Iseni (tel. 722-2106). Aba Iseni means "one love" in the Garífuna language, and the shop is run by a personable Garífuna man who goes by the name of Fubu. He rents bikes by the day for BZ$28 (US$14), or BZ$16 (US$8) for a half-day. The shop is located on North Street; it's open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 12:30pm and 3 to 8:30pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The Lodge At Big Falls also rents good-quality mountain bikes for around BZ$40 (US$20) per day.

Orientation

Punta Gorda is a small coastal town, and the road into town runs right along the water before angling a bit inland. There's a tiny triangular park at the center of the town. On one side is the Civic Center, or Town Hall. On one corner is a cute little clock tower, and the Belize Bank anchors another corner. Still, much of the town's activity is water-based, and many of the most important businesses, hotels, restaurants, and government offices are located on Front Street, which runs along the waterfront. The town's main pier is off the center of Front Street. On the western edge of town, only 6 blocks from the water, is P.G.'s airstrip.

The Belize Tourist Board (tel. 722-2531) in conjunction with local hotels and tourism operators, run a well-staffed and helpful information center on Front just north of the main pier. This is a good place to come to find current transportation schedules, to book a tour, or arrange a homestay.

Fast Facts

For the local police, dial tel. 722-2022, and for the fire department, call tel. 722-2032. If you need medical attention, go to the Punta Gorda Hospital on Main Street, towards the southern end of town (tel. 722-2026). The post office (tel. 722-2087) is on Front Street across from the main pier. Belize Bank, 30 Main St. (tel. 722-2324), can handle most of your banking needs. For Internet needs, head to Carysha's Internet (tel. 722-2276), which is located just off the small central park.

There's a Texaco gas station (tel. 722-2926) out towards the northern end of Front Street. Finally, if your hotel can't or won't do it for you, take your dirty clothes to Punta Gorda Laundry Services, 2 Prince St. (tel. 702-2273), which charges around BZ$10 (US$5) per load.