Toledo welcomes the curious and lures the adventurous. Nearly 1,700 square miles jostle with opportunities for the adventure-minded and adrenaline-addicted traveler. Toledo district has a cultural blend of traditional Mopan Maya and Ketchi farmers along with a healthy East Indian population. With the highest recorded rainfall in Belize, Toledo is home to Belize’s only true rainforest coupled with intricate caves, incredible wildlife and some of the most beautiful offshore islands found in Belize.
Typical Maya home in the villages of Toledo
As the district with the country’s smallest population, Toledo is the perfect find for those seeking to venture “off the beaten path” and taste some of the rich natural and cultural diversity Belize has to offer. Explore caves at the caves at Hokeb Ha and Yok Balum; the waterfalls at Rio Blanco, the Maya sites of Lubantuun, Nim li Punit and Pusilha, the biological diversity at Paynes Creek National Park or the spectacular island in the Sapodilla Range. For an authentic cultural experiences, be there for the Deer Dance Festival or stay at a traditional Maya home and participate in the preparation of fresh ground corn tortillas and Maya chocolate – Food of the Gods.
Punta Gorda Town
The coastal town of Punta Gorda is the treasure that awaits at the southern end of the paved southern Highway. This highway intersected with the Hummingbird Highway some 210 miles north in the Stann Creek District. Punta Gorda is a delightful blend of cultures sprinkled with travelers passing through to Honduras and Guatemala via the small port. Colorful markets are filled with local produce and vendors with household goods and clothing from neighboring countries.
