Punta Gorda is a small village in the Central American country of Belize, situated in the southernmost part and away from the hustle and bustle of Belize City to the north. Not many expats live there full-time, although those who do say it’s perfect for anyone who wants to really get away from it all. Amenities are few, but what “PG” has more than makes up for it. A very low cost of living, beautiful snorkeling, fishing, jungle hiking and more await visitors. It’s also close enough to larger places to restock on luxury items, but the warmth of the locals and beautiful vistas convince many that it’s better just to stay local. For more on this continue reading the following article from International Living.
Lots of tourists to Belize never make it to little Punta Gorda. It’s just a bit too far off the beaten path for most folks. PG, as it’s called, is way down in southern Belize. It’s small (only about 5,500 people), and—although it’s right on the Caribbean—there isn’t much beach.
Yet it’s one of my favorite places in the whole country. And if you love nature, it probably will be one of your favorites, too… Sea and sky seem to go on forever here. And inland is lush green jungle, just waiting to be explored.
The pace is slow and relaxed, too… and in laid-back Belize, that’s saying something. Driving into town, for instance, you may well pass small fishing boats heading toward a dock, or children splashing in the shallow water near shore. In the main square, policemen often direct traffic with a languid hand or a nod. Nobody seems in a terrible rush.
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Punta Gorda is short on cultural amenities, but it’s heaven for adventure tourists. Want to fish? There are plenty of folks to take you—this is still a fishing village. What about snorkeling or diving offshore in the nearby Sapodilla Cayes? Punta Gorda is the jumping-off point. Ditto for jungle trips.
So far, only a few expats live here full-time. Some run small hotels that cater to the tourist trade. Others work for themselves or volunteer. Some have married locals.
The Low Cost of Living in Punta Gorda
And all take advantage of a low cost of living. There are market stalls for buying fruit and veg, as well as some convenience stores. At dinner at a local seafood shack, my plate of shrimp and two sides was $9… and the drumming from the local Garifuna band was free.
I know of people renting here for as little as $300 a month, though I’d advise coming in person to sniff out good deals. Small homes are for sale for under $100,000, and you can find comfortable three-bedroom homes below $150,000. If you want a “live-in” business, there’s a tempting two-story property for sale right now… Each floor is an independent apartment, so live in one and rent the other. The building’s price has just been dropped to $100,000.
If you need a lot of amenities, Punta Gorda probably isn’t for you. You’re not totally isolated, of course. Belize is small. And you can catch flights to Belize City, and on to trendy Ambergris Caye, from Punta Gorda’s small airport.
Just one request: Don’t tell too many people about Punta Gorda. For lots of us, it’s perfect just the way it is.
This article was republished with permission from International Living.
