Punta Gorda Town is located on the west coast of the Caribbean Sea in Toledo District, Belize. It is geographically part of the Gulf of Honduras. Although the town bears a Spanish name, its inhabitants are mostly English speaking.  It was a small fishing village before being settled by a number of Garifuna emigrants from Honduras in 1823. The town is about 15 feet above sea level.  It is the administrative capital of the Toledo District.  Punta Gorda Town has a population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants.  The approximate area of Punta Gorda Town is 0.88 square miles/2.3 million sq. meters.  Punta Gorda functions as the business center for the surrounding villages. People from an area of 900 square miles commute daily to the district capital to work and trade.

Punta Gorda has a hospital, a campus of the University of Belize, one high school, one secondary (continuation) school, four primary schools, three pre-schools and several denominational churches.  There is a local branch of the Belize Bank, Scotia Bank and a Credit Union. Several sub-offices of Central Government Ministries are headquartered in the town, including the Police Department and the Magistrate’s Court.  There is access to services such as electricity, potable water, cable television, telephone/fax, internet, postal, local airlines, and bus transportation. There are regular bus services from the rural villages to the municipality.

The main economic activities include businesses, services, construction, fishing, tourism, micro enterprises and public services.  The town is administered by a seven member Council elected every three years. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer. He is elected directly by the voters. The Town Council is responsible for the management of the municipal affairs.

Punta Gorda town boasts an extremely low crime rate and is home to the friendliest and most caring people found in the country of Belize.  Visitors find Punta Gorda Town to be warm, accommodating, interesting, relaxing, refreshing, and most of all homely.