The Best Hotels to Book in Punta Gorda, Belize

When visiting Punta Gorda, explore the Moho River by kayak
When visiting Punta Gorda, explore the Moho River by kayak | © Wirestock, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo
Rosanna Stevens

Punta Gorda, a fishing town in southern Belize, sits at the foot of the Maya Mountains, with the turquoise Caribbean Sea lapping its shores. Maya ruins and the rainforest are just minutes away, while the cayes – small islands – and Port Honduras Marine Reserve are a bit farther. To be near all the action, stay at one of these hotels in Punta Gorda – bookable on Culture Trip.

Belize presents all the fun of the jungle without having to forfeit the beach, and you’ll need some serious energy for all the activities on offer in and near Punta Gorda, including scuba diving, fishing and jungle hikes. But this area also produces some of the best cacao in the world, so sample some treats at a Maya chocolate farm before you move on along the coast. Our pick of the best hotels in Punta Gorda puts you near caves, the rainforest and long stretches of idyllic coastline.

Chaab’il B’e Lodge and Casitas

Hotel

A wood-clad room at Chaabil Be Lodge and Casitas, with thatched roofing, netting around the bed and a set of bunks
Courtesy of Chaab’il B’e Lodge and Casitas / Expedia

Not far from Punta Gorda, the rustic yet comfortable Chaab’il B’e Lodge and Casitas is the perfect base for exploring some of the trails in the nearby jungle. Wander along the creek and listen for howler monkeys in the trees, or stay on-site for a swim in the natural pool, watching out for the 200 species of birds that regularly soar past.

The Lodge at Big Falls

Hotel, Lodge

The outdoor pool at the Lodge at Big Falls, with seating and parasols, and backed by lush tropical gardens and a building
Courtesy of The Lodge at Big Falls / Expedia

Travel farther up the Rio Grande, behind Punta Gorda, and stay in a traditional Belizean thatched cabana at the Lodge at Big Falls. The surrounding gardens have been planted specifically to attract birds and butterflies, and you can sip on a cocktail on the veranda while watching them flutter by. Order the cohune cabbage at the restaurant; it’s a hearty curry made with the heart of the cohune palm that grows in the area.

Copal Tree Lodge, a Muy’Ono Resort

Resort

A large balcony at Copal Tree Lodge, a MuyOno Resort with cushy furniture, lighting, flowers and jungle views
Courtesy of Copal Tree Lodge, a Muy’Ono Resort / Expedia

Venture high into the jungle above Punta Gorda to find this luxury ecolodge surrounded by a rainforest preserve. It has a rum distillery and a 3,000-acre (1,214ha) farm on-site, meaning that your every need is catered to – you might never want to leave. Once you’ve created a personalized tipple at a cocktail mixology class, languish in the Jungle Spa or kayak down the Rio Grande. The farm-to-table restaurant tailors a Copalli rum flight to pair with your dessert, which is reason enough to try the Maya chocolate budino (custard pudding) topped with salted caramel and caramelized banana.

Cotton Tree Lodge

Hotel, Lodge

A wood-clad balcony at Cotton Tree Lodge, with two wooden seats, a colorful hammock and water views
Courtesy of Cotton Tree Lodge / Expedia

About 5mi (8km) into the rainforest on the banks of the Moho River, the Cotton Tree Lodge offers an authentic jungle-lodge experience immersed in nature. Stay in a riverside cabana and go on a fishing expedition with knowledgeable and experienced guides who’ll show you why Belize is a paradise for anglers. Got a sweet tooth? Book yourself onto a chocolate-making tour with a Maya cacao farmer nearby, and finish the day with an equally sweet sunset river cruise.

Sun Creek Lodge

Hotel, Villa, Cabin

A thatched-roof accommodation at Sun Creek Lodge, set within lush tropical gardens
Courtesy of Sun Creek Lodge / Booking.com

The Sun Creek Lodge offers villas and cabanas, along with space for camping if you want to immerse yourself further in nature. Get in touch with your adventurous side by participating in local activities, such as zip-lining, caving or tubing. And if you really want to feel at one with nature, how about a hike into the jungle to spend a night in a hammock beneath the canopy of leaves, leaping monkeys and birds? Back at base, learn fire-hearth cooking from the Indian Creek Mayan Arts Women’s Group. Mrs Rosa and her five daughters will give you an authentic Q’eqchi Maya culinary experience.

Hickatee Cottages

Hotel, Cottages

A white-and-mint-green cottage at Hickatee Cottages, with a furnished porch and tropical plants all around
Courtesy of Hickatee Cottages / Booking.com

A couple of miles from downtown Punta Gorda, the family-run Hickatee Cottages is a charming base from which to explore the area. Borrow a bike and cycle into town, or take a look around the butterfly farm (only open to guests) to learn about the property’s work in conservation. The resident troop of howler monkeys make for an exotic dawn chorus – it can be a bit of a shock to hear for the first time – and you can even take a garifuna drumming lesson.

BlueBelize

Hotel

A living room at BlueBelize, with a tile floor, a blue futon, armchairs, a patterned rug and framed photos of flowers
Courtesy of BlueBelize / Booking.com

BlueBelize is a relaxed guesthouse in the heart of Punta Gorda, with one- and two-bedroom suites right on the water’s edge. What started as a private house evolved into a B&B, providing a home away from home, with views of the Caribbean and Guatemala. The suites all face the sea and have spacious verandas, complete with hammocks to swing in the breeze after a day baking in the sun.

Beya Suites

Hotel

The two-story exterior of the pinkish-and-terracotta Beya Suites with balconies and a rooftop terrace
Courtesy of Beya Suites / Expedia

If you like to be self-sufficient when traveling, each cheerful accommodation at this hotel in Punta Gorda has a kitchen and a dining area. Try out all the recipes picked up from local cooking classes, but don’t miss the tasty Belizean breakfast of fry jacks (deep-fried pieces of dough) with eggs and refried beans each morning. On the outskirts of town and right on the seafront, this rooftop terrace makes the most of the views and is the ideal spot for a drink.

Belize has all sorts of accommodation – from boutique and budget hostels to luxury hotels – but best of all, they’re bookable with Culture Trip. First time to Central America? We’ve got you covered with the ultimate adventure guide to Belize.

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