IN PUNTA GORDA

The Saturday Market

 

Punta Gorda’s Saturday market, held along a street in front of the sea, is a great place to encounter the district’s rhythm and diversity and to interact with local residents.  Although the market is held four times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), the largest and liveliest is the one that takes place every Saturday morning.   Beginning as early as 6AM, villagers from around the Toledo District occupy small stalls or set up displays lining the street, selling an amazing range of fruits and vegetables, most of which they have grown themselves.  A number of these stands also offer prepared foods, such as tamales and baked goods, and handmade crafts, including woven bracelets and straw baskets.  In addition to the extensive fruit and vegetable market, there are separate buildings housing a busy fish market and a meat market.  A visit to town for the Saturday market is a great way for visitors to gain insight into the lives of people served by the clinic.

 

Bicycle tours

Traveling around Punta Gorda by bicycle is another excellent way to experience the local communities with which Hillside works.  Several bicycles are available at the clinic, and additional bikes can be rented in town.  Possible trips include rides down the Southern Highway toward town, passing through the small communities of Eldrigeville, Forest Home, and Cattle Landing; traveling along the unpaved BDF road (so named for the Belize Defense Force camp located on it), which links Eldrigeville to Punta Gorda Town; a ride in the opposite direction down the road on which the clinic is located, to the Mayan community at Cuxlin Ha; or cycling around town.  A particularly popular trip recommended by previous groups has been the 8-mile ride from Punta Gorda to Boom Creek; upon arrival at Boom Creek, riders can take a refreshing swim in the surprising cool waters of the Moho River, whose riverbanks are lined with lush jungle.

 

Cerro Hill

 

Visible from the dormitory windows and only a 15-minute walk away, Cerro Hill is a beautiful place to visit for a panoramic view of the area.  A relatively easy 30-minute hike through the rainforest to the top of the hill will give visitors a 180-degree view along the seacoast.  An early morning hike is especially striking, as the sun rises over the water; the morning is also an excellent time to spot some of the many species of birds that live on Cerro Hill.

 

Kayaking

 

Kayaking trips on the rivers and in the sea have been very popular with past visitors to the clinic.  Kayaks, both single and tandem, are available for rent at several places in town; prices are generally around US$15 for a half day and US$30 for a full day.  Popular choices include trips down the Rio Grande River and Joe Taylor Creek; both offer excellent bird-watching for early morning paddles.  A trip along the coast allows picturesque views at Punta Gorda, and more ambitious trips to the cayes, including overnight visits, can also be arranged with local guides.  Clinic personnel have also kayaked to Barranco, a Garifuna village located south of Punta Gorda, for Hillside’s monthly mobile clinic, but be forewarned: choppy seas and shifting winds can turn this paddle into an eight-hour roundtrip!

 

Marine Trips

 

For visitors who want to experience the sea WITHOUT a lot of exercise, there are numerous possibilities for boat excursions.  These trips can include snorkeling, fishing, visits to island beaches, or a combination of the three.  The Snake Cayes, an excellent place for snorkeling, is located about an hour from town by boat; the Sapodilla Cayes, a beautiful string of islands along the Belize Barrier Reef, takes approximately 2 ? hours.  Fishing trips, including flyfishing (permit, tarpon, and bonefish are all found in the area), can be arranged as well, and fishing trips can be as close as right off Punta Gorda, as far away as the Sapodillas, or along one of the many area rivers, depending on what type of fishing is desired.