Although the town bears a Spanish name, its inhabitants are mostly Kriol/English-speaking and are primarily of Garifuna, East Indian, Kriol, and Maya descent.

The climate is tropical rainforest (Köppen: Af), similar to that found in the Amazon Basin, with precipitation being high and with temperatures always above 25 °C on average every month.

Punta Gorda is the main point of transportation for people visiting the Toledo district and the offshore southern cayes.

James Bus Line is based in Punta Gorda and offers a regular service to points north, such as Independence, Dangriga, Belmopan, and Belize City.

Unlike the purpose-built water taxis plying the routes between Belize city and the northern cays, the services from Punta Gorda are provided by small, open boats.