The economy of Toledo relies heavily upon agriculture. Crops grown include beans and corn, as well as rice, which is sold to the Big Falls Rice Mill. Cacao is grown organically and sold via the Toledo Cacao Growers Association to Green & Black's for their renowned Maya Gold chocolate, as well as to chocolatiers within Belize. The District's ancient and modern-day links with chocolate are celebrated annually in May (Commonwealth Day Holiday weekend) at the Toledo Cacao Festival. Farmers grow additional crops such as coffee, yams, sweet potato, hot chilli peppers, avocado, oranges and plantain for sale at the market in Punta Gorda, held each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Fishermen in Toledo engage in small-scale fishing using dug-out canoes, and they also partake in lobster and conch diving during the open season. The Port Honduras Marine Reserve, situated just north of Punta Gorda Town, is a designated protected area. Toledo's waters are renowned for being a prime location for catching permit fish. Many traditional fishermen have transitioned to becoming fly-fishing guides, thanks to alternative livelihood initiatives offered by local conservation groups.
Tourism has emerged as a significant industry in Toledo. While it was once considered a destination mainly for the intrepid, the establishment of new tourist accommodations and the development of guided tours, coupled with the district's abundance of protected areas, diverse wildlife, exceptional bird-watching opportunities, and appealing offshore cays, have collectively contributed to Toledo's recognition as a burgeoning and valuable travel destination.
Language
According to the 2010 census, Mayan languages are spoken by 68.4% of the population. This makes Toledo the only district in Belize where native languages are spoken by a majority. [4]
Gallery
Blue Creek River, Belize
Monkey River Village
San Miguel Branch
Swasey Branch
Bladen Reserve looking towards the Maya Mountains
Southern Highway
Transportation
The Toledo District is served by the paved Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway, as well as several bush roads to the many rural villages in the District. Regular bus service is provided by Punta Gorda-based James Bus Line, shuttling passengers between the other districts, and Punta Gorda is served by several daily commuter flights on Tropic Air, Maya Island Air and several small, family-run bus services that transport passengers to and from the rural villages.
Dump-Jalacte Road looking East just East of Santa Cruz Village
Events
Each year, during the Commonwealth Day weekend, Toledo hosts the Chocolate Festival of Belize. The festival features chocolatiers from across the country as well as chocolate-related arts and crafts.[5] According to the project coordinator for the Toledo Cacao Growers Association Thomas Tillett, the Association currently has a membership of about 1,100 cacao farmers.[6]
Indian Reservations
Aguacate Indian Reservation, Toledo
Black Creek Indian Reservation, Toledo
Blue Creek Indian Reservation, Toledo
Crique Sarco Indian Reservation, Toledo
Graham Creek Indian Reservation, Toledo
Hinchasones Indian Reservation, Toledo
Machaca Indian Reservation, Toledo
Xpicilha Indian Reservation, Toledo
Notable architecture
Several significant ancient Mayan sites are extant in ruined form in the Toledo District. Nim Li Punit is a Classic Period Mayan site[7] with ballcourts and carved stelae. Lubaantun is a drystone constructed site with ruined pyramids and stone tombs.[8]
Belize
