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Guatemala: Caribbean coast: Rio Dulce and Livingston

Lying to the east of Guatemala City and connecting with the Caribbean coast is the Motagua Valley, which broadens into a steamy tropical floodplain carpeted with banana plantations. This less-visited region of Guatemala provides a very different aspect: an Afro-Caribbean culture focused on the genial garifuna settlement of Livingston, the cool clear waters of the country’s biggest lake, Izabal, and the tropical river Rio Dulce, which ploughs a furrow through an unbroken wall of dense rainforest. Rising from the lake’s mouth is the castle-like fort Castillo de San Felipe which protected this major transport artery from pirates in colonial times.

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Guatemala and Honduras uncovered

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14 days from £3,293pp

Our insider tips for Caribbean coast: Rio Dulce and Livingston

Rafe Stone

Discovering the Mayan ruined trading post of Quiriguá, accessed from the Atlantic Highway which runs from the capital to the Caribbean coast. The ornate ruins include the tallest stellae in the Mayan world.

Isabelle Mazille

Riding a boat down the Rio Dulce past vertical cliff walls smothered in luscious vegetation, spotting little marinas and floating restaurants as you approach the lazy port of Livingston.

Jim Ashworth

Wandering round the streets of sultry Livingston, which has a distinctly Caribbean flavour and where English is spoken as well as the population’s own indigenous garifuna language.

What our experts say

The Caribbean coast of Guatemala is worlds away from the traditional indian highlands. Tropical forests and rivers, a Spanish colonial fort, leisure boat marinas, floating restaurants and a real Caribbean feel dominate. Lake Izabal, a huge expanse of ethereal, silvery waters, is virtually unknown outside the country but I thought it was breathtaking.

Claire Milner

Product and Marketing

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Nandu: Peaks and plains of patagonia | Tour rating: Excellent

Loved all of it

We had no expectation of Livingstone and on the journey there we were simply bowled over by how fantastic it was, that basically is how we felt about the whole trip.

DA, Waterloo | March 2014

Nandu: Peaks and plains of patagonia | Tour rating: Excellent

We had no expectation of Livingstone and the journey there and we were simply bowled over by how fantastic it was, that basically is how we felt about the whole trip.”

DA, Waterloo | April 2013 | 50 - 65 | With Friends

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97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

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Guatemala: Caribbean coast: Rio Dulce and Livingston

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