Lago Izabal - Rio Dulce - Livingston
The Rio Dulce runs from Lago Izabal to the town of Livingston on the Atlantic Ocean in eastern Guatemala. This lake/river/ocean region is home to Mayans, Guatemalans of Spanish descent and the Garifuna people. It has also been a long time refuge for sailors and yachters seeking to escape hurricane season. The town of Rio Dulce has many restaurants and accommodation options on both the lake and river. There are several types of accommodations located in the mangroves across the bay from town, including the Hacienda Tijax and Casa Perico with everything from bungalows to camping. While these are scenic jungle locations, we found the insect pressure and dampness uncomfortable. However, if we didn't have the van, we might have tried the Catamaran Island Hotel whose individual bungalows sit out on the river a bit. We chose the Hotel Rio Dulce which is in a great location just to the right of the bridge near the colectivo water taxi dock. The friendly owner provides great value for super clean rooms and also has secure courtyard parking for a few vehicles. Choose a room in the back if traffic noise from the bridge will bother you. There are also rooms overlooking the river at Bruno's which also has a marina and operates a decent but regionally pricey restaurant popular with ex-pats. The food at the Restaurant Rio Bravo on the water and the Antojitos Rio Bravo alongside the bridge is delicious and at the latter, very affordable.
Boats from the Rio Bravo dock
The popular activity in the area is of course a boat ride down the Rio Dulce. There are many tour options in the area, almost all of which stop at the Castillo de San Filipe, Bird Island and hot springs. The cheapest ride seems to be the colectivo taxi to Livingston which also makes all the tourist stops. A two hour scenic ride down the river affords gorgeous views of the surrounding jungle and canyon walls.
El Castillo San Filipe
Rio Dulce
La Pintada in the Cueva de la Vaca canyon
House on the Rio Dulce
The town of Livingston is a fishing village steeped in Garifuna culture. Livingston's main street holds restaurants, hotels and tour operators and is the jumping off point for tours to the Belizean Cayes and Los Siete Altares. We enjoyed the food at McTropic - both the Thai curry and whole grilled fish were delectable. Livingston is a very friendly place and we immediately made friends with the locals.
New friends in Livingston
Livingston park
Livingston docks
A poorly converted film version....
Boats from the Rio Bravo dock
The popular activity in the area is of course a boat ride down the Rio Dulce. There are many tour options in the area, almost all of which stop at the Castillo de San Filipe, Bird Island and hot springs. The cheapest ride seems to be the colectivo taxi to Livingston which also makes all the tourist stops. A two hour scenic ride down the river affords gorgeous views of the surrounding jungle and canyon walls.
El Castillo San Filipe
Rio Dulce
La Pintada in the Cueva de la Vaca canyon
House on the Rio Dulce
The town of Livingston is a fishing village steeped in Garifuna culture. Livingston's main street holds restaurants, hotels and tour operators and is the jumping off point for tours to the Belizean Cayes and Los Siete Altares. We enjoyed the food at McTropic - both the Thai curry and whole grilled fish were delectable. Livingston is a very friendly place and we immediately made friends with the locals.
New friends in Livingston
Livingston park
Livingston docks
A poorly converted film version....
Comments