Pelicans on the Rio Dulce

Guatemala has just a small stretch of Caribbean coastline. One of the few Guatemalan Caribbean towns is Livingston, which lies at the end of the Rio Dulce river and is only accessible by boat.

Livingston is nothing like the rest of Guatemala - because of its remote location the town has maintained a very unique character. The African Caribbean (Garifuña) population are descendants of African slaves, they speak English and maintain a distinctly Caribbean lifestyle - think dreadlocks and Bob Marley.

Livingston may be the final stop on this Rio Dulce tour but in fact it's more about the getting there. The boat trip to Livingston leads through the deep canyon of the Rio Dulce, flanked by high chalk cliffs and dense, impenetrable jungle. It's one of the most beautiful trips in Guatemala and very conveniently, it's on the way from Antigua to Flores so you don't need to make a detour to get here.

Duration	3 days / 2 nights Departs daily from Antigua or Flores	Accommodation	Double room with ensuite facilities. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£133 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Accommodation and boat trip across Rio Dulce
Transport	Transfer Antigua - Rio Dulce - Flores by a/c minibus (not included)	Excludes	Other transport, meals and excursions

Day 1: Antigua - Rio Dulce

In the morning leave for the Rio Dulce tour, a 6-hour drive from Antigua. On the way the scenery gradually changes from highlands to savannah and finally tropical rainforest.

Rio Dulce is a popular yachting town spanning the Lago de Izabal and connected by a long bridge. The banks of the lake are lined with yachts from around the world.

You'll be staying in a wooden bungalow built over the water. The hotel bar is famous for its piña coladas and margaritas and also serves some excellent local Garifuña dishes. You can go swimming, fishing or play tennis at the hotel, the town centre has local open air market where you can buy some fresh fruit.

Rio Dulce tour - A boat trip

Day 2: Rio Dulce tour - boat trip

You will be picked up at your hotel for the boat trip down the Rio Dulce. The river is wide at first and you will pass the Castillo de San Felipe, a former Spanish fort built to defend the area against menacing pirates.

You soon find yourself surrounded by jungle and towering cliffs. The area is home to various species of birds and you may spot white herons and cormorants that have their own nesting islands in the river.

At one spot along the river warm water seeps from the rocks, and mangrove forests grow along the banks. Pelicans returning from the ocean glide overhead local fishermen throw out their nets as you pass by. It's a peaceful, relaxed trip.

After about two hours on your Rio Dulce tour you arrive in Livingston. This is where the Garifuna, descendants of African slaves live. The village is virtually cut off from the outside world and because of mixed marriages with Mayans the village has created a unique sub-culture found nowhere else.

Rio Dulce tour - Pelican guarding its nest

During the Rio Dulce tour, you can find a nice place for lunch in the village. The local speciality is fish but also try the baked pan de coco (coconut bread). Livingston doesn't really have a beach, you'll head back to Rio Dulce in the afternoon to relax on Lake Izabal instead.

Day 3: Rio Dulce - Flores

This Rio Dulce tour module finish this morning after you check out of your hotel.

Your natural route will take you onwards to Flores and the Tikal Temple Trail. As you leave Lake Izabal will disappear into the distance, you soon find yourself in the immense jungle of Peten province.

Rio Dulce tour - River bird on water lilies

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