About Guatemala

Río Dulce is a river in the eastern part of Guatemala that connects lake Izabal, the biggest lake in Guatemala with the Atlantic Ocean in Amatique Bay. This is a very popular destination for cruising sailboats and for people interested in the Garífuna culture. Río Dulce is a natural beauty of unpolluted clean waters surrounded by a lush flora.

An old fort, the “Castillo de San Felipe”, sits on the river at the point where it meets Lake Izabal. The Spaniards built this old structure in 1615 to protect the Spanish ships from pirates that used to pillage in the area. Now it’s a public attraction with a park, a swimming pool and a restaurant around it.

The town of Livingston is settled at the mouth of the river, on Amatique bay. This colorful town is an unusual mix of Garífuna, Maya and Latino cultures, but the Garífuna influence is the strongest of them all. Most of the people living in Livingston is of African origin, and preserve a strong culture. Visiting this original town and it’s culture is a unique experience. Livingston is known as a very fun place to stay, so if you have a chance, stay for a couple of days here.

Other attractions around Río Dulce include a manatee reserve, boat trips around the river, natural hot sulfur waters, the cascades of “Siete Altares” , the beautiful beach of “Playa Blanca” and “Las Escobas” river. Río Dulce is a favorite vacation spot for many Guatemalans so you will definitely notice vacation houses around the river. Buses from Guatemala City arrive to this paradise every day, but there are also regular flights departing from Guatemala to the nearby city of Puerto Barrios.