Livingston (Guatemala)

From eTripTips Wiki

Livingston is a town in Guatemala.

[edit] Get in

There are no land access routes to Livingston; although Livingston is situated on Guatemala's mainland. Access can only be made by water; either by travelling up the Rio Dulce or by entering the port of Livingston on the Caribbean. Boats come frequently from Rio Dulce Town and Puerto Barrios.

A ferry leaves Puerto Barrios for Livingston Monday to Saturday at sometime in the morning (sometime around 11:00, but confirm first) and at 17:00. It costs 10 Quetzales. Collectivo Lanchas from Puerto Barrios to Livingston leave all day and cost 30 Quetzales.

[edit] By boat

Boats also arrive on the Caribbean route from Punta Gorda, Belize at 10am daily for US$17(there is a BLZ 7.5 departure tax at the immigration office located at the dock). When arriving from another country make sure to check in with immigration(500 feet uphill from the dock) to get your entry stamp.

[edit] Get around

Livingston is a very small town and it does not take long to become familiar with the place. The main street running through Livingston is Calle Principal. The majority of the towns shops, restaurants and bars are situated on this road. Everything else is situated on roads directly leading from Calle Principal.

[edit] See

The people of Livingston are a mixture of the Black Garifuna, Spanish Guatemalans and Mayan Guatemalans. A number of languages are spoken including Spanish, Garifuna and English is also widely spoken.

Livingston has two not very impressive beaches. The beach to the North of Livingston is unclean and is patrolled by armed police as there have been a number of recorded incidents there in the past. The central beach is pleasant enough, although grass grows into the water at various points. Children come here to fly kites most evenings and this is a friendly beach where the locals come to swim. The Hotel Dona Alida is situated directly above the central beach proving great sea views.

Other beaches close to Livingston include Playa Quehueche which is a few kilometres along the Northern coast, and Playa Blanca which is 12km along the North coast. Exotic Travel are just one of the tour operators who organise boat trips to the latter.

5km to the North of Livingston are the beautiful waterfalls known as Los Siete Altares. These are a set of seven freshwater pools and waterfalls leading into the Caribbean.

[edit] Do

There are a number of tour companies operating from within Livingston.

• Exotic Travel, tel 947-0049 fax 947-0151, exotictravelagency@hotmail.com - Situated within Restaurante Bahia Azul on Calle Principal, this tour company will help organise boat tours to Playa Blanca, walking and boat tours to Los Siete Altares. They have a very friendly and relaxed tour guide. They also organise day trips to Zapotillas off the coast of Southern Belize.Exotic Travel Agency
• Happy Fish, tel 947-0661, http://www.happyfishresort.com, Calle Principal.

[edit] Buy

CONTACT Exotic Travel AgencyCaribbean Guatemala

[edit] Eat

Livingston was traditionally a small fishing town and therefore carries a good selection of seafood. Many places serve very cheap grilled shrimp.

Tapado is a soup made from fish, prawn and shellfish, served with crusty bread. Cooked in coconut milk and garnished with coriander.

There are a large number of restaurants spread out around Calle Principal and the streets leading from this. These restaurants include:

• Happy Fish
• McTropic Restaurante
• Restaurante Antony
• Restaurante Bahia Azul - They do an delicious Tapado here. Ideal for great local Garifuna & Quechi cusine as well as international dishes. This Place is popular for listen local music and the fabulous cocktails, you can taste the tipical drink Gifiti. Fantastic View.

Recommended by all tour guides. Besides our exellent service and food also offer free internet, cafe and cinema bar

• Restaurante del Mar
• Restaurante Tiburon Gato - Excellent, cheap grilled shrimp (try them con ajo).
• Tilingo Lingo - Located by where the main road runs into the beach, this is run by a talkative Mexican woman who has lived in India as well. She prepares curries with local products that are quite good. Makes quite a good Mojito.
• Casa de La Iguana - Hostel Restaraunt that prepares communal dinners. One of the cheaper options in the area. It is necessary to sign up in advance.

[edit] Drink

The local drink here is Coco Loco. This is a coconut based drink where the top is cut off a coconut and a very generous serving of run is poured in. These are delicious and very potent.

There is live Garifuna music in many bars most nights. A local set of musicians do a tour of the restaurants playing traditional Garifuna music with traditional set up of large drums, a turtle shell, conch shell and maraccas. Words are chanted in the background which makes an interesting accompaniment to a meal.

There are many places to sit and enjoy a drink in Livingston.

• McTropic Restaurante
• Bar Beluba Nuruba - Disco on the beach at the very end of Calle Principal.
• La Buga - At the entrance to the dock.

[edit] Sleep

• Hotel El Viajero, $4 per person.
• Hotel Dona Alida, tel/fax 947-0027, $24 double room.
• Casa de la Iguana, Located about 3/4km west of the dock on the main road, this is a hostel that includes a bar and restaraunt, as well as hammocks. Dormitories run for 30Q a night, rooms with private bath for 120Q. There are typically movies on in the early mornings, and a local band plays drums there on occasion. Warning to those who go on the "jungle tour" led by Francis and Eddie that they will recommend to you: the tour's first few hours involve walking through unremarkable areas under blazing hot direct sun, and the plant that Francis claims to be "citronella - it repels bugs" will give you a nasty rash.66.146.217.179 16:32, 23 August 2007 (EDT)
• Hotel Maya HB, Located 1/2km west of the dock on the main road. Room with two beds and private bath cost 25Q/night. Has hammocks on the roof. The sheets were dirty.

[edit] Get out

• Boats depart twice daily to Rio Dulce at 9.30am and 1.30pm the standard price is $10 per person with Exotic Travel Agency[1].
• Boats depart twice daily (except Sunday!!) across the bay to Puerto Barrios at 5 am and 2 pm. 10 Quetzales (1,20 USD).
• Boats depart for Punta Gorda, Belize on Tuesdays and Fridays. Cost is 150Q. It is necessary that you get your passport stamped the night before you leave as the immigration office does not open before the departure time.

As well as the scheduled boats it is very easy to negotiate chartered boats with many captains around the marina. If there is demand you will be able to find a boat going to Puerto Barrios (30 Quetzales - 4 USD), Rio Dulce Town or Punta Gorda, Belize.