We get off the bus but the town of Rio Dulce its self is not so nice, typical of any Guatemalan high street it’s chaotic, busy and dusty. We head straight for the boat terminal and find a boat to take us to one of the many hotels along the side of the lake. The boat speeds across the lake and through mangroves before we arrive at the hotel.
The hotel we arrive at is raised on stilts and there is water all around. You can see turtles and fish in the water beneath. Although it’s set in mangroves it still feels like it’s in the lake. Our cabin does not look much from the outside but inside it’s really nice.
The Rio Dulce is a haven for yachts coming from the Caribbean, all along its shores there is expensive yachts and sailing boats moored. According to the US government this is supposed to be the safest place in the Caribbean to leave your boat during hurricane season.
Boat Ride to Livingston
The main reason we are here is to take a boat trip down the Rio Dulce which in English translates to ‘Sweet River’.
The first thing we pass is the Castillo de San Felipe, built buy the Spanish in the 16th century to stop pirates entering the Lake Izabal which is connected to the Caribbean Sea via the Rio Dulce.
We stop off at hot springs and drive slowly passing birds nesting in the mangroves. All along the way the river is dotted with thatched houses and gorgeous green trees and we pass fisherman casting their nets by hand from canoes made from hollowed out tree trunks. At one point the local children paddle their canoes close to try and sell us souvenirs.
As we get closer to the sea there is fantastic views as the river twists and turns through a canyon lined by tropical trees.
Livingston
Livingston being on he Caribbean Sea is very different to the rest of Guatemala, it has a Caribbean vibe more like Belize than Spanish speaking Guatemala.
Its populated with a mix of Mayan\Spanish peoples and Garifuna many of which being the descendants of ship wrecked slave’s from the Honduran island of Roatan.
I however like to affectionately call them Rasta men due to the fact that within 10 seconds of arriving they are trying to sell us weed. There’s Bob Marley and gangster rap being played far too loud in the restaurants and shops which adds to the laid back vibe.
There’s no real need to stay here and the 3 hours we have is enough to grab some food and get my hair cut for 10 Qetzals. That’s roughly 80p and probably the cheapest hair cut I have ever had.
A tasty looking pig was spotted going for an afternoon stroll down the high street but got away quickly when it realised I was thinking about Bacon.
The boat ride back was relaxing with fewer stops. Back at the hotel the rest of our time was spent enjoying the lake, relaxing in the sun and playing around in canoes and rowing boats.
Having had a relaxing time in Rio Dulce we took the bus from the Sundog Café and headed into central Guatemala to the small village of Lanquin.
