Livingston, Caribbean port town in Izabal Department, Guatemala
Livingston sits where the Rio Dulce meets the Caribbean Sea, spreading across hillsides with wooden buildings facing the water. The town functions as a working port surrounded by water on most sides, creating a maritime character throughout.
Marco Sánchez Díaz, a Haitian captain, founded the settlement in 1831. It became Guatemala's main Caribbean harbor before Puerto Barrios took over that role.
The people here speak Garifuna, Q'eqchi, and Spanish, and their music and cooking traditions shape daily life in visible ways. These languages and food customs make every street market and restaurant a place where different cultures meet.
Getting here means taking a boat from Rio Dulce or Puerto Barrios, with regular water services running during daylight hours. Water is the only reliable access route, so arrange your boat ride ahead of time.
Siete Altares, a natural formation outside the main area, has seven pools filled with fresh water connected by small waterfalls. This spot offers a surprising tropical escape surrounded by thick jungle growth.
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