Showing 21 attractions · Sorted by importance
Castillo de San Felipe de Lara
📍 Río Dulce
🏰 CastleA well-preserved 17th-century Spanish fortress built at the entrance of Lake Izabal to protect the region from pirate incursions.
Lake Izabal
📍 Fronteras Río Dulce
🏔 Scenic ViewGuatemala's largest lake offers families vast scenic views, birdwatching opportunities, and peaceful freshwater shores perfect for exploration.
Livingston Town
📍 Livingston
🏘 Town / VillageA unique coastal town accessible only by boat, famous for its vibrant Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture, traditional music, and distinctive wooden architecture.
Playa Blanca
📍 Livingston
⛱ BeachA secluded white-sand Caribbean beach accessible only by boat, offering tranquil turquoise waters and a relaxing tropical atmosphere.
Quiriguá Archaeological Park
📍 Los Amates
🏰 CastleA UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its exceptionally tall and intricately carved stone stelae and unique zoomorphic sculptures from the Maya civilization.
Río Dulce Canyon
📍 Livingston
🏔 Scenic ViewBoat tours navigate this stunning river gorge where towering limestone cliffs are draped in dense, hanging tropical jungle.
Sendero Las Escobas
📍 Puerto Barrios
🥾 Hiking & Cycling2.5km moderate 1.5-hour loop with 140m elevation gain. This well-maintained trail features stone paths and wooden bridges leading through dense tropical rainforest to several crystal-clear natural swimming pools and waterfalls. Managed by FUNDAECO, it is the most popular hiking destination in the Cerro San Gil area.
Siete Altares Trail
📍 Livingston
🥾 Hiking & Cycling10km easy 4-hour round trip walk from Livingston with 50m elevation gain. The route begins with a scenic beach walk from town to the entrance of the Siete Altares protected area, followed by a jungle trail that navigates a series of seven tiered freshwater limestone pools and cascades flowing into the Caribbean Sea.
Finca El Paraíso
📍 El Estor
♨ Hot SpringA working cattle ranch featuring a unique natural hot spring waterfall that cascades into a refreshing cold river pool, offering a relaxing swimming experience for families.
Ruta al Caribe (The Caribbean Route)
📍 Morales (La Ruidosa Junction)
🚗 Road TripApproximately 295km total from Guatemala City (with ~120km within Izabal), 5-8 hours depending on traffic. This paved major highway (CA-9 and CA-13) leads travelers through the lush tropical lowlands. Key highlights include the UNESCO-listed Quiriguá Archaeological Park, the massive and iconic Río Dulce bridge over the river gorge, and the historic Castillo de San Felipe de Lara.
Puente de Río Dulce
📍 Fronteras
🏛 LandmarkOne of the longest and most scenic bridges in Central America, serving as the iconic gateway between southern Guatemala and the Petén jungle.
Biotopo Chocón Machacas
📍 Livingston
🌲 NatureA serene nature reserve protecting endangered manatees within a network of lagoons and mangrove canals, ideal for quiet wildlife observation.
El Boquerón
📍 El Estor
🧗 AdventureA stunning limestone gorge where families can take a guided canoe trip between towering vertical walls covered in exotic flora and swim in the calm river waters.
Lake Izabal Northern Shore Drive (RN-7E)
📍 Río Dulce (Fronteras)
🚗 Road TripA scenic 45km paved route (approx. 1 hour) that hugs the northern edge of Lake Izabal. The road offers views of the vast freshwater lake and passes through dense tropical vegetation. Major stops along this route include the thermal waterfall of Finca El Paraíso and the towering limestone walls of the El Boquerón canyon.
Playa Dorada
📍 Los Amates
⛱ BeachThe most popular beach on Lake Izabal, featuring golden sands and calm, shallow freshwater perfect for family swimming.
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bocas del Polochic
📍 El Estor
🌲 NatureA critical wetland refuge known for boat tours where visitors can observe howler monkeys, diverse water birds, and manatees in their natural river delta habitat.
Sendero de la Selva
📍 Río Dulce
🥾 Hiking & Cycling1.5km easy 1-hour walk with 20m elevation gain. Located within the Biotopo Chocón Machacas, this interpretative trail consists of elevated wooden boardwalks and dirt paths through mangroves and primary tropical rainforest. It is primarily accessible by boat from the town of Río Dulce.
Aguas Calientes (Río Dulce)
📍 Livingston
♨ Hot SpringNatural geothermal sulfur springs located on the banks of the Río Dulce within the national park. Accessible only by boat, these rustic pools offer warm mineral water at approximately 35-38°C in a serene setting amidst mangroves and limestone cliffs.
Ak' Tenamit
📍 Livingston
🐄 FarmA community-led project where families can experience the rural Q'eqchi' Maya lifestyle through village tours, traditional craft demonstrations, and education initiatives.