A town with no roads in or out, Livingston is Guatemala's Garifuna heartland — part Caribbean, part Mayan, entirely its own. Tender in to coconut bread, Punta drumbeats, and the dramatic Río Dulce canyon.
Livingston has no road access and no cruise pier — all ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the Muelle Municipal.
💡 Pro move: Some large cruise lines (NCL, Royal Caribbean) dock at nearby Santo Tomás de Castilla (12 miles away) and offer Livingston as a shore excursion by water taxi — check your itinerary. Ponant and small expedition lines tender directly to Livingston.
Livingston is a tender-only destination — no pier can accommodate cruise ships.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition / small ships (Ponant, etc.) | Anchor in Amatique Bay off Livingston; tender to Muelle Municipal📍 | Tendered |
| Large cruise lines (NCL, Royal Caribbean) | Typically dock at Santo Tomás de Castilla; Livingston reached by excursion water taxi📍 | Tendered |
Livingston's top experiences range from a compact cultural town walk to one of Central America's most dramatic river canyon tours.
Speed through a 300-foot limestone gorge draped in tropical jungle, passing hot springs, water lilies, and indigenous fishing villages. One of the most scenic river passages in Central America.
Find Río Dulce tours →Seven freshwater cascades and natural pools hidden in the rainforest, about 3 miles north of town. Sacred to the local Maya and refreshing for a swim on a hot day.
Find Siete Altares tours →Explore Calle Principal, visit the Garifuna cultural displays, watch drumming demonstrations, and sample the unique Afro-Caribbean food and drink. Tuk-tuk rides available for a broader neighborhood tour.
Find cultural tours →A private white-sand beach with coconut palms accessible only by a 25–30 minute boat ride from Livingston. Clear water, hammocks, and a beach bar — very different from the town beach.
Find Playa Blanca trips →Livingston's signature dish is Tapado — a rich coconut-milk seafood soup with crab, fish, and shrimp. Buga Mama restaurant supports local youth programs; Happy Fish has harbor views and free Wi-Fi.
Explore food tours →Livingston's compact center is entirely walkable from the pier — the main street takes you from waterfront to the town beach in about 15 minutes.
Walk up the main street from the municipal pier past souvenir stalls, local cafes, and brightly painted houses to the town beach (Playa Barrio La Loma). Stop for coconut bread sold by street vendors along the way.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78°F / 26°C | 71°F / 22°C | 21 | 6:25 AM | 5:42 PM |
| Feb | 80°F / 27°C | 72°F / 22°C | 19 | 6:20 AM | 5:58 PM |
| Mar | 82°F / 28°C | 74°F / 23°C | 20 | 6:03 AM | 6:06 PM |
| Apr | 86°F / 30°C | 76°F / 24°C | 16 | 5:40 AM | 6:10 PM |
| May | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 5:25 AM | 6:17 PM |
| Jun | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 28 | 5:23 AM | 6:27 PM |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 30 | 5:32 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Aug | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 29 | 5:40 AM | 6:19 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 29 | 5:43 AM | 5:56 PM |
| Oct | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 26 | 5:47 AM | 5:34 PM |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 73°F / 23°C | 24 | 5:58 AM | 5:22 PM |
| Dec | 79°F / 26°C | 72°F / 22°C | 23 | 6:15 AM | 5:27 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Most of Livingston is walkable from the main dock at Calle Principal. Be prepared for steep hills — the town climbs sharply from the waterfront.
Tuk-tuks are the go-to local transport and plentiful near the dock. A ride anywhere in town costs around Q10 (~$1.30 USD) — great for avoiding the hills.
Local taxis are available for slightly longer hops within town. Agree on the fare before you get in — meters are not common.
Collective lanchas (water taxis) run between Livingston and Puerto Barrios in about 30 minutes. Useful if your ship arrives via Puerto Barrios or you want to explore the mainland.
A scenic 1.5–2 hour boat trip up the Río Dulce canyon is one of the highlights of visiting Livingston. Tour operators at the dock offer this excursion regularly.