Major city · Guatemala
Livingston
Spend 2 days in Livingston: one day for town, beaches and Garífuna culture, second day for Los Siete Altares waterfalls or a boat tour.
Livingston is a small Caribbean port town reachable only by boat. Its main attractions—Calle Principal, Garífuna music, seafood, and nearby waterfalls—fit comfortably in a two‑day stay. Longer trips are only needed for multiple boat excursions.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Mar–May
- avoid Apr–Jun (dry season, beach litter) ; July–Aug (heavy rain at waterfalls)
- Airport
- PBR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Livingston110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Livingston, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe during daylight; stay alert to dock touts and keep valuables secure at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPBR Puerto Barrios Airport (Main gateway for boat transfers to Livingston; about 1 h drive to Rio Dulce dock.).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis cost Q20 flat.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (flat)Q20
- Budget bedDorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 45
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomGTQ 350
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomGTQ 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 150 · Mid GTQ 300 · High GTQ 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PBR Puerto Barrios Airport (Main gateway for boat transfers to Livingston; about 1 h drive to Rio Dulce dock.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Mar. Mixed: Apr–May. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Livingston: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; taxis cost Q20 flat. Boats to Los Siete Altares or Playa Blanca are Q25 each way (10‑minute ride).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Los Siete Altares waterfalls
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Lancha from dock, Q25 each way, 10‑min ride
Best in July‑August; walk 1.5–2 h north along beach if you prefer hiking.
Playa Blanca
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Lancha from dock, Q25 each way
Popular beach, clean water, optional snorkeling.
Rio Dulce town
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Lancha from Livingston, Q100 per person, departures 9:30 & 14:30Lancha from Livingston, Q100 per person, departures 9:30 AM & 2:30 PM
Useful for onward travel to Flores; check schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casa de la Iguana
Hostel near dock; dorm Q45, private room Q160
Hotel Dona Alida
Mid‑range hotel, double room $25
Hotel La Casa Rosada
Waterfront, dorm Q80, private bungalows
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–400 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dorm bed1 × 2 nights × GTQ 80 | GTQ 160 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × GTQ 300 | GTQ 600 |
| Lancha to Los Siete Altares (round‑trip)1 × GTQ 25 · check | GTQ 25 |
| Taxi within town (flat fare)1 × GTQ 20 · check | GTQ 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 81 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 443 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 886 |
Casa de la Iguana
2026 estimate in GTQ; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Seafood dish (grilled shrimp) | Q30–45 |
| Tapado soup | Q40–60 |
| Coco Loco drink | Q20–35 |
| Taxi (flat) | Q20 |
| Lancha to Los Siete Altares | Q25 each way |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Aggressive dock touts may pressure you to book tours; walk into hotels directly.
- North beach can be polluted; police patrol the area.
- Plastic waste can appear after storms; avoid buying reef‑damaging souvenirs.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LivingstonLivingston
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; nearest Guatemalan embassy for other nationals in Guatemala City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lancha from Rio Dulce to Livingston: Q100 per person, 9:30 or 14:30 departure (check)Q100 per person, 9:30 AM or 2:30 PM departure (check)
- Lancha dock‑to‑Los Siete Altares: Q25 each way, 10‑min ride
Say or show
- ¡Hola! — Hello / Excuse me (hola)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwanto kwesta)
- Quisiera esto — I would like this (kisiera esto)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Livingston. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May · avoid Apr–Jun (dry season, beach litter) ; July–Aug (heavy rain at waterfalls) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat‑to‑bed contracts from Rio Dulce or Puerto Barrios.
- Walking clusters: Calle Principal, dock area, waterfront hotels.
Sources
Ask about Livingston
Loading…