Caribbean Guatemala including the villages along the coast and around Lake Izabal is less tourist-oriented than other parts of Guatemala.
The Afro-Caribbean influences of Garífunas, descendants of former African slaves and the indigenous Maya, remain evident in the area's music, festivals and cooking.
Sailing, fishing, swimming and scuba diving are popular in the area.
The Punta de Manabique Biotope in Guatemala's northeast is a 50,000 ha/123,500 ac area encompassing coastal land, inland areas, fresh and sea water.
Within this area of considerable biodiversity are found endangered species like the tapir, jaguar, sea turtles, and mangroves.
The marsh of confra palms it contains is an unusual ecosystem and exists only in this region of Guatemala. The region is particularly rich in marine life and bird and mammal species abound in the inland areas.
Puerto Barrios is the capital of the Izabal department and is Guatemala's main port. It's a lush, green, humid town of 35,000 and has a Caribbean atmosphere.
Once a company town for the United Fruit Company, it has neatly arranged streets and many houses built on stilts. It's a jumping off point for trips to Belize or Lívingston.
The Cerro San Gil is an ecological reserve with more than 11km/7mi of tropical rainforest trails. It's a popular bird-watching spot, where more than 300 species have been identified. The rainforest is liveliest early in the morning. A visitors center located at the entrance to the reserve orients guests.
Santo Tomas was built on Guatemala's Caribbean coast in the early 20th C as a company town for the United Fruit Company. Santo Tomas is Guatemala's main eastern port and headquarters of the Guatemalan Navy, though most cruise-ships are directed to Puerto Barrios and Livíngston. Onshore, craft stalls flank the tourist booth.
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Livingston
Rio Dulce
