Rio Dulce to Livingston - The hidden gem

This is Mike...
There are very few hidden gems left in the world and Rio Dulce through el Valle to Livingston is one of them. This spot has always been very important for this region because of the naturally protected inlet. Boats during a hurricane come up the river to the town of Rio Dulce to survive the onslaught. The inland golf (golfete) now houses sail boats from around the world. Many of the mariners have bought small houses along the waterway creating such neat alternative communities. The peace and serenity of these small close nit communities is palpable. They collect rain water, try to generate solar power and buy foods from local indigenous tribes selling their wares from wood carved canoes. It almost feels as if you are in the Amazon but yet so close to everything. We were simply at awe cruising the waterway by boat. The cool thing about Livingston is it's a land-locked harbor town, in Guatemala, preserving a lot of its charm.  

Our hotel room view in San Felipe (Rio Dulce)

El Castillo, a Spanish fort to fend off Pirates and control the vitally important region. Who ever controlled this area had the ability to ride out the big storms without damaging their precious fleet.

A variety of off-the-grid living structures along the waterway

Sailors docking to their shacks in idyllic settings with wildlife all around

This is why they call it The Valley because of the limestone cliffs, some hundreds of feet high.

It had such a Southeast Asian flavor yet right in our own backyard and not overrun by tourists

This is what happens to boats if they don't get into el Valle before a hurricane hits

Downtown Livingston, where English, Spanish and good times are spoken. Creole and Hispanic foods wafting in the air and few cars around make it an enjoyable slow paced pedestrian area

Living the dream

The kids enjoyed hauling butt in a speedy boat through placid canyon waters

The small harbor of Livingston

Elise and I enjoyed going slow in the canyon to view the bird life and to try and spot a manatee

Bird Island, is actually a cluster of ancient mangrove that grew together to form a nesting area for cormorants and egrets. The mangrove is a nursery for fish, reptiles and birds they all enjoyed their beginnings here. As they said in Belize, no mangroves, no bebes if get no bebes, den get no futcha   

The main entry and exit point to Livingston and no traffic noise which was enjoyable

No iPhone watches sold here