A retrospective look at Livingston, Guatemala… a few "postcards" of this not-so-sleepy town at the mouth of the Rio Dulce where it meets the Caribbean. This is where we clear customs before and after crossing the infamous sandbar we’ve come to respect. A unique blend of cultures and races co-exist in colorful harmony…Garifuna, Q’eqchi Maya, and Mestizo. It’s the closest thing you’ll find in Guatemala that actually feels Caribbean with reggae and punta rock blaring from local shops. Vibrant and eclectic, it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours while waiting for yacht agent, Raul Veliz, to process our documentation paperwork before heading north to Belize.
Isolated by jungle wilderness but only ten miles to the Belizean border, as the crow flies, access to Livingston is by water only. Fishing, shrimping, local goods and services and seasonal tourism are the major sources of income. On our most recent visit during Semana Santa (Easter week), the local tiendas were overflowing with hamacas, woven bags and conch shells, Bob Marley backpacks and beach towels with images of scarlet macaws. Produce vendors sold bagged wedges of fresh watermelon and pineapple. Baskets of limes, bananas and ripe melons sat under the shade of plastic tarps.
This year our crossing has a happy ending. After two unsuccessful tries that had nothing to do with the bar itself, rather mechanical problems on board, we eased across early one morning on April Fool’s Day…but no jokes on us…for a change.
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