General Information

Duration:

3 Days

Location Start:

Antigua

Location Finish:

Rio Dulce

Phone:

01273 322046

Payment Types:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Cheque
• Travellers cheque
• Paypal
• Wire Transfer

We Speak:

English

Last updated: 02/19/2009

Itinerary

Day 1

Antigua to Rio DulceIn the morning leave for Rio Dulce, a six hour drive from Antigua. On the way the scenery gradually changes from highlands to savannah and finally tropical rainforest.
Rio Dulce is a popular yachting town spanning the Lago de Izabal and connected by a long bridge. The banks of the lake are lined with yachts from around the world.You'll be staying in a wooden bungalow built over the water. The hotel bar is famous for its piña coladas and margaritas and also serves some excellent local Garifuña dishes. You can go swimming, fishing or play tennis at the hotel and the town centre has local open air market where you can buy some fresh fruit.

Day 2

Rio Dulce, boat trip
You will be picked up at your hotel for the boat trip down the Rio Dulce. The river is wide at first and you will pass the Castillo de San Felipe, a former Spanish fort built to defend the area against mean pirates.You soon find yourself surrounded by jungle and towering cliffs. The area is home to various species of birds and you may spot white herons and cormorants that have their own nesting islands in the river.At one spot along the river warm water seeps from the rocks, and mangrove forests grow along the banks. Pelicans returning from the ocean glide overhead local fishermen throw out their nets as you pass by. It's above all a peaceful, relaxed trip.After about two hours you arrive in Livingston. This is where the Garifuna, descendants of African slaves live. The village is virtually cut off from the outside world and because of mixed marriages with Mayans the village has created a unique sub culture found nowhere else.The people of Livingston are very Caribbean looking with afro hair and bright blue eyes and a thick Jamaican accent. Find a nice place for lunch in the village: the speciality is fish but also try the baked pan de coco (coconut bread).Livingston doesn't really have a beach which is why we preferred to head back to Rio Dulce in the afternoon and spend the night on Lake Izabal instead.

Day 3

Rio Dulce, depertureThis module will finish this morning, after you check out of your hotel.
Your natural route will take you onwards to Flores and the Tikal Temple. As you leave Lake Izabal will disappear into the distance, you soon find yourself in the immense jungle of Peten province.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation and boat trip across Rio Dulce

Exclusions -

Transportation, meals and other excursions