Things to do & places to visit in Izabal Department, Guatemala

Izabal Department #6 destination in Guatemala 2023. The average rating score is 4.25 based on 1.610 traveler reviews, of 21 attractions. Timezone: America/Guatemala, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 22:19.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Reggae on the River (13 reviews)
- Captain Airek will show you a good time!!
Boat Tours

My friends and I went out with the lovely Captain Airek on the Reggae when we were in Guatemala last year. It was a fabulous day! Kicking back in the sunshine and watching the spectacular scenery just drift by, swimming in the Rio Dulce, having a rum punch or two whilst listening to some great music... Can't recommend it enough!!! See more..
5.0 Vuelbe Mujer (8 reviews)
- Forest experience
Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Tours to live an authentic and local experience in Livingston with a local guide and promote sustainable turism See more..
5.0 Cueva Del Tigre (2 reviews)
- Great community-tourism visit with Raoul
Nature & Wildlife Areas

This is a community-tourism visit : what you pay the guide Raoul will be distributed among his community in the Aldea Grande Tatin to buy medicine or school supplies for instance. You can arrive or leave via road using a pickup from Livingston or a lancha (boat). What we did was arrive by road and leave by lancha. We visited a bit the village, did a 30mn walk to the cave where we enjoyed a mayan ceremony which was very interesting. Then we visited the rest of the cave where there is water and you can go swim using a ladder. Apparently there's a lot of cool stuff to see if you swim like waterfalls but we didn't bring our swimsuits :( Then, we continued to the river by passing through the local high school (colegio) which was very interesting as the students learn about agriculture and the grounds are really cool! There is also a small crafts shop selling great stuff and a restaurant that shares its profits with the school. We ate at Aguas Calientes since it was unfortunately closed, and you can visit the hot springs there as well. This tour is managed by Raoul a great guide who does it for his community. It's really customizable depending on what you like (you can also eat hen or fried fish if you're interested) so you should definitely contact his wife Lilian Lilian via Whatsapp at +50256271865 to organize it. It's worth it to learn about the village and the mayan quiq'che life! See more..
5.0 La Pachanga (1 review)
- El mejor club de todo puerto barrios
Bars & Clubs

Impresionante, excelente ambiente, todo espectacular. Mucha gente joven, el área vip es increíble y el deck es uno de los lugares más agradables de todo el puerto. See more..
5.0 Reggae on the River (13 reviews)
- Captain Airek will show you a good time!!
Boat Tours

My friends and I went out with the lovely Captain Airek on the Reggae when we were in Guatemala last year. It was a fabulous day! Kicking back in the sunshine and watching the spectacular scenery just drift by, swimming in the Rio Dulce, having a rum punch or two whilst listening to some great music... Can't recommend it enough!!! See more..
5.0 Vuelbe Mujer (8 reviews)
- Forest experience
Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Tours to live an authentic and local experience in Livingston with a local guide and promote sustainable turism See more..
5.0 Cueva Del Tigre (2 reviews)
- Great community-tourism visit with Raoul
Nature & Wildlife Areas

This is a community-tourism visit : what you pay the guide Raoul will be distributed among his community in the Aldea Grande Tatin to buy medicine or school supplies for instance. You can arrive or leave via road using a pickup from Livingston or a lancha (boat). What we did was arrive by road and leave by lancha. We visited a bit the village, did a 30mn walk to the cave where we enjoyed a mayan ceremony which was very interesting. Then we visited the rest of the cave where there is water and you can go swim using a ladder. Apparently there's a lot of cool stuff to see if you swim like waterfalls but we didn't bring our swimsuits :( Then, we continued to the river by passing through the local high school (colegio) which was very interesting as the students learn about agriculture and the grounds are really cool! There is also a small crafts shop selling great stuff and a restaurant that shares its profits with the school. We ate at Aguas Calientes since it was unfortunately closed, and you can visit the hot springs there as well. This tour is managed by Raoul a great guide who does it for his community. It's really customizable depending on what you like (you can also eat hen or fried fish if you're interested) so you should definitely contact his wife Lilian Lilian via Whatsapp at +50256271865 to organize it. It's worth it to learn about the village and the mayan quiq'che life! See more..
4.5 Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua (236 reviews)
- A tranquil and fascinating Mayan ruin
Historic Sites

If you are going to visit Eastern Guatemala, Quirigua is worth seeing. It was about a two hour drive from Chiquimula, where I was staying, and it's in the middle of a Del Monte banana farm. The Estela's are fascinating, and the inscriptions and carvings rival those in Copan. There are three small shops there: one sells snacks and drinks, and the other two sell souvenirs, and more important, bug repellent (in case you forgot to bring some). The park has been fully restored from the damage caused by the hurricanes a few years ago. See more..
4.5 Go With Gus Tours (193 reviews)
- Just a joy to see the river, jungle, people & places
City Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Air Tours

Wife & I took the Humanitarian Tour to Livingston & up the Rio Dulce on 12/17/21 (a Friday). The weather was fantastic. We were met right on the pier (Riviera, Oceania Cruises) and left for Livingston by nice boat ride. Then the trip up the river. School was out so we took side trips up two tributaries to see the Mayan people in their villages. Fascinating stop at a store where they were cooking food. Bring your own TP! We also stopped by the hot springs and we took the cave tour up the hill. Then back to Livingston for a short walk about town in the locals' own area, not the touristy areas. We did NOT do lunch. Our tour guide was worth the price of admission alone. Fun, knowledgeable, caring. He really tried to expose us to the people & places as they actually exist in a caring manner. See more..
4.5 Rio Dulce (180 reviews)
- Guatemalan Caribbean
Bodies of Water

Rio Dulce offers international hotels such as Mansion del Rio a tropical weather with many tour options such as bird watching, tropical plants like lilies and mangrove. In addition to visiting San Felipe castle that is an ancient fortress built in 1651 to protect the country from pirates - tickets around $10. There are also boats offering daily private tours through the river to Livingston by $130 visiting such a wonderful landscapes like Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce the canyon of the river and Amatique Bay at the Atlantic. Very good restaurants such as El Viajero and Mar Marine Yacht Club are available both observing low occupancy and having open areas over the shore. Private tours available also for the lake, recommended guide Aventura Turismo (502) 5994 4888 because of Jose Manuel’s professionalism, punctuality and choice of the right places. Just staying at the hotel also offers a peaceful vacation with food and drinks available also for room/pool service. See more..
4.5 Hot Springs (147 reviews)
- Half day trip from Rio Dulce
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Hot Springs & Geysers

As I'm reading the review, it seems some people are reviewing the one by the river which some "lanchas" stop over on their way to or back from Livingston. The one my friend and I went to was in Finca Paraiso, about a half-hour bus ride towards the "El Estor" direction. Just hop on any of the microbuses with the conductors shouting "El Estor" from outside. Tell them you want to get dropped off at Finca Paraiso. From there, walk a few hundred meters (trail is clearly marked) and you'll find the hot springs. No vendors, not too many people. When we went there, there were six of us travelers in total, and one local and his two children who were looking after us - where we should jump off from, where it's deep or shallow. Bring your own food/snacks if you're heading this particular hot springs. On your way back, just stand on the side of the road and flag down the next microbus you see heading towards Rio Dulce. See more..
4.5 Belgian Cemetary (2 reviews)
- Nice place to visit.
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries
Full of history, the Belgian Cementery is part of the history of this little town, Santo Tomás de Castilla. See more..
4.5 Go With Gus Tours (193 reviews)
- Just a joy to see the river, jungle, people & places
City Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Air Tours

Wife & I took the Humanitarian Tour to Livingston & up the Rio Dulce on 12/17/21 (a Friday). The weather was fantastic. We were met right on the pier (Riviera, Oceania Cruises) and left for Livingston by nice boat ride. Then the trip up the river. School was out so we took side trips up two tributaries to see the Mayan people in their villages. Fascinating stop at a store where they were cooking food. Bring your own TP! We also stopped by the hot springs and we took the cave tour up the hill. Then back to Livingston for a short walk about town in the locals' own area, not the touristy areas. We did NOT do lunch. Our tour guide was worth the price of admission alone. Fun, knowledgeable, caring. He really tried to expose us to the people & places as they actually exist in a caring manner. See more..
4.5 Rio Dulce (180 reviews)
- Guatemalan Caribbean
Bodies of Water

Rio Dulce offers international hotels such as Mansion del Rio a tropical weather with many tour options such as bird watching, tropical plants like lilies and mangrove. In addition to visiting San Felipe castle that is an ancient fortress built in 1651 to protect the country from pirates - tickets around $10. There are also boats offering daily private tours through the river to Livingston by $130 visiting such a wonderful landscapes like Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce the canyon of the river and Amatique Bay at the Atlantic. Very good restaurants such as El Viajero and Mar Marine Yacht Club are available both observing low occupancy and having open areas over the shore. Private tours available also for the lake, recommended guide Aventura Turismo (502) 5994 4888 because of Jose Manuel’s professionalism, punctuality and choice of the right places. Just staying at the hotel also offers a peaceful vacation with food and drinks available also for room/pool service. See more..
4.5 Hot Springs (147 reviews)
- Half day trip from Rio Dulce
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Hot Springs & Geysers

As I'm reading the review, it seems some people are reviewing the one by the river which some "lanchas" stop over on their way to or back from Livingston. The one my friend and I went to was in Finca Paraiso, about a half-hour bus ride towards the "El Estor" direction. Just hop on any of the microbuses with the conductors shouting "El Estor" from outside. Tell them you want to get dropped off at Finca Paraiso. From there, walk a few hundred meters (trail is clearly marked) and you'll find the hot springs. No vendors, not too many people. When we went there, there were six of us travelers in total, and one local and his two children who were looking after us - where we should jump off from, where it's deep or shallow. Bring your own food/snacks if you're heading this particular hot springs. On your way back, just stand on the side of the road and flag down the next microbus you see heading towards Rio Dulce. See more..
4.0 Seven Altars (331 reviews)
- Excellent spot for photos and swimming
Bodies of Water • Waterfalls

Hike or take a boat ride to this series of fresh waterfalls where crystal-blue pools entice you to take a dip. See more..
4.0 Playa Blanca (247 reviews)
- A little piece of Caribbean
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

The speedboat ride to this beach is well worth its price to enjoy one of the few sandy beaches in eastern Guatemala. See more..
4.0 Castillo de San Felipe de Lara (196 reviews)
- Beautiful place
Castles

Well maintained castle with parts dating back to 1595. You can climb the towers for some splendid views of the river and the park surrounding the castle. There is a nice little beach next to the castle, so bring your swimming gear if you want to take a dip. A nice restaurant with cheap food is also available. Get there by boat or taxi from Rio Dulce if you don’t fancy a five kilometer walk. Entrance fee 75Q for foreigners, 25Q for nationals, 10Q for kids. See more..
4.0 Playa Sand Bay (27 reviews)
- De lo mejor para vacacionar!!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

We are a small paradisiacal place surrounded by magical palm trees with white sand beach in the Guatemalan caribbean that invites to rest, sunbathe and enjoy the waves of the sea. See more..
4.0 Catedral de La Inmaculada Concepcion (5 reviews)
- Smaller But Beautiful Local Cathedral
Churches & Cathedrals

Puerto Barrios is an exceedingly poor, small developing town in third world (but developing) Guatemala. This Cathedral, like so many, quietly tells more of the history just by looking around. Various items have been lovingly hand crafted and there is wonderful, almost folk art wood carving. Clearly there was never a lot of money here but this Cathedral has been important to the people here and maintains feeling of love and spirituality inside. The street has been named after their beloved priest who is interred in the Cathedral. See more..
4.0 Sendero Las Escobas (3 reviews)
- Rainforest Trail
Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Cruise ships that call at Santo Tomas tend to neglect the Tropical Rainforest Trail in Santo Tomas. Thus, if you don't feel like booking a tour to San Felipe Fortress or Quirigua NP, visit the Tropical Rainforest Trail of Sendero Las Escobas. It is either a 50 minute-walk or a 10-minute taxi-drive to get there. I am not sure whether the taxi will accept USD. We went to an ATM to withdraw Queztales and paid 75 GTQ (10 USD) for a one way trip for three persons. The entrance fee was 105 GTQ per person (which ist 14 USD p.p.). Quite a lot of money, but by far less than an official shore excursion. The Rainforest Trail isn't large- you could do it in 40 minutes. However, it is worth bathing in the water falls (there are two spots where you can bath), thus 1,5 hours might be perfect. See more..
4.0 El Boqueron (2 reviews)
- El Boqueron
Bodies of Water • Geologic Formations

We had a great experience going to El Boqueron. It was wonderful we had a canoe ride for about 5 minutes and swam some more and came back letting the current carry us. The service is very good and there is nothing I would complain about. There is space for a lot of people we where a group of 28 people and it was very fun. I would recommend this experience to anyone looking for new things to do and looking for beautiful places. See more..
4.0 Seven Altars (331 reviews)
- Excellent spot for photos and swimming
Bodies of Water • Waterfalls

Hike or take a boat ride to this series of fresh waterfalls where crystal-blue pools entice you to take a dip. See more..
4.0 Playa Blanca (247 reviews)
- A little piece of Caribbean
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

The speedboat ride to this beach is well worth its price to enjoy one of the few sandy beaches in eastern Guatemala. See more..
4.0 Playa Sand Bay (27 reviews)
- De lo mejor para vacacionar!!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

We are a small paradisiacal place surrounded by magical palm trees with white sand beach in the Guatemalan caribbean that invites to rest, sunbathe and enjoy the waves of the sea. See more..
3.5 Punta de Palma (17 reviews)
- clean beach, cold beer
Beaches

nice place to stop whilst beach walking and enjoy a cold beer. the beach is clean and well tended. great service, they will bring beer to your beach chair. See more..
Guat2do Izabal (0 review)
Boat Tours • Walking Tours • Private Tours • Bus Tours • Day Trips

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Zach Trips (0 review)
Scuba & Snorkelling • Fishing Charters & Tours

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Monkey Bay Marina (0 review)
Marinas
Wet marina located on the Río Dulce, Izabal, in Guatemala. See more..
Grutas El Encanto (0 review)
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Caverns & Caves

Grutas El Encanto offers an ecological escape from routine, venturing explorers on a journey to the center of the earth through a 900-meter dry and aquatic route. The experience is friendly for all ages, where our visitors learn from caving basics and the six types of speleothems found inside, to interacting with wildlife (bats, crabs and fish) in the refreshing waters that flow from the grotto. You can live this exciting experience arriving in any type of vehicule, at just 15 minutes away from the Río Dulce bridge, a few meters from the main road that leads to Petén. It has bathrooms, dressing rooms, showers, natural pools, camping area and parking. See more..