Rio Dulce >> Livingston

From Rio Dulce, there are three ways to get to Livingston: A $16usd (125 quetzales) boat up the river straight from the Rio Dulce docks to the docks in Livingston at the mouth of the Caribbean, a $3usd (24 quetzales) colectivo from Rio Dulce to Puerto Barrios, or a $3.85usd (30 quetzales) bus to Puerto Barrios, changing in Morales.

From Puerto Barrios you can catch a boat to Livingston for either $1.90usd (15 quetzales) or $3.85usd (30 quetzales) depending on the time you leave and the speed of the boat.

The riverboat is a nice tour, but hardly worth the difference in price. The boat from Puerto Barrios would be the preferred method for tramp-traveling.

Livingston >> Punta Gorda (BELIZE)

Just as you arrived in Livingston, you must also depart by boat.

The boat to Punta Gorda, Belize runs $25.60usd (200 quetzales) — possibly $32usd (250 quetzales) depending on the number of passengers that day. The service runs on Tuesdays and Fridays with the singular departure being 7am.

All of the hotels and hostels can sell you tickets for the boat, but your best bet is to arrive at the dock (same as the arrival docks) before 7am and buy your ticket there. This will save you the hassle of trying to get back the extra 50 quetzales you paid to the hostel when the number of passengers was only 5 people the night before. As the boat fills up in the morning, it’s more likely you’ll only pay the $25.60usd ticket price. This is an especially prudent tip during the low season (August – November).

*IMPORTANT*
You must go to the immigration office the day before departure to get your passport stamped. The office won’t be open before 7am the morning the boat leaves. You will also have to pay the $10usd departure tax at this time. You’ll also most likely meet the boat captain, as he likes to spend his afternoons at the immigration office counting the passengers (and ticket fares) he’ll be collecting come morning.

Take me back to LIVINGSTON // Take me back to GUATEMALA // Take me HOME