Guatemala Beaches Y olkobsens have a thing for the Guatemala be aches, but for different reasons. Mrs. Y freckles and burns so likes to sit under an umbrella with a cool a nd liberally-laced cocktail while she watches the surf and beautiful view from a protected dist ance. Meanwhile, Mr. Y is the consummate sun bunny, soaking up the sea, sun an d sand and tanning like each day is the last sunny day he'll ever see. Guatemala beaches have something for both of us so we figure there's something for all visitors. Broadly speaking, there are two great Guatemala beaches that are a sure bet: Livingston and Monterrico. Monterrico is on the Pacific coast and Livingston is on the Caribbean side. Getting to each area from Antigua Guatemala is about a 6 hour b us trip no matter how you cut it and you h ave to go through Guatemala City. Livingston Guatemala Beach Livingston is a small virtual island town that offers the best of both worlds. Here you'll find the famed Rio Dulce, meaning sweet river, on one side of the town and a wonderful Caribbean strand, of a different kind of Guatemala beach, just a short 5-minute walk to the other side of town. There are no land access routes to Livingston. Remember, it's sort of an isl and. Although Livingston i s situated on Guatemala's mainland. Access can only be made by water; either by traveling down the Rio Dulce or by entering the port of Livingston on the Caribbean. Boats come frequently from Rio Dulce T own and Puerto Barrios. From Rio Dulce the Lancha Colectiva holds a virtual monopoly and charges a steep 125 Q(about $15 US) one way for the pleasure of their 'tour' down the river to Livingston. Al l members of the boat (typically 12 or so) have to agree to skip the tour if you want it to go as quickly as possible (shortest: 1 hour). Normal duration 2 to 2.5 hours. It do es, however, pass very beautiful scenery on the way . A ferry leaves Puerto Barrios for Livingston Monday to S aturday at sometime in the morning (sometime around 11:00, but confirm first) and at 17:00. It costs 10 Q (about $1.25 US). Collectivo Lanchas from Puerto Barrios to Livingston leave all day and cost 35 Q (about $4.30).
