Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you, but you must have the confirmed ticket the night before, along with your exit stamp
from the immigration office. There's a $10 departure tax when leaving Guatemala by sea.
FromPuntaGordatoLívingston,theboatleavesTuesdaysandFridaysat12:30P.M.
Exot-
ic Travel
also runs shuttle transport directly to Placencia for $50 per person with a six-per-
son minimum. If you're heading to Honduras and have at least four people, it can also take
youtoLaCeibafor$65perperson,includingboattoPuertoBarriosandthenaminibusfor
the rest of the way.
TherearealsoboattransferstoRíoDulce(2.5hours,$10),usuallyleavingat9A.M.and
1:30 P.M. available from any of the Lívingston travel agencies.
Río Sarstún
As you head northwest along the Caribbean coast past the beaches of Playa Blanca, the
last stop along the Guatemalan Caribbean shores is the Río Sarstún, which forms the bor-
der between Belize and Guatemala. This beautiful jungle river has just recently become a
viable option for exploration now that it is fully protected as a park administered by con-
servation group FUNDAECO (
www.fundaeco.org.gt
)
. The park ($20 admission) protects
2,000 hectares of tropical rainforest, flooded forest, wetlands, and mangroves. You can
kayak and explore wetland canals, see the recently discovered Cerro Sarstún cenote, swim
in the emerald-green waters of a small lagoon, or hike along well-maintained nature trails,
all of which are included in the price of admission.
Accommodations are in the
Eco-Albergue Lagunita Creek
(tel. 2253-4991 and
5241-9342,
www.fundaeco.org.gt
), a modern facility with clean, shared-bath dormitories
with bunk beds for $7 and rooms with private bath, queen-size bed, and balcony overlook-
ing the river for$30d.Youcan buymeals from the local community for$3-5.There'salso
a biological station here. Contact the lodge or FUNDAECO prior to your visit to arrange
transportation. You can also hire a boatman to bring you from Lívingston, which will cost
about $200 for a day trip.
The Zapotillo Cayes
For the ultimate Caribbean adventure, cruise out to the Zapotillo Cayes, part of the famous
Belize Barrier Reef. As you head out to sea from the mainland, the waters transfuse in-
to gorgeous hues of emerald green. The talcum-powder beaches along the small cayes are
the stuff of Caribbean postcards with inviting turquoise waters perfect for swimming. The
cayes are protected as a nature preserve, meaning there are no hotels on these islands.
