About
Livingston is a town on Guatemala's Caribbean coast, in the department of Izabal, and it feels quite unlike the highland towns most visitors associate with the country. It is reached only by boat, which sets the pace of arrival and gives the place a self-contained character. The town is also known as La Buga and as Puerto Barrios Viejo.
A distinct culture
Livingston is known for its Garífuna community and its Afro-Caribbean atmosphere. Reggae music is part of everyday life here, and the rhythms and flavours of the coast shape the mood of the streets. For many visitors, the contrast with highland Guatemala is the main reason to come.
What a visit offers
- A coastal town with its own cultural identity, quite different from the highlands
- Music and daily life shaped by the Garífuna and Afro-Caribbean traditions
- A slower, boat-based arrival that suits travellers who enjoy a change of pace
Because the town is cut off from road traffic, a trip here works best as a deliberate detour rather than a quick stop. Plan your transport in advance and allow time to settle into the rhythm of the place.
Livingston suits travellers who want to experience a Caribbean community on Guatemala's coast, with its music, food and culture close at hand. If you are looking for a change from mountain towns and ruins, it offers a very different kind of journey.
