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ABOUT RIO DULCE - compliments of Catamaran Island Hotel:

The area called "the Rio Dulce" begins at the mouth of the river on the Bahía de Amatique at the Garifuna town of Livingston. Going upriver, one passes through a spectacular steep walled canyon lined with jungle vegetation and wildlife. The river then widens into a small lake, El Golfete, the shores of which are lined with beautiful locations, Mayan settlements and a manatee reserve. The river then narrows and passes the towns of “Fronteras” and “El Relleno” where there is an abundance of hotels, restaurants, marinas, services for boaters, medical care, communications and transportation.

A little further, the river widens into 590-square Kilometer Lake Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala.

The Rio Dulce is a large river that is 500 to 1500 meters (1/3 to 1 mile) wide over much of its length. The narrowest spot is at a point called “La Vaca” where the river narrows to a little over 100 meters (300 feet) as it squeezes through The Canyon. The river and both lakes are navigable by vessels of modest draft. Many smaller rivers and countless creeks and streams feed the river and lakes. Many of these rivers can be traveled for miles by dinghy or canoe through beautiful forests and grassy meadows.

The Rio Dulce is an aquatic community. The highway passing through Fronteras / El Relleno on its way up to Peten is the only access road to the area. Outside the towns of Fronteras and El Relleno there are no roads or footpaths other than a road leading to San Felipe and El Estor. The get around to different places on the River you must travel by boat. All homes and businesses on the Rio Dulce have a boat dock. Cruisers usually have a dinghy with a small outboard, so getting around is not a problem. Travelers arriving by land will have to hire a speedboat (lancha) to get around. Lanchas are like taxis and are inexpensive.

You will find the people along the Rio Dulce to be among the friendliest you have ever encountered with a strong sense of community spirit, pride and service. The Rio Dulce is the favorite vacation spot for many wealthy Guatemalans. The emphasis is on boating and water sports but many backpackers and travelers from all parts of the world use the Rio Dulce as a jumping-off point for trips into the Peten, the rest of Guatemala, to Belize and Honduras.

There are hundreds of cruisers moored and anchored along the Rio Dulce and the cruiser community sponsors many activities such as barbecues, potluck dinners, sailboat and canoe races and a weekly swap meet. Everyone is invited to these activities. It’s easy to make friends on the river.