Rio Dulce, Guatemala and Costa Rica Late late report

[Squidnation]

So after getting back from Galapagos I had a couple days before I was to leave for guatemala. This really wasn't suppose to be a fishing trip but more and exporatory trip to check out the roads that cross the country. The plan is to take my boat to the east coast of Guatemala to Puerto Barrios/Rio Dulce and put the boat on a trailer and take it back to Iztapa on the west coat. This would really cut on the expenses on getting the boat to guatemala. but I heard horror stories about the roads and I didn't want to see my boat wind up down some cliff. I was pleasantly surprised to see the roads in great shape and noticed lots of 18 wheelers navigating the hwy's without issue. While in Puerto Barrios We decided to check out Rio Dulce. Everybody said it was one of the most beautiful areas of guate. So we spent the night in Rio Dulce and also traveled to Livingston by boat. What an awesome site. While I couldn't get lots of pics I did manage a few decent ones and thought I would share them with everyone. So here is Rio Dulce. Tomorrow Livingston and then a surprise quick trip to Costa Rica.





the hot springs that pour through the canyon walls of the banks of the Rio Dulce


Typical artisan homes of the local fishing fleet. these guys pretty much live off of Robalo's (snook) and mojara (Green Severum - central american cichlids) - They also have blue crabs and Sportfish for tarpon closer to livingston





Some of them also make furniture with the local wood. no shortage of that around here

[Squidnation]

Doing the chores while the kids play in the river





and the men going fishing - Damn, sounds like a good life to me





Approaching the Lily Pads. This little lily pad bay was awesome. What I would have given for a spinning rod and some grubs



But I think the camara is just as much fun as as a rod in a place like this





















My buddy Captain marciel on the bridge that crosses Rio Dulce



A view from the bridge as we take off back to Iztapa



I will post up some shots of Livingston later and an unexpected trip to Costa Rica

[snowranger]

Great shots Bill! Thanks for sharing!

[Robja]

Great Pics Bill. It is so amazing the difference from the Carribean side to the pacific side. Those shots don't look anything like what it did in Iztapa. Same way in Costa Rica. When we fished Rio Colorado for a couple of days then over to the pacific side for a couple of days it was night and day difference in the two sides.

[sancocho]

My buddy Captain marciel on the bridge that crosses Rio Dulce



A view from the bridge as we take off back to Iztapa

Nice place Bill,
Thanks for the pics,
i ran a cruise a Viking '75 last year from Rio Dulce to Livingston and from there to Belize for 8 days and i will go again next moth,

Here a couple pics from that bridge,







suerte,

[Rhodekill]

Great shot El Heffe! Looks like the life for me!!!!!!!

[SeaBiscuit]

Beautiful spot Mr Bill. Thanks for sharing the pictures. How far inland (up river) were these pictures taken? How far from there to the Atlantic ocean?
Thanks,
SeaBiscuit

[Squidnation]

I really can't remember nick but I think it may havce been a 90 minute panga ride with a couple of short stops. The pics really doesn't do it justice. there is a spot where the river narrows a bit and the tropical forest clings to the stone ledges for as far as the eye can see. really reminds me of the parasailing scene from Jurasic park ( can't remember which one)

[BrianB]

We shipped 2 bertram 31s and a 25 dusky from Houston to Barrios then trucked/trailered to Quetzal. Marcial was the captain of one of the 31s and his brother Jimmy ran the other for a couple of years. It is no big strech on trailering them across, depending on the size of the boat. I also believe that someone in Rio Dulce now has a hydraulic trailer and ships across Guate for people for 5k or so. Several boat have crossed up to 37'.

We trucked our 47' Jim Smith across southern Mexico to avoid the mountains in Guatemala and the big overwide issues, and then ran south to Guatemala after fishing Mexico. While I dont believe I would do this again in a sportfish due to height issues, it was quick.

Good luck with it.

BrianB

[Squidnation]

We rounded the bend and the river started widening. We were approaching the town of Livingston, Guatemala.



We started seeing more civilization on the banks.







Livingston can only reached by boat. Tourists usually make it to this town from either Beliz, Puerto Barrios or the Rio Dulce region. This town is really cool with all the Carribean colors, rythems and spices that one could expect. This place almost seems like it doesn't belong in Guatemala but it was definetly a nice change of pace. If you think the people of the west coast are laid back and have no worries then try visiting Livingston. These folks don't seem to have a care in the world. I noticed lots of different languages being spoken. Aside from Spanish I heard some indian dilect and also the Garifuno language which was spoken by looks of the african desents. We sampled the local favorite dish that was a mildly spicey soup fill with local seafood including blue crab, Mojaro, clams, shrimp and patatos. Not sure why I can't find all my livingston pics but here are some



















The atlantic ocean






Next stop Costa Rica and some June marlin fishing with Howard, Jovita and friends on the tunabite