Guatemala Expat Forum

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Joined 2015
Posts: 10

8 years ago

Rio Dulce / Izabal area

8 years ago

Does anyone know anything about the Rio Dulce area of Guatemala? Most expat sites about Guatemala talk mainly about Antigua, Lake Atitlán and Flores, but not the Carribbean coast area.

How many English-speaking expats live in the Rio Dulce area? (when compared with other areas such as Antigua and Lake Atitlán).

I am aware of the fact that Livingston (on the Carribbean coast) has no roads going to it. Is there any way to get a car to that town via a car ferry or on a boat? How do people who live in Livingston and own a car deal with the fact that it is isolated from the rest of Guatemala? Do they just leave their car parked somewhere else?

Outside of Livingston, which part of the Izabal Department has the most expats? Is it Puerto Barrios, Rio Dulce (Frontera), El Estor, San Felipe de Lara, etc. And for those areas of Izabal, which town(s) are the most recommended for English-speaking expats?

How much crime is there in the Izabal Department? I've heard that Puerto Barrios has a high homicide rate, but I don't know if other areas of Izabal (such as Livingston, Rio Dulce/Frontera, El Estor etc.) have high crime rates. Is the crime in the Rio Dulce area any better or worse than other areas of the country? (With regard to violent crime, burglary, carjacking, etc.)

Does anyone know the lifestyle differences in the Rio Dulce area versus the Lake Atitlán area or Antigua (for example, cost of living)? I'm aware the Atitlán is in the mountains and Rio Dulce is in the lowlands, but as I have never been to either of these places I cannot say what the lifestyle differences would be.

Also, is the Rio Dulce are less talked about than Antigua and Lake Atitlán because it is less touristy?

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