Top Things to do in Izabal Department
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What to do and see in Izabal Department, Izabal Department: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Izabal Department, Guatemala including Rio Dulce, Go With Gus Tours, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua, Hot Springs, Playa Blanca, Seven Altars, Castillo de San Felipe de Lara.
Restaurants in Izabal Department
1. Rio Dulce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By rickb646 - Southlake, United States
Our Ponant ship anchored at Livingston on Christmas Day. Most things were closed, but we had a three hour boat ride up Rio Dulce and a tour of the Hot Springs. We enjoyed seeing the many pelicans on the ride and the hot springs and caverns were an interesting tour, led by local guide. We got to enter a cave and sit in the sulfurous hot water and tour some of the other caves as well. Outside on the river next to where the boats moored, there was an area where the hot spring vented into the river making for a nice soak.
2. Go With Gus Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Shore Excursions for Cruise ships and Day tours for vacation guest's. Go with Gus specialize in Humanitarian, Archeological, Agricultural, Nature- Wildlife, Cultural and Sight seeing Tours for people with limited mobility in the Pacific and Caribbean side of Guatemala and Honduras. We love our job and doing our best to make your tours unforgettable.
3. Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By zug55 - Austin, United States
The Quirigua Archaeological park features perhaps the best rock art in the Mayan world--certainly on a par with Copan. The stelae and altars are sublime--the iconographic and artistic qualities of the rock carvings are exquisite. The site also features a small acropolis with interesting buildings, but the site lacks the monumental architecture seen in Tikal or even Copan. This is a relatively small site (completely surrounded by banana plantations) so the average tourist easily can manage the site in a day. I would recommend that you read up on the site before you visit. You also should be able to hire a local guide, It is easy to get there by tuk-tuk from the town of Quirigua or from Los Amates. You could also take the bus to the turnoff for the park, but it is a good 20 minute walk to the entrance. I recommend that you stay at the Posada de Quirigua in the town of Quirigua.
4. Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By JgbmEdin - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
First of all I think it's important to point out that some of the reviews here are on another place. There's the waterfalls at "Finca El Paraiso" in Izabal, and then there's the "Aguas Calientes." Most of the "poor" and "average" reviews here seem to be about the "Aguas Calientes" - which are located at the Rio Dulce river between Rio Dulce and Livingston. You can kayak here, and have something to eat. The warm water coming from the side of the river - the "Aguas Calientes" is a sheltered area from the river. Overall, it's not an amazing spot, but if you pass by it's alright to visit. However, the "hot springs" - at Finca Paraiso - are something completely different. They are in the opposite direction from Rio Dulce on the road to El Pastor. After a small walk from the main road, you'll arrive at these waterfalls. It's a small, but very idyllic place. I was fortunate enough to arrive there and only find 2 other people. It's a great place to relax, swim, sit underneath the hot waterfalls, or climb up the waterfall and sit in one of the warmer pools. There's a spot as well from where you can jump - but make sure you check where to jump while there's only one spot deep enough to land underneath the fountain. It is privately owned, entrance was 15Q, and I absolutely worth a visit if you're around. There's collectivo's running regularly from Rio Dulce for 20Q / 40min each way from the crossing between the main road of Rio Dulce and the road towards Castillo San Felipe / El Pastor (last one runs around 5pm, so make sure you get back in time).
5. Playa Blanca
6. Seven Altars
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 325 reviews
Hike or take a boat ride to this series of fresh waterfalls where crystal-blue pools entice you to take a dip.
Reviewed By katesD4880GL
I'm so glad I went here. Definitely take a tuk tuk to the bridge. I walked here from town and it was a bit further than I expected, especially when it's pouring rain. The place is magical and really looks like the photos. The water temp was about 74 in January. I happened to go during the Biden inauguration and was able to watch it live on CNN. The Garafinu who own this place are big fans of Obama and they were excited about Harris being in office. I had the shrimp which was served with fried plantains and beats. The food was amazing. A word of warning, if you have a Tigo phone, they will think you are in Belize, so you won't get any cell phone service without paying for roaming.
7. Castillo de San Felipe de Lara
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By missionink - Oneonta, United States
We're staying at the Hotel mansion del Rio and we took a boat ride around the inlet and into the lake. We stopped at Castillo de San Felipe and thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour of the area and the fort itself - wonderful experience!
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