The best beach in the area is Playa Blanca, around 12km from Lívingston, a strip of white sand with chaise longues and umbrellas, restrooms and coconut-palm jungle behind. This is privately owned and you need a boat to get there – ask Captain Daniel at Manatee Tours.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Los Siete Altares

5.48 MILES

About 5km (1½ hour walk) northwest of Lívingston along the shore of Bahía de Amatique is Los Siete Altares, a series of freshwater falls and pools. It's a…

2. Rasta Mesa

7.89 MILES

This is a friendly, informal, enthusiastic cultural center where you can drop in for classes in Garifuna cooking (Q125 per person, fish stew Q150),…

3. Temash-Sarstoon National Park

10.08 MILES

The tiny Garifuna fishing community of Barranco (population 160), about an hour's drive from Punta Gorda, is the access point for Temash-Sarstoon National…

4. Clock Tower

16.98 MILES

The clocktower is a useful landmark in the center of Punta Gorda's downtown, as well as being a small cafe.

5. El Castillo de San Felipe

17.52 MILES

The fortress and castle of San Felipe de Lara, El Castillo de San Felipe, about 3km west of Río Dulce town, was built in 1652 to keep pirates from looting…

7. El Muñecón

20.42 MILES

A statue of a dockworker; this is a favorite landmark and monument in the town.

8. Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary

21.55 MILES

About 13 miles northwest of Punta Gorda and 2 miles off the Southern Hwy, the village of Laguna is the starting point for the 8.6-sq-mile Aguacaliente…