Best Places To Eat In Livingston, Guatemala

1. Buga Mama

The water can be rough coming into Livingston so if you are prone to seasickness, you may want skip the meal before your boat ride and eat at Buga Mama instead. It is one of the closest restaurants to the dock, excluding food stands and little cafes. They have a huge dining area from where you can still see the dock. Occasionally Garifuna street musicians will come jam and ask for money of course. They serve traditional Guatemalan cuisine as well as a wide variety of pasta dishes.

Buga Mama

Price: from 80 GTQ (11 USD)

Opening Hours: 12pm - 10pm Daily.

Access: Upon leaving the port, make the first available left turn by the basketball courts.

Contact: +502 79470891

Website: Buga Mama

2. Casa Nostra

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

This humble hotel and restaurant offers a large variety of cuisines. Pizza is not easy to find in rural places like this but they have it here and they do it well. You can even top it with seafood, not commonly found on your pizza back home. Staff is very accommodating and make iced coffee, even though it is not on the menu. Highlights include Toastada Francesca, which is stuffed French toast fried like a donut. After being comatose from all the food, there are some hammocks and lawn chairs to lounge in.

Casa Nostra

Price: Food from 80 GTQ (11 USD), Rooms from 150 GTQ (20 USD).

Access: Walk 75 yards (68 meters) from the dock and take a left. Continue 450 yards (411 m) and they are on the left side.

Contact: +502 79470842

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3. Happy Fish

The local drink is coco loco, coconut water mixed with rum, and the place to get it is Happy Fish. If you prefer the non alcoholic alternative, you can just order a coco frio. Happy Fish has been around for some time and they know how to serve up good food and drinks. They also have a travel agent within the restaurant so if you need to grab a bite and book a tour, this is the place to go.

Happy Fish

Price: Food from 80 GTQ (11 USD)

Access: From the port, head straight up the hill on Calle Principal and the restaurant will be on the left.

Contact: Telephone: +502 79470661 / +502 55103772 / +502 41544773. Fax: +502 79470794

Website: Happy Fish

4. Bahia Azul

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This is another long-term establishment. Photos of both restaurants, Bahia Azul, and the nearby Happy Fish, can be found in guidebooks published decades ago. They also make use of local flavors in dishes like coco burger, in addition to their coconut beverages. What is special about this place is they also offer Chinese food.

Bahia Azul

Address: Calle principal, Livingston Izabal 18001, Guatemala

Price: Food from 80 GTQ (11 USD)

Contact: +502 79470151

Website: Bahia Azul

5. Villa Caribe

If you want to add a touch of class to your dining experience, then stop off at Villa Caribe. They are a fancy resort with an equally classy restaurant on site. Perched high up on the hill, the terrace of the restaurant offers sweeping views of the dock. The decor is delightful with chandeliers shaped like jellyfish. They even serve Gallo, the local beer, with a platter of lime and salt to rim your glass.

Villa Caribe

Address: Barrio El Centro Calzada Livingstone, 18002 Lívingston, Guatemala

Price: Food from 80 GTQ (11 USD), Rooms from 733 GTQ (100 USD).

Access: Walk up Calle Principal and take the steps on the right side across from Immigration.

Contact: +502 79470615

Website: Villa Caribe

6. Casa Rosada

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are craving Asian but not quite Chinese food, there is a surprising abundance of Thai food here. You will find it in Buga Mama and it can also be found here at Casa Rosada. They serve Thai food as well as local dishes. Many items include a small appetizer and dessert. Take your time to enjoy your three course meal because the atmosphere is the best part. Situated a little further from the busier parts of town, it offers tranquil scenery right on the waterfront.

Casa Rosada

Address: Marco Sanchez Diá Livingston, Calle, Guatemala

Price: Food from 80 GTQ (11 USD), Rooms from 150 GTQ (20 USD).

Contact: +502 79470303. Fax +502 79470304 info@hotelcasarosada.com

Website: Casa Rosada

7. Hotel Salvador Gaviota

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are hiking to Siete Altares, there is a little hotel and restaurant halfway. This place makes for the perfect pitspot to refuel. They have funky rocking lounge chairs for you to sit right on the beach, while enjoying fresh seafood like ceviche. You probably saw locals fishing and crabbing along the way, so you know there is no better place to get fresh seafood.

Hotel Salvador Gaviota

Address: Aldea Quehueche, Lívingston 18002, Guatemala

Price: Food from 80 GTQ (11 USD), Rooms from 80 GTQ (11 USD)

Contact: +502 79470874

Website: Hotel Salvador Gaviota

Eating sensibly and sustainably

Livingston may be a small town, but they are big on food and you can get a lot of it for cheap. You may be wondering why someone is having a hot bowl of Tapado (seafood stew) when it is 90 degrees (32°C) out, it is because the seafood is really that good. One thing to note is eat responsibly. Guatemala shares the same waters as Belize when it comes to fishing, but do no observe the same regulations. Lobster season closes February to June, while conch season closes June to October. Avoid eating these species during their breeding season to ensure their population remain sustainable for generations to come. Don’t worry, you still can get shrimp and crab year round without the guilt.