Catamaran Island Hotel

The Río Dulce begins at Lake Izabal and empties into the Caribbean Sea near the town of Lívingston. There are many places to explore along the river, much of which falls within the bounds of the Río Dulce National Park. La Cueva de La Vaca is a dramatic canyon lined with hundred-meter rock faces, and there are several good places to swim and relax. Manatees can sometimes be seen at the Chocón Machacas Biotope.

The Catamaran Island Hotel is set on a small island on the Río Dulce. The hotel’s grounds are lovely and are landscaped with a variety of tropical plants. The atmosphere here is quiet and the hotel feels secluded. Even so, it’s easy to take a boat from the hotel to other attractions within the Río Dulce area.

The hotel has 36 air-conditioned bungalows, most of which are set over the water and have beautiful views of the Río Dulce. The bungalows are clean and fairly basic, but all are equipped with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Each bungalow also has a private balcony—the ones set along the water have unbeatable views of the river and jungle. It’s wonderful to sit on your balcony and watch the sunrise over the distant mountains. The bungalows sleep 1–4 people.

The onsite restaurant offers both national and international cuisine, including soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and a variety of seafood. The breakfast buffet includes options like fruit, yogurt, eggs, sausage, and bacon. The hotel’s Catamaran Bar, which is built over the water, is famous for its margaritas and piña coladas. The bar has a cable TV that receives sports channels.

Guests of this hotel are often content to relax with a book on their balcony or beside the small swimming pool. There is a well-stocked poolside bar and a tennis court as well. Wireless Internet is available at the pool and in the lounge area.

The hotel also runs a full-service marina with dock space for 25 yachts. Marina guests are welcome to use the hotel’s facilities.