Introduction to Atlantic Lowlands

Although Guatemalans, tourists, and guidebooks all refer to Guatemala's Atlantic Highway and Atlantic coast, these are misnomers -- Guatemala's eastern coast actually fronts the Caribbean Sea. Nonetheless, this chapter deals with the area running northeast, east, and south of Guatemala City, which is reached via the Carretera al Atlántico (Atlantic Hwy.). With the notable exception of the Maya ruins of Quiriguá, there's not much to see along the highway itself until you reach the area around Lago Izabal, Río Dulce (Fronteras), and the coastal settlements of Puerto Barrios and Livingston.