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Home / Beaches / Playa Siete Altares

Playa Siete Altares

Пляж Сьете-Альтарес
Guatemala · Beach · Río Dulce
crystal clear
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for nature and adventure lovers seeking a unique experience of swimming in natural pools with crystal-clear water in a tropical forest. Not suitable for those seeking a sandy beach with developed infrastructure.

Best month

July

Water
+23.0°C
Length
3 500 m
A scenic beach with natural pools and waterfalls, located near Livingston. It features crystal-clear water and scenic views, popular for swimming and walks.
Surface
rocks
Waves
calm
Entry
medium
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A scenic beach with natural pools and waterfalls, located near Livingston. It features crystal-clear water and scenic views, popular for swimming and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Seven natural pools with crystal-clear water
  • Scenic waterfalls
  • Tropical forest surroundings
  • Swimming in natural pools
  • Free entry (previously)
  • Authentic atmosphere
  • Nearby Playa Blanca beach

Cons

  • Requires a 3.5 km walk from Livingston
  • Paid entry (20 quetzales)
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Mosquitoes and sandflies
  • Can be crowded on weekends
  • Some pools dry up in the dry season
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for nature and adventure lovers seeking a unique experience of swimming in natural pools with crystal-clear water in a tropical forest. Not suitable for those seeking a sandy beach with developed infrastructure.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Seven natural pools with crystal-clear water connected by waterfalls in a tropical forest. Sacred place for the Garifuna people. In the rainy season, the waterfalls are especially impressive.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
rocks
Sand Color
Main sand colour
grey
Sand Texture
Grain size
gravel
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
medium
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
rocks
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
required
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
3 500 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal clear
Average Water Temp
+23.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+25.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.1 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
April May
Season end
October
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
none
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
10.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. However, be careful on slippery rocks.
Dangerous creatures
mosquitoes
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
No
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurants in Livingston

Several restaurants in nearby Livingston with local cuisine and seafood

Nearby cuisines

Garifuna

Traditional Garifuna cuisine with coconut and seafood

Must try: Tapado de pescado, coconut rice, plantain
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
ordinary
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
much
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Hat Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash Water Mosquito repellent
Best Time to Swim
Rainy season (April-October) is the best time to visit when the waterfalls are full. In the dry season, some pools dry up.
Local Rules
Paid entry (20 quetzales). Do not leave litter. Respect the sacred site. Be careful on the rocks.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Livingston

Town with Garifuna culture, accessible by boat

Río Dulce

Scenic river with canyon and Castillo de San Felipe

Playa Blanca

Scenic white sand beach, accessible by boat

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Siete Altares: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal clear, average temperature +23.0°C, warms up to +25.0°C in the warmest season. The water is so clear that the bottom is visible even at depth — ideal for snorkelling. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Siete Altares: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.1 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Siete Altares: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — medium. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — rocks. Special water shoes (aqua shoes) are required — the bottom has rocks, corals or sea urchins.
Playa Siete Altares: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — rocks. Sand colour — grey. Texture — gravel. Beach length — 3 500 metres.
Playa Siete Altares: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in April, May. It ends in October. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Siete Altares: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Siete Altares: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: mosquitoes. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Siete Altares: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: showers, toilets, changing rooms. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Siete Altares: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Playa Siete Altares: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurants in Livingston. Cuisines available: Garifuna. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Siete Altares: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Hat, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, Water, Mosquito repellent.
Playa Siete Altares: when is the best time to swim?
Rainy season (April-October) is the best time to visit when the waterfalls are full. In the dry season, some pools dry up.
Playa Siete Altares: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Paid entry (20 quetzales). Do not leave litter. Respect the sacred site. Be careful on the rocks.
Playa Siete Altares: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for nature and adventure lovers seeking a unique experience of swimming in natural pools with crystal-clear water in a tropical forest. Not suitable for those seeking a sandy beach with developed infrastructure.
Playa Siete Altares: what makes this beach unique?
Seven natural pools with crystal-clear water connected by waterfalls in a tropical forest. Sacred place for the Garifuna people. In the rainy season, the waterfalls are especially impressive.
Playa Siete Altares: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Seven natural pools with crystal-clear water, Scenic waterfalls, Tropical forest surroundings, Swimming in natural pools, Free entry (previously), Authentic atmosphere, Nearby Playa Blanca beach. Cons: Requires a 3.5 km walk from Livingston, Paid entry (20 quetzales), Limited infrastructure, Mosquitoes and sandflies, Can be crowded on weekends, Some pools dry up in the dry season.
Playa Siete Altares: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Livingston, Río Dulce, Playa Blanca. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Siete Altares: how do I get to the city of Río Dulce?
The beach is located near the city of Río Dulce. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Río Dulce.

City

Río Dulce

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

July

Useful information

Country: Guatemala
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 15.833300, -88.783300

Other beaches in Río Dulce