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Guatemala🇬🇹 | landmarksLos Siete AltaresSeven stone pools, small cascades, river-mouth jungle, seasonal swimming | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Los Siete Altares
👀 For curious travelersunique site ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Los Siete Altares has seven waterfalls strung along a stream, but most visitors only ever see the first, second and third, and the rest take real effort. The site lies in Guatemala’s northeast, in the Izabal department, in the hills above the Caribbean coast near Livingston. Expect weekend crowds at the lower pools, a small entrance fee, and a muddy walk on a jungle path. Early on, a woman selling cold drinks at the trailhead looked at my sandals, laughed, and said “Más arriba, más solo,” meaning higher up, fewer people. She was right. The upper falls are quiet, and the last thing you notice is the tea-colored water spilling over smooth limestone steps into pools lined with moss and fern.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 unique site in GuatemalaThe unique appeal for travelers

Los Siete Altares rewards a backpacker who wants a swim in freshwater pools after the salt and sweat of the Caribbean coast. The seven terraced falls and pools sit in a single stream, so the climb works like a self-guided tour: the lower pools are wide and easy, while the upper ones are smaller, deeper and quieter. That gradient of seven pools in one stream is the main draw, and you can stop wherever the crowd thins. The site also fits a coastal loop through Livingston and the Garifuna communities, so a half day here adds a swim to a trip already built around boats, seafood and Garifuna music. The effort is modest, and the cost stays low.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. First Altar: The lowest and widest pool, where most visitors swim. The water is calm and the stream drops over a broad rock lip, so it is the easiest place for a first dip.
  2. Second and Third Altars: A short walk upstream, these pools are slightly deeper and cooler. The smooth limestone steps make good seats for sitting under the flow.
  3. The Jungle Trail: The path follows the stream through humid forest with roots, mud and loud birdsong. Sturdy sandals or light shoes are better than flip-flops.
  4. Upper Altars (Fourth to Seventh): Fewer people make the effort, and the pools get smaller, mossier and more secluded. The climb is steeper and the rocks slippery, so go slowly.
  5. Natural Rock Slides: Some of the smooth rock chutes between pools are used by locals to slide into the water. Check the depth before
… read more 👉
  1. First Altar: The lowest and widest pool, where most visitors swim. The water is calm and the stream drops over a broad rock lip, so it is the easiest place for a first dip.
  2. Second and Third Altars: A short walk upstream, these pools are slightly deeper and cooler. The smooth limestone steps make good seats for sitting under the flow.
  3. The Jungle Trail: The path follows the stream through humid forest with roots, mud and loud birdsong. Sturdy sandals or light shoes are better than flip-flops.
  4. Upper Altars (Fourth to Seventh): Fewer people make the effort, and the pools get smaller, mossier and more secluded. The climb is steeper and the rocks slippery, so go slowly.
  5. Natural Rock Slides: Some of the smooth rock chutes between pools are used by locals to slide into the water. Check the depth before you try.
  6. The Stream Itself: The water has a slight tea tint from the forest and stays cool all year. Pause beside it for a quiet moment of listening.
Los Siete Altares takes about three to four hours if you walk to the upper pools and swim along the way.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (February to May): Water in the cascading pools is lowest and clearest, and the hike up the creek is easiest. Days run 30 to 35°C (86 to 95°F), so the shaded pools feel earned. Weekends fill with Guatemalan families, so weekdays are quieter.
  • Rainy Season (June to October): Afternoon downpours swell the creek, turn the trail to mud and can make the upper falls risky. Temperatures sit at 26 to 32°C (79 to 90°F). Crowds thin out, and lodging prices rarely rise.
  • Cooler Months (November to January): Rain tapers off along the Caribbean side, with highs of 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F). Daylight is shorter, roughly 11 hours, so start early. Local holidays, especially Semana Santa and Christmas week, bring the biggest crowds and higher prices.
Arrive by 9 a.m. on a weekday to have the pools nearly to yourself.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Livingston is the best place to stay, because it is the closest town with a real backpacker scene and the trailhead is a short ride away. The town is reached only by boat, from Puerto Barrios or Río Dulce, and the Garifuna food, live drumming and a cluster of small hostels near the main street and waterfront make it easy to meet other travelers. Solo travelers find it relaxed and walkable by day, though the quieter back streets are best avoided after dark. Booking a bed here lets you organize a boat or tuk-tuk to the trailhead with others and split the cost.
Puerto Barrios is a practical alternative … read more 👉
Livingston is the best place to stay, because it is the closest town with a real backpacker scene and the trailhead is a short ride away. The town is reached only by boat, from Puerto Barrios or Río Dulce, and the Garifuna food, live drumming and a cluster of small hostels near the main street and waterfront make it easy to meet other travelers. Solo travelers find it relaxed and walkable by day, though the quieter back streets are best avoided after dark. Booking a bed here lets you organize a boat or tuk-tuk to the trailhead with others and split the cost.
Puerto Barrios is a practical alternative if you arrive late or leave early by bus. It is a working port town with fewer social options, and most travelers use it only as a transit night before the boat to Livingston.
If you want quiet, a few lodges sit along the beaches north of Livingston toward Siete Altares. They are peaceful and close to the hike, but evenings are very still and dinner choices are limited.
Best hostels in Guatemala


Best quality hotels in Guatemala

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A day at Los Siete Altares costs about US$38 for a backpacker, including the entrance fee, transport and food. The table below breaks that down.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 15Dorm beds or basic private rooms in Livingston sit at the low end, with fans rather than air conditioning.
Entrance feeUS$2 to 4Paid at the trailhead, in cash, in quetzales.
TransportUS$6 to 10Shared boat or tuk-tuk from Livingston, or a hike along the beach. Prices drop if you share with others.
FoodUS$8 to 12Fish soup, rice and plantains at small local comedores. Bring snacks, as nothing sells near the upper pools.
Guide (optional)US$0 to 10The trail is clear and many go without, though a guide helps in the rainy season.
Water and extrasUS$2 to 3Bottled water and a dry bag for your
… read more 👉
A day at Los Siete Altares costs about US$38 for a backpacker, including the entrance fee, transport and food. The table below breaks that down.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$8 to 15Dorm beds or basic private rooms in Livingston sit at the low end, with fans rather than air conditioning.
Entrance feeUS$2 to 4Paid at the trailhead, in cash, in quetzales.
TransportUS$6 to 10Shared boat or tuk-tuk from Livingston, or a hike along the beach. Prices drop if you share with others.
FoodUS$8 to 12Fish soup, rice and plantains at small local comedores. Bring snacks, as nothing sells near the upper pools.
Guide (optional)US$0 to 10The trail is clear and many go without, though a guide helps in the rainy season.
Water and extrasUS$2 to 3Bottled water and a dry bag for your phone.
Total Daily BudgetUS$38Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Los Siete Altares is a series of freshwater waterfalls and natural pools along a creek that runs into the Caribbean, a few kilometers northwest of Livingston in Izabal. The pools climb in tiers, with the lowest ones best for swimming and a roughly 30 to 45 minute walk to the upper levels. Entry costs about US$2 to 4, paid in cash.
Plan on a half day, about 3 to 4 hours, which covers the walk from the trailhead, swimming and the return. Add another hour or two if you walk along the beach from Livingston rather than ride. Los Siete Altares works well as a morning outing, leaving the afternoon for Livingston.
Take a boat from Puerto Barrios or Río Dulce to Livingston, which takes about 40 minutes from Puerto Barrios or 1 to 2.5 hours from Río Dulce. From Livingston, a shared boat or tuk-tuk to the trailhead costs about US$6 to 10, or you can walk the beach for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Los Siete Altares has no direct public transport, so most travelers go in a small group.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Guatemalan landmarks near Los Siete Altares

Explore more nearby:

  • Yaxhá—Lakeview acropolis, steep temple stairs, island ruins, unrestored plazas| 151 km away
  • Tikal—Temple IV summit, Great Plaza, North Acropolis, howler monkey canopy| 176 km away
  • Uaxactún—E-Group solstice platform, village homestays, Petén stillness, aguada reservoirs| 193 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Los Siete Altares suits travelers who like a simple swim and a muddy walk more than a polished attraction. If you are coming through Livingston, I would go on a weekday, bring water shoes, and keep climbing past the busy lower pools.

✈️ When did I visit Guatemala?
Guatemala I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Guatemala, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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