Livingston is a small coastal town in Guatemala's Izabal department, situated where the Río Dulce meets the Caribbean Sea. Unlike much of the country's interior, Livingston is reached primarily by boat, with regular water transport connecting it to Puerto Barrios and Río Dulce. The town is surrounded by tropical vegetation, waterways, and Caribbean coastline, giving it a distinct geographic setting within Guatemala. Its population includes Garífuna, Q'eqchi' Maya, and Ladino communities, creating a local identity shaped by several cultural traditions. Spanish, Garífuna, and Q'eqchi' are among the languages heard in the area.

Livingston is especially associated with Garífuna culture, whose music, dance, language, food, and community traditions form an important part of local life. Garífuna heritage is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Traditional music features drums and rhythmic singing, while dance remains an important form of cultural expression during celebrations and community gatherings. Q'eqchi' Maya communities also have a strong presence in the surrounding region, adding another layer to Livingston's cultural landscape. The town's waterfront and central streets provide places to encounter local restaurants, music, crafts, and everyday community life.

The natural surroundings are among Livingston's defining features. Boat excursions along the Río Dulce lead through narrow waterways bordered by dense tropical vegetation before reaching areas such as the Río Dulce canyon. Nearby attractions include the protected Río Dulce National Park, where mangroves, wetlands, forest, and aquatic habitats support a range of wildlife. The Caribbean coast also provides access to beaches and coastal sites, including Playa Blanca, which is reached by boat. Seven Altares, a series of freshwater pools and small waterfalls surrounded by forest, offers another destination near the town for swimming and exploring.

Livingston's cuisine is strongly connected to its Caribbean and Garífuna heritage. Tapado, a seafood and coconut-milk stew, is one of the area's best-known dishes and commonly includes fish, shellfish, plantains, and other ingredients. Hudut, made with mashed plantain and fish served with a coconut-based sauce, is another traditional Garífuna food. Cassava, coconut, plantains, and seafood are important ingredients in local cooking. The town's boat-only access, multilingual communities, Caribbean setting, and Garífuna traditions give Livingston a cultural and geographic character that differs noticeably from Guatemala's highland and inland destinations.