Born in the town of Salama, southern Guatemala, Joel is now a local of Poptún. Against adversity, Joel has made a success of his local tuk-tuk business that ferries visitors around the locality.
Livingston occupies a tiny slither of Caribbean coast in the south of Guatemala. It’s the only enclave of the Garifuna people in the country, as well as being the extremely picturesque end to a fantastic boat cruise from nearby Rio Dulce.
Since day one of my journey through Central America, hummingbirds have become an obsession. I can’t explain their allure. I only know that when I watch them hover I stand silent; hypnotised.
Caving in Guatemala is an unceremonious affair. You hike for a while, usually through jungle, and then simply slip in. It’s almost as if you have stumbled upon the ancient geological formation by accident. Ah, a massive cave system: what a surprise!
It’s easy to fall in love with Tikal as you watch a gradual dawn reveal its ancient history. Temples rise from the jungle canopy, perforating the horizon with a hint of what they hold below the trees.
In my mission statement for Central America I laid out some guidance for my travels and have been lucky enough to slip back into my Spanish speaking, meet local people and learn about the history, politics and local customs of the places I’ve travelled through.
In Caye Caulker, the sand is white, the water is crystal clear and the streets are multicoloured. Whole lobsters are grilled to your taste on the roadside and the locals always have a smile (well, living here why wouldn’t they).
Panama is a city of old and new. Feats of modern engineering, ramshackle rooftops and one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems all battle it out for supremacy in this city of contrasts.