Izabal Department
Caribbean coast; banana history (United Fruit). Garífuna community, Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce. By 2026, tourism (Rio Dulce, Livingston) and port modernization offer growth; Garífuna culture differentiates.
Caribbean Guatemala—Izabal's Atlantic coast hosts Puerto Barrios, historically the banana export gateway. United Fruit Company transformed the department's economy and politics in the early 20th century, creating labor arrangements that influenced national history.
The Garífuna community (Afro-Caribbean descent) maintains cultural traditions along the coast. Lake Izabal, Guatemala's largest, provides fishing livelihoods. The Rio Dulce connects lake to Caribbean, offering scenic waterway travel that attracts tourists.
Agricultural diversification beyond bananas includes rubber, cardamom, and palm oil. The department's humid Caribbean climate differs dramatically from Pacific coast and highlands. Environmental conservation competes with agricultural expansion and resource extraction.
2026 trajectory: Tourism development (Rio Dulce, Livingston) expands. Port infrastructure modernization serves trade growth. Garífuna cultural tourism offers differentiation from highland Maya focus.