Major city · Guatemala
Rio Dulce
Spend 2 days in Rio Dulce: see the fort, take a river boat tour and stay overnight; add a day only for a trek or a trip to Livingston.
Rio Dulce is a small river town on the Caribbean side of Guatemala. The main attractions – Castillo de San Felipe, a river boat tour and hot‑spring stops – fit comfortably in two days. Longer stays are only needed for extended treks or a side trip to Livingston.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Mar–May
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, check)
- Airport
- PBR
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Rio Dulce110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rio Dulce, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay alert at night, keep valuables hidden, and watch for river flooding during rainy season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122/123 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPBR Puerto Barrios Airport.
- Getting aroundWalk, tuk‑tuk, chicken bus, or hire a lancha (small boat).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeQ5–10
- Museum or sight ticketCastillo entryQ20
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 50
- Mid-range bedPrivate cabin/bungalow, a night, per roomGTQ 250
- High-end bedPrivate cabin/bungalow, a night, per roomGTQ 350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 150 · Mid GTQ 250 · High GTQ 400
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PBR Puerto Barrios Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Mar–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rio Dulce: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk, tuk‑tuk, chicken bus, or hire a lancha (small boat). Boats run every couple of hours to Livingston; tuk‑tuks are common for short trips to the fort.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Castillo de San Felipe
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
5 km (3.1 mi) walk or tuk‑tuk from town centre; also reachable by boat.3.1 mi (5 km) walk or tuk‑tuk from town centre; also reachable by boat.
Entry Q20; historic Spanish fort.
Quiriguá
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Arrange transport in town or take a chicken bus north‑west.
Mayan ruins with towering stelae.
Livingston
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Lancha from the municipal dock, runs every 2 h.
Garífuna coastal town; plan for boat schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Backpackers
Hostel dorms to private king suites; under the bridge, walking distance from bus station.
Hotel Kangaroo y Restaurante
Jungle cabanas, boat transfer included; arrange tours to Livingston.
Tortugal Hotel & Marina
Waterfront bungalows and dorms; free shuttle from town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q150–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–350 excl. bed
- High
- Q400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 2 nights × GTQ 80 | GTQ 320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × GTQ 250 | GTQ 1,000 |
| First‑class bus Guatemala City → Rio Dulce (round trip)2 × GTQ 300 · check | GTQ 600 |
| Lancha to Livingston (one way)2 × GTQ 120 · check | GTQ 240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 216 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 594 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 2,376 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Q5–10 |
| Boat tour (river, includes fort view) | Q80–120 |
| Castillo entry | Q20 |
| Meal at riverside restaurant | Q30–70 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- First‑class bus from Guatemala City costs about US$30; local second‑class buses are cheaper but slower (check).
- Entry to Castillo de San Felipe is Q20; open 09:00‑17:00.Entry to Castillo de San Felipe is Q20; open 9:00 AM‑5:00 PM.
- Rain can make river roads slippery; keep an eye on weather forecasts.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rio Dulce. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Rio Dulce
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