Major city · Guatemala
Sayaxché
Spend 1–2 days in Sayaxché as a river base for Maya ruins; arrive by microbus from Cobán or Flores.
Sayaxché sits on the Río Dulce in Petén, serving as a convenient river gateway to western Maya sites such as Aguateca, Ceibal and Dos Pilas. The town is small, so a short stay (1‑2 days) covers transport arrangements and a day‑trip to at least one ruin.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler temperatures)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, river levels high)
- Airport
- FRS
- Nights
- 1–2
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 guide9 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sayaxché110 ▾
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 Sayaxché, 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
- SafetySayaxché is generally safe for tourists; main risks are river safety during high water and occasional petty theft in the market – keep valuables…
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.
- AirportFRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 1.5 h by microbus; shuttles to Sayaxché from Flores).
- Getting aroundWalk in town, hire a dugout canoe for river trips, or join a 4WD/mule tour from local operators.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomGTQ 300
- Mid-range bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomGTQ 500
- High-end bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomGTQ 800
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
- FRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 1.5 h by microbus; shuttles to Sayaxché from Flores)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sayaxché: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 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 in town, hire a dugout canoe for river trips, or join a 4WD/mule tour from local operators. Ferries (≈Q2) cross the river for vehicles.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Aguateca
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Hire a dugout canoe from town; 30–45 min downstream
Negotiate price; typical Q30–50 per person.
Ceibal (Seibal)
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h total
Canoe upriver; 45–60 min
Small site, good for a half‑day.
Dos Pilas
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
4WD tour from town or canoe; 1–2 h travel
Longer trip; consider a full day or combine with Aguateca.
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 Casa Grande
Downtown, pool, wifi, secured parking; good base for short stays.
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
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Q400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × GTQ 500 | GTQ 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 250 | GTQ 500 |
| Canoe hire to Aguateca (round trip)2 × GTQ 40 · check | GTQ 80 |
| Microbus change at Raxruja (one way)2 × GTQ 45 · check | GTQ 90 |
| eSIM, 1‑week data2 × GTQ 120 · check | GTQ 240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 141 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 776 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,551 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Meal (local restaurant) | Q30–50 |
| Canoe hire (per hour)check | Q20–35 |
| Ferry crossing (vehicle) | Q2 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | Q5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- River levels rise in the rainy season; check boat availability.
- Microbus connections may require a change at Raxruja; confirm schedules.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
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SayaxchéSayaxché
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; nearest for Sayaxché (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Microbus Cobán → Sayaxché: ≈ Q45, 2–3 h (check)
- Canoe to Aguateca (round trip): ≈ Q30–50 per person (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pweh-doh pah-gar kon tar-heh-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (don-deh es-tah el bah-nyo)
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 Sayaxché. 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: Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler temperatures) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, river levels high) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- River‑to‑bed contract: secure canoe hire early in the dry season.
- Microbus‑to‑hotel link: confirm departure times at the ferry dock.
Sources
Ask about Sayaxché
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