National park · Guatemala
Candelaria Caves National ParkParque Nacional Cuevas de Candelaria
Enter Candelaria Caves for a 30‑minute guided hike and float the underground river; budget about GTQ 30 (≈US$4) for entry, and plan a visit in the dry season (Nov–Apr) to avoid rain‑slick paths.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, 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.
- Central Highlands ↗Tourist shuttles between Antigua, the airport and Lake Atitlán run by day; they stop in the evening.
- Central Highlands ↗Antigua sits about 1,530 m; Cobán about 1,320 m. Neither usually causes altitude problems, but nights are cool.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Area
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Candelaria Caves National Park protects a vast karst system with up to 80 km of passages, high chambers and an underground river that can be floated; the park offers short guided hikes and river tours, with entry costing GTQ 30 per person.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1999
check
Why go
- Explore one of Central America's largest karst cave systems.
- Float on the underground Rio Candelaria in inner tubes.
- See impressive stalactites, stalagmites and chambers up to 60 m high.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BatsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cuevas de Candelaria: B'omb'il Pek | Main entrance with 30‑min hike; river access for floating. | Open daily; ticket at gate. |
| Cuevas de Candelaria: Mucbilhá Raxruha | Entrance with night tours and on‑site guesthouse. | Open 07:00‑17:00; guided tours required.Open 7:00 AM‑5:00 PM; guided tours required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata for park centre; entrance points from source listings.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (all entrances) | GTQ 30 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for night tours and river float activities.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the cave system; use nearby lodge.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires inside the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Candelaria Lodge
Basic rooms with restaurant; cash only.
Safety
River currents medium
Slippery cave floors low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance hikes involve uneven terrain; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local Mayan guides to support community income.
- Avoid buying souvenirs that exploit cave wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Candelaria Caves National Park?
Entry is GTQ 30 per person (≈US$4); fee covers access to any of the three main entrances.
What are the best hikes in Candelaria Caves National Park?
The 30‑minute hike to the B'omb'il Pek entrance and the longer trail to Mucbilhá Raxruha (about 45 min) are the main routes; both can be done with a local guide.
When is the best time to visit Candelaria Caves National Park?
Visit in the dry season, November to April, to avoid rain‑slick paths and flooding in the underground river.
Can I float the underground river?
Yes, with a guide; rent inner tubes at the entrance and wear a life jacket.
Are there facilities for overnight stays?
Camping is not allowed inside the park; nearby Hotel Candelaria Lodge offers basic rooms.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Candelaria Caves National Park
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