Major city · Guatemala
Raxruja
Go for 1–2 days if you are into caving and Maya ruins; otherwise skip. The Candelaria Caves and Cancuén ruins are the draw.
Raxruja is a small town in Guatemala's Northern Lowlands, known as a base for the Candelaria Caves and the nearby Maya ruins of Cancuén. Most visitors come for one night to explore the caves and then move on to Lanquín or Flores. The town itself has limited services.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, some roads may be difficult)
- Airport
- FRS
- Nights
- 1
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
Emergency numbers for Raxruja110 ▾
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 Raxruja, 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
- SafetyRaxruja is generally safe for tourists, but use common sense: avoid walking alone at night, secure your belongings…
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.
- AirportcheckFRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 2.5 h by shuttle or bus; check connections.).
- Getting aroundOn foot in town; minivans to Cancuén, Sayaxché, Cobán and Lanquín.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedDorm bed in basic hostel, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in basic hotel, a night, per roomGTQ 350
- High-end bedPrivate room in basic hotel, a night, per roomGTQ 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 500 · High GTQ 800
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 2.5 h by shuttle or bus; check connections.)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Sep (17 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Raxruja: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
10 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
17 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
15 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 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
On foot in town; minivans to Cancuén, Sayaxché, Cobán and Lanquín. Ask at your hotel or the minivan stand near the small downtown.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Candelaria Caves
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Walk or short taxi from town centre
Guided tours available; bring a torch and water.
Cancuén ruins
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Minivan to La Unión, then boat from the Cancuén sign
Arrange the boat at the tienda near the Cancuén sign; do not walk to the embarcadero alone.
Lanquín and Semuc Champey
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Minivan via Sebol (not via Cobán)
Go via Sebol to save time; Semuc Champey is a full day.
Flores and Tikal
goDoor to door: About 3–4 h
Shuttle or bus via Sayaxché
A long day trip; better to overnight in Flores.
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.
Town centre
A few basic hotels and comedores; most visitors stay at Hotel Candelaria near the caves.
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
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
- High
- Q600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in basic hotel1 × 1 night × GTQ 350 | GTQ 350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 500 | GTQ 1,000 |
| Minivan from Cobán to Raxruja2 × GTQ 50 · check | GTQ 100 |
| Candelaria Caves entrance and guide2 × GTQ 100 · check | GTQ 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 165 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 908 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,815 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a comedor | Q30–60 |
| Bottle of water | Q5–10 |
| Minivan to Sayaxchécheck | Q30–50 |
| Minivan to Cobáncheck | Q40–70 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Minivans to Cancuén and Lanquín may have irregular schedules; ask locally and allow extra time.
- Candelaria Caves are a protected area; bring a torch and wear sturdy shoes.
- Cancuén ruins require a boat ride from the Cancuén sign; do not walk to the embarcadero without arranging the ride first.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
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RaxrujaRaxruja
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
The US embassy is in Guatemala City; most other countries have embassies there as well.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minivan from Cobán to Raxruja: about Q40–70, 2–3 h (check)
- Minivan to Sayaxché: about Q30–50, 1 h (check)
- Minivan to Lanquín via Sebol: about Q50–80, 2–3 h (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la minivan a Cancuén? — Where is the minivan to Cancuén? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah mee-nee-VAHN ah kan-KWEN)
- Necesito un guía para las cuevas — I need a guide for the caves (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon GHEE-ah PAH-rah las KWEH-vahs)
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 Raxruja. 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 · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, some roads may be difficult) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Candelaria Caves guided tour with transport and gear.
- Cancuén ruins with boat and guide.
- Combined tour of caves and ruins from Flores or Lanquín.
Sources
Ask about Raxruja
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