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Back to Raxruja

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Voykit pocket guide · 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.

AlmolongaCantelCarmelitaChichicastenangoChimaltenangoChiquimulaCobánDoloresEl ParedónEl RemateEscuintlaEsquipulasFloresGuatemala CityRaxruja100 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Guatemala
Best months
Nov–Apr
Avoid
May–Oct (rainy season, some roads may be difficult)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
GTQ
Money
Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). Cards work in Antigua hotels and restaurants; markets, lake villages and shuttles often need cash.
Daily spend
Budget Q200–350 excl. bed · Mid Q350–600 excl. bed · High Q600+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.
Emergency
Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 122/123 · Tourist assistance 1500
Plugs
Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts in storms.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.; Guides (Tikal, volcanoes): Q50–100 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Q10–20.
Water
Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.
Toilets
Paper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Meal at a comedorQ30–60
Bottle of waterQ5–10
Minivan to SayaxchéQ30–50
Minivan to CobánQ40–70

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

FRS · Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores)
About 2.5 h by shuttle or bus; check connections.

Typical fares

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)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

On foot in town; minivans to Cancuén, Sayaxché, Cobán and Lanquín. Ask at your hotel or the minivan stand near the small downtown.

See and do

Known for

  • Candelaria Caves
  • Cancuén ruins

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Candelaria CavesWalk or short taxi from town centreAbout 15 min
Cancuén ruinsMinivan to La Unión, then boat from the Cancuén signAbout 1–1.5 h
Lanquín and Semuc ChampeyMinivan via Sebol (not via Cobán)About 2–3 h
Flores and TikalShuttle or bus via SayaxchéAbout 3–4 h

Sleep

Town centre
A few basic hotels and comedores; most visitors stay at Hotel Candelaria near the caves.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHolaOH-lah
Thank youGraciasGRAH-see-ahs
How much?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the minivan to Cancuén?¿Dónde está la minivan a Cancuén?DOHN-deh es-TAH lah mee-nee-VAHN ah kan-KWEN
I need a guide for the cavesNecesito un guía para las cuevasneh-seh-SEE-toh oon GHEE-ah PAH-rah las KWEH-vahs

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; in villages a softer handshake; avoid: Rushing straight to business
  • Photography: Ask first and accept a no; avoid: Photographing children
  • Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Flash during ceremonies
  • Bargaining: Smile, make an offer, walk away politely; avoid: Haggling over a few quetzales with weavers

Scams and watch-outs

  • 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.

Raxruja is generally safe for tourists, but use common sense: avoid walking alone at night, secure your belongings, and arrange transport through your hotel or a trusted operator.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Raxruja yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Candelaria Caves
  • Cancuén ruins

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Raxruja

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

The US embassy is in Guatemala City; most other countries have embassies there as well.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/raxruja). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.