Rio Dulce

Rio Dulce (also called Fronteras) is a coastal river town in eastern Guatemala. It is also the name of a national park that spans an area of about 130 square kilometers along the Rio Dulce and its lake. Rio Dulce town is a popular moorage spot for people sailing around the Caribbean, as it sustains very little damage from hurricanes.

Understand
The main part of town is along the CA13 highway, where most shops, transport, and other services are. The rest is along the river, including marinas and accommodation options.

Near the mouth of the river is the historic Castillo de San Felipe de Lara, a colonial era Spanish fort built to protect against pirates.

The Rio Dulce National Park was established in 1955 to provide protected habitat for a number of species including manatees, crocodiles, over 100 species of birds including a number of marine birds like herons and pelicans.

By bus
There are 1st class buses and chicken buses connecting Rio Dulce with Flores (Guatemala), Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala via Guatemala city. Litegua operates 5 buses per day from Guatemala City to Rio Dulce and Fuente del Norte operates 4 buses per day. The ride from Guatemala City to Rio Dulce is under 4 hours and costs about US$30 on a first-class bus but local second class buses can take double that with all the stops they make, but can cost half as much.

Shuttles from Coban and La Ceiba in Honduras are possible as well. Buses are also available from Copan Ruinas in Honduras with a change of bus at a junction - but you can buy tickets directly to your destination.

By boat
Boats come up the river from Livingston every couple of hours.

Get around
Getting around Rio Dulce really depends on your mood. You can walk, take a chicken bus, sail, hire a lancha (boat), take one of the many shuttles or minibuses or even a Tuk-Tuk (moto taxi). If you're heading to one of the further sites, you can even mix & match! It's always a "ride"!!

See

 * Castillo De San Felipe - A small fort built by the Spanish in 1652 to protect from British pirate raids. It’s a 5-km walk or tuk tuk ride from Rio Dulce Town, or it can accessed by boat. Entry is Q20, opening hours 09:00-17:00.
 * Quiriguá - Mayan ruins southwest of town. Either arrange transportation in town or chicken bus out to the site.
 * Finca Paraiso (Hot Springs Waterfall) — A blend of hot springs, a hot waterfall, a cool emerald pool to swim and play in (cliff diving is great fun when the water is high), lush tropical jungle and if you're lucky, mingle with the local villagers. A simply beautiful place to swim and relax. Gets full on weekends and holidays. Get there by taking a bus from the market in Rio Dulce, heading towards El Estor/Lago Izabal.

Do

 * Take a boat tour of the Rio Dulce, which can include a waterside view the Castillo, a stop by hot springs, and other natural features of the river.  The journey is particularly beautiful and is well worth trying out, the trip then ends at Livingston.
 * A three-day trek is run by Felipe. He can generally be contacted at Oasis Chiyu, or elsewhere around town.  Just ask for Felipe from Philadelphia.  Varying degrees of difficulty can be arranged.
 * Lanchas el Canche run trips along the river and into Livingston as well as snorkeling/diving trips to the Belize Barrier Reef, +502 5334 7975

Buy

 * A market is held everyday in the center of town. Typical market fare is available here.

Eat
There are numerous restaurants along the riverside, some more upscale serving international food, others serving simpler things, but still mainly aimed at visitors in sailboats and other tourists. Street food and minimarkets are on the main street.



Sleep
There are many places outside the immediate town on the banks of the river that are nice. They can only be reached by boat. Most have private shuttle boats and will come to pick you up if you call them.

Tijax Express, close to the bridge, is Rio Dulce's unofficial tourist information. They can call all the places and arrange pickup.

Go next

 * Puerto Barrios
 * Livingston