Nestled in the lush heart of Guatemala, Rio Dulce is a hidden gem that calls to the adventurous souls seeking an off the beaten path travel experience. With its winding river, dense jungles, and vibrant local culture, Rio Dulce promises an unforgettable journey. Let’s dive into what your trip to Rio Dulce could look like!
Table of Contents
- Where is Rio Dulce?
- Best Time to Visit Rio Dulce
- Where to Stay in Rio Dulce
- How to get to Rio Dulce
- 4 Days in Rio Dulce Itinerary
- Other Activities in Rio Dulce
- Where should I go after Rio Dulce?
Where is Rio Dulce?
This quaint town in the Northern portion of Guatemala, and largely in Izabal district. Situated between Lake Izabal and El Golfete, Rio Dulce is a luscious green haven often explored by boat or kayak. Not too far is Livingston, another small beach town on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast. Most backpackers and travelers travel to Rio Dulce from Flores, Antigua, or Guatemala City, making it very accessible. Rio Dulce town is actually a very small stretch of hotels and restaurants, but most popular hotels are along the Rio Dulce river.
Best Time to Visit Rio Dulce
Best time to see Rio Dulce is during dry season from November to April. During these days, the weather is warm and sunny and the chances of rain are lower.
Wet season for Rio Dulce runs from May to October and may have strong rain or thunderstorms causing unanticipated effects. Not to mention the number of mosquitos is also greatly increased during the rainy season. Although very bareable with plenty of bug spray.
Where to Stay in Rio Dulce
Rio Dulce offers several lodging options for those who are interested in nice hotels or budget hostels. Some of my top recommendations for hotels in Rio Dulce are Finca Tatin, Hotelito Perdido, Nanajuana Rio Dulce, Tortugal Boutique River Lodge, Hotel Mansion del Rio, and Dreamcatcher Eco lodge.
Some Rio Dulce hotels are located in the main town, however, most are located on the river. To get to those Rio Dulce hotels located on the river, there is often a boat sent by the hotel to the main town that will take you to the hotel. The boat timings are sent by your hotel. In some cases, multiple hotels will be using one hotel’s boat in order to transport guest, so be sure to ask where the boat is going.
Staying at Finca Tatin in Rio Dulce
I spent almost 1 week at Finca Tatin and had the best time enjoying everything Rio Dulce had to offer. At Finca Tatin there was a lancha that would pick up guests from various docks in Rio Dulce. The lancha timing was at 2:30pm and this was the only lancha that would pick up from Rio Dulce for the whole day. The boat ride took about an hour after stopping at the other hotels.
Checking into the hotel was a process. The hotel is setup to have a number of cabanas located all around the property. The cabanas can hold anywhere from 1 to 12 people depending on which one you book. Booking can be done online (Agoda has the best prices) or through WhatsApp.
Finca Tatin in Rio Dulce
My all time favorite spot in Rio Dulce, Finca Tatin, has a restaurant and bar on the property. There is free Wi Fi although Wi Fi can be very slow at times. There is plenty of jungle behind the hotel making it a nature immersive experience. And if you’re up for it, kayaks are available for rent along with boat transport which can be booked the night before.
Every night the hotel has a family dinner where you pick the type of meal you want. The bread they serve is absolutely delicious! Towards the end of dinner the hotel manager goes around asking everyone what they plan to do the next day, which helped me learning about the possible options for activities.
Overall, Finca Tatin is a great place to stay right on the river with all facilities and amenities available. The staff really tries to meet your accommodations. It’s a budget hotel for the backpackers but also a nice getaway for those looking for something nicer. I can’t recommend it enough!
How to get to Rio Dulce
Guatemala City, Antigua, Flores, or Lanquin to Rio Dulce
Buses or shared shuttles are available from city center in any of these cities to Rio Dulce. Get tickets from Guate Go or Gekko Trails Explorer.
If you are traveling from Lanquin to Rio Dulce, you’re in for a ride. It’s a whole day effort through an unpaved road. But you are definitely in for some panoramic views.
Livingston to Rio Dulce
The hotels will have boats coming from Livingston to Rio Dulce. They will provide a schedule of when the boats are available.
4 Days in Rio Dulce Itinerary
Rio Dulce is the perfect place to unplug and adventure into nature. Put together is a concise itinerary featuring the highlights of everything Rio Dulce has to offer. While 4 days is enough, consider spending more time here to really take in all the sights.
Day 1
Arrive to Rio Dulce and check into your accommodation
On Day 1 you will be taken to your accomodation on the river by boat. From picking everyone up at different docks to dropping everyone off at various hotels, the ride takes much longer than you think.
Explore the area around the hotel and relax by Rio Dulce
By the time you arrive at the hotel it might be evening time. In which case, explore the hotel area and relax by Rio Dulce or any lounge area. Get ready for 2 adventure packed days.
Day 2
Kayak to Lampara Waterfall
Wake up early and grab those rental kayaks! Because today you are kayaking all the way down to Lampara Waterfall. Depending on where your hotel is situated on the river, your hotel may provide a boat that will drop you and your kayaks off closer to the waterfall. Also be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks as it is a full day activity!
From Finca Tatin, I kayaked the whole way from the hotel to the waterfall. And let me tell you, it was a long and tiring journey. Quick tip, definitely find a buddy that also wants to do this and grab a tandem kayak. If you’re lacking in the upper body strength like me, your buddy can always make up for it and give you some rest.
The current on Rio Dulce may be strong so be prepared to paddle hard when you are crossing it. The mouth of the small river that flows into Lampara waterfall is located right around the corner of the popular Restaurante el Viajero. Once you find it, it’s very easy to navigate down the river until the very end. It’s a long and calming kayaking trip that takes you between lotus flowers and a variety of birds.
Getting to Lampara Waterfall
You’ll know when you are at the end of the river because you’ll see a small house with an area for tying up your kayak. Someone should be waiting on one side of the river collecting the 10 Quetzal entry fee to see the waterfall. Then a guide will come and take you to the waterfall. It’s a short 15 minute hike that isn’t hard at all.
The waterfall is large and swimming is allowed. The guide will leave you to enjoy your visit to the waterfall and then you’ll have to make the journey back to the kayaks on your own. But don’t worry, the trail is very straightforward.
Grab food at Restaurante El Viajero
On the way back from Lampara waterfall, stop at Restaurante el Viajera and enjoy a late lunch. The restaurant serves a variety of seafoods and cocktails for you to indulge in. It’s an awesome spot right on the river and you won’t be dissappointed.
Spend the night at the hotel
Once you are back at the hotel, the rest of the day is for you to stretch and relax. Tomorrow is another action packed day in Rio Dulce that you will need to be well rested for.
Day 3
Kayak, hike, or take a boat ride to Livingston
Today you are making a day trip to Livingston. There are a couple ways to get to Livingston depending on how tired or not tired you’re feeling. For those that are way too sore from yesterday’s kayaking, the hotel should have a boat that can take you there and back. From Finca Tatin, you also have the option of hiking to Livingston which will take you through the jungle and allow you to see any wildlife. Or you can kayak to Livingston, if you haven’t kayaked enough already. The boat can take you back if you aren’t up for the hike or kayak journey back.
I made my way to Livingston by kayak and I would highly recommend this way. The river current was flowing towards the sea which made paddling much easier. However, the closer I got to Livingston, the choppier the waves became getting me soaked in the salt water. I’d highly recommend bringing a dry bag for your belongings.
Explore Livingston
Livingston is a very small beach town with not too much going on. There is no set beach area and whatever beach I did see was not that nice. There are, however, several local restaurants lining the main street that are definitely worth a shot.
After a couple hours in Livingston, take the boat back to the hotel in Rio Dulce.
Return to hotel by evening
The remainder of the night is for you to soak in the last bits of this jungle paradise. Tomorrow is your last day in Rio Dulce!
Day 4
Visit the Ak’ Tenamit school for a tour
If you wake up early enough, I highly recommend visiting the Ak’ Tenamit school. The Ak’ Tenamit school is a school that focuses on teaching students about hospitality and tourism. Located right by Finca Tatin, I was awarded with the wonderful opportunity to tour the school and get a better understanding of the local life. Students learn a variety of things here including cooking, arts, local traditions, and nature just to name a few. There is a restaurant on the campus where the students serve you a free meal. Overall, this is a great way for the local community and the younger generations to build out new opportunities to better themselves.
Take the boat to the next destination
After checking out, the hotel boat takes you to Rio Dulce where you are dropped off at the shuttle stop taking you to your next destination.
Other Activities in Rio Dulce
Incase you do have extra time in Rio Dulce, here are a few more activities to fill your day:
Agua Caliente, the hot springs
Right along Rio Dulce is an area that produces geothermal heat from the ground creating a hot spring. This hot spring phenomenon is near a small trail, caves, and restaurant, making this a great half day activity for relaxation and exploration. Take your time swimming in the warm river water and grab a meal to eat at the restaurant.
The best way to get here is either by kayak or by boat which you can request from your hotel.
Kayak through the mangroves
Further down the river closer to Rio Dulce town are the mangroves. Here you are sure to see a variety or birds and maybe even a crocodile! Because the mangroves are a bit further away from most hotels, the boat will drop you off with your kayaks right at the opening on the mangroves. Either you can kayak back or ask the boat to pick you up again.
Where should I go after Rio Dulce?
After visiting Rio Dulce, most backpackers will either travel to Flores, Antigua, or Guatemala City. Shuttles are available in Rio Dulce town to any of these cities.
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Staying at Finca Tatin looks incredible – I LOVE that early morning view! The kayaking and possibly wildlife viewing makes all this sound like a perfect holiday! How were the mosquitos when you were in the kayak?
Great article. Adding to my bucket list!
Love this guide to Rio Dulce, Guatemala. It’s such a beautiful area and lots to do on this four-day itinerary.
I have guatemala on my travel list and I am going to add this to it! This looks like so much fun!