Translated from the Spanish for sweet river, Rio Dulce is a beautiful Guatemalan river that flows from Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea.
Lush landscapes sweep its banks, with dense rainforests and calming waters.
Boaters and those who seek adventure gather in this unique place, with marinas lining the river banks, they’re spoilt for choice for a place to stop.
Getting Here
Depending on your starting point, there are a few options that will get you to Rio Dulce.
Rio Dulce is located in the east of Guatemala and connects Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea.
By Air
If you’re coming from abroad, the easiest way to travel to Rio Dulce is by plane flying into La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City – the country’s capital (if you’re wondering if the city’s worth a visit – it is!).
Many tour operators and airlines have flights to the city. From here, you can take a bus, shuttle or hire a private car to travel to Rio Dulce. The journey takes between four and five hours, depending on the road conditions and traffic.
By Bus
Buses from Guatemala City depart regularly to Rio Dulce from various terminals including the Terminal de Transportes Centrales or the Litegua bus station.
As mentioned above, the journey takes around 4-5 hours. If you’re traveling from other cities in Guatemala, you can find connecting buses from cities such as Flores (near Tikal) and Antigua.
By Car
Here are some options you have:
- Rental Car: If you prefer more flexibility and comfort, hiring a car in Guatemala City and driving to Rio Dulce is an option. This way will give you more control over your travel and you can stop along the way to visit other places.
- Private Transportation: Hiring a private driver is also an option, or you could join a tour that provides private transportation from major cities to Rio Dulce.
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By Boat
Given that Rio Dulce is a large river, it is possible to travel there by boat.
The river connects Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea, so if you’re traveling along the Caribbean coast or exploring the lake to the west, you can arrive in Rio Dulce by boat.
Before you travel, it’s always a good idea to ensure you have the latest information on transport options, conditions and schedules before you embark on your journey.
You should also check any travel advisories and requirements, especially if you are traveling internationally. Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance too, should anything go awry.
Where to Stay
When you’ve arrived in Rio Dulce, you’ll find that several marinas offer accommodation for travelers and mooring options for boats.
Some popular marinas that have lodging options include:
1. Monkey Bay Marina
Monkey Bay Marina is one of the most well-known marinas along the Rio Dulce. It’s popular with sailors and travelers who are keen to explore the Rio’s natural beauty.
Monkey Bay Marina is located around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the mouth of the river where it meets the Caribbean Sea.
The marina is surrounded by tropical landscapes which is what makes it so popular with visitors. It describes itself as a family resort (so if you’re looking for partying and romance, this isn’t the place for you!).
Accommodation
There are a range of accommodation options including cabins, camping and docking.
There are various types of cabins to suit your budget starting from basic and rustic ones to cabins with modern amenities such as private bathrooms, comfortable beds and kitchenettes.
The dock space welcomes sailboats, motorboats and yachts. There are twenty-two slips with 30- and 50-Amp service for boats and these can be booked in advance.
Amenities
Monkey Bay Marina claims it may have the best potable water in the area. There’s no bar or restaurant on the site itself but there are plenty nearby.
There are six areas at Monkey Bay Marina: the docks, a “ranchito”, the “rancho,” a large workshop, an outside community kitchen and grill, and the gardens.
The Ranchito and the Rancho are both comfortable places where you can find beer and soft drinks on an honor system.
The workshop is accessible to all guests and you’ll find tools and charging outlets if you need to carry out some boat-related maintenance.
Monkey Bay Marina has a set of house rules to follow – mainly so that all guests can experience the marina comfortably.
They include clearing up after yourself once you’ve used the communal kitchens and making sure your pets are under control if you choose to bring them.
2. Marina Tortugal
Marina Tortugal has established a community environment off the shores of Rio Dulce where making new friends over coffee in the mornings is commonplace.
It is located between The Bridge and Castillo San Felipe, around a mile upriver from the busy little village of Fronteras, Rio Dulce.
It provides an advantageous spot with a peninsular setting with clean water, locational security and the all-important cooling breeze.
Accommodation
Boats mooring in Marina Tortugal will enjoy the community spirit here.
You’ll find bungalows to stay in treetop suites, an enchanted cottage, a nature house, the Iguana Tree large room and a river view large room.
All accommodation options private bathrooms (some even have a bathtub!) and include breakfast too.
Amenities
The marina offers a range of amenities including free kayak use!
There’s baggage storage, room service, a laundry service, printer and a lounge area. There is also a free water taxi to Fronteras from in front of the restaurant at various times of the day.
The resort also offers boat maintenance, clean, filtered drinking water and a restaurant.
The food is all homemade and the restaurant’s location gives you a stunning panoramic view of the early morning sunrise and river traffic.
3. Catamaran Island Hotel
Our third option is the Catamaran Island Hotel. This hotel was established in 1969 and was used as a waypoint for a charter business from Rio Dulce to the Keys of Belize.
The travelers soon started spending more time here due to the fantastic location and it evolved into the beautiful resort that it is today.
Accommodation
The site offers 34 rooms which are all private bungalows that have private bathrooms and include air conditioning.
Some of the bungalows are on the riverside and others surround the garden and pool area of the hotel. Bungalow sizes range from 1-person occupation to family rooms that accommodate up to five guests.
Amenities
The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with a full-service bar and restaurant where you can enjoy local popular drinks and try exquisite dishes.
There’s also the Riverside Bar, Pool Deck Restaurant and Riverside Restaurant.
If you want to play sports here, you’ve a choice of tennis and volleyball courts to use. The marina offers 50 slips for boats, electricity and drinking water, use of the hotel pool, and a 10% discount in the restaurant and bar.
Volcano hikes in Guatemala
Things to Do
The area is awash with possibilities when it comes to things to do: boat tours, sandy Caribbean beaches, castles and brightly-colored villages are all within easy reach of Rio Dulce.
Boat Tours
If you’ve not traveled in your own vessel, having a boat tour is a great way to see what Rio Dulce has to offer.
Many of the accommodation options will be able to advise you on boat tours when you arrive.
Hot Springs
Finca Paraíso, located on the shores of nearby Lake Izabal, has a hot spring waterfall – a rare phenomenon if ever there was one!
Here you can experience the hot flow of the waterfall emitting water vapor into the air before it is cooled as it lands in the colder waters of the San Antonio River below.
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Livingston
Livingston lies at the mouth of the Rio Dulce and was once Guatemala’s main port.
The town has a unique heritage and has an off-beat Caribbean feel to it. Getting to Livingston is only by boat, which makes it all the more enticing for visitors.
Lake Izabal
Lake Izabal, from where Rio Dulce flows, is the largest of Guatemala’s lakes.
The waters are often exposed to strong windstorms and have an abundance of wildlife including waterfowl, fish, and herons.
Castillo San Felipe de Lara
The castle is a Spanish colonial fortress that sits at the entrance to Lake Izabal and was strategically located at the river’s narrowest point.
It was used by the Spanish for centuries and was looted and destroyed many times by pirates.
You may see some wildlife around the area including blue-eyed cichlids, howler monkeys, manatees, spider monkeys and jaguars.
Further Afield
If you’re looking to explore Guatemala further, there are many things to do!
Why not take a trip to Lake Atitlán and explore on a boat cruise, see Mayan villages, or waterfalls?
There are also more active options that include kayaking, bike tours and sunrise hiking.
Final Thoughts on Rio Dulce Marinas, Guatemala
The marinas in Rio Dulce offer a unique vantage point to explore the natural beauty and community feel of the river, particularly for those who are traveling by boat.
There are tranquil cruises and jungle exploration trips to be had. If you want something that’s a bit off-the-beaten-track, the Rio Dulce marinas will fulfil your want!
