Rio Dulce is well connected to Tikal! Check out our guide for the best options to travel from Tikal to Rio Dulce.
Izabal department of Guatemala is home to Rio Dulce, a town and a stunning river. The town is one of the most picturesque in Guatemala, nestled in the beautiful Caribbean jungle!
Next to the town flows the wide Rio Dulce river surrounded by hills covered in lush tropical vegetation reflecting the water, giving a spectacular green color!
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This vibrant and loud town offers a host of exciting activities for both tourists and locals!
Rio Dulce is dotted with numerous colorful houses, hotels, and restaurants, many built on the water! Several small restaurants are located on its waterfront, where you can enjoy a wonderful lunch overlooking the marina filled with sailboats.
It is also a perfect destination for water sports lovers and nature lovers alike. Quiet at night and busy during the day, this river town is one of a kind!
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Tikal to Rio Dulce.
How far is Rio Dulce from Tikal?
The distance from Tikal to Rio Dulce is 164.7 miles or 265 kilometers.
Transportation Options from Tikal to Rio Dulce
The following table outlines all transportation options from Tikal to Rio Dulce:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coach Bus from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores | ~6 hours | USD 34-USD 62 |
| Shared Shuttle from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores | ~6 hours | USD 66-USD 68 |
| Private Transfer from Tikal to Rio Dulce | 4 hours 45 minutes | – |
| Rental Car | 4 hours 45 minutes | – |
Getting to Rio Dulce from Tikal
1. Coach Bus from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores
Journey Duration: ~6 hours
If you want to get from Tikal to Rio Dulce by public transport, you must first travel to Flores.
Since Tikal is a national park, it doesn’t leave you many choices for direct transportation to Rio Dulce. That’s why, to catch a bus to Rio Dulce, you must first find a way to reach Flores!
Flores is located near Tikal, and there are regular fares to and from Tikal with the public minibus on this route. However, to reach Flores faster, we recommend taking a taxi or getting on the shared van shuttle!
As there is only one daily shuttle from Tikal to Flores, make sure you don’t miss it!
Tikal to Flores Transport Schedule:
- 12:30 PM to 04:30 PM: Shuttle to Flores from Tikal
Total price: USD 30
When you are in Flores, the first option you have to get to Rio Dulce is the Maya De Oro coach bus!
The direct Maya De Oro coach bus is the most popular option to travel from Flores to Rio Dulce!
This is the cheapest option, and from this point on, you have only 4 hours left to go to Rio Dulce! The bus leaves from Santa Elena’s bus station and will drop you off at Calle Principal in Rio Dulce.
It’s a reasonably priced, fast, and comfortable trip!
The whole trip from Tikal to Rio Dulce should cost USD 34-USD 62, which is a great deal!
However, the bus from Flores departs earlier than the bus from Tikal, so you won’t be able to make this journey on the same day by choosing this option.
If you’re in a rush and want to arrive in Rio Dulce in no time, we have a detailed guide on the other ways you can get from Flores to Rio Dulce!
Flores to Rio Dulce Coach Bus Schedule:
- 11:00 AM to 03:30 PM: Coach Bus to Rio Dulce from Flores
Total price: USD 32
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tikal to Rio Dulce. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform for comparing prices & schedules and making a booking online.
2. Shared Van Shuttle from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores
Journey Duration: ~6 hours
Another way you can get from Tikal to Rio Dulce is by shared shuttle. However, first, you have to make a transfer in Flores, just as you would with the bus.
You can get from Tikal to Flores by taxi, public minibus, private transfer, or shared van shuttle!
However, if you decide to take two shuttles from Tikal to Rio Dulce, you won’t be able to make the whole trip on the same day. Shuttles from Flores to Rio Dulce depart earlier than those from Tikal, so you must wait for the next day to get the next one.
Tikal to Flores Transport Schedule:
- 12:30 PM to 04:30 PM: Shuttle to Flores from Tikal
Total price: USD 30
However, if you don’t mind the delay and decide to take this route, you can read our detailed guide on how to get from Flores to Rio Dulce here!
Flores to Rio Dulce Shared Shuttle Schedule:
- 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Shared Shuttle to Rio Dulce from Flores
Total price: USD 36
- 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Shared Shuttle to Rio Dulce from Flores
Total price: USD 38
Take a look at the schedules, and save your seats online!
3. Private Transfer from Tikal to Rio Dulce
Journey Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes
Are you traveling in a group? Then try to find and choose one of Flores’ numerous travel agencies, and reserve an entire shuttle for yourself!
Hiring a private transfer saves you a lot of time because the driver can pick you up from Tikal and drive you straight to Rio Dulce without making additional stops and transfers along the way!
This gives you comfort and flexibility when planning your trip, and the best part is that you are not dependent on bus schedules. Additionally, sharing the cost of a private transfer with a few other people is quite convenient!
Along the way, you can take in the scenic sights of the jungle, stop for breaks, and capture some breathtaking photos! And before you know it, you’ll be in Rio Dulce!
The drive takes a little less than 5 hours.
Do your research before making a reservation, and be sure to pick the best option for you!
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tikal to Rio Dulce. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform for comparing prices & schedules and making a booking online.
4. Driving with Rental Car from Tikal to Rio Duce
Journey Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes
And lastly, if you haven’t taken off to Tikal already, we recommend you get there with a car rental because you might need it later if you want to get directly from Tikal to Rio Dulce!
Feel like going on a Guatemalan adventure? By getting a car rental, you have the freedom to explore Guatemala fully, without having to waste time and go through the crowds of public transport!
Renting a car in Flores is affordable and easy, thanks to the many car rental companies!
Rental cars are available for prices as low as USD 20 per day! So, you can rent your car and drive directly from Tikal to Rio Dulce!
When you’re ready to start traveling, you’ll have the freedom to organize and plan your route however you like, take any necessary detours, and stop whenever you need to rest. Additionally, you can get to Rio Dulce faster as the drive there typically takes less than five hours!
Best day tours in Rio Dulce, Guatemala
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
The following widget shows some of the best tours in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get from Tikal to Rio Dulce?
The cheapest way to get from Tikal to Rio Dulce, is by getting on a public mini bus to Flores and then transferring on the Maya De Oro coach bus that will take you to Rio Dulce. This option costs USD 32.
What is the fastest way to get from Tikal to Rio Dulce?
The fastest way to get from Tikal to Rio Dulce is by driving a car. You can either book a private transfer or rent a car from Flores! This journey take 4 hours and 45 minutes.
How do I get to Rio Dulce from Flores?
Once you get to Flores from Tikal you have multiple options to get to Rio Dulce next. You can choose between a coach bus or a shared shuttle. However, if you want to get there fast, you can either rent a car or book a private transfer!
How long does it take to get from Tikal to Flores?
You can get from Tikal to Flores in 1-2 hours.
How much is the public minibus from Tikal to Flores?
The ticket for the public minibus from Tikal to Flores costs USD 2-USD 5.
