4 Best Ways to get from Tikal to Rio Dulce, Guatemala

You can get from Tikal to Rio Dulce by bus, shared shuttle, private transfer, or rental car.

The cheapest option to travel from Tikal to Rio Dulce is by bus, which costs USD 34. The journey takes about 6 hours.

The bus is the most popular option because it offers the most affordable alternative.

The fastest way to travel from Tikal to Rio Dulce is by private transfer or rental car, which takes about 5 hours.

Guatemala’s been like a second home to me, with its colorful markets and quiet, foggy hilltops.

In this guide, I’m sharing my advice and travel tidbits that I’ve gathered to help you get from Tikal to Rio Dulce!

Check out our guide for the best options for traveling from Tikal to Rio Dulce.

Transportation Options from Tikal to Rio Dulce

The following table outlines all transportation options from Tikal to Rio Dulce:

Method	Time	Price
Coach Bus from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores	~6 hrs	$34 to 62
Shared Shuttle from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores	~6 hrs	$66 to 68
Private Transfer from Tikal to Rio Dulce	~5 hrs	–
Rental Car	~5 hrs	–

How far is Rio Dulce from Tikal?

The distance from Tikal to Rio Dulce is 164.7 miles or 265 kilometers.

Getting to Rio Dulce from Tikal

1. Coach Bus from Tikal to Rio Dulce via Flores

Journey Duration: ~6 hours

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, ensure you don’t miss it!

Tikal to Flores Transport Schedule:

The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from Tikal to Flores, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
12:30pm	04:30pm	4h	$30

When you are in Flores, the first option to get to Rio Dulce is the Maya De Oro coach bus!

The direct Maya De Oro coach bus is the most popular option for traveling 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 quickly, we have a detailed guide on the other ways you can get from Flores to Rio Dulce!

Flores to Rio Dulce Coach Bus Schedule:

The table below displays the coach bus timetable for trips from Tikal to Flores, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
11:00am	03:30pm	4h 30m	$32

2. Shared 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:

The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from Tikal to Flores, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
12:30pm	04:30pm	4h	$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:

The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from Flores to Rio Dulce, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
06:00am	10:00am	4h	$36

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!

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!

4. Driving with a 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 can explore Guatemala fully without wasting time and going 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 be free 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. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Here, you can find some of the best tours in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.

Frequently Asked Questions