What is there to do around Rio Dulce?
Tour books like Lonely Planet provide you a small amount of information of some incredible places in this area. Unfortunately,
many people are rushed out of town by launchero's looking for commissions from distant hotels in remote places when you get
off the bus or you may plan your schedules and budgets according to the books and miss out on gems of the area that are beyond belief. This page contains tours I either know of or conduct that will provide memories for a lifetime.
It is no secret that you may be able to travel to some of these places by chicken busses which may or may not get you
there safely and on time. But I can offer you a service here that surpasses those options and offer many other places of
wonder and beauty by simply taking care of the details. I have done extensive studying into the Mayan history, the local medicinal plants, first aid, animals and insects that add a whole new dimension to your normal travels. I can also arrange
or provide transportation with AC that, (when enough people sign up for a tour) can be cheaper than the local chicken busses,
options for food, pay for entry fees to private properties and guide services, it is a little more costly, but nobody else
is doing many of these tours yet and by living down here my overhead is minimal.
My goal is to give you an authentic experience in Guatemala. These are personal tours that go at your pace and are tailored
to your interests. My hosts, from America and Guatemala, now live in Guatemala and know the area well. We will be pleased to
share our knowledge and love of Guatemala with you. I also use local guides at some sites to give you the best of both
worlds. My mission is to provide you with opportunities of options in transportation, a guide, meals to show you places you
could have otherwise missed. All tours I do, are customized to your specific desires and needs if you let me know ahead of time. Together we can mix and match your interests with time and budget to make the most of your visit.
I will cater your tour to your specific needs as best as possible i.e. options of
accommodations, special diets, group rates etc.
Your guide (me) has had emergency medical training and is certified but please inform him of any special conditions or
limitations that you may have. BUT, my passion is to share with you the natural wonders that still exist here, now and
while they last. I ask only that you respect these places and leave them as you find them, then if you wish, pass the
word around to the selective few that you feel will do the same.
Prices vary according to your budgets, the tour you desire whether your interest is in natural or cultural history, how
many people are with you, the lifestyle you would like to accommodate and how much time you want to spend here. If you are interested
in getting involved with charities or in supporting organizations that are doing projects down here, I am more than happy in
connecting you with the various people down here that are doing different things. There is a short list on the things you can do to
help page.
If you are a guide that is headed for this area, show this website to your clients! Then see what they may be most interested in and contact me and I will make ALL of the arrangements for you. That way, when you get to Rio Dulce you can
chill out and catch up on your paperwork or go along if you would like or go along on the trip you want to see. By the time you reach here, you will know your clients better and I can provide
a more refined tour to cater to those people for you.
There are other tours and things do available that are not yet listed here because I am still collecting pictures and information to better
describe them such as Ak Tenamet ( On the way to Livingston where you can spend
the night), an amazing local fish and shrimp farm, inner-tube trips, bird watching tours by a local specialist,
you can go horseback riding, sailing, and many others!
Day and half-Day Trips
Frutas del Mundo For the plant or rainforest lover an "EDIBLE TOUR!". Just outside of Buenos Aires which is just south of Rio Dulce is one mans dream come
true. Starting in 1987, he has reforested one section of clear cut forest with fruits of the world to initially to help reforest clear cut pastures and to teach locals how to live on their land profitably. Proving to others that reforestation is possible in a relatively short period. If you see a Rambutan fruit here in Guatemala, you can attribute that to his work and its success. Tours include transportation there, a guided "sample as you go" tour of the fruit farm topped off with an incredible tillapia lunch with fresh caught fish, juices, and greens grown right there on the farm. This is a eco travelers paradise on this totally self-sustaining farm. You do need an open mind and pallette, I am still seeing and tasting fruits I have never seen. The miracle fruit, largest fruit, the hottest chili, the fastest growing plant in the world and many other amazing goodies.
Castillo San Felipe If you arrive in town mid-day and still have some energy after a long bus trip. Castillo San
Felipe is a quick trip well worth seeing. Built by the Spaniards in the 1600's, this castle was used primarily to capture
pirate ships entering Lago Izabal. There is a swimming pool to relax in after you explore the castle which is in a beautiful
park. Or there is also a swimming area delegated at the mouth of Lago Izabal if you want to just get a taste of the clean
natural water in the area.
Horse Back Riding If you don't feel real ambitious but would like to see some amazing views of Rio Dulce and the
rainforest, I suggest choosing from two tours avalaible locally. The first tour is about two and a half hours up through a
ranch to a canopy suspension bridge 60 meters up in a jungle canopy followed by a trip to a tower with a view that covers
from Belize to Honduras and viewing approximately ten miles of Lago Izabal. From there you will see the operation of a running
rubber plantation. To complete this trip you will stop to swim in a private
spring fed pond to cool off and relax before your
return.
Boqueron Canyon and Finca Paraiso is a tour we offer and both places are listed in Lonely Planet and other brochures.
If you have time and a lot of patience, you can do both of these tours on your own. Separately on your own they are
individual day trips or with us you can do both without any worries. Click on the image to the left for more pictures
and information. Once again prices will vary according to what you want and how you want to get there.
Finca Pariaso and San Antonio Cavern Spend the day at Finca Paraiso then, hike to a living cavern that you enter into
the first chamber. It is protected and costs extra to enter this land so we need permission. You swim into the first
chamber which has underground waterfalls and, to say the least IS incredible, if you can swim,
you can all go here. If you have phobias of darkness, claustrophobia or fear of darkness, this is NOT a tour for you! There are
two different tours available for this cavern. Click on the image for more information.
San Antonio Caverns Continuing on above the Ceremonial cave is a living cavern that you can spend an entire day in
exploring. Pass through the first ceremonial chamber and on into the mountain. There is some swimming, some climbing, and a ton of amazement.
Limited waterproof bags are provided as well as the lead flashlight. If you have
our own equipment, that is a wonderful thing. If not, don't worry! Click on the image for more information.
Livingston You also have options on this tour. You can ride to Livingston with the Collectivo and they will provide you a quick tour of the canyon on the way to Livingston but you will miss several other amazing options. There are existing
projects not included in the Collectivo's trip and private homes that you can visit along the way that are in no books but well
worth the time and effort to see. There are no pictures that do this trip justice.
Ak' Tenamet Owned by Mayans for Mayans. Bringing back the heritage, basic education as well as developing sustainable/
eco-friendly projects to 40 surrounding villages! Ak' Tenamet has a beautiful botanical garden with a swimming hole at the
falls, a craft shop selling wares from the local inhabitants there, jungle walk, clinic, hotel facilities and much more. This is an enormous place with more things going on than I can list right here. This it is one of my favorite projects in the area.
Quirigua stelae Monoliths These huge stone monolithic sculptures, weighing up to 65 tons, were artfully carved
without the benefit of metal tools. Stone chisels, driven by other stones or wooden mallets, were the only tools
available; and yet the Mayan sculptors achieved not only a high level of artistry, but also a remarkable degree of
naturalism and refined detail. Most of the monuments face north, allowing the early morning sun to highlight the
relief of the carvings. Our price for this tour includes your entry fee to the park, guide, transportation, lunch
and return to Rio Dulce. Quirigua is about a 45 minute drive from Rio Dulce in private transportation.
THEME TOURS and MULTIPLE DAY TOURS
Harvest Gum With the Chiclero's
This tour is still a work in progress to learn the history and origins of gum. Hike and camp, living with the land on this trip of adventure. Taking and using only the basics, you will live as a Chiclero in the Peten and learn the process of where gum comes from. This tour is strictly for the adventurous at heart.
As I mentioned, I do not have all the details worked out on this tour yet, but if you are interested, I can work out the details.
Textile Tour
To understand the process of Guatemalan textiles, it is best seen from the locals point of view. Journey to the highlands of Guatemala and live with a family whose primary income is the production and sale of Guatemalan textiles and handicrafts.
El Refugio Bocas del Polochic
Do you want to see animals? Experience Guatemala's natural history before the nickel mines inpact destroys it!
Polochic is the remaining home for many endangered species like manatees, toucan, Central American river otter and
American Crocodile. Your best chance of seeing many animals in their natural habitat.
Spend the night in El Estor because we leave EARLY to get the best
view of many of these animals. There area few options of hotels there that we can show you and can cater to your
budget, but lodging and dinner is not included in our price. Click on the Manatees for more information.
Las Conchas Falls
North of Rio Dulce is an incredible area with "Oasis Chiyu", a reasonably priced natural resort to stay in and hosting various other tours including caving, hiking, kayaking and much more.
Antigua
Spanish Colonial architecture at its finest. Antigua was once capital to Guatemala and contains much history as well as
artisans and traditional Guatemalan cultural heritage. Hosting many amazing restaurants, museums and galleries, you will
no doubt enjoy this visit!
Tikal
The Mother of Mayan metropolis', Tikal is the largest of all found Mayan ruins and home to many endangered species of animals. So large that it is difficult to see in one day so plan on spending some time to REALLY grasp the entirety of this relic.
Bird watching tours
There are several places around Rio Dulce that are off the main travel ways where the birds are abundant. I have a friend
who is one of Guatemals's foremost authorities on local birds and their habitat. He even lives in a preserve a short distance
from the rio where we can stay to get that early bird catching its morning meal. This tour also takes advance notice so we can
schedule availability.
Photography tours
There is not much around here that is not photogenic, but there are spots that stand out above the rest. These tours will take you to those selected spots or you can choose the specific places where you can get your individual interests photographed
in depth. You can opt for culture, animals, volcanoes, jungle, Caribbean beauty, the sky is the limit!
Semuc Champey tours
Emerald, turquoise, jade, these are words that refer to gems as well as the beautiful colors of this Guatemalan jewel.
Cascading falls flowing down a tropically carpeted canyon of lush foliage. A "must see" of the rich Guatemalan sights!
Lake Attitlan
Lake Atitlan is in the highlands of Guatemala and surrounded by volcanos and small villages of many fine artisans. A must see to find out why many foreigners have decided to stay in this area as well.
