Rio Dulce : Profile

Location

The area known as the Rio Dulce, starts at the mouth of the river on the Bahia de Amatique. The small village of Rio Dulce (Fronteras) is 18 miles further up the river, past a spectacular steep walled canyon and a small lake, El Golfete. At this point there are plenty of marine services, provisions, hotels, restaurants and medical services, as well as communications and transport. It is a safe spot in the hurricane season. Beyond this settlement, the river widens to form Lake Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala.

Be aware that Fronteras is very much a frontier town, with armed guards not only at the banks but at the supermarkets and on the delivery trucks.

Be warned that a number of visiting yachts have been boarded and some robbed, when anchored at the mouth of the Rio Tatin and, also, there have been a number of incidents in the Rio Dulce itself.

Last updated February 2011.

Docking

Cruisers report that marina prices are very low here, your boat is in fresh water and the prices and quality of repair work is very good.

Tortugal Marina Casilla Unica, Fronteras, Rio Dulce, Guatemala, Central America Tel:502 5306 6432, 502 7742 8847, Fax:502 306 6432, VHF Channel 68 www.tortugal.com, tortugalmarina@hotmail.com On site owner and management team make this the best marina in Rio Dulce. 40 slips, some alongside, no anchors required. Quiet, friendly location just past the bridge. Iguanas and birds abound. Dive, swim in the river. Almost constant breeze, few insects. 20 minute walk to town. Well priced and excellently prepared home cooking. WiFi, TV, laundry, ozone and dehumidifiers, professional marina staff. US Standard Electrical service. Barbecue and entertainment area for marina use. Hot, plentiful showers. Hotel. Reservations required for hurricane season, marina stays full. Tortugal can accomodate motor yachts up to 80 feet. Prior reservation usually required.

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Related Reports

Guatemala Customs Regulations (05 Dec 2011)

Rio Dulce Web Sailing Guide in French (20 Nov 2011)

Planning to Cruise Central America? (11 Sep 2011)

Spanish for Cruisers - 2nd Edition (03 Jun 2010)

Belize and Guatemala: Dinghy Thefts 2009 (19 Apr 2010)

Guatemala, Rio Dulce Cruising - September to November 2008 (22 Oct 2009)

Guatemala, Rio Dulce - Fatal Pirate Attack 2008 - Updates (30 Jul 2009)

Guatemala, Rio Dulce - More Armed Robberies Reported (21 Jan 2009)

Guatemala, Lake Izabal - Armed Boarding and Theft (21 Jan 2009)

Cruising Guide To Belize and Mexico’s Caribbean Coast (23 Nov 2007)

Sending marine spare parts to Guatemala (04 Oct 2007)

New CA-4 Visas for Central America (15 Jan 2007)

New Trailer Service From Atlantic To Pacific (23 Jun 2004)

New expanded "Cruising Ports: Florida to California via Panama" now published (07 Jan 2003)

Related News

Guatemala – Safety Improvements for Cruisers on the Rio Dulce (10 Sep 2009)

Good News for Rio Dulce (03 May 2009)

Rio Dulce: heading for safer waters (20 Feb 2009)

Sailboat Couple Attacked in Guatemala  (11 Aug 2008)

Arthur Weakening, but Many Hurricanes Forecast  (05 Jun 2008)