Tortugal awaits you. This is our little piece of paradise here at the edge of Guatemala, set 22 miles across the mountains from the Caribbean Ocean. We are firmly out of reach from hurricanes which sometimes strike our coastline. And yet Belize, Honduras and Mexico are just a short sail away.
The Rio Dulce region is located on La Ruta Maya, the an ancient Mayan pathway. By land one can travel easily by bus to most anywhere in Central America and Mexico. Rio Dulce is just 45 minutes away from the border of Honduras at Los Encuentros, and 4/12 hours away from all of the following: The Mexican border just below Palenque; San Ignacio, Belize; and the fabulous ruins of Tikal in northern Guatemala or Copan just across the border in Honduras.
The Rio Dulce is the only place we know of in the Caribbean where one can enjoy the incredible benefits of living in nature, observing wildlife, being a part of an international community, being able to live very reasonably and well and yet not have to worry about your boat day and night.
Rio Dulce means “sweet river.” Many sailors have only experienced a saltwater environment. The harsh saltwater environment and the beating your boat takes within it is a thing of the past once you reach the Rio Dulce. It’s a break for your boat as well as yourself. And, the treatment your boat will receive in the hands of our well trained staff is second to none. Your boat will be in better condition when you return from trips than it was before you left.
Fronteras is a small town, yet there are significant resources for boat maintenance such as mechanics, canvas work and upholstery work. There are two boat haul out facilities on the river. Tortugal is close to both of them. In fact, sailors from other marinas have come to Tortugal to live while their boats are being hauled out.
We also have excellent services in the area. There are good banks as well as good banking services nearby. Pharmacies abound, and one or two of them have on site pharmacists who speak English. There is a really nice hospital with an emergency room nearby in Morales.
Tortugal is your home away from home – whether you have been a long time on a boat or backpacking through Central America. Join us for free coffee in the mornings. Peruse the multilingual library. Stick around for our Friday Night Movies – there is an adirondack chair, a few slices of homemade pizza, cold beer and friends awaiting you.
Tortugal awaits you.
All photography used in this web site is by California-based photographer Steve Jost. All rights reserved. Visit his web site here.
