Territory capital · Mexico
El Castaño
Go only if you want a guided mangrove kayak or night crocodile tour: one night at the community eco-hostel, arranged ahead through Grupo Turistico Costa Verde.
El Castaño is a fishing village of about 50 people inside the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, on the Rio San Nicolas estuary. There is no direct public transport: you arrive on a 23 km dirt road from Mapastepec or a 50-minute, 25 km boat ride from Acapetahua, both arranged with the community cooperative Grupo Turistico Costa Verde. The draw is the mangrove waterways — kayak and canoe tours, night crocodile spotting, sunset trips to the San Nicholas sand bar — so one night is enough for most visitors.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (drier season)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season; the dirt road can turn muddy)
- Airports
- Tapachula (TAP) · Ángel Albino Corzo (TGZ)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for El Castaño911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Castaño, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyLow crime; the real risks are crocodiles and caimans in the waterways and the unpaved road in the wet season…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 078 Tourist assistance
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTAP Tapachula International Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; onward by road to Mapastepec…
- Getting aroundWalk, or rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboat from the eco-hostel; there is no public transport inside the village.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TAP Tapachula International Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; onward by road to Mapastepec, then the 23 km (14 mi) dirt-road transfer arranged with Grupo Turistico Costa Verde — check times and road conditions) · TGZ Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (Tuxtla Gutiérrez) (Larger Chiapas gateway; long road transfer south via Mapastepec — check schedules and whether a same-day connection is possible)TAP Tapachula International Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; onward by road to Mapastepec, then the 14 mi (23 km) dirt-road transfer arranged with Grupo Turistico Costa Verde — check times and road conditions) · TGZ Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (Tuxtla Gutiérrez) (Larger Chiapas gateway; long road transfer south via Mapastepec — check schedules and whether a same-day connection is possible)
Map of El Castaño
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- El Castaño
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Tapachula · 86 km straight line
- Boca del Cielo · 98 km straight line
- San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta · 119 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Castaño: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk, or rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboat from the eco-hostel; there is no public transport inside the village.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mapastepec
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Arrange a 4-wheel vehicle via Grupo Turistico Costa Verde; 23 km (14 mi) of dirt roadArrange a 4-wheel vehicle via Grupo Turistico Costa Verde; 14 mi (23 km) of dirt road
Supplies, ATMs and a medical clinic.
Acapetahua (boat)
goDoor to door: ≈50 min
Boat through the estuary from Acapetahua, 25 km (16 mi)Boat through the estuary from Acapetahua, 16 mi (25 km)
Alternative arrival point; check the boat schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ecohostal Costa Verde
Community-run eco-hostel, basic rooms, fresh fish and shrimp meals; the practical base for night tours.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $300–500 MXN (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- $500–800 MXN (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ecohostal Costa Verde basic room2 × 1 night × MX$600 | MX$1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$600 | MX$1,200 |
| Guided mangrove kayak tour2 × MX$250 · check | MX$500 |
| Night crocodile spotting tour2 × MX$300 · check | MX$600 |
| Boat transfer from Acapetahua2 × MX$200 · check | MX$400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$390 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,145 per person per day, bed included | MX$4,290≈ US$250 |
Meals extra.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fresh fish, shrimp or crab dish (local restaurant) | $120–200 MXN (≈ US$7–11) |
| Kayak, canoe or paddleboat rentalcheck | $150–250 MXN (≈ US$9–14) |
| Beer at the beach bar | $50–80 MXN (≈ US$3–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No direct public transport: arrange the dirt-road transfer or the boat with Grupo Turistico Costa Verde before you travel.
- Crocodile spotting runs after dark; stay with your guide and follow instructions.
- Bring cash: the village has no bank or ATM; Mapastepec has ATMs and a clinic.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Tourist assistance
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El CastañoEl Castaño
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
US consulate in Tuxtla Gutiérrez; Mexican foreign ministry website for other nations.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mapastepec → El Castaño (vehicle arranged): ≈ $150 MXN, 23 km (14 mi) of dirt road (check)≈ $150 MXN, 14 mi (23 km) of dirt road (check)
- Boat from Acapetahua: ≈ $200 MXN, 25 km (16 mi), 50 min (check)≈ $200 MXN, 16 mi (25 km), 50 min (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el tour? — How much does the tour cost? (kwahn-toh koo-eh-sta el toor)
- Quisiera una habitación por dos noches — I would like a room for two nights (kee-see-eh-rah oo-nah ah-bee-ta-syon por dos noh-ches)
- ¿Dónde está la clínica más cercana? — Where is the nearest medical clinic? (don-deh es-tah la klee-nee-ka mas ser-ka-na)
Ecohostal Costa Verde: +52 918 1005630 (check before calling).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Castaño. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (drier season) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season; the dirt road can turn muddy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arrange transport with Grupo Turistico Costa Verde before arrival.
- Book the night crocodile tour in advance (small group).
- Add a second night for sunrise bird-watching on the aquatic trails.
Sources
Ask about El Castaño
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