Major city · Guatemala
El Ceibo
Skip El Ceibo unless you need the Guatemala–Mexico border crossing here: it's a stamp stop, not a destination.
El Ceibo is a pair of tiny border towns in the Petén rainforest, one on the Guatemalan side and one on the Mexican side (formerly Sueños de Oro). There are a few hotels and eateries on the Guatemalan side, but the Mexican side is sparser. Most travellers use it only to cross between the two countries, not as a place to stay or explore.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- none nearby
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 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 Ceibo110 ▾
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 Ceibo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyVery quiet border post; petty theft is unlikely but keep your valuables close.
Show all 11 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Getting aroundWalk between the border post and the few shops on the Guatemalan side.
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
- none nearby: arrive by land or via another city
Map of El Ceibo
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Weather and climate
El Ceibo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 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 between the border post and the few shops on the Guatemalan side. On the Mexican side there are hourly buses to Tenosique (1 h, M$40) and a daily bus to Villahermosa via Emiliano Zapata (4 h, M$400). On the Guatemalan side, minivans or collectivos run to El Naranjo, about 20 km away.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Naranjo
goDoor to door: check
Minivan or collectivo, about 20 km (12 mi)Minivan or collectivo, about 12 mi (20 km)
Guatemalan town on the road to the border.
Tenosique (Mexico)
goDoor to door: 1 h
Hourly bus, 1 h, M$40
Larger Mexican town with more services.
Villahermosa (Mexico)
goDoor to door: 4 h
Direct bus via Emiliano Zapata, 4 h, M$400
Capital of Tabasco; connections to the rest of Mexico.
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.
Guatemalan side
A couple of basic hotels near the border post; no accommodation on the Mexican side.
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
- Q150–300 (just a meal and a short stay)
Watch out
Safety
- No official currency exchange on the Mexican side: change money on the Guatemalan side before crossing.
- No cross-border services across this border: you cross on foot and find transport on the other side.
- Facilities are very basic on both sides: bring water and snacks if you plan to wait (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El CeiboEl Ceibo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A la frontera Guatemala–México en El Ceibo, por favor.To the Guatemala–Mexico border at El Ceibo, please.
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Collectivo El Ceibo → El Naranjo: about Q20–30, 30 min (check)
- Bus El Ceibo → Tenosique: M$40, 1 h (check)
- Bus El Ceibo → Villahermosa: M$400, 4 h (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta cruzar? — How much does it cost to cross? (KWAN-to KWES-ta kroo-SAR)
- ¿Dónde está la oficina de inmigración? — Where is the immigration office? (DON-de es-TA la o-fee-SEE-na de ee-mee-gra-SYON)
- Necesito un sello, por favor. — I need a stamp, please. (ne-se-SEE-to oon SEH-yo por fa-VOR)
- ¿Hay un autobús a Tenosique? — Is there a bus to Tenosique? (eye oon ow-to-BOOS a te-no-SEE-keh)
- ¿Aceptan pesos mexicanos? — Do you accept Mexican pesos? (ah-SEP-tan PEH-sos me-hee-KAH-nos)
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 Ceibo. 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: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 0 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about El Ceibo
Loading…
Was this useful?