The tropical climate zone of the earth is considered to lie within ten degrees of the equator. The Rio Dulce is located at 14 degrees latitude which places it in the subtropical climate zone. As such it is rarely too hot and never too cold. Throughout Central America there are really just two seasons: rainy season and dry season. The dry season generally runs from November through April and the wet season runs from May through October. Overall, the Rio Dulce receives about 60 to 100 inches of rain per year. Most tourists come during the dry season.

Some rain can occur during the dry season but the mornings are invariably wonderful and rain is usually confined to a short shower during the afternoon or during the period from midnight to 6 AM and clearing up just after sunrise. This cycle will often repeat for several days in a row. Thunderstorms are rare during the dry season. This characteristic of the weather is ideal because the rain keeps everything fresh and the plants healthy but does not interfere with daytime activities.

During the wet season, rain can occur at any time during the day or night and thunderstorms are more common. Sometimes it will rain steadily for several days without a significant break. The biggest problem in most tropical areas as a consequence of so much rain is mud. Overland travel on unpaved roads becomes difficult at best. However, the Rio Dulce area suffers little from this problem because there are no roads. The main highway that crosses the Rio Dulce is good quality pavement but the Rio Dulce itself is an aquatic community where all transportation is by boat so the rainy season is only an inconvenience.

The hurricane season officially runs from June through November. Most hurricanes occur in the eastern Caribbean and have no effect on Guatemala but late in the season (September through November) an occasional hurricane will find its way to the western Caribbean and the coasts of Guatemala and Belize. Once in a while there will be a big hurricane and coastal cities are in grave danger. In 1970, Hurricane Hattie virtually destroyed Belize City on the coast of Belize and washed it into the sea.

Coastal locations are in the greatest danger from hurricanes. However, the marinas and anchorages along the Rio Dulce are not on the coast but are miles inland. The Rio Dulce is about the safest place one could possibly be during a hurricane. Miles of relatively narrow twisting river entirely blocks the hurricane's storm surge and the hills to either side of the river and tall trees along the shores break the force of the wind. Properly anchored, a boat on the Rio Dulce is as safe as it can be during a hurricane.

Rio Dulce is the undisputed "Best Hurricane Hole in the Caribbean".

While the river is safe, it is not advisable to venture out on El Golfete or Lake Izabal during a storm with high winds. Three to four foot swells and higher can build in just a few minutes. Four foot swells are not usually a problem for a skilled boater but these are no ordinary swells. The water in El Golfete and Lake Izabal is very shallow and the swells have a very short period. In other words, the swells are spaced very close together and they break over. Such swells can easily swamp a small boat or dinghy, no matter how skilled the pilot is. In general, the waves occur during the afternoon. Mornings are almost invariably calm so the time to cross Lago Izabal or El Golfete is in the morning, before 1 pm. To read about what not to do, see Kevin and Julie's Big Adventure.

Copyright © 1998-2008 Phillip Landmeier

Month

Max Temp

Min Temp

Rain (mm)

Rainy Days

Jan

26

19

125

14

Feb

27

20

67

8

Mar

29

21

34

4

Apr

32

24

54

6

May

34

27

110

8

Jun

31

24

206

16

Jul

31

24

245

18

Aug

31

24

141

13

Sep

31

22

163

13

Oct

30

21

281

17

Nov

28

20

169

11

Dec

29

18

108

11