The IRTRA parks open Thursday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:00 p.m. That schedule ruins more trips than anything else here: arrive on a Tuesday and you find everything shut, after several hours on the road.
The schedule that decides everything
Thursday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Last entry: 4:00 p.m.
Which means Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are closed.
And the road trip from Guatemala City takes several hours, so getting the day wrong is an expensive mistake.
Confirm the current calendar before setting dates, since it can vary by season.
Xocomil
Central America's largest water park.
At kilometer 180.5, in San Martín Zapotitlán.
Entry: Q100 adults, Q50 children and seniors.
Xetulhá
The complex's newer park, opened in July.
"Xetulhá" means "under the water" in Maya.
More than 40 slides, a lazy river and themed pools.
Entry: Q100 adults, Q50 children and seniors, plus a mandatory Q80 wristband for the attractions.
It sits 1 km from IRTRA.
The multipark ticket
Q175 for Xocomil and Xetulhá, which saves around Q25 against buying them separately.
Confirm at the ticket office, since combinations vary.
Going with children
This is the network's destination built for them, and it is worth using well.
Arrive at opening. The first two hours have the shortest queues, and in a water park that decides how many attractions you actually do.
Long-sleeve rash guards for the children — they are exposed for hours, and in a water park sunscreen washes off on the first slide.
Footwear that can get wet, with grip, because wet pavement is slippery.
And cash, since internal food and retail points do not always take cards.
On height minimums: several attractions have them. Check before you go if you are traveling with small children, so you do not buy a wristband they cannot use.
Getting to Xocomil water park Guatemala
Retalhuleu (RER) — 126 km (78 mi) from Guatemala City: 25 minutes.
Rest of the network from La Aurora (GUA):
| Destination | Distance | Flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Quetzaltenango (AAZ) | 109 km (68 mi) | 25 minutes |
| Río Dulce (LCF) | 203 km (126 mi) | 40 minutes |
| Puerto Barrios (PBR) | 245 km (152 mi) | 50 minutes |
| Flores / Tikal (FRS) | 269 km (167 mi) | 55 minutes |
Twenty-five minutes of flying against several hours of road is what turns a park day into an excursion rather than a two-night trip.
The day
07:30 — Depart La Aurora 08:00 — Land at Retalhuleu 09:00 — Parks open, attractions still empty 13:00 — Lunch inside the complex 16:00 — Last entry to attractions 17:00 — Closing 18:00 — Departure
What else is in Retalhuleu
Finca Patrocinio, with a viewpoint over Santiaguito and a canopy course. Reservation required — resolve it before traveling.
Manchón Guamuchal, a Ramsar wetland between Retalhuleu and San Marcos, where tide determines whether the route is viable, so departures run on the day's table.
And the bocacosta coffee farms, on the gradient descending from the highlands to the Pacific, with cup profiles distinct from Antigua's because of altitude and rainfall.
From the air
The bocacosta, the gradient descending from highlands toward Pacific, with coffee farms terraced on the slope.
The IRTRA complex from above, showing the parks' actual extent, which from inside you only cover in sections.
And the volcanic chain to the north, with Santiaguito expelling its column every 30 to 40 minutes if the timing coincides.
Before you book
Thursday to Sunday. Everything else follows from that.
Last entry 4:00 p.m.
Q80 wristband separately for Xetulhá's attractions.
High-factor sun protection and long-sleeve rash guards for children.
And footwear that can get wet.
Getting the wristband right
Xetulhá's attractions need the Q80 wristband, separate from entry.
Check height minimums first if you are travelling with small children, so you do not buy a band they cannot use.
And buy the multipark ticket at the gate if both parks are on the plan — it saves around Q25.
Fly with AeroRide
Retalhuleu is 25 minutes from Guatemala City. Tell us your dates and passenger count.
Quoted on request for the whole aircraft, round trip, up to five passengers. Final pricing depends on route, date and aircraft assigned.
Check the park calendar before you book the flight. Thursday to Sunday is the constraint everything else has to fit around.
Related
- Guatemala City to Tikal
- Beyond Tikal
- A multi-country Central America trip
- Sportfishing the Central American Pacific
- Flying Central America
Frequently asked questions
What days is Xocomil open?
Thursday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are closed.
How much is the multipark ticket?
Q175 for Xocomil and Xetulhá, saving around Q25 against buying separately. Confirm at the ticket office, since combinations vary.
Is Xocomil good for kids?
It is the destination built for them. Arrive at opening for the shortest queues, bring long-sleeve rash guards since sunscreen washes off on the first slide, and check height minimums before buying the Q80 wristband.
What is Xetulhá?
The complex's newer park, whose name means "under the water" in Maya. More than 40 slides, a lazy river and themed pools, with a mandatory Q80 wristband for the attractions.
How long is the flight from Guatemala City?
Twenty-five minutes to Retalhuleu, against several hours by road. That difference is what makes it a day trip rather than a two-night one.
What else is nearby?
Finca Patrocinio with a Santiaguito viewpoint and canopy course, requiring reservation; Manchón Guamuchal wetland, where tide determines viability; and the bocacosta coffee farms.