Castillo de San Felipe de Lara
Castillo de San Felipe de Lara
Castillo de San Felipe de Lara
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
200 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
90
Average
25
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Elga K
Brisbane, Australia390 contributions
Dec 2019
We went by panga boat to the fort from the Catamarin Hotel (as part of a cruise ship tour). It is a lovely small fort as protection from pirates. Stairs lead to towers with great views. It is all set in parkland.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen L
Rye, UK31 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Pleasant hour’s stroll down here from Fronteras to stretch my legs after a long bus ride yesterday. There’s not a great deal to the castle but it’s very photogenic, especially from the water (took a lancha back into town). Eating/ drinking/ snacking opportunities both in the park that the castle is in and in San Felipe itself.
Written 2 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David C
Charlottesville23 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
Not a must see, but it was worth it if you have the time. It's pretty close to the town of Rio Dulce and it only costs 20Q to go in/you'll get a guided tour (in Spanish). It's not very big, but they told me it's the only European-style castle in Guatemala. You have to buy the "ticket" (which is really a coloured picture information sheet) from a guy down at the dock.
It was built by the Spanish to defend against pirates entering Lago de Izabal in the 1500s and I believe it was fixed up at some point in the last 500 years to where it is today. You'll see the cannons, you can climb up to any of the watch towers, see the prisons, etc. Overall, 20Q very well spent. If you have the time, I'd definitely recommend it.
PS If you're staying somewhere with kayaks, it was a lot of fun to kayak out to the castle, leave our kayaks on the shore (we took our paddles with us to reduce the risk of theft), explore the castle, then kayak back.
PPS Their hours, at least when I was there, were 8 AM - 5 PM.
It was built by the Spanish to defend against pirates entering Lago de Izabal in the 1500s and I believe it was fixed up at some point in the last 500 years to where it is today. You'll see the cannons, you can climb up to any of the watch towers, see the prisons, etc. Overall, 20Q very well spent. If you have the time, I'd definitely recommend it.
PS If you're staying somewhere with kayaks, it was a lot of fun to kayak out to the castle, leave our kayaks on the shore (we took our paddles with us to reduce the risk of theft), explore the castle, then kayak back.
PPS Their hours, at least when I was there, were 8 AM - 5 PM.
Written 2 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qasem
Halifax, Canada333 contributions
Dec 2019
This was a great location to visit. Lots of historic sites, and a great natural area. There were many small shops selling lots of stuff
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ddanyi
12 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
In close proximity to Fronteras, the castle's only a longish walk away, if you're up for that - and buses are available for the 4km ride if that's your thing - making for a great comfy daytrip. Castle and grounds are well tended, entrance is not free but very reasonable, there's amenities including places to eat and drink and clean bathrooms, a nice beach for bathing, and of course the whole historical monument and real-life Pirates of the Caribbean scene makes this a priority. Also would work well for a family visit with kids. Can be extended to include a trip to the Hot Springs.
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ingrid K
Illmitz, Austria36 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
This old Spanish Fort is located in a very nice and neat park, the entrance fee is Q20.00 which let you receive a flyer with the interesting history.
The view from top to the Dulce River and Lago Izabal is fantastic.
In about 1hour you easily walk around the whole park and the interior of the Castle.
Outside the park you find a store with hand woven shirts where you can watch how Mayan women weave the fabric.
All in all very recommended.
The view from top to the Dulce River and Lago Izabal is fantastic.
In about 1hour you easily walk around the whole park and the interior of the Castle.
Outside the park you find a store with hand woven shirts where you can watch how Mayan women weave the fabric.
All in all very recommended.
Written 22 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russ W
Bristol, UK165 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
After a visit to Quirigua Park, our excursion group travelled to Rio Dulce where after a local lunch we travelled by boat to Castillo de San Felipe. An old colonial castle in a strategically important spot where the Rio Dulce meets Lake Izabal. Sympathetically restored there aren't a huge number of original features but the castle feels authentic and gives visitors a good insight into the site's history. Our guide was very informative and explained the history. Although quite small it is picturesque and worth a visit.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris M
Bree, Belgium919 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Nice small castle at the entrance of the lake. Quiet romantic located in a beautyfull park. Very well restored. It gives a good impression of the life inside during the colonial period.
Written 8 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdventureSeeker75
Paris, France137 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
A great visit for a few hours to explore a little part of Guatemala's interesting past with Spain. Worth your time to take a look around, enjoy the English guided tour (as well as the beautiful views) and take a walk around the beautiful park. There is fresh street food available, as well as drinks, that you can enjoy after while relaxing in the sun or under one of the many tall, beautiful trees.
Written 16 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PamGo
Gulfport, FL130 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Castillo de San Felipe Guatemala sits right where the Rio Dulce and Lake Izabal join. An interesting piece of Guatemala's history. Over the years, the small fortress has been improved, rebuilt and renovated due to many pirate attacks. The fortress was also damaged by an earthquake, I believe in 1999, leaving the walls cracked. It is located just a few miles from the road to Tikal. It's definitely not as popular Tikal, but it is well worth a visit. It is like stepping back in time to the experience of being in the castle. See the prisons, the artillery batteries, and climb the towers for beautiful views of the incredible lake. If you are a fan of pirate history this is a great place to visit and the only European style castle in Guatemala. Entry is about $2 USD and it is open from 9 AM - 5 PM.
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola buenos días,
Podría decirme qué tour les llevó al castillo de San Felipe de Lara? Estoy organizando un viaje a Guatemala y me interesa conocer el fuerte. Muchas gracias.
Written 24 January 2022
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