Río Dulce National Park: Guatemala's River of Sweetness

Río Dulce National Park, a protected area since 1955, encompasses approximately 130 square kilometers (13,000 hectares) in the Izabal Department of Guatemala. The park's centerpiece, the Río Dulce (Sweet River), connects Lake Izabal with the Amatique Bay on the Caribbean Sea. The park's diverse ecosystems include tropical forests, wetlands, and mangrove swamps, creating a rich environment for a wide array of flora and fauna. The river itself flows through a dramatic canyon with limestone cliffs reaching up to 91 meters in height, offering stunning scenic views. The park is home to approximately 350 species of birds, howler monkeys, crocodiles, and the endangered manatee, which uses the river as a corridor between Lake Izabal and the sea. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayak, or on foot via well-marked hiking trails. Boat tours are a popular way to experience the Río Dulce Canyon and visit the town of Livingston, located at the river's mouth on the Caribbean. Other attractions include the Castillo de San Felipe de Lara, a Spanish colonial fort built in the 17th century to protect against pirates, and the Biotopo Chocón Machacas, a manatee sanctuary. The park also offers opportunities to experience the local culture of the Garifuna and Q'eqchi' Maya communities who live in the region.