Rio Dulce is a small town and National Park off the beaten track in southeastern Guatemala. The National Park covers a total of 130 square kilometers (81 square miles) that includes both waterways and lush jungle. The name of the town is Fronteras, but generally referred to as Rio Dulce, meaning Sweet River in English. The National Park was established by the Guatemalan government in 1955 to help protect Guatemala’s abundant ecosystem.
This 43-kilometer (27 mile) river and National Park is one of Guatemala’s hidden gems, and it’s not even that hidden. This natural jewel connects Guatemala’s largest lake (Lago de Izabal) to the Caribbean. Lago de Izabal (Lake Izabal) is approximately 48 kilometers (30 miles) long and 24 kilometers (15 miles) wide with a max depth of 18 meters (60 feet).
The Rio Dulce National Park is a biological marvel thanks to a massive diversity in both flora and fauna. Visitors can see colorful birds in the skies, monkeys in the trees, and both crocodiles and manatees in the seas.
Guatemala itself is a culturally rich and historically maligned country. Rio Dulce is the perfect place to discover both ends of the spectrum, with several distinct cultures inhabiting the area. There are various Mayan tribes that call the region home, along with an Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture on Livingston’s Caribbean coast.
Fronteras sits at the bottom of one of Central America’s largest bridges, separating town from another small village. There is one main road in town where the locals come to shop for food. The local market is made up of farmers looking to make an income for the day and stock up any necessary supplies.
This adorable town is the quintessential Central American village. It’s full of hustle and bustle, with cars of all sizes constantly passing through. Visitors would be hard pressed to miss the trucks, vans, cars, and Tuk Tuks whisking by. There are constant connections to anywhere in the country via local transportation or the more direct tourist shuttles.
UNESCO Sites and a Hot Spring Waterfall
Rio Dulce was put on the map in 1935 when Hollywood filmed the “New Adventures of Tarzan,” filmed completely on location. Fortunately, a stroll through town isn’t the only exciting thing to do while visiting this hidden gem. Take some time to enjoy a boat ride and explore the National Park, via a lancha (or taxi boat), stop in for some food at a riverside restaurant, visit the old colonial fort El Castillo (on UNESCO’s tentative list), relax for the day at a waterfall hot spring, or jump even further off the beaten track and visit Guatemala’s least known UNESCO Site the ancient Mayan city of Quirigua.
I spent two nights and three days in this beautiful area. I would recommend this stop to anyone that wants to get away from the busy tourist centers and find a piece of authentic Guatemalan life. My first day was spent visiting the incredible waterfall hot spring called Cascada Finca El Paraíso where I found myself surrounded by locals and only two other curious tourists.
I enjoyed my second full day with an excursion to the Acropolis of Quirigua, Guatemala’s overlooked UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quirigua is a small site, but home to some of the Maya’s best examples of stonework and Stelae. Both sites were so incredible, that I will be posting in depth articles covering everything you need to know about visiting the amazing destinations.
This is the perfect stop for all travelers. Bring the family, arrive with some friends, or (like me) backpack solo and meet some new friends from all over the world. Be sure to listen for the Howler monkeys in the morning while the birds sing their morning songs. Find yourself a little piece of authentic Guatemalan culture and explore the Rio Dulce National Park.
