Dulce River

The Dulce River is a river and national park in Izabal Department that winds through limestone formations and connects two different water worlds. The waterway flows around 43 kilometers through dense tropical forest, from Lake Izabal down to the Caribbean Sea.

In the 1600s, Spanish colonial authorities built the Castillo de San Felipe fortress to protect the waterway from Caribbean pirates who attacked passing ships. This fort became a key defensive position that controlled access to the river trade route.

The communities living along the banks maintain fishing traditions passed down through generations by the Garifuna people. You can see how locals prepare meals using tropical ingredients and seafood as part of their daily lives.

The best time to visit is during rainy season when waterfalls reach their full flow after heavy rainfall. Arriving early in the morning helps you experience cooler temperatures and see the forest's dense greenery at its best.

After heavy rainfall, waterfalls form along the limestone cliffs and cascade down from heights of around 300 feet, creating natural water curtains across the gorge. These temporary features appear only during and after rainy periods, transforming the appearance of the canyon.

Location: Izabal Department

Inception: 1955

GPS coordinates: 15.74750,-88.87222

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01