Chocón Machacas

This protected biotope encompasses approximately 6,265 hectares of tropical rainforest ecosystems along the northern shore of the Golfete and Río Chocón in Guatemala's Izabal department.

The area was officially established as a protected biotope in 1989 following conservation efforts initiated in 1981 by the University of San Carlos of Guatemala to preserve endangered species.

Four local communities including Lagunita Salvador, Puntarenas, Creek Cáliz and El Coco have coexisted with this natural environment for decades, maintaining traditional relationships with the ecosystem.

Visitors can access the biotope through boat tours from Río Dulce, with specialized guides offering educational tours to observe the diverse flora and fauna while following conservation protocols.

The area features geothermal activity with gas and steam emissions that enrich the aquatic ecosystem, creating distinctive environmental conditions that support the endangered Caribbean manatee population.