Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nounced the construction of a $40 million cruise ship terminal, though the project appears
tohavefallenbythewayside.Inanycase,SantoTomáscontinuestoreceivecruiseshipsin
ever-increasing numbers and local tourism authorities in nearby Lívingston and Río Dulce
are improving the quality of their services to cater to these new arrivals. It seems the once-
sleepy Guatemalan Caribbean Coast may soon be abuzz with travelers.
The history of Santo Tomás de Castilla actually dates to 1604, when it was founded as
the coast's original colonial port. It was abandoned within a few years but later became the
site of an ill-fated Belgian colony in 1843 after Guatemala's independence from Spain.
A paved road from Puerto Barrios leads to the main shipping center. From there, a dirt
road continues along the coast to some of the area's natural attractions.
Cerro San Gil and Río Las Escobas
This idyllic park, centered around the Cerro San Gil mountain, comprises more than 7,700
hectares (19,000 acres) of lush rainforest. Bathed in rainfall throughout most of the year
(averaging 255 inches) as warm, humid air rises over the mountains from the sea to elev-
ations in excess of 1,100 meters (3,900 feet), the preserve harbors an astounding level of
biodiversity.Amongthewildlifeprotectedhereare56speciesofmammals, includingtapir
and jaguars, 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 350 species of birds, in-
cludingtoucans,blackandwhitehawkeagles,andkeel-billed motmots.Morethan90neo-
tropical migrants winter in the area and include the blue-winged warbler and wood thrush.
The park also protects the important watershed of the Río Las Escobas, which supplies
water to Puerto Barrios. Part of the watershed is open to visitors ($8, including guided
tour), who can bathe in Las Escobas's cool, clear waters and hike a series of nature
trails winding through the park. The park is administered by private conservation group
FUNDAECO
(tel. 7948-4404,
www.fundaeco.org.gt
), which in partnership with The
Nature Conservancy has been able to buy large tracts of this rainforest ecosystem for pre-
servation.
Facilities for visitors are found at
Las Pozas
(tel. 5708-0744 and 5004-1143,
www.riolasescobas.com
,
9 A.M.-6 P.M. daily) and include a visitors center, tropical gar-
dens, a snack bar (open on weekends and when cruise ships are in town), and picnic areas.
An excellent system of
trails
winds through the river and waterfalls and includes wooden
bridges with stops along the way for swimming in stunning turquoise pools. More adven-
turous types can explore areas deeper into the reserve beginning at a trailhead just up the
mountain and going from there to the Río Las Escobas through a dense stretch of forest
(one hour) or to Cumbre Las Torres (four hours there and back), or encompassing multiple
days of strenuous jungle hiking to the village of Carboneras and down the mountain to Río
Dulce. Contact FUNDAECO if you wish to explore these options, as you will need prior
