San Felipe Castle and Río Dulce

This tour is a good introduction to some of Guatemala’s history and nature. You’ll visit an old stone castle and experience one of Guatemala’s most vibrant riparian ecosystems.

The San Felipe Castle is set along the northern shores of Lake Izabal. The Spanish built the castle in 1652 to defend the region from British pirates, who would sail up the Río Dulce to Lake Izabal. The castle has three stories and was initially only accessible via a drawbridge. Once the Spanish left Guatemala, San Felipe was used as a prison but was eventually abandoned; the present version was reconstructed in 1956. In 2002, the San Felipe Castle was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. While here, you’ll tour the castle’s rooms and see old canons. There are also wonderful views of Lake Izabal from here.

The Río Dulce connects Lake Izabal with the Caribbean Sea. It was one of Guatemala’s first protected areas, having been recognized for its valuable natural resources since 1955. Today, the Río Dulce National Park protects some 17,800 acres (7,200 ha) of important riparian habitat. The river stretches 18 miles (30 km) from lake to sea, passing through tropical forests, gorges and canyons along the way. During this portion of the tour you’ll explore some of the river on boat and have a chance to spot wildlife.