Five Blues Lake National Park

Five Blues Lake is a cenote-type karst lake whose water shifts through different blues depending on depth and light, which is where the name comes from. In July 2006 it drained completely in a matter of hours through a collapse in its floor, leaving mud and dying fish, and it has refilled since, though not to what it was. Caves surround the lake and trails run through forest around it. The park is managed by the neighbouring village.

Background

The park was declared in April 1991, and in April 1994, because its limits were unclear, it grew to approximately 1640 hectares. Its care passed to the Association of Friends of Five Blues Lake, whose members live in nearby St. Margaret's village. The lake covers 7.4 acres, ringed by steep hills and seasonal swamp, and receives approximately 104 inches of rain a year. A shore of sunken limestone leads to Orchid Island, where wild orchids grow in numbers. Surveys have recorded 167 bird species and over 20 kinds of bats, and all five wild cats of Belize are said to live in the park, along with tapirs, howler monkeys, pacas and peccaries.

Source: Wikipedia, "Five Blues Lake National Park"

What you'll find

• The lake - karst water shifting through blues with depth and light.
• The 2006 drainage - the collapse that emptied the lake overnight, and its refilling.
• The caves - limestone systems in the hills around the water.
• The forest trails - walking routes through the surrounding broadleaf forest.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and the easiest for the access road. The lake level varies considerably. The rains make the track in difficult.

Practical notes

The lake has never fully recovered from the 2006 drainage and is smaller than older photographs show. Facilities are minimal and the community management has had funding gaps with periods of closure. The access road is rough.

Nearby

The Hummingbird Highway runs past, and Belmopan is northwest.

Key facts