Finca El Paraiso

On the northern shore of Lake Izabal a thermal spring emerges on a hillside and falls about ten metres into a river running cold from the mountains, and the result is a place where you can stand under a hot waterfall while the water around your feet is cold, which is unusual enough to have made the farm it sits on a fixed stop on the route between Rio Dulce and El Estor. Below the fall are pools of mixed water at every temperature between the two, and the river runs on through forest. It is a working farm and the site is managed simply, with a path down from the road and basic facilities.

Highlights

• A hot waterfall into a cold river - the temperature contrast the site is known for.
• Mixed pools below the fall - water at every temperature in between.
• Forest along the river - the setting downstream of the fall.
• A working farm setting - the finca the site belongs to.

When to go

November to April in the drier months. Half a day. It is busiest at weekends with local visitors. The walk from the road takes a few minutes.

Before you go

The water directly under the fall is hot enough to scald and people burn themselves. Rocks are slippery. Facilities are very basic and the site is often littered at weekends. It is a short visit.

Nearby

El Estor is west; Rio Dulce lies east.