Lago Guajataca

Lago Guajataca was created in 1929 by damming the Guajataca river in the northwestern karst, and the reservoir, about 3.4 square kilometres and up to 27 metres deep, winds between wooded limestone hills with inlets and coves. It is stocked and fished for largemouth bass and tilapia, and it is quiet enough for kayaking, which is what most visitors come for. The dam was damaged and considered at risk of failure after Hurricane María in 2017, prompting evacuations downstream, and has since been repaired. The reservoir also feeds an irrigation system across the northwestern plain, which is what it was built for in the first place, and the level rises and falls with that demand as much as with the rain.

What's there

• The reservoir - water winding between wooded limestone hills.
• The karst shoreline - mogotes and inlets around the lake.
• The fishing - largemouth bass and tilapia in a stocked reservoir.
• The dam - the 1929 structure, repaired after 2017 storm damage.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and the most comfortable. Weekends bring local anglers and kayakers. Water levels vary with rainfall.

Practical notes

Facilities are limited and rentals are not always available. Some access points are rough. Swimming is not permitted in the reservoir.

Nearby

Guajataca forest is north, and the Guajataca tunnel is on the coast.

Key facts