Established in 1994 and co-managed by the Río Blanco Mayan Association (composed of seven executives from Santa Elena and Santa Cruz who volunteer their time as the park wardens) and by the government, the park provides amazing scenery and natural beauty for the tourist and an alternative income for members of neighboring villages.

Río Blanco National Parkis 105 acres and encompasses a spectacular waterfall that is 20 feet high and ranges from a raging 100 feet wide during the rainy season to about 10 feet during the dry season. Locals say the pool under the waterfall is bottomless (one claims to have dived 60 feet and never touched bottom).

If you are adventurous, you can jump off of the surrounding rocks and fall 20 feet into the crystal clear water. There are also two miles of nature trails which include the cave where the Río Blanco river enters the mountain and a suspended cable bridge over the river.

Surrounding the falls is a beautiful forest with thriving flora and fauna populations and a possibility of jaguar sightings. Because the park is a community-based effort, 10 percent of all entrance fees collected at the park go back to the villages.

The surrounding villages are made up of indigenous Maya, and a trip to the park allows visitors to drive through Santa Cruz, a very typical village with thatch huts and no electricity, where women wear traditional dresses.

Hotels

Camping and furnished dorms are available at Río Blanco National Park. Visit the Craft & Snack Shop, run by the Río Blanco Women’s Association. They have everything from baskets to jewelry to embroidery, plus the only cold beverages in the area! A picnic area is under the visitors center.

Getting to Río Blanco National Park

Río Blanco National Park is about 30 miles west of Punta Gorda between the villages of Santa Cruz and Santa Elena on the road to Jalacte. Three small bus companies serve the village of Jalacte daily at 6 a.m., and on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, leaving from Jose Maria Nunez Street in Punta Gorda at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and noon; they return from the village on the same days at 5:30 and 3 p.m.