Guatemala – Safety Improvements for Cruisers on the Rio Dulce

Created by val. Last modified on 2009-09-10 22:22:14
Contributors:
Countries: Guatemala

Following attacks on cruising yachts in the Rio Dulce, on Guatemala's Caribbean coast, in 2008, the Government, marinas and hotel owners have been working together to improve safety concerns and provide Naval security for cruisers. Consequently, the Rio Dulce has become one of the most security conscious and patrolled areas for cruisers in this part of the world.

Up until a few months ago, security efforts were organized and paid for by participants in EcoRio, which is the association formed by Hotel and Marina owners concerned with solving environmental and security issues in Rio Dulce. Now, Guatemala's government has begun to significantly increase Naval patrols and personnel on call in the area of Rio Dulce where most Hotels and Marinas are located; which is the area South of the Golfete to the Castillo San Felipe Peninsula.

With additional funding, a map has been published to inform visiting yachts of which areas of the Rio Dulce National Park are currently patrolled 24/7 by the Guardia Costa (Guatemalan Coast Guard).

More information about EcoRio, the map and the safety patrol area can be found at www.riodulce.net.

Articles about this new resource can be found here (a) and (b) and (c)

Many thanks to Daphne Becker of Tortugal Marina and Eugenio Gobbato, the President of Ecorio, for this information.