Santo Tomas

Wednesday, March 27th
M/S Marina
Americas Connection
Day 10
Santo Tomas, Guatemala
Arriving: 9:00 AM
Departing: 7:00 PM
Chance of Rain - 84 Degrees

Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla is the largest industrial port in Atlantic Guatemala.  What it lacks in charm, it makes up for in containerized shipping

In search of charm by land and lake, a drive through the Motagua Valley delivered us to Lake Izabal and the Rio Dulce National Park, a protected area and one of the most important ecological reserves in the country.  From a dock much more colorful than the pier, we boarded speed boats and set out on the lake.  It was the perfect setting for deep thoughts and a graceful pose while appreciating the view.

The 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe, dedicated to King Felipe II of Spain, stands sentinel at the entrance to Lake Izabal to protect the Rio Dulce from invading pirates pillaging shipments to and from Spain and Cuba.

In 1686, a pirate assault burned the fort to the ground, and subsequent treaties between Spain and England made peace of the piracy.  It was repurposed as a prison, and eventually abandoned and left in ruins.   Architect Francisco Ferrus led the restoration of the castle based on the original plans in 1955.  It still retains two cannons dating back to the 1790s, and a pair of 400-year-old towers.

And, finally, three for the birds, and a stop for refreshments.

Next Stop:  Roatan, Honduras