Anchorage· Lago de Izabal· Other Caribbean
Lago de Izabal Anchorages & El Estor
15° 30.0′ N · 89° 10.0′ W · approximate
Guatemala's largest lake — 672 km², max 18 m deep and only a metre above sea level — offers breezy fresh-water sailing, quiet coves, howler monkeys and Q'eqchi' Maya villages, with El Estor at the western end.
Practical
Coordinate is the lake from Wikipedia (approx centre). Lively afternoon sailing; few published anchorages — sound in and choose shelter for the wind. Security: older cruiser notes advise not staying off El Estor at night unless the group keeps a 24-hour watch; Noonsite reports theft at the far end of the navigable area. Lakeside towns (Mariscos, El Estor) have fresh food and limited supplies. Eco-lodges up mangrove creeks (e.g. Casa Perico near Fronteras) welcome dinghies. For the town itself, see El Estor Town (Lago de Izabal).
Best for
Fresh-water cruising beyond the castle