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Five Blues Lake National Park Review

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Five Blues Lake National Park

Address: At end of Lagoon Rd., off Mile 32, Hummingbird Hwy., Belmopan

Category: Parks, Bodies of Water
Location: Belmopan City

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Fodor's Review:

At Five Blues Lake National Park, you used to be able to hike 3 mi (5 km) of trails, explore several caves, and canoe and swim in this lake with five shades of blue. The lake was a cenote, a collapsed cave in the limestone. In July 2006, despite heavy rains, the water level in the lake began to recede. On July 20, 2006, local residents heard a strange noise "as if the lake were moaning." A giant whirlpool formed, and most of the water in the lake was sucked into the ground. Many of the fish died, and now the lake is mostly dry. Researchers believe that a sediment "plug" dissolved and the lake drained, like water from a bathtub, into underground sinkholes and caves. As of this writing, the lake has partially refilled with water, but the park is not officially operating and there are no park rangers on hand. The park entrance is about 3½ mi (5¾ km) from the Hummingbird Highway, via a narrow dirt road. Bikes can be rented in St. Margaret's Village, and homestays and overnight camping in the village also can be arranged.

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