THE BLUE RIVER

By Roberto Silvestre - @rsilvestregt

In the municipality of Jacaltenango, department of Huehuetenango, there is a natural wonder, the Blue River (Río Azul); named like this for the clear blue color of its water.

The river is born in Concepción Huista as a little clear river, and its flow increases for the effluents that join the river; when it goes through the Jacaltenango lands it gets the clear blue color that characterizes it;  this part of the route is characterized by rapids that don’t allow you to swim or navigate. Before getting lost in Mexico the river gains more flow but less rapids, that is perfect for rafting and in some parts for swimming; at this point the water is crystal clear again.

For jacaltec people, a Mayan descendant village, the Blue River is called "Ha' Niman" in Jacaltec language it means "big water". Unfortunately population growth, deforestation, uses of the river for irrigation, and other water uses are decreasing the water flow.

The Blue River is one of the Guatemala's natural wonders you must have to visit.