Steel Magnolia at Brisas del Lago

Don Julio, owner of Brisas del Lago

Brisas del Lago is located adjacent to Finca Paraiso on the western side of the lake. GPS coordinates are N 15 34.194  W 89 11.841.

Caution: There's a large telephone pole located about 1/4 mile off the shoreline. This marks a shallow submerged pile of rocks. Stay 100 yards away and enter to the left of the pole.

Otherwise, there's plenty of water and you can anchor in 8 to 10 ft. in grass and mud. Excellent holding.

Late afternoon on the beach

It's close enough to shore that even an old guy can swim to the restaurant for lunch and a beer.

The Cascades Caliente (Hot Water Falls) are on the same property a short distance away and the town of El Estor is 15 minutes away by car.

More to be published about the entire Finca Paraiso area soon. 

Heading for the finish line

The weather looks like it's going to be beautiful and the water should be warm enough to enjoy Denny's gorgeous beach.

Boats will muster at noon Friday, Dec. 28, on the lakeside of Castillo San Felipe and, if there's enough interest in a race, an informal start will be announced by Dusty on s/v Blue Frog.

Beach music

The finish line will be between m/v Steel Magnolia at anchor and the shoreline at Denny's.

Otherwise, boats will make their own way across the lake to Denny's.

If you're planning to take your boat out in the NW Caribbean in the near future, this would be a great shakedown cruise to make sure everything works as planned.

GPS coordinates for the anchorage at Denny's are:
N15 28.646 W89 01.420

Visit Denny's website HERE.

And you don't have to have a boat to enjoy Denny's Beach. The resort has a variety of accomodations from dorm style rooms to private bungalows to a beautiful hillside villa for rent.

It would be great to know how many boats are planning to participate. Visit the Rio Dulce "Catch the Wiind" forum HERE to RSVP or give Roy on m/v Steel Magnolia a call at 4943-9132 or Dusty on s/v Blue Frog at 5886 8716.

For room reservations and/or to hire a lancha to/from Denny’s Beach contact Denny at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 4085 2001 (cell)

To see photos from the last Full Moon Party go HERE. 

Not a kitty kat was stirring

Pork lo mein or eggplant parmesan dinners were served in the main dining room, along with a choice of truly delightfully decadent desserts.  

The sweets were the creation of head pastry chefs J&J and friend, Lorie, on S/V Zia. A favorite was the pie of shortbread crust, topped with a thick layer of caramel and then, an even bigger spread of chocolate. Although it was sinful enough on its own, they even served it with a dollop of ice cream. 

Big J of Vista Rio

After dinner, guests who were not too stuffed to move, headed upstairs to the “Grand Ballroom” for some loco games and dancing. Susie has been cruising and putting on these events for 12 years, and she really knows how to get a crowd on their feet ... or on their bottoms, depending how agile they are under a limbo stick! 

It was a fun night, filled with laughter, crazy antics, and dancing.

Many pleasantly tired boaters went home to a peaceful snooze, just like the Vista Rio cat, though maybe not under a Christmas tree.

Burnt Key Marina waiting for Dec. 21

Boats change with different owners, captains change with different mates, mates change with different captains, marinas change with different owners & managers – and if you think this time, ain’t nuthing gonna change, well, think again.

It just changed while you were thinking about it.

And to note the upcoming change in the Mayan calendar Friday, December 21, 14th Baktun,  there’ll be a small but not necessarily quiet celebration at Burnt Key Marina in Cayo Quemado.

New railings to help guide you to your boat.

Festivities will start at 3 p.m. and continue until Sandy tells everyone to “get outa here and go to bed”.

“Bring a favorite something that you’d like to eat or wear on your last day in this dimension,” says M+M.  “We’re supposed to move to a higher plane. I don’t know if we can take booze or not.”

“The whole idea is what if – what if ?– this was your last day?”

Boaters' lounge

There are slips available at the dock and there’s plenty of room in the anchorage. Come a day or two early, bring your favorite stuff and prepare to party.

Burnt Key Marina continues to serve boaters as a tranquil oasis for entering or leaving the Rio Dulce or as a permanent location for your boat in a secure and peaceful environment.

Santa at Casa Guatemala

If you are new to the river, then you might not know about the tradition of the toy drive that is held for the children at Casa Guatemala. Each year Casa Guatemala hosts a huge Christmas party for the orphanage and the surrounding Mayan villages on the evening of December 24th.

As always, we expect more than 600 children to come on Christmas Eve for a magical night of toys, turkey, and tamales with Santa!

Merry Christmas !

The boating community plays a large part in the success of the festivities. We are grateful for the hundreds of toys, goods, andfood that are donated each year from our friends here on the River.

We will be placing drop boxes at the participating marinas and you can always drop off any donations at Hotel Backpackers and our La Granja de los Niños store. 

Santa's sleigh

 If you want a donation box for your marina, please just let me know! We will have them around the community until Dec 22nd and will receive donations at Backpackers until the 24th.  You can also check out our latest newsletter for more information on our work and how to help.

We will be preparing a special meal of roast turkey and pork for the children and hundreds of tamales for everyone. 

Dance contest at Christmas tree lighting festivities

Children waited patiently in long lines for a chance to bounce in the inflatable castles, as many enjoyed ice creams and other snacks, while smiling and dancing to the beat of tunes booming over loud speakers. Being such an integral part of Guatemalan culture, music provided the backdrop to all the events of the evening. 

Clowns took the stage and invited volunteers to participate in dance contests to win prizes, and locals of all ages (and abilities) eagerly joined in the fun.

The crowd gave cheers and a thumbs up or down to indicate who should be eliminated, working to the final round of winners. Gifts ranged from household items, such as blenders and irons, to children’s toys, but the most coveted prizes were the two very shiny, brand new bicycles!

Happy faces at the lighting party. Click Read More below for more photos by Jody Aston

Q2400 raised at Bomberos Car Wash

She put together the first car/moto wash last weekend, earning Q2400 for her section.  As she says, every little bit helps.  Another one is planned for later in the month.  A big thanks to all who made it by with donations and supporting visits. foto

Support from the boating community

We at Chisme-Vindicator were touched by a donation coming from a reader in the states, who happens to be in the same field and just wanted to help after reading our story. (thanks, Michael Nash!) The fire chief is grateful for any and all donations, even if they aren't in quetzales!

Cars, trucks and even golf carts were washed

I am told the youngsters, aged 7-12 carry their helmet under their arms until they pass through the ceremonial gate, at which point they have been acknowledged as the next generation of firefighters. It will be about a 20 minute walk, for any that want to join in or just observe along the way.  (Might be some good photo ops here.)  

Maybe the new fire house will be finished by the time these youngsters graduate from the hospital training!    Yes, it's coming along.

New firehouse under construction

A new volunteer

.  As Rita explained it, the doctors and nurses don't want to correct mistakes,  so the EMT needs to get it right the first time!

Again, many thanks for supporting our fire department.  Catch that parade on Sunday, if you can!

Instructor Rabre