4,000 acres of diverse landscape located
in rugged limestone karst terrain...

St. Margaret's Village, home to Five Blues Lake National Park, is an ethnically-mixed community located at mile 32 on the Hummingbird Highway and marks the Eastern boundary of Cayo District.

A 200-foot deep lake surrounded by steep limestone hills is the prime attraction to this national park. Orchids flourish during April and May on a forested island, which lies near one side of the lake.

The lake is open for swimming and the park is readily accessible through a series of trails that lead to caves, follow rivers, and meanders through the habitat of the local wildlife. The lake provides docks and diving platforms for the swimmer, and the trails provide many interesting sights for the hiker.

At the park's entrance, a visitors' center with trail maps is available, along with picnic tables for meals. In addition, bathroom facilities are available behind the visitors' center. From the visitor's center, you may take any of the park's trails, or go directly to the lake.

Getting There...

Small sign at mile 32 of the Hummingbird Highway marks the turnoff and boundary line between Cayo and Stann Creek Districts. Over the Top Restaurant is directly across the road from the park entrance. Belmopan/Dangriga- bound buses can drop you off at the entrance to St. Margaret's Village. There you will find the park office. Visit 5 Blues Lake as part of a Village Homestay.

July 20, 2006 UPDATE

The 5 Blues Lake, it's one of Belize's natural wonders, but tonight the only wonder is where all the water went! Ecologist Jan Meerman who works out of the Cayo district reports that the lake has collapsed. 5 Blues is known as a karstic lake, which means it was built on limestone formations. Meerman explains that the lake was formed when an underground waterway was blocked. And it made for an incredible sight: as the varying depths of the lake reflected in various shades of blue.

Well no more, reportedly in the past two weeks, the water level has dropped 15 feet. According to Meerman, this was most dramatic on Thursday July 20th when people fishing in the lake report hearing a strange noise coming from the lake "as if the lake was crying." Following that, a big whirlpool appeared in the lake. Meerman, who has studied the lake extensively believes that the blockage that actually created the lake could have dissolved and much of the water got sucked out like someone took the plug out of a bath-tub.

These before and after pictures show the dramatic difference. Most of the before pictures were taken in 2001 and the after pictures were taken two days ago. Meerman points out that the lake could continue to go down even further. But the big question right now is where did all the water go? It's a question that will take some study to get a definitive answer.

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