Río Coco, Nicaragua, designated as first UNESCO Geopark in Central America

The park takes its name from the eponymous river which runs through it, the longest in Central America, along the Nicaraguan side of the border with Honduras. The area’s fascinating and varied physiography includes canyons, mountain ranges, rolling hills, plains and valleys, crossed by a network of rivers flowing to both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The altitude ranges between 580-1,730m, with a dry subtropical climate containing several ecosystems, from subtropical to cloud forest, and a range of flora and fauna, including several migratory birds and endangered species.
 

Río Coco, running through Somoto Canyon

At the core of the project lies Somoto Canyon, a Nicaraguan National Monument, which with this news receives international recognition. This astounding geological structure was caused by erosion of the surrounding hills by rain, with the Río Coco running through it providing an oasis of water and nature. It was “re-discovered” for the international community by a team of Czech geologists in 2004, and has since become the leading tourism attraction in the region, and one of the most important in all of Nicaragua.

Click for Video showing of some of the activities available in the Canyon

Apart from the spectacular views of the Canyon itself and the many opportunities for adventure this provides - including rafting, swimming and kayaking in its rapids and lagoons, and more - attractions and activities within the Geopark include:

• Donkey rides and around the surrounding rugged territory, with its exhilarating views and beautiful natural variety of landscapes, flora and fauna;  

• Bird-watching,

• The ancient Aguas calientes petroglyphs, the National Monument to Somoto Canyon,

• Lodging in campsites, rural cabins or eco hotels, 

• El Castillo - an ancient ceremonial relic carved into the rocks, offering panoramic views;

• Cultural tourism to experience the heritage and hospitality of the small colonial towns and indigenous villages contained within the Geopark, and much more.

Map of Nicaragua showing location of Madriz (shown in light green, far north-west)

The Geopark will cover an area of 954 km squared over five municipalities within Madriz, located between 86°20’57’’ and 86°46’11’’ E and 13°11’29’’ and 13°29’45’’ N, or 218km from the capital Managua. The area enjoys good connectivity, with the Pan-American Highway, Nicaragua's main transport artery,  passing through the town of Somoto, and a number of smaller roads branching off it, which have undergone extensive expansion, improvement and renovation works by the national and local authorities as part of this project. There are also plentiful high quality accommodation and restaurants owing to the prevalence of tourism.

Furthermore, a GeoCertification process is being developed to ensure the quality of goods and services produced in the territory by awarding a GeoMark to those that qualify and that are produced within the Río Coco Geopark Territory. As well as being a mark of quality, having the GeoMark is expected to also add value to businesses by permitting them to benefit from the promotional activities of the Geopark Project.

Sustainable Development

The project’s recognition as a Geopark by UNESCO will also provide further impetus and support to the ongoing sustainable development programmes in place in the area with the support of the Government of Nicaragua, including: 

• The creation and strengthening of cooperatives,

• Capitalisation of micro-businesses to ensure sustainable employment for locals - with a particular focus on women and young people -, 

• Regular assemblies representing all stakeholders including guides, farmers and artisans, 

• The training of local people as Geo-Guides, 

• The establishment of GeoSchools across the area, to strengthen environmental education directly from the classroom, using the Geopark concept as a starting point, and more.

The Sustainable Development Goals prioritised by UNESCO in this initiative, for which the application met the criteria, are:

• SDG1: “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”; 

• SDG 4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”; 

• SDG 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”; 

• SDG 8: “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”; 

• SDG 11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”;

• SDG 12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”; 

• SDG 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”, and 

• SDG 17 (“Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”).

Announcement by UNESCO Nicaragua

Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR) announcementList of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) prior to latest announcement

UNESCO summary of Río Coco Geopark application (1)

UNESCO summary of Río Coco Geopark application (2)

UNESCO Geopark Sustainable Development Goals explained

Official Twitter Account of Río Coco Geopark

Official Twitter Account of Nicaraguan Tourism Board