Declared a protected area under Decree 13-20 published in the official newspaper La Gaceta No. 213 on September 8, 1983. It has an area of 86,149 hectares. The Estero Real along with its neighbor the Río Negro are the only rivers that drain into the Gulf of Fonseca, forming before flowing into an extensive, combined and intricate swampy delta. The course of the two main rivers forms several meanders and branches off into secondary and tertiary estuaries, locally called "caletas" that communicate with each other.
Estero Real-Puerto Morazán
The main mangrove species are the red mangrove, black mangrove, palo de sal, which grow together and in some parts in separate stands. Of the entire Pacific region, the Estero Real mangroves are the most developed in diameter and height. In the salt flats, a stunted mangrove vegetation is developed, composed mostly of palo de sal and buttonwood.
The river fauna includes euryhaline species that tolerate a certain salinity. Among the fish, the presence of the four and jumping fish. The mangrove is home to some visiting mammals, especially raccoons and coatis. Traces of rabbits, deer, cusucos and ocelots, as well as paslama turtles, are recorded in the beaches. Green iguanas are hidden among the mangrove branches, lizards have also been found. On the other hand, the aquatic birds are numerous along the estuaries, especially herons, avocets and tigüises. You also see the rare storkno N, pelicans and herons. During the migration season that coincides with the end of winter, the wetlands are visited by numerous aquatic, wading and web-footed birds, especially in the flooded plains.
Activities
- Observation of flora and fauna
- Landscaping
- Kayaking
