Location: Suchitepequez Region, Guatemala

Guatemala is divided into a number of regions or “departments.” The Rio Nahualate is located in the small southwestern department of Suchitepequez, whose capital city is Mazatenango. Rio Nahualate river rafting trips are a perfect one day excursion for travelers visiting Guatemala City. The river is also close to Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Guatemala’s central mountains. Antigua is prized for its Spanish colonial architecture and its elaborate Catholic religious ceremonies.

Level of Difficulty: Class III / Beginner

The Rio Nahualate’s Class III and III+ rapids are fun and exciting, appropriate for a wide range of whitewater rafters. Beginners will find this class of rapid an excellent introduction to whitewater rafting, and many families bring children on river trips with class III rapids.

Season: June – November

Guatemala river rafting trips usually take place during the rainy season, which is typically from June into November. Guided Rio Nahualate river trips are one day long.

Location: Coatepeque Region, Guatemala

The Rio Naranjo is located in Guatemala’s Coatepeque region, or “department.” This river rafting trip is a full day from Guatemala City and the Spanish colonial city of Antigua. It is also easily accessed from Guatemala’s Quetazaltango, Panajachel, and Tapachula, across the border in neighboring Mexico.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

The crashing waves of Rio Naranjo’s class IV “Black Hole” rapid and solid class III-IV whitewater make this a rafting trip for aggressive and fit first-time paddlers or people with experience in the sport.

Scenery: Volcanic Highlands

The water that flows through Rio Naranjo’s canyon is sourced in Guatemala’s volcanic highlands. The green jungle riparian environment and continuous rapids make this an exotic and challenging whitewater trip.

Season: June – October

Like many Guatemala whitewater trips, the season on the Rio Naranjo is limited to the rainy season—typically June into November. Trips are limited to one day.

Location: Santa Rosa Region, Southern Guatemala

Rio Los Esclavos is located in Guatemala’s southern Santa Rosa region or “department.” Whitewater trips on the Los Esclavos River are an easy excursion for visitors spending time in Guatemala’s capital, Guatemala City. Antigua is another popular destination near to the Los Esclavos. Many people visit Antigua to see the city’s elaborate Catholic rituals. The city’s Spanish colonial architecture helped it qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage site as well.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV+ / Intermediate

Class III-IV+ whitewater make river trips on the Los Esclavos River one of the more challenging in Guatemala. People with previous rafting experience will be well prepared for this level of whitewater, but athletic and adrenaline-loving first-timers can consider this trip as well.

Scenery: Steep Canyon with Waterfalls

Trips on Guatemala’s Rio Los Esclavos run through a canyon with dramatic sheer walls. A particularly interesting feature of Los Esclavos river trips are the spectacular waterfalls that spill high from the canyon walls and into the river below.

Season: June – October

Like many Guatemala river rafting trips, one day adventures on the Rio Los Esclavos are available during Central America’s rainy season, typically June into October.

Location: Eastern Guatemala

Guatemala is divided into several regions or “departments.” The Rio Cahabon flows through the Alta Verapaz department in the eastern part of the country, between Lake Izabal and the capital city of Coban. Coban was founded by Dominican Friars in 1543, and today reflects the influence of Catholicism and the German coffee plantations established in the 19th century. Many travelers visit the Dusseldorf coffee plantation today.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

The class III-IV rapids encountered on Rio Cahabon whitewater rafting trips will challenge beginner paddlers and provide ample excitement for experienced rafters as well. Adventurous families with teenagers can consider this trip.

Scenery: Tropical Jungle and Vibrant Colors

The Cahabon River flows through a tropical jungle alive with splashy toucans and green iguanas. A special feature of the canyon is the “el Paqueno Paraiso” thermal hot spring. The emerald waters of Rio Cahabon rafting trips also take paddlers past a limestone cavern and the Mayan ruins of Quirigua. Quirigua houses the largest “stelae” (commemorative or territorial markers) in the Mayan world!

Season: Year-round

The Cahabon is one of Guatemala’s few rivers that has guided whitewater rafting trips all year long. Paddlers can book trips ranging from one to five days.

Location: El Peten, Guatemala

The Usumacinta forms part of the border between Mexico and Guatemala. River rafting trips on Rio Usumacinta flow through Guatemala’s El Peten region, or “department.” El Peten is the country’s largest and most northern department and lies in the heart of the former Mayan territory. El Peten is home to Tik’al National Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site—the largest of all discovered Mayan ruin sites. Researchers have unearthed thousands of structures at Tik’al, including stunning pyramids and temples. Research is ongoing as the 4th century site is still not fully excavated.

Level of Difficulty: Class II / Beginner

Although river trips on the Usumacinta River tend to be four to twelve day expeditions, the river itself is a mellow class II+, making more of a float trip than a true whitewater rafting trip.

Scenery and Wildlife: Remote Jungle

The Rio Usumacinta once acted as an important trade route for the Maya and some trips include side explorations to the remote ruins in the canyon. Nature lovers and bird watchers will enjoy vibrant jungle wildlife like Howler Monkeys, Macaws and brilliant Toucans. Other highlights of Rio Usumacinta river rafting trips are the spectacular travertine falls that send water crashing into the river below.

Season: Year-round

River trips on Rio Usumacinta are available nearly year ‘round.

Location: Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa, Guatemala

The Coyolate River runs through the lowland tropics of Guatemala’s Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa region or “department.” River rafting trips on the Coyolate are easy day trips from both Antigua and Guatemala City and run fairly near the Volcanoes Acatenango, Volcan de Fuego, and Volcan de Agua.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Rio Coyolate isn’t one of Guatemala’s most challenging rivers, offering rafters mellow class II ripples and fun class III whitewater. Kids and teenagers are welcome on many guided trips.

Scenery: Tropical Lowlands

The canyon carved out by the Rio Coyolate is in a lowland tropical region of Guatemala. There are places where dark volcanic rock make up the canyon walls; other sections are lined with flowering trees alive with butterflies. Blue Herons stalk the shoreline while Black Hawks and Falcons soar in the air above. Waterfalls cascade into the river, adding to this river’s considerable beauty.

Season: June – October

River trips on the Rio Coyolate are typically one day, making them an excellent excursion for people visiting nearby Guatemala City and the colonial-era Antigua. One day guided trips here are available June into October.

Location: Guatemala

The Rio Motagua has the interesting distinction of flowing through the only valley in Mesoamerica in which jade has been discovered. Sourced from Guatemala’s Rio Grande River, the Motagua’s course marks the boundary between Guatemala and Honduras before it spills into the Gulf of Honduras.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Gentle class II and exciting class III rapids give paddlers opportunities for relaxation, bird watching, and the spontaneous fun of whitewater rafting.

Wildlife and History: Bird Watching and Mayan Ruins

Like many Guatemala river rafting adventures, trips through Rio Motagua are excellent opportunities for bird watching. River trips here take paddlers near Mixco Viejo, one of Guatemala’s historic Mayan ruins. Mixco Viejo’s location near the Rio Motagua speaks to the river’s importance as a pre-Columbian trade route.

Season: June – October

One to two day river rafting trips on the Motagua River are available from June into October.

Location: Northern Guatemala

Guatemala is divided into several regions or “departments.” The Rio Chiquibul flows through the lowlands of the El Peten department, which is the largest and northernmost region in Guatemala and home to the famous Tik’al ruins. Many visitors travel to see this fantastic monument to the ancient Mayan civilization; the Rio Chiquibul is another worthwhile destination in this rich and fascinating region. The river also flows near two other ruin complexes—Yaxha and Nakum. Yaxha is famous for acting as the site of the 2005 Survivor Reality TV show. Nakum, discovered in 1905, stands out for its walls of distinctive Mayan script graffiti!

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

The rapids on the Chiquibul are rated an accessible but fun class II-III, making one to two day trips a good choice for families and beginning rafters or anyone interested in exploring the Chiquibul’s beautiful canyon.

Scenery and Wildlife: Jungle Canyon

The Chiquibul river flows through a canyon lined with steep limestone walls and lush jungle foliage sparked with flitting butterflies and brilliant orchids. Birdwatchers might catch glimpses of the elusive and rare White Eagle. Rio Chiquibul’s water is known for being a cool and translucent green.

Season: June – February

River rafting trips are available on the Rio Chiquibul from June to February each year.

Choose from several of Guatemala’s most popular whitewater rafting rivers. Rafting trips range from one to five days in length with difficulty ratings between Class II -IV.

Rio Cahabon Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): Whitewater trips on the Rio Cahabon offer intermediate class III-IV whitewater for adventurous first timers and experienced rafters. Trips ranging from 1 to 5 days are available year ‘round. Some excursions include side trips to the Mayan ruins of Quirigua.

Rio Chiquibul Rafting Trips (Class II-III): The cool water of Rio Chiquibal creates a refreshing escape from Guatemala’s tropical heat and humidity. Class II-III whitewater adds excitement to one to two day river trips set against limestone canyon walls and abundant wildlife.

Rio Coyolate Rafting Trips (Class II-III): Rio Coyolate river trips take paddlers through a lowland tropic environment, past crashing waterfalls and water birds. The rapids are rated class II-III, making this an excellent one day family rafting trip.

Rio Los Esclaves Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): Challenging class III-IV rapids are the highlight of river whitewater trips on Rio Los Esclaves. Previous experience is highly recommended for these one day trips.

Rio Motagua Rafting Trips (Class II-III): Rio Motagua river trips offer paddlers fun class II-III rapids on one to two days trips. Ample bird watching opportunities and nearby Mayan ruins add to the river’s appeal.

Rio Nahualate Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): Paddlers with previous experience or beginners with a taste for adventure will enjoy the class III-IV whitewater on the Rio Nahualate.

Rio Naranjo Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): Rapids rated an exciting class III-IV mark whitewater trips on the Rio Naranjo. Jungle scenery and easy access from cities like Antigua and Guatemala City add to this river’s appeal for whitewater rafters looking for a one day rafting trip in Guatemala.

Rio Usumacinta Rafting Trips (Class II-III): Class II-III rapids are the tip of the iceberg on the Rio Usumacinta. Paddlers on 4-5 day trips on this Guatemalan river also see abundant wildlife life like Howler Monkeys and tropical birds and explore remote Mayan architectural ruins.

More About Rafting in Guatemala

The small Central American country of Guatemala is known for lush tropical jungles and ancient Mayan ruins, but it is also an excellent destination for whitewater rafting trips. With over six whitewater rivers to choose from, and guided trips ranging from easy to challenging, Guatemala river rafting trips suit both beginner and experts alike. River trips in Guatemala also offer the unique bonus of bringing adventurers into contact with remote and rarely-explored ruins. Guided river trips in Guatemala tend to be rated class II-III or class III-IV, with several rivers in each category.

Visitors to north-central Mexico might find themselves in the state of San Luis Potosi, home to the beautiful Santa Maria River.

Santa Maria River Rafting Trips (Class III): River trips on the Santa Maria are particularly known for a richly tropical riparian environment coupled with sparkling turquoise water. Multi-day trips are available on the class III Santa Maria Nov-Mar.