Rio Coyolate

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.