Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
played a part in his assassination. Unlike most political killings at the height of
the violent civil war, Dary's stands out because he was generally perceived to be
right of center in his political inclinations.
Guatemala's best white-water river is the Class III-IV Río Cahabón
.
In addition
to the exhilarating rapids, the traverse downstream on its emerald waters is in-
terspersed with more tranquil stretches that afford opportunities to view several
species of birds and explore caves, waterfalls, and hot springs along its forested
banks.
TheCahabónisthesameriverthatflowsintoacaveunderthelimestonepools
of Semuc Champey, reemerging several hundred meters downstream. Most river
tripsbeginataput-inpointnearLanquín.Therearesomerathermenacingrapids
along this stretch of the Upper Cahabón, including Rock and Roll, Entonces, and
Las Tres Hermanas, making for an adrenaline-filled ride. The Middle Gorge has
some nice jungle scenery and continuous Class III rapids. There are a few more
challengingrapidsafterpassingthebridgeataplacecalledOxecbeforereaching
an obligatory takeout point at Takinkó to portage the Class VI (not possible to
run) Chulac Falls. A dam was once planned here, but dam builders seem to have
gone cold on the idea after discovering a fault line running right beneath the pro-
posed dam site. The two-day river trip camps here.
The Lower Gorge is a boatload of fun with titillating rapids such as Saca
Corchos (Corkscrew) and Saca Caca. There are stops along the way to explore
caves and enjoy lunch at “El Pequeño Paraíso,” a small sidestream with delight-
ful waterfalls and hot springs flowing into the Cahabón. The next rapid is appro-
priately named Lose Your Lunch, shortly after which the river widens and you
are treated to a serene stretch of river with mountainous jungle-clad banks. The
takeoutisatCahaboncito,wheretheintrepidcantakeaplungeintotheriverfrom
a 30-foot bridge.
RaftingtheCahabónaffordstheopportunitytoseesomeremotenaturalattrac-
tions and come in contact with the local people inhabiting the area. As is often
the case in Guatemala, the beauty coexists with a sobering reality. In addition to
still-forestedareasyouwillseesomesteep,badlydeforestedslopesgivenoverto
corncultivation, sheddinglightonthedesperate plightofpeasantswillingtolive
and grow their crops anywhere they can.
