Río Cahabón, above Cobán, Guatemala (area: Cobán; click here for the Guatemala table of rivers)

river photo

Class: III; Ave. Gradient: 3 m/km; Portages: none; Length: 12 km; Time: 2 hours

Season: June to October; rafts? no; Highlights: easiest run near Cobán; Crux move: making the time

Water Quality: poor; Water Temperature: cool

PI: Esfuerzo II hydro (1340m); TO: west Cobán bridge (1307m)

Description: (click here for general notes about my descriptions)

In the Cobán area, the Río Cahabón is a lazy stream lined with wild caña grass, with only a few rocky drops in the first half hour to enjoy. You pass many houses (and an army base) and see families out doing their laundry along the banks. The trash and sewer pipes do not add anything positive.

Descent History: I paddled this solo in July 2014.

Flow Notes: You need extra high water to run this section. The Renace I dam way downstream reports an inflow estimate which is helpful. The Cobán rain gauge is also helpful.

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Orquigonia orchid farm.