Río Metapa, Guatemala (area: Pacific Escuintla; click here for the Guatemala table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV; Ave. Gradient: 18 m/km; Portages: one car crossing; Length: 10 km; Time: 1.5 hours

Season: June to October; rafts? no; Highlights: central location; Crux move: catching the water

Water Quality: decent; Water Temperature: not noted

PI: Puente Metapa (280 m); TO: CA-2 bridge (100 m)

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

The Río Metapa is a pretty creek with uncommonly clear water and with its headwaters on the active Pacaya volcano. It is hard to catch the water though. It is generally class III and easy IV, though the long IV- sequences make it a IV in my opinion.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater Guatemala guidebook.

Descent History: I got on this in July 2011, with 300 cfs in the creek.

Flow Notes: This creek rarely comes up long enough to paddle. The Río Achiguate gauge may, when working, give a hint to the rain.

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Puerto San Jose beaches, Antigua town.