Río Tambor (aka Lower Jalapa), Guatemala (area: Mid Río Motagua; click here for the Guatemala table of rivers)

Class: III+; Ave. Gradient: 10 m/km; Portages: one dam; Length: 8.5 km; Time: 1-1.5 hours

Season: June to October; rafts? yes; Highlights: raftable; Crux move: getting past the dam

Water Quality: poor; Water Temperature: not noted

PI: El Rosario (312 m); TO: road bridge (225 m)

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

The Río Tambor provides an intermediate-level run in the out-of-the-way south side of the Río Motagua. It can even be rafted if you can manage the portage around the dam.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater Guatemala guidebook.

Descent History: I ran this solo in September 2008.

Flow Notes: You need some luck to catch the Río Tambor. The river being out of the way doesn’t help. If the Gualán gauge is approaching 3.0 your chances improve.

Nearby Tourist Attractions: IRTRA's Agua Caliente warm springs resort at the Río Las Cañas bridge; the Guastatoya water park; Sierra de Las Minas biosphere reserve.