Río Xolacoy, Guatemala (area: Salamá; click here for the Guatemala table of rivers)

river photo

Class: II; Ave. Gradient: 4 m/km; Portages: wood?; Length: 11 km; Time: 2 hours

Season: June to October; rafts? no; Highlights: beginner run; Crux move: getting all the way out here

Water Quality: poor; Water Temperature: medium

PI: Cubulco road (940m); TO: Xococ (900m)

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

The Río Xolacoy is a pleasant float through the caña grass and hills of the area. It has a remote feel and you are likely to have the place to yourselves along with a few cows. You are also likely to encounter wood in a few places that will partially or fully block the river requiring a quick portage.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater Guatemala guidebook.

Descent History: First floated September 2013, by me and Nils Saubès, with 150 cfs.

Flow Notes: The Río Xolacoy is hard to catch. The gauge downstream on the Río Xococ should help a lot. But if the Río Salamá in downtown Salamá doesn’t have at least 300 cfs in it, don’t bother driving further.

Nearby Tourist Attractions: not much in this area.