Río Grande de Otoro, Lower Canyons & Upper, Honduras (click here for the Honduras table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV, III ; Flow: 500-2,500 cfs; Average Gradient: 6 m/km; Portages: a couple V's in the Lower Canyons; Length: up to 68 km; Time: 1-3 days

Season: June to November; rafts? challenging; Highlights: nice rafting in Upper, interesting scenery; Crux move: risk management in the Lower Canyons

Put-In: San Antonio bridge (668 m) or below; Take-Out: Agua Caliente bridge (287 m) or above

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

The Río Otoro is a medium volume river flowing through varied and dramatic landscapes. The Río Otoro drainage starts high in the continental divide in lush tropical forest including some cloud forest, flows through the broad Jesús de Otoro valley, then enters the canyon lands of the Mixcure Wildlife Reserve. Both kayakers and adventurous rafters can enjoy parts or all of the Río Otoro, and have the option to extend the trip downstream on the equally long Río Ulúa. I will describe the Río Otoro sections bottom-up, with times applicable to kayaking.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater El Salvador, Honduras, & Nicaragua guidebook.

Descent History: Rocky Contos and I ran the Río Otoro (and Río Ulúa), starting at La Gloria, in July 2010, with 550 cfs at the PI.