Río Suquiapa, Upper & Lower, El Salvador (click here for the El Salvador table of rivers)

river photo

Class: III, II ; Flow: 150-400 cfs; Average Gradient: 6 m/km Upper, 3m/km Lower; Portages: no; Length: 13.5 + 12 km; Time: 1.5 + 1.5 hours

Season: June to October ; rafts? no; Highlights: ; Crux move:

Put-In: Cantón Planta Vieja (380 m) or Tacachico (303 m); Take-Out: Las Pavas (265 m)

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

The Río Suquiapa has two big negatives: a lot of trash (causing a stink in places) and usually low water. However, it offers a place for novices to practice not far from the capital and Santa Ana when the water is up. The Upper, which offers shallow class III rapids and the threat of tree strainers, is set in a pretty valley and is mostly roadside with multiple access points. Two river features deserve your attention: the biggest rapid is just below a roadside hammock bridge (see Logistics), and 35 minutes downstream from there is a car crossing where it is fun to run through the large drainage pipes under the road.

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

Descent History: I ran this in September 2013, with 250 to 350 cfs.