Belize Jungle River, Whitewater Kayaking the Mopan River

Belize One-Day River Trip

We run the Mopan River as part of our Belize Adventure Week multi-day trip. Read about this full-week adventure vacation which includes this whitewater trip.

This one-day trip is also available for groups of 8+, maximum 14.

When available: Wednesday, Thursday or Friday only, Dec - May.

Cost: $195 US pp, includes pick up and drop off in Belize City and lunch.

Minimum and maximum ages to participate: 10 and 70

Deposit: $75 deposit pp (8 minimum) is due to confirm your space. This deposit is non-refundable. You may make your reservation by telephone, fax, mail, or e-mail. Checks, money orders, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted for all payments. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Slickrock Adventures has specialized in whitewater kayak trips since its inception as a kayak school in 1977. Today that tradition continues with our kayak trip down the Mopan River in western Belize. The Mopan and Macal River flow together to form the Belize River, one of Belize's major rivers. Draining the west slope of the Maya Mountains, the Mopan flows through Guatemala before entering Belize, winding its way through jungle covered hills and farmland along its course. The river has its source within the famous Chiquibul Cave system, where it picks up large quantities of dissolved limestone that are subsequently deposited in the rivers rapids.

Our run down the Mopan consists of 5 miles of the river near the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, which we tour the same day. The river’s warm, 70 degree water is a beautiful clear green color and the channel is surrounded by huge trees teeming with parrots and iguanas. The unique rapids we encounter are created by the limestone based travertine deposited by the water, which creates small falls and chutes through islands of vegetation.

Using modern sit on top kayaks designed for whitewater, our groups begin the trip with a thorough instructional class in kayak technique in a large pool between the rapids. This covers basic strokes, familiarization with balance and recovery methods, reading the river currents, and getting comfortable in moving water. No experience is necessary, but you do need an adventurous spirit. This is a great way to get to know the rivers of Belize!

Once underway down the river, we encounter numerous, easy rapids (Class I and II) with large pools between drops. Passing by the Mopan River Resort, Belize, we continue to run beginner-level rapids which are exciting in our highly maneuverable kayaks. We learn to surf waves, make eddy turns, and even try some ‘pop-ups’ in the bigger drops. Abundant birdlife is seen along the lush river banks, and huge iguanas perch in the tree branches that overhang the river.

We finish the run with an exciting drop at Clarissa Falls, a Class III drop (not a waterfall!) that dumps into a pool where a small lodge and restaurant are located. After pulling our boats up the bank, we enjoy a delightful local lunch and cold drinks before packing up into our van and proceeding to the ruins.