Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Río Usumacinta, Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Guatemala/Mexico
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Tropical rainforest (100 m)
- Best season
- November – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Tropical rainforest (100 m)
- Best season: November – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Río Usumacinta
Topic summary
Jungle river paddle past Yaxchilán Mayan ruins on the border.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: November – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Tropical rainforest (100 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Río Usumacinta trip tools
How to get there
Plan around a specific reach rather than the river as a whole. Tenosique and Boca del Cerro provide geographic anchors for the canyon-to-plain transition in Tabasco; Tres Brazos, Centla, identifies the Grijalva–Usumacinta confluence in the lower wetlands. Confirm local transport and usable river access before setting an itinerary.
- Boca del Cerro, Tenosique
Geographic reference point where the river passes a canyon and enters the Tabasco plain. Confirm the actual arrival point and any waterside access locally; this is not a verified launch description.
- Tres Brazos, Centla
Location of the Grijalva–Usumacinta confluence in the Pantanos de Centla wetland region. Use it to focus lower-river planning, with transport and visitor access confirmed locally.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Río Usumacinta
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
- Kayaking
Sheltered and open-water paddling lines.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
Animals around Río Usumacinta
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Río UsumacintaAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Río Usumacinta
Planning to fish Río Usumacinta, Mexico? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Mexico are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Río Usumacinta?
- A Mexico fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Mexico fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Río Usumacinta
Thinking about hunting Río Usumacinta, Mexico? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Mexico are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Río Usumacinta?
- Confirm the land around Río Usumacinta is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Mexico?
- A Mexico hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A river linking Guatemala and Mexico
The Río Usumacinta runs through northwestern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico, forming part of the boundary between Guatemala and the Mexican state of Chiapas before continuing through Tabasco toward the Gulf of Mexico. It begins at the junction of the Pasión and Salinas rivers; the Salinas is also known as the Chixoy or Negro. Including those upstream rivers, the system measures approximately 1,000 kilometres, a basin-scale figure rather than a recreational route distance. For trip planning, the important distinction is between the border reach, the canyon country and the lower river’s plains and wetlands. Treat these as separate areas to investigate, not as one ready-made through-trip. The river’s name comes from the howler monkey.
Canyons above the Tabasco plain
The Usumacinta’s passage through the Cañón del Usumacinta ecological reserve gives this part of the river a different character from the lowlands downstream. Along this corridor, the river forms canyons before passing Boca del Cerro at Tenosique and entering the Tabasco plain. That transition is a useful geographic anchor when deciding which river landscape to explore. Canyon terrain calls for more careful attention to entry, exit and the practical limits of a proposed outing than a map of the river alone can provide. Confirm usable access and local conditions before committing to a water-based trip. Neither the reserve’s name nor the presence of a nearby settlement establishes a public launch, a marked trail or a suitable paddling route.
Lower-river wetlands and a jungle side trip
At Tres Brazos in Centla, the Grijalva joins the Usumacinta within the extensive wetland region known as Pantanos de Centla. This biosphere reserve covers 302,702 hectares, making the lower river a distinct planning area rather than simply an extension of the canyon reach. Elsewhere in Tabasco, the Palizada and San Pedro y San Pablo distributaries branch from the main river toward Laguna de Términos. Choose a specific locality before arranging access through this branching landscape. For an archaeological addition, Bonampak lies in the Lacadon jungle of southern Chiapas near a tributary of the Usumacinta. Its principal feature is the Temple of Murals, a small structure on the Acropolis with three rooms containing painted walls and ceilings. Proximity does not establish a direct river connection for visitors.
Route options
- Cañón del Usumacinta–Boca del Cerro corridor
A canyon-focused area to investigate, following the river’s geographic progression through the ecological reserve toward Boca del Cerro and the Tabasco plain. This is not an established recreational itinerary; confirm suitable access, travel arrangements and river conditions locally.
- Tres Brazos and Pantanos de Centla
Focus a lower-river outing on the confluence of the Grijalva and Usumacinta and the surrounding biosphere-reserve wetlands. Establish a locally supported itinerary rather than assuming the branching waterways form a signed visitor route.
- Bonampak archaeological side trip
Consider a separate visit to Bonampak in southern Chiapas, near an Usumacinta tributary. The Temple of Murals on the Acropolis is the main feature. Arrange access independently rather than assuming it can be reached directly from the main river.
Sample itineraries
- Usumacinta Canyon and Boca del Cerro · 1 day
Focus a day on the river’s canyon landscape around Boca del Cerro, Tenosique, where the Usumacinta reaches the Tabasco plain. Treat this as a planning outline rather than an established route; confirm suitable access and local river conditions before setting out.
- Tres Brazos and Pantanos de Centla · 2 days
Plan one day around Tres Brazos, Centla, where the Grijalva joins the Usumacinta, and another for the wetland landscape of Pantanos de Centla. Confirm access and transport before committing to activities in the biosphere reserve.
- Bonampak Archaeology Day · 1 day
Make Bonampak a separate jungle-focused day near a tributary of the Usumacinta. Center the visit on Temple 1, the Temple of Murals, whose three rooms contain painted walls and ceilings. Confirm site access locally; do not assume a direct connection from the main river.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm timing locally
Plan around current river conditions rather than assuming spring offers suitable access. Check conditions separately for the canyon, Tabasco plain, and wetlands.
Summer
Confirm timing locally
Check the local forecast and river conditions before water-based outings. Jungle and wetland plans need weather protection and flexibility; no dependable summer conditions can be specified here.
Fall
Confirm timing locally
Verify river access and wetland travel conditions close to departure. Do not assume conditions at Boca del Cerro match those farther downstream at Pantanos de Centla.
Winter
Confirm timing locally
Do not treat winter as a guaranteed low-water or easy-access period. Confirm conditions for the particular river section or archaeological visit being planned.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm timing locally | Plan around current river conditions rather than assuming spring offers suitable access. Check conditions separately for the canyon, Tabasco plain, and wetlands. |
| Summer | Confirm timing locally | Check the local forecast and river conditions before water-based outings. Jungle and wetland plans need weather protection and flexibility; no dependable summer conditions can be specified here. |
| Fall | Confirm timing locally | Verify river access and wetland travel conditions close to departure. Do not assume conditions at Boca del Cerro match those farther downstream at Pantanos de Centla. |
| Winter | Confirm timing locally | Do not treat winter as a guaranteed low-water or easy-access period. Confirm conditions for the particular river section or archaeological visit being planned. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current entry requirements and any activity permits with the managing agency for each protected area or archaeological site.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- River immersion is a serious risk on water-based outings. Wear a properly fitted flotation device and assess current conditions before boarding or entering the water.
- Canyon terrain can complicate movement between land and water. Confirm suitable access rather than improvising a route through Usumacinta Canyon.
- Jungle and wetland terrain require careful navigation and footing. Avoid unverified shortcuts near Bonampak or within Pantanos de Centla.
What to pack for Río Usumacinta
- Properly fitted flotation device
- Dry bags for essential equipment
- Secure footwear suitable for getting wet
- Long clothing
- Insect protection
- Rain protection
- Drinking water
- Offline maps for the planned area
- Waterproof phone protection
- First-aid kit
- Backup power
Río Usumacinta FAQ
- Where does the Río Usumacinta flow?
- The river lies in northwestern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico. It forms part of the Guatemala–Chiapas border, then continues northwest through Tabasco toward the Gulf of Mexico.
- Where does the river begin?
- The Usumacinta forms at the junction of the Pasión and Salinas rivers. The Salinas is also known as the Río Chixoy or Río Negro.
- What distinguishes the canyon and lower river?
- Usumacinta Canyon contains canyon scenery along the river. After Boca del Cerro, Tenosique, the river enters the Tabasco plain. Farther downstream, its confluence with the Grijalva at Tres Brazos forms part of the extensive Pantanos de Centla wetland region.
- Is Bonampak on the main river?
- Bonampak lies deep in the jungle of southern Chiapas near a tributary of the Usumacinta, not on the main river. Its principal feature is the Temple of Murals on the site’s Acropolis.
- Is this a single cross-border itinerary?
- No. The river spans distinct landscapes and forms an international boundary along part of its course. Plan individual sections and confirm transport, access, and any border requirements separately rather than assuming a continuous visitor route.
- What is protected at Pantanos de Centla?
- Pantanos de Centla is a biosphere reserve covering 302,702 hectares of wetlands. The Usumacinta and Grijalva meet at Tres Brazos, Centla, within this broader wetland landscape.