List of rivers of Guatemala

Drainage to the Atlantic / Caribbean

Major river systems that reach the Caribbean or the Gulf of Honduras are listed below. Tributaries are indented beneath the primary river when notable.

• Usumacinta River
  • Río La Pasión
  • Río Salinas
  • Río San Pedro
• Motagua River
  • Río Las Vacas
  • Other smaller tributaries across central Guatemala
• Polochic River (flows into Lake Izabal)
  • Río Cahabón
• Río Dulce (connects Lake Izabal to the Caribbean)
• Other Atlantic tributaries: rivers of northern Petén and Izabal departments that feed the regional drainage.

Drainage to the Pacific

The Pacific slope contains numerous shorter rivers that descend rapidly from the highlands to the ocean. Several form parts of international boundaries.

• Suchiate River (western border with Mexico)
• Río Paz (border with El Salvador in the southwest)
• Samalá River
• Other Pacific rivers: smaller coastal streams and seasonal rivers that drain the volcanic highlands.

Uses, ecology and historical notes

Guatemala's rivers support irrigation, fisheries, transport in lowland areas, and hydroelectric projects in the highlands. River corridors sustain tropical forest and wetland habitats rich in wildlife. In pre-Columbian times, river valleys provided routes and resources for indigenous cultures; today they remain central to rural livelihoods and to challenges such as flood risk, sedimentation and water quality.

Where to find detailed lists

Comprehensive, sortable lists and maps of Guatemalan rivers and their tributaries are available from national geographic and hydrological references. For a structured list organized by drainage basin, see Rivers of Guatemala. For information distinguishing main stems versus tributaries, consult hydrological surveys and regional maps.