Patuca River

The Patuca, which is in 2nd place on the list of longest rivers in Honduras, is a river in northeastern Honduras formed by the confluence of the Guayape and Guayambre rivers southeast of Juticalpa. It is Central America's second-largest river. The river travels northeast for about ten miles before crossing the Mosquito Coast and entering the Caribbean Sea at Patuca Point.

It was the intended location for a large hydroelectric power project. However, due to environmental concerns, the hydroelectric project was put on hold indefinitely in May 1999. The proposed development involves flooding 42 kilometers of the undisturbed rainforest, all of which were on track to become part of the Patuca National Park or the Tawahka Biosphere Reserve "Asagni."

The Patuca is famed in Honduras for a section of rapids known as "El Portal del Infierno" or "The Gates of Hell," which have claimed the lives of many daring river-goers. At its widest point, the Patuca can stretch for several kilometers. Indeed, its tributary Guayape has been recorded to reach 2 miles in width virtually every year in spots that may be traversed waist deep during the dry season. The Patuca is also known for its lawless nether parts, where tiny heavily armed groups of men dig large placer gold discoveries upstream from the Mosquitia jungle.

Length: 500 kilometres (310 mi)