It originates on the northern slope of Cofre de Perote volcano, and flows northwards through a canyon before joining the Nautla, which then empties eastwards into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Bobos River canyon separates the Sierra de Chiconquiaco on the east from the Sierra Madre Oriental and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt on the west.

[1] A protected area, known as Río Filo-Bobos y su Entorno, protects the lower stretch of the Bobos and a portion of the Nautla River valley near the confluence.

[2] The river is a popular whitewater rafting location.

This article related to a river in Mexico is a stub.