Scuba Diving Fishing Land Rafting Xtreme Adventures Things 2DO

RAFTING / Costa Rica

The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids. This quintessential tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids.
Located on Costa Rica’s Atlantic slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife.
            After an early morning pick-up from your San José hotel, you will drive by private, comfortable bus to our Operations Center for a delicious, typical Costa Rican breakfast. Once at the river at our private put-in, you’ll raft 16 miles deep in the heart of densely vegetated gorges, past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids, in one of Costa Rica’s most impressive primary rainforests. On the river you will raft by Rios Tropicales Lodge, where guests stay on two and three-day trips. Intimate and charming, the lodge blends naturally into the forest on our 1,000-acre private reserve, with waterfalls and pools.
After an adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more, after we finish, a short drive to our Center for a hearty and delicious lunch, showers, optional drinks and souvenir store. On the return drive to San José, you’ll enjoy remarkable views of Braulio Carrillo National Park and Irazú Volcano. This unforgettable trip will easily be a highlight of your stay in Costa Rica!

Included: Professional bilingual guides, transportation, rafting equipment, breakfast, lunch.
            Who can go? Anyone in good, healthy physical condition. Swimming experience is required. Some rafting experience is recommended.

Min. age: 14-years-old

Difficulty: Moderate. Class III rafting: Rapids with high irregular waves; narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. Class IV rafting: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters.
Rafting distance: 16 miles
River time: From 3-1/2 to 5 hours – depending on water level.
       Recommended gear: Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, booties or similar); Swimsuit / swim trunks; shorts of a quick-drying material; hat with a brim for sun; towel; waterproof sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher; Croakies or straps to secure glasses. T-shirt is optional. Bring an extra change of dry clothes for after rafting.
Extras: T-shirts and professionally taken photos during your trip will be available for purchase.

Rio Pacuare, 1-day (San Martin to Siquirres) approximate itinerary:

5:45-6:45 a.m.  Morning pick-ups at San José hotels.
(Varies according to hotel location).
Depart San José for breakfast.

8:15 a.m.   Arrive at our new Operation Center for breakfast, changing rooms and last minute shopping

9:00 a.m.     Depart for Rio Pacuare (1 hr. drive)

10:00 a.m.  Arrive at Rio Pacuare. Clients are outfitted with lifejackets,
helmets and paddles.

            10:35 a.m. Clients are divided into raft teams and given paddling instruction.

            10:45 a.m.   Begin rafting.

2:30 p.m.  Take out  and back to our Operation Center for a healthy hot lunch and full salad bar.
           
            3:45-4:15 p.m.  Depart rest area for San José.

            5:45-6:30 p.m.  Arrival at San José hotels (varies according to hotel location).

2-3 days, San Martin to Siquirres. Class III-IV

            On the Rio Pacuare 2 and 3-day trips, you’ll enjoy one of the most amazing rainforest experiences possible – breathtaking beauty far removed from civilization’s rush and heart-pounding excitement. It is certain to be a highlight of your stay in Costa Rica.
The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids. This tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids.
            Day 1: You’ll depart San José early in the morning, stopping for a delicious breakfast, at our Center, before arriving at the river. Once at the river, your friendly and professional guides will load your gear into dry bags, prepare the equipment and give you complete safety and paddle instruction. The first day’s Class III rapids welcome you to the Pacuare gorge’s charm as you raft deep in the heart of primary rainforest. While your guides prepare you a hearty picnic lunch on the riverbank, you’ll be led through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim.
Before you know it, you’ll arrive at the award-winning Rios Tropicales Lodge where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in our waterfall and pools. Nestled in the jungle on our 1,000-acre private reserve, the lodge offers you all the comforts you need in “Cabecar Indian” style bungalows. Private single and double rooms are spacious with clean linen, and there are modern bathrooms and showers. Electricity is generated by a self-sufficient hydro-plant. Happy Hour will put you in the mood for a tropical evening, followed by a luscious candlelight dinner with wine served by your guides.

              Day 2: Don’t worry about wake-up time. The beauty of the light through the forest, the sound of toucans and the smell of coffee will get you going. This day is designed to enjoy the lodge surroundings. You can choose a variety of hikes – a 4-5 hour hike high to the Pacuare Reserve, a 2-3 hour hike to nearby waterfalls and pools, or short walks near the lodge – or just relax in a hammock and enjoy nature. Experience a side of the Pacuare few people know!

(Note: For the 2-day trip, simply omit Day 2. You will not spend the extra day at the Lodge.)

2-3 days, Cruce de Pacuare to Siquirres. Class III-IV rafting.

Day 3: After a hearty breakfast and loading the rafts, you’ll prepare to paddle down the Pacuare gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids. A snack stop by the riverside let you explore more waterfalls and natural waterslides. An adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas and many more, will have you cheering ecstatically. Hot lunch will be served at our Center. Showers, changing rooms, cold and hot drinks and snacks are available. On the return drive to San José, you’ll enjoy remarkable views of Braulio Carrillo National Park and Irazú Volcano.

Included: Professional bilingual guides, rafting equipment, all meals except dinner on the last day, transportation.
            Who can go? Anyone in good, healthy physical condition. Swimming experience is required. Some rafting experience is recommended.

Min. age: 14-years-old

Difficulty: Moderate. Class III rafting: Rapids with high irregular waves; narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. Class IV rafting: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters.
Rafting distance: 20 miles
River time: From 3-1/2 to 5 hours – depending on water level.
         Recommended gear: Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, booties or similar); swimsuit / swim trunks; shorts of a quick-drying material; hat with a brim for sun; towel; waterproof sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher; Croakies or straps to secure glasses; long light pants for camp; hiking shoes; T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt; personal hygiene and medications; rain gear; towel; insect repellent; flashlight. Bring an extra change of dry clothes for after rafting.
Extras: T-shirts and professionally taken photos during your trip will be available for purchase.

 Rio Pacuare, 2-3 day trips (Cruce de Pacuare to Siquirres) approximate itinerary:

DAY 1:
6:30-7:30 a.m.  Morning pick-ups at San José hotels.
(Varies according to hotel location).
Depart San José for breakfast. (60 min. drive)
8:15 a.m.   Arrive at restaurant for breakfast.
8:45 a.m.     Depart for Rio Pacuare (50 min. drive)
11:15 a.m.  Arrive at Rio Pacuare. Clients are outfitted with lifejackets,
helmets and paddles. Gear is packed into dry bags.
            11:45 a.m. Orientation / safety instruction.
            12:15 a.m. Clients are divided into raft teams and given paddling instruction.
            12:30 a.m.   Begin rafting.
            1:15 p.m.   Stop for riverside picnic lunch and hike to waterfall and pools.
            2:15 p.m.    Continue rafting.
            2:45 p.m.    Arrival at the Lodge.
            5:30 p.m.     Happy hour.
            7:30 p.m.     Dinner.

DAY 2:
       6:30 a.m.     Coffee.
            8:00 a.m.     Breakfast.
            Morning          Hiking.
            1:30-2:00 p.m.  Return to the lodge for lunch.
            5:30 p.m.     Happy hour.
            7:30 p.m.     Dinner.

DAY 3:
       6:30 a.m.     Coffee.
            8:00 a.m.     Breakfast.
            9:30 a.m.   Preparation of gear for rafting.
            10:00 a.m.   Begin rafting.
            10:30 a.m.   Stop for hike to a waterfall.
            12:30 p.m.   Stop for riverside snack.
            1:15 p.m.     Continue rafting.
            2:30 p.m.     Finish rafting at rest area and lunch at the Operation Center.
            3:15 p.m.    Depart rest area for San José.
            5:15-5:45 p.m.  Arrival at San José hotels (varies according to hotel location).

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