Located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca Mountain Range, home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife, including parrots, toucans, deer, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, butterflies, and more. Add in the exciting Class III-IV white water rapids and you have a 12-hour tropical adventure packed with rich experiences that last long after you’ve returned home. 

The magical river is born in Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountain Range (Cordillera de Talamanca) at 3,000 meters altitude, and descends through the mountains to the plains of Limón, flowing into the Caribbean Sea. At a total length of approximately 133 km, the river has 32 km of rapids Class III and IV that are ideal for the recreation of your small group. 

This fully guided adventure includes meals and hotel pickup and drop-off on a private bus. 

After an early morning pickup from your San Jose hotel, you will depart at 8am in a private, comfortable bus to the meeting point for a delicious, typical Costa Rican breakfast. After breakfast and changing into rafting gear, your small group will go to a private rafting put-in on the banks of the Pacuare River.

Here, you will review and adjust all necessary equipment for proper fit, receive a comprehensive rafting safety talk, and hear instructions on paddling basics. From here, you and your group will launch your raft and begin to paddle 19 miles deep into the heart of one of Costa Rica’s most impressive primary rainforests.

You’ll pass through densely vegetated rainforest gorges, view cascading waterfalls, relax in serene pools and experience pounding rapids. Halfway down the river, you will pass a unique ecolodge, where guests stay on our 2-, 3-, and 4-day multi-sport adventure trips. Hydro-powered and intimate, the lodge blends naturally into the rainforest on our 2,000-acre private reserve, complete with waterfalls, quiet pools, and miles of trails.

You will enjoy an adrenaline-packed afternoon running the Pacuare’s biggest rapids: Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas and more. From the take-out, it’s a short drive back to the Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a hearty and delicious lunch, hot showers, optional drinks and a handy souvenir store.

This trip includes all transportation to and from San Jose. On your return drive to San Jose, you’ll enjoy remarkable views of Braulio Carrillo National Park, home of dense, primary tropical rainforest, and Irazu Volcano. You will return to San Jose about 6:00 pm (subject to traffic)This unforgettable trip will be the highlight of your stay in Costa Rica!