1-Day Pacuare River White-water Rafting Trip
(Class III-IV)
This river has been officially declared a Wild and Scenic River, and offers some of the finest white water in Latin America, winding deep inside of one of Costa Rica’s most impressive primordial rainforests. You will traverse 20 miles of remote and scenic waters that course through a wilderness of dense vegetation covering the sides of steep gorges that rise above the riverbanks. The thick undergrowth provides shelter for jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and numerous other species of animals and birds.
We will pick you up at your San José hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 in the morning. We’ll then drive through spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park, making a stop as we exit the park, where a delicious breakfast awaits. The ride to the put in at Tres Equis, including the breakfast stop, is approximately 3 hours. There, professional guides and the equipment will be waiting.
After some brief security instructions, we’ll start out on this incredible rafting journey. You’ll break for a delicious lunch of cold meats, cheeses, fruits, bread and juice served along the river’s edge by our guides. While lunch is being prepared, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery as you marvel at the raw, pounding power of the untamed Pacuare River that for millions of years has coursed through this virgin tropical rainforest. River time is at least 4 hours, depending on the water level. A safety kayaker will accompany us. The take out is in Siquírres, where we’ll stop to shower and change into dry clothes. The trip back to your San José hotel will be about 2 hours, arriving at approximately 6:00 or 6:30 p.m.
If you’re ready for a very exciting day filled with wet and wonderful fun, the Pacuare is ready for you! Rafters should be physically fit for this trip, although no previous white-water experience is necessary.
Trip length: 20 miles
Minimum age: 12 years old
Departures: daily, all year
Price: US$95 per person
Included: breakfast, lunch, equipment, English-speaking guide, round-trip transportation to and from San José
2-DAY PACUARE EXCURSION
We understand how important it is for us as humans to interact with nature in order to experience a deeper and truer appreciation for life. The rafting trips we offer will afford you the opportunity to experience the diversity of nature and in the process, enable you to enrich your own life. On these outings you will rediscover a deep appreciation for our natural environment, the wilderness to which we are indebted. A spirit of adventure and true concern for the environment are just two of the driving forces of our company. Our guides embody that spirit of adventure and reflect their concern for our precious environment on every rafting trip undertaken in the wonders of Costa Rica's tropical rainforests.
THE PACUARE
In the Atlantic region of Costa Rica there is a protected zone of incomparable beauty that begins near the town of Siquirres and covers approximately 10,000 hectares ( 25,000 acres ) as it descends down the Talamanca Mountain Range. This is the area known as Pacuare, with altitudes varying from 100 meters to 700 meters. The Pacuare is located between the coastal lowlands and the country's highest mountain range and constitutes one of the most important protected areas of major biological importance. High annual rainfall, along with its proximity to the lowlands and lower altitudes, combine to nurture the Pacuare's complex life systems whose abundance make this area a place of extraordinary scenic beauty.
This area is still inhabited by the Cabecares Indians, whose hut dwellings are spaced far apart over large distances, rather than being clustered as was true of most native tribes. The Pacuare is their lifeblood, and you can hike the same paths that this indigenous tribe still uses. Trails in the Pacuare rainforest wander in all directions, cutting through the mountains and permitting exploration, with time to understand and appreciate the beauty of this unique tropical rainforest.
Located strategically inside this zone of protected wilderness is our very special jungle getaway, the Pacuare Lodge. Using this site as your base, you may explore different areas of the rainforest, coming away with a truer understanding of the fragility and beauty of Nature in all her glory.
YOUR EXCURSION WITH US
Considered by many experienced rafters to be the most scenic class III-IV white-water rapids in the world, the Pacuare River offers an adventurous ride filled with stunning natural beauty and exciting rapids. On the first day of our journey, we'll wind through Braulio Carrillo National Park, enjoying spectacular views of mist-shrouded virgin rainforest stretching as far as the eye can see. We’ll breakfast along the way. Then, once in the water, you’ll experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, which courses through a tropical wilderness of dense vegetation and steep gorges that rise majestically above its banks. Dozens of species of mammals and birds abound in this tropical paradise.
When we arrive at our overnight destination, you will find a jungle oasis nestled in the middle of an enchanting and captivating rainforest. Surrounded by nature in her purest and most primitive state, a two-story jungle lodge houses rustic but comfortable dining facilities on the first floor, and plenty of relaxing hammocks in an open-air second floor lounge. Imagine being surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, without the blare of radios, the glare of television, or the ringing of telephones! By mid afternoon, you will enjoy the Pacuare Adventure Canopy Tour. This tour was adapted from spelunking and canyon rappelling techniques and uses wire cables and mountain climbing harnesses to hoist you high into the rain forest canopy where they have observation platforms mounted 75 feet or more in the branches of the tall trees. You will experience an entirely different type of wildlife and ecosystem, and slide between trees on cables rigged to pulleys.
Happy Hour truly becomes a happy time as you share your experiences of the day with other rafters. Later, a candlelight dinner with wine is served to you by our guides, who are trained by a French chef. When you feel tired, you'll retire to your very own rustic bungalow, complete with showers, comfortable beds, and clean linen. In the morning, after a hot breakfast, you'll have some time on your own to explore the rainforest surrounding the lodge. Then we launch the rafts again for Day Two of our trip. Rafting becomes even more exciting today as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before. Your guides will stop the rafts along the journey and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto pristine waterfalls and natural water slides. Here you can swim, splash, and live it up! Lunch will be served along the river, and when we reach our final destination, we'll board the comfortable microbus for our return to San José, sharing experiences with each other as this memorable trip draws to a close.
NOTE: The jungle lodge operates as a separate facility which allows you to extend your trip by staying extra nights. Extra days can include guided hikes through several diverse areas of this unique protected rainforest. Horses or mules will carry all community camping gear and food. You hike at your own pace and carry only your personal items. There will be abundant time to take photographs and conduct private nature studies. You'll raft down the Pacuare on your last day for the return to San José.
The two-day excursion includes: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner with wine, roundtrip transportation from San José, accommodations at the Pacuare Lodge, use of rafting equipment, and guide. Trip length: 20 miles.
Difficulty: Class III-IV, moderate-difficult. Minimum age: 12 years old.
PRICE PER PERSON: US$259.00 (including taxes)
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS (per person): US$ 75.00 (including taxes)
CANOPY TOUR (PER PERSON): US$ 40.00 (including taxes)
3-DAY Pacuare Excursion
Considered by many experienced rafters to be the most scenic class III-IV white-water rapids in the world, the Pacuare River offers an adventurous ride filled with stunning natural beauty and exciting rapids. And for the "total" experience—in rainforest that’s the real thing, and not a Hollywood creation—experience our unique Pacuare Lodge, a jungle oasis on the banks of the Pacuare River.
Day 1
On the first day of the journey to the Pacuare rainforest, we'll pick you up at your San José hotel. After leaving the city, you’ll pass through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo Rainforest, stopping for an authentic Costa Rican breakfast before reaching our embarkation site. Once in the water, you'll experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, which courses through a tropical wilderness of dense vegetation and steep gorges that rise majestically above its banks. Dozens of species of mammals and birds abound in this tropical paradise.
When we arrive at our overnight destination, you will find a jungle oasis nestled in the middle of an enchanting and captivating rainforest. Surrounded by nature in her purest and most primitive state, a two-story jungle lodge houses rustic but comfortable dining facilities on the first floor, and plenty of relaxing hammocks in an open-air second floor lounge. Electricity free, the lodge provides the ultimate in environmentally friendly comfort and relaxation. Lunch will be prepared by your guide, and the afternoon is yours—you can take a short guided hike through the surrounding rainforest, take a dip in the river, or just relax in the many hammocks. Happy Hour begins at dusk, when you can share your experiences with your fellow travelers. Later, a candlelight dinner with wine is served to you by our guides, who are trained by a French chef. Your sleeping accommodations are in one of our rustic but comfortable bungalows, constructed in the traditional style used by the Indians of this area and spaced to provide privacy and lots of green area. Each bungalow has a private porch, bathroom with running water, and comfortable beds with fresh linens.
Day 2
In the morning, after a hot breakfast, we will embark on a guided trek into the rainforest surrounding the lodge. Resplendent with tropical birds, butterflies, exotic plants, and animals, this truly stunning natural paradise provides a one-of-a-kind setting for photographs, or just lasting memories. There will be abundant time to take photographs and conduct private nature studies. For hearty hikers, there is a five- to six-hour hike into the rainforest mountains
to an area where some of the indigenous Cabecar families live. We return to the "base camp" of the Pacuare Jungle Lodge in time to shower, rest or play before this evening’s Happy Hour, followed by dinner prepared by one of our expert guide/chefs. As the sun sets over the jungle canopy, and the beautiful Pacuare River rushes on beneath crimson skies, you have a chance to share with others what very few have experienced before.
Day 3
After a hot breakfast, we launch the rafts again for the last part of our trip. Rafting becomes even more exciting today as you use the skills and experience gained on this trip. Your guides will stop the rafts along the journey and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto pristine waterfalls and natural water slides. Here you can swim, splash, and live it up! Lunch will be served along the river, and when we reach the take out, we'll board the comfortable microbus for our return to San José, relaxing with the group as this adventure draws to a close. Arrival in San José is usually between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., in time for dinner on your own.
Difficulty: Class III-IV, moderate-difficult
Minimum age: 12 years old
Price: US$334 per person (including taxes)
Additional nights: US$75 per person (including taxes)
Included: 3 breakfast, 3 lunches, 2 happy hours, 2 dinners with wine, round-trip transportation from San José, use of rafting equipment, guided hiking, and bilingual guide.
Tours depart weekly: Pacuare 1-, 2-, and 3-day require a minimum of 2 participants.
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