The Pacuare is one of the most popular rivers for rafting in Costa Rica, so we decided to go and see why this daytrip of adventure and adrenaline is a must do experience that never goes out of style …

How to get there?
With Waze
Cost:
Nationals $ 69.00
Foreigners: $ 99.00
Group of 15 people $ 89.00 foreigners and $ 63.00 nationals.
* Prices until December 2016

Includes:transfer from San José, breakfast, lunch and tour.

You can ask for packages with accommodations at Rios Tropicales Eco-Lodge.

Contact:
Tropical Rivers
Tel. 2233-6455
info@riostropicales.com

Rafting Time:4 hours

What to bring?
Sunscreen, snacks, waterproof camera or gopro, dri-fit clothing that is not cotton, two pairs of tennis shoes, change of clothes for the way back, raincoat, sandals, towel, and an excellent attitude.

Food?
The rafting tour includes breakfast and lunch on the way back.

We arrived at 6:30 a.m. at the offices of Rios Tropicales, where we switched from a car to a minivan and went around San Jose picking up several local adventurers who were joining the rafting tour. Once everyone was settled in the minivan, we took the scenic route 32 to Guapiles. We hadn’t reached the tunnel and we were already knocked out. We woke up arriving at the base of operations of Rios Tropicales, it was there that we devoured a pinto with eggs, fruit and a coffee to load batteries, we changed and rode back to continue our journey.

The road trip, from start to finish, is epic. The street goes winding towards the mountain, then we enter a farm where we go down to the Pacuare River canyon. When we arrived we ran into dozens of rafts and people, preparing to receive their dose of adventure. We put on the safety equipment, we took the paddle and we formed into teams of 6 people per raft plus the guide. Our guide gave us the safety instructions while we waited for the rest of the adventurers of our group, then we practiced some movements in the water and when we were all ready to go, we went downstream.

Always sticking with the group we experienced the river of Pacuare in the middle of a virgin forest canyon in a mighty, controlled and exciting adventure. The landscape varies in the 30 kms of the route as well as its vegetation and animals. We pass through mountains, waterfalls, monstrous rocks, fallen trees, mountain hotels beside the river, stone cliffs and areas of emerging forests.

We had a couple of moments of extra excitement, because Glori’s dad fell, and then I also went head first into the river. But in less than 5 seconds (seemed eternal) one is back with the crew.

During the almost 4 hours of rafting, we did not stop on the mainland, there was only one amazing moment where we paused and got off the raft in the giant stone canyon that divides the mountains. There we floated downstream by calm waters where we relaxed a little after so much paddling.

When the mountains begin to fade it’s a sign that the walk is almost to its end. While the river becomes wider and lower, you can see remains of what was the railway line to the Atlantic and you turn passing under the bridge of the highway that goes to Limón. This is where the raft trip ends so we can return to the bus that takes us to the much-desired lunch at the Rios Tropicales restaurant. We arrived and changed quickly to eat tastily and then nap all the way to San Jose by bus.