White water rafting enthusiasts from around the world visit Costa Rica just to experience the excitement of the Pacuare River. Its Class lll and Class lV rapids wind through ever-changing landscapes from pristine rainforests to rock canyons.
Your day will begin when you are picked up at your hotel and driven to the Rio Pacuare for a fun packed day riding the rapids. Your experienced rafting guides will hand out lifejackets, helmets, and paddles and go over the important safety rules of the river. They will also give you a run down on paddling techniques and how to respond to cues given by your guide. You’ll then go down to the put-in location and launch the boats into the water to begin your wild ride downstream.
This world-class river is not only known for its challenging rapids but its stunning natural surroundings. The unique landscapes are comprised of breathtaking high faced rock canyons mixed with tropical jungle. At times, there will be moments of calm where you will be able to embrace the scenery around you, while at other times you’ll be so busy being whisked away down the rapids that you won’t have time for scenic viewing.
The rapids throughout the river are playfully named to describe each encounter: “Double Drop”, “Pin Ball” and “Terciopelo Snake” to name a few. It can only leave to your imagination the intensity of these exciting challenges until you’ve experienced them firsthand.
All the rafting guides are experienced and passionate about what they do. Most of the guides have been rafting since childhood and are very knowledgeable about these surroundings. The Pacuare River is a prime example of an abundant ecosystem booming with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for anteaters, capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas and toucans who make their home here.
About half way through the trip, you’ll pull to the side of the river and have a chance to go ashore to explore the forest by foot or take the opportunity to enjoy swimming in a calm river pool along the banks. At this time, the guides will be busily preparing a delicious picnic lunch so your group can refuel and recharge for the rest of the trip.
After lunch, you’ll hop back into your boats and continue down the river until you reach the town of Siquirres where your vans will be waiting to take each person back to their hotel.
This tour includes bilingual safety kayakers, all rafting and safety equipment, lunch, plus transportation from Turrialba. It typically takes from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to get from your hotel to the river depending on traffic and your pick-up location. Combined time of rafting tour, lunch, and round-trip transportation is typically between 6.5 to 8 hours. Rafting time can vary significantly based on the flow of the river. PLEASE NOTE: If river conditions are not safe, the tour could change to an alternate river or be cancelled.
Please wear enclosed river shoes, clothes that can get wet, bathing suit, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Plus, bring a change of dry clothes for after the tour. This tour is for experienced rafters or those in good physical condition. You know who you are!
The Whitewater Rafting Rio Pacuare - Explornatura is available from Turrialba
12 and up
Latitude: N 9° 59' 14.2"
Longitude: W 83° 32' 52.57"
10/28/2018
This was the high light of our CR trip. The guides were absolutely wonderful.