Arrival by River

This thrilling outdoor adventure starts at the moment you are picked up from your San José hotel by a comfortable minibus and taken through the old colonial capital of Cartago amid the fertile farmlands blanketing the slopes of the Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes. En route you will pause for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast before continuing on to the banks of the spectacular Pacuare River. Our experienced guides will supply you with the necessary rafting gear and explain safety precautions before the rafting adventure begins. Words cannot adequately express the freedom and sheer exhilaration that is felt when battling surging waters down miles of raging rapids amid some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet.

Your first day on the river will last just over an hour and a half, which will give you time to explore scenic canyons where crystal clear waterfalls plunge down into the swiftly coursing river below. Soaring trees and dense verdant vegetation extend to the water’s edge. The thick undergrowth of this protected area provides refuge for a diverse mixture of tropical animals and birds, including some endangered species. As you come around a bend in the river, you’ll come face to face with the indigenous-style facilities of the Pacuare Lodge. Here you’ll disembark from your raft and walk up the gently rising steps to the main lodge.