Hello Amy!

Thanks so much for your questions! We know Costa Rica’s rivers well, so we can certainly help. 🙂

To begin, both options you propose would work. There are some things to consider with each, however, which may sway your decision either way.

I’ll start with the Naranjo River, which is closest to Manuel Antonio. If you raft this river, it would be best to do so to/from Manuel Antonio at the end of your trip (as you note), then simply drive yourselves to SJO the day you plan to depart (or the day before, if your flight leaves early in the morning). This option will save you the most driving time because the river is about a half-hour drive (one way) from Manuel Antonio. The drive time between Manuel Antonio and the SJO Airport is roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes, assuming you take the popular coastal route (Highway 34).

Trips down the Pacuare River take place on a section of the river that nears the town of Siquirres, though rafting tours depart from around the country (San Jose, La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, for example). If you drive yourselves to the SJO area (which is actually the Alajuela area) and stay at a hotel there, you can catch the Pacuare River Rafting Tour that departs from San Jose the next morning. In addition to the drive you’ll make between Manuel Antonio and the SJO Airport area (approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes as noted above), you’ll travel another 2 hours and 15 minutes (one way) between the SJO Airport area and Siquirres (if you don’t want to drive yourselves along this route, the rafting tour operator can provide transportation). This option requires the most driving time.

In terms of rafting quality, both the Naranjo River and the Pacuare River are class III/IV rivers and offer some of the wildest rafting in the country. All rivers are likely to be a bit tamer during your visit, though, since you plan to come in March (this month nears the end of the dry/summer season when rainfall amounts and river levels tend to fall below average).

In our opinion, the biggest decision you face, which is a decision that many travelers face on a daily basis, is whether or not rafting the Pacuare River warrants the extra drive time. The Pacuare River is stunning and easily regarded as the best overall rafting experience in Costa Rica (we agree). If you’re looking for beautiful river scenery in addition to great rapids, you’d probably be happiest with Pacuare. If you’re merely interested in the rapids/rafting itself, you’d probably be best to go with Naranjo.

For easy reference, here are links to our discounts for each:

Naranjo River Rafting Tour Discount (El Chorro section) through H2O Adventures: https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/naranjo-river-rafting-tour-chorro-section-adult-manuel-antonio-h2o-adventures/

Naranjo River Rafting Tour Discount (El Chorro section) through Amigos del Rio: https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/naranjo-river-rafting-tour-chorro-section-adult-manuel-antonio-amigos-del-rio/

Pacuare River Rafting Tour Discount (to/from San Jose): https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/pacuare-river-rafting-tour-adult-san-jose-exploradores-outdoors/

Pura vida! 🙂