Description

Last updated on June 11th, 2024 at 11:35 am EST

The Pacuare River is one of the best choices for your adventure treks in Costa Rica. No other trip offers you a perfect blend of wilderness exposure and excitement in one day. Pacuare is world-famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Here you enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the realness of being connected with nature. You see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right over your head. Amazing views of this virgin tropical rainforest area appear before your eyes as you descend this true exploratory land. Wildlife is abundant, with sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies, and colorful frogs being common sights.

The white water is equally exciting. It is not an overly challenging river, but it has a lot of rapids, therefore giving you an adventure filled with lots of fun. The 18-mile, one-day run includes a total of 52 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many. Upon arrival to the river, we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet, and paddle and then brief you with a full safety orientation talk. Finally, it is time to take off down the rapids! The first four miles consist of fun class II-III rapids and provide a perfect time to test your new river skills and gain confidence in your team. Here you can find pockets of secondary forest that are extremely beautiful. After about 40 minutes, we will enter the famous Pacuare River Gorge, which is five miles of some of the best white water Costa Rica has to offer. The rapids here are “Terciopelo snake”, “Double drop”, “Upper and Lower Huacas”, and “Pinball” to name a few. You will also see the Huacas Waterfall, a 150-foot dramatic drop into the river. After the gorge, the river opens up to a five-mile stretch on the Valle del Pacuare, where the river has a different character. It is wide open, which gives you the opportunity to rest and look for wildlife. The main rapids here are “Cimarrones”, “The Play Hole”, “El Indio” and “Magnetic Rock”. The forest remains just as lush and the rapids just as fun. We finish in Siquirres, at our own private Exploration Center where you can take a shower, change, and enjoy the gardens and terrace while reflecting with your new friends about the great adventure you just shared.

Approximate Itinerary for the Pacuare River Rafting Tour:

• 5:20am–5:40am – Pick-up in La Fortuna/Arenal
• 5:40am–8:15am – En route to the tour operator’s “Exploration Center”
• 8:15am–9:00am – Breakfast served at the “Exploration Center”
• 9:00am–9:30am – En route from the “Exploration Center” to the river “put-in”
• 9:30am–10:15am – Preparation for the river descent (safety orientation, paddle practice)
• 10:15am–2:15pm – River descent (including lunch which is typically served partway through the trip along the side of the river, weather permitting)
• 2:15pm–3:00pm – Return to the “Exploration Center” with time to shower (if desired), change into dry clothes, and enjoy a beverage or purchase souvenirs (if desired).
• 3:00pm–5:45pm – En route from the “Exploration Center” to La Fortuna/Arenal

Additional details

• This tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run. Please contact us to inquire about tour availability if your travel group is comprised of less than the tour operator’s required minimum number of participants.

Minimum/maximum age/weight/height/other requirements

• Children must be at least 12 years old to participate.

What to bring for tour participation

• Swimming suit
• Shorts
• T-shirt
• Tennis shoes, Teva sandals, or Aqua shoes (flip flops not permitted)
• Windbreaker (or any synthetic fabric t-shirt)
• Sunscreen
• Dry clothes for changing into after the river trip
• Towel
• Plastic bag for wet clothes
• Cash for souvenirs, pictures, and t-shirts
• Medicines if needed (if this is the case, please inform our office staff or the river guide)

Related reading

• Have questions about rafting in Costa Rica? If so, don’t miss our article: Your Costa Rica Rafting Tour Questions Answered!
• Are you a member of the DIY Costa Rica community? If so, see our pick for Best River For White-Water Rafting
• Are you a member of the DIY Costa Rica community? If so, see our pick for Best Adventure Tour
• Familiar with our blog? Read our related blog post: Pacuare River Rafting Tour: Must-Know Info From A Former River Guide
• Familiar with our blog? Read our related blog post: The Pacuare River Family
• Familiar with our blog? Read our related blog post: The Best River For Rafting In Costa Rica: Comparing 13 Popular River Tours
  
• Familiar with our blog? Read our related blog post: White-Water Rafting Costa Rica: Go Big or Go Home

Map (tour operator’s exploration center)