Tours > Whitewater Rafting Tours

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Navigating the rapids. Each boat has a well trained guide but you all need to paddle and work as a team!

Pacuare River Rafting - One Day

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Our most popular trip and Costa Rica's most stunning white water river. Class III-IV rapids. Suitable for 12+ years of age. Daily pickups from Puerto Viejo, San Jose, Arenal and Tortuguero and you can return to a different location making it a day of adventure instead of a day lost to travel!

This trip gives you the ultimate blend of wilderness exposure and invigorating excitement. The Pacuare River is world famous for its pristine beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly overhead. There's a chance you may even see sloths, monkeys or the elusive jaguar! Amazing views of this virgin tropical rainforest appear before your eyes as you make your descent down the river.

The white water is equally exciting; the amount of rapids covered on this outstanding trip makes it one of the most memorable river trips you will ever experience.

Start early with pickup at your hotel

The trip begins outside your hotel with pickup in a comfortable minibus. You will be picked up in your choice of San José, Arenal area, Puerto Viejo area or Tortuguero. Then you'll be driven to the Exploration Centre base in Siquirres where you can securely store your luggage and help yourself to the breakfast buffet.

Then you will get geared up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle and then briefed with a full safety orientation. Finally, it is time to take off down the rapids!

Spectacular nature and super fun

The first four miles consist of fun class II-III rapids. This is the perfect time to test your new river skills and gain confidence in your team. Here you can find pockets of secondary growth forest that are extremely beautiful. After about 40 minutes you will enter the famous Pacuare River Gorge, which is made up of 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-ft dramatic drop into the river.

Just a little over halfway through the trip, there is a stop for lunch at a site with bathroom facilities. After a delicious and well-deserved meal on the beach (vegetarian options are available), the next section of river opens up to a five-mile stretch on the Valle del Pacuare. 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.

Back to base and then on to your next destination

You'll finish back at the Exploration Center in Siquirres, where you can take a shower, change and enjoy the gardens and terrace while having refreshments and reflecting with your new friends about the great adventure you just shared. Then you'll be transported to your choice of San Jose, Puerto Viejo, or La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano area).

If you've got more time, consider the Two Day Pacuare Rafting trip which includes a longer rafting trip and an overnight at a lodge on the river.

Tour Details

 Location: Departures from San José, Puerto Viejo, Arenal/La Fortuna, Tortuguero

 $99.00 per person ($149 pp if starting from Tortuguero or $89 pp if you don't need transport and will drive yourself to rafting start point in Siquirres)

 Included:
Transportation from your choice of Puerto Viejo, San Jose, Arenal or Tortuguero area hotels
Return transportation to your choice of Puerto Viejo, San Jose or Arenal area hotels
training, safety equipment and bilingual guides
breakfast and lunch
secure luggage storage while you're on the river

 Not included:
Pick up or dropoff in Arenal at hotels located further from La Fortuna than Tabacon Resort such as Arenal Lodge, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Vista Lodge, Linda Vista, Lost Iguana and Rancho Margot. There is an extra charge to pickup for these locations
Pickup at smaller hotels, Airbnbs, or other places off the route. Your agent will let you know the closest pickup point

 Operates: Daily with pickups between 5:30AM and 7:00AM depending on your pickup city and hotel.

 Pickup: You can be picked up from most major hotels in either San José, Arenal area, the South Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, etc) or Tortuguero. If your hotel is not on the pickup route, we will advise either a nearby pickup location or if there is an extra fee.

 Duration: Full day

 What to bring:
Your own water bottle (bottled water is no longer provided in order to reduce the amount of plastic)
Swim suit/swim shorts
towel
t-shirt for on the raft
dry set of clothes
insect repellent
waterproof sunscreen
shoes or sandals (not flip flops, you must wear shoes in the boat but they will get wet)
credit card in case you like to purchase photos or drinks after the tour
VERY IMPORTANT: your passport

 Restrictions:
Minimum age 12 years old