Considered by many experienced rafters to be the most scenic class III-IV white-water rapids in the world, the Pacuare River offers an adventurous ride filled with stunning natural beauty and exciting rapids. And for the "total" experience — in a rain forest that's the real thing, not a Hollywood creation — experience our unique Pacuare Lodge, a jungle oasis on the banks of the Pacuare River.

The Pacuare River runs from the country’s highest mountain range to the coastal lowlands of the Atlantic, through one of Costa Rica’s most important protected areas. These jungles are still inhabited by the Cabecar Indians, whose dwellings are not clustered together but spaced far apart over large distances.

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Pacuare Lodge Cited as Exemplary Tourism Practice

Day One

After being picked up at their hotel in a comfortable minibus, guests are transported through the old Capitol City of Cartago and lush green farmlands at the base of Turrialba Volcano. Along the way the minibus stops for an authentic Costa Rican breakfast.

Guides from Aventuras Naturales welcome adventurers upon arrival to the banks of the Pacuare River. Before beginning the river adventure, our experienced guides explain safety precautions. The Pacuare is a swiftly running and rapidly changing river, making this one of the most invigorating and intense rafting trips available anywhere in the world. As it winds deep inside one of Costa Rica's most impressive primordial rainforests, adventurers will face the challenge of each huge wave, battling surging waters down miles of raging rapids, passing through steep canyons where cascading waterfalls plummeted hundreds of feet, crashing thunderously into the rapidly coursing river below. Dense vegetation covers the steep banks along the river. The thick undergrowth provides shelter for jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths and myriad other species of tropical animals and birds. As the rafts squeeze through narrow openings between huge granite boulders, the jungle rises above, towering thousands of feet above the riverbanks. The first day of rafting is a journey taking just over an hour and a half, plenty of time for adventurous souls to be tossed and turned from side to side as the rafts race forward through wave after wave of surging rapids.

The first day ends at the Pacuare Lodge, a jungle oasis nestled in the middle of an enchanting and captivating rainforest. Surrounded by ancient towering trees, a two-story jungle lodge houses rustic but comfortable dining facilities on the first floor, and plenty of relaxing hammocks in an open-air second floor lounge.

Day Two

Morning arrives with the sweet songs of exotic birds twittering among the treetops and the chattering of the rushing rapids of the river surging a few hundred feet away. After a hearty breakfast, guests are invited on a guided trek into the lush rainforest surrounding the lodge. Resplendent with tropical birds, butterflies, exotic plants and animals, this truly stunning natural paradise provides a one-of-a-kind setting for photographs or just lasting memories. For hearty hikers, there is a five- to six-hour hike into the mountains to an area where some of the indigenous Cabecar families live. We return to “base camp” at the Pacuare Lodge in time to shower, rest or play before indulging in a gourmet candlelight dinner. As the sun sets over the jungle canopy and the beautiful Pacuare River rushes on beneath crimson skies, guests have a chance to share with others what few have experienced before.

Day Three

After a hot breakfast, we launch the rafts again for the last part of our trip, a journey filled with the challenging battle with the mighty Pacuare River, a genuinely stimulating and adrenaline-filled ride. Rafting becomes even more exciting today as visitors use the skills and experience gained the first day to navigate the raw, pounding power of the mighty Pacuare River. Your guides will stop the rafts along the journey and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto pristine waterfalls and pools with a natural waterslide inviting them to jump right in and splash around. Later, a sumptuous feast of sandwiches, fruits and dessert will be served along the river’s edge. The day ends with the triumph of having conquered one of the wildest and most beautiful rivers in the world. At the river take-out, guests can change into dry clothes in our private restroom facilities before boarding the comfortable microbus for the return to San José.

Note: The Pacuare Lodge operates as a separate facility allowing you to stay extra nights. Single occupancy at The Pacuare Lodge cannot be guaranteed. Prices subject to change without notice.

Please note: On rare occasions (approximately 5 days per year) we are forced to cancel the Pacuare River overnight tours on the second or third day due to unsafe weather conditions. In these cases, clients will hike out of the lodge to a point where the bus can meet them (approximately a 15 to 45-minute hike), and will then proceed to have lunch at a restaurant, before being returned to San José. A partial refund will be given under these circumstances.

If you want to know more about the Pacuare Lodge, please visit the following web site: www.junglelodgecostarica.com

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