Whitewater, Waterfalls, and Rainforest Adventures
Pacuare Lodge and River Rafting Extension
Overview
The perfect extension to your adventure in Costa Rica—a stay at Pacuare Lodge, a wonderfully remote eco-hotel set on the banks of the Rio Pacuare, one of Costa Rica's top whitewater rivers. And what better way to arrive there? By raft, of course! The Rio Pacuare courses through a beautiful granite canyon lined with cascading waterfalls and lush rainforest vegetation. With exhilarating rapids and spectacular scenery, it's a rollicking ride and offers tons of excitement for the adventurous traveler (not to worry—previous rafting experience is not necessary). Once at the lodge, take your pick of a variety of exciting nature- and cultural-based excursions, from guided birdwatching tours and waterfall hikes to zip lining through the tropical rainforest canopy.
Itinerary
This Extension can be booked pre- or post-trip
After an early morning pickup from your hotel in San José, drive through lush farmlands clinging to volcanic slopes toward the town of Turrialba, with a typical Costa Rican breakfast en route. Once at the put-in on the Pacuare, a rafting orientation, paddle instruction, and safety talk with your river guides set you up for a couple of hours of unbelievable fun. Side creeks cascade into quiet pools of the river while iridescent blue morpho butterflies whirl around you, their wings winking in the sunlight. You'll paddle, splash and float your way on Class I-III rapids to Pacuare Lodge, where more fun experiences await you. Accommodations are in Garden Suites, which include a private terrace with hammock and sitting area, king size or two full size canopy beds, and en suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. Dinner and overnight at Pacuare Lodge...BLD
Note: Minimum age for rafting to the lodge is 12. Arrival by land (via 4WD vehicle) or helicopter (at additional expense) is also available if you don't wish to raft. Call us for the details.
Note: Minimum age for rafting to the lodge is 12. Arrival by land (via 4WD vehicle) or helicopter (at additional expense) is also available if you don't wish to raft. Call us for the details.
The lodge offers a variety of optional activities, including—but not limited to!—the following (note: minimum age is 12 for most excursions, 9 for easier activities):
- Early morning guided birdwatching tours (Costa Rica is a birder’s paradise), right on the lodge's grounds. Enjoy a cup of coffee before you head out, then return to the lodge for breakfast afterwards.
- A variety of hikes, from a moderately challenging hike to visit a clan of the indigenous Cabécar people (4-5 hours) to an easy loop hike (1.5 hours) that ends with a refreshing splash in a local waterfall.
- Most of the action in the rainforest is up in the treetops! Experience it all with a zip line offering dramatic views, exotic birdlife, rappelling down trees, and sliding on cables from tree to tree (2 hours).
- Feeling fit and adventurous? Try canyoning, combining rock climbing, rappelling a rock face, descending a waterfall—all in the lush environment of the rainforest (2.5 hours).
- Or just take it easy—relax at the lodge’s infinity pool, indulge in a soothing spa treatment, enjoy a meal in El Nido (“The Nest:—a platform set high in the branches of a ceiba tree).
Once again, board rafts and head through the Pacuare's Class III-IV rapids to the town of Siquirres (this is a more challenging part of the river). You can return to San José by vehicle if you do not choose to raft this harder section, arriving at your hotel around 6:00 pm. End of services...BL
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.