WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE PACUARE: World renowned whitewater rafting in Costa Rica is perfect for the average tourist. The warm Pacuare is my favorite river.

The tour company will pick you up early in the morning from the Hemingway and have you back around dinner. A nice buffet breakfast is set out for you before you head to the river, where you are given about 15 minutes of basic instructions. You learn basic paddling commands, how to paddle as a team, and your guide/captain will explain the basics for beginners. You'll never forget the experience. The Pacuare River flows quickly along the 30 kilometer rafting course, starting at a place in the jungle just below the last big waterfalls cascading down Mount Turialba . Class II rapids are a cake-walk, Class III are fun and not very difficult. The more exhilarating Class IV are a challenge but manageable. These rivers are for tourists, not professionals, and thousands of rafts go down them every year. You are provided with a helmet, a lifejacket and a paddle. Wear tennis shoes, river shoes, or Tevas, and bring a change of clothes. You will soon be totally soaked by the warm waters of the Pacuare. While you shower and change before leaving for San Jose , they once again set out a hearty late lunch buffet (weather and space allowing, you will stop on the river for lunch before returning to base camp.

Director Frank Marshall was so impressed with the scenic Pacuare River that he filmed the movie " Congo " (1995) here. Plans to turn the Pacuare River basin into a national park will halt other plans to flood the area with a hydroelectric dam. This is a beautiful original-growth rainforest gorge. Your $99 per person for the rafting goes a long way to encouraging the national park option. The milder Reventazon River is also available, if you think the Pacuare might be too much to handle.

Pacuare rafting costa rica

 

Please feel free to send us an email at hemingway@hemingwayinn.com should you have any questions about these or other tours, or if you just want some help or advice in planning your trip to Costa Rica .