Pacuare River Lodge

Getting to the remote lodge is an adventure all by itself — you can choose to arrive by 4x4, horseback, or kayak. The Pacuare River is one of the top rivers in Costa Rica for rafting. It courses through a tropical forest and has rapids from Class II all the way up to Class V — pick the rapid that fits your comfort level. On a trip through the tropical forest, you’ll have the chance to see birds, monkeys, and waterfalls. Your guides can you show you the best spots for swimming.

Guests stay in simple, yet comfortable screened-in cabins. There are shared bathrooms with cold water showers. Lush foliage and hummingbirds surround the cabins.

Meals are included in your stay, as well as beverages. The kitchen here serves tasty and filling Costa Rican fare, and the bar is stocked with beer and wine.

Two-Day Tour to Pacuare Lodge:

Day 1

Your first day will start bright and early, and you’ll travel from Turrialba to Tres Equis. You’ll get to walk through the dense rainforest of the Pacuare River Gorge.

Your hosts will help you don your safety equipment, and give you comprehensive safety information. Then you’ll hit class III and class IV rapids, and take the slower moments on the river to admire the scenery.

Halfway down the river you’ll stop at the riverside lodge. Take a break with a tropical drink, and then explore the surroundings with your guide. Your guides will prepare tasty jungle ingredients in the open-air kitchen, and you’ll dine by candlelight.

The lodge has comfortable cabins that offer a peaceful night’s rest.

Day 2

You’ll wake up to bird calls you’ve never heard before, and the sound of the river rushing in the distance. Emerge to a hearty breakfast your guides have prepared.

On the second day you’ll get to experience Class IV rapids. Your guides will show you where to go hiking to a waterfall. There’s cool water where you can go swimming.

After a little more boating, you’ll pull over for a gourmet lunch. Then you’ll boat a little farther to the pick-up point.

Three-Day Tour

Day 1

The first day starts bright and early, with a trip from Turrialba to Tres Equis. On the way to the raft, you’ll get to walk through the dense rainforest of the Pacuare River Gorge.

Your hosts will help you don your safety equipment, and give you comprehensive safety information. Then you’ll hit class III and class IV rapids, and take the slower moments on the river to admire the scenery.

Halfway down the river, you’ll stop at the riverside lodge. Take a break with a tropical drink, and then explore the surroundings with your guide. Your guides will prepare tasty jungle ingredients in the open-air kitchen, and you’ll dine by candlelight.

The lodge has comfortable cabins that offer a peaceful night’s rest.

Day 2

After a freshly prepared breakfast, your guide will take you on a short nature walk through the forest that surrounds the lodge. Your final destination is the Cabecar Village, where you’ll get to see and experience indigenous culture.

If you don’t want to hike to the village, you can arrange for alternate activities (shorter nature walks, canopy tours, horseback riding, etc.) for an additional cost.

Turn in for the second night in the lodge.

Day 3

Once you’ve had your fill of your last meal at the lodge, you’ll take to the river again. This time you’ll encounter class IV rapids. You’ll take a break from the river for a refreshing walk to the waterfall.

There’s a break for a gourmet lunch, and then you’ll continue the rest of the way down the river.