Rivers of Costa Rica: Whitewater Expedition
9 Days / 8 Nights
- Season: Fall departures
- Age Requirement: 14+
- Difficulty: Advanced (Class II – IV+ rapids)
- Group Size: Minimum 6 guests, maximum 12
Maximum River Time in Costa Rica
Run five different Costa Rican rivers in eight days. Camp in the rainforest. Navigate technical Class IV rapids. Spend more time on the water than any other trip we offer in Central America.
This expedition prioritizes river time over tourist activities. While our 8-day Costa Rica trip balances rafting with cultural immersion and beach time, this 9-day trip focuses on whitewater. You’ll raft the Pejibaye, three sections of the Pacuare (Upper Upper, Upper, and Lower including the Gorge), and two sections of the Sarapiqui.
The trip suits experienced rafters seeking technical water and people comfortable with consecutive days of physical activity. You’ll paddle actively, navigate read-and-run rapids, and work as a crew through extended whitewater sections. Accommodations range from glamping in the rainforest to eco-lodges accessible only by river.
This is the most rafting-intensive Costa Rica expedition we run. If you want maximum river miles and minimum tourist infrastructure, this trip delivers.
What Makes This Expedition Different
Five Rivers, Multiple Difficulty Levels
Most Costa Rica rafting trips stick to one or two rivers. This expedition runs five different waterways, each with distinct character and challenges.
Pejibaye River: Class II-III warmup run. Tropical scenery, gets everyone comfortable working together as a crew.
Upper Upper Pacuare: Remote section most outfitters don’t run. Technical Class III-IV rapids through pristine rainforest.
Upper Pacuare: The most technical section. Class IV rapids requiring precise boat control and quick decision-making.
Lower Pacuare and Pacuare Gorge: The famous section National Geographic highlights. Canyon walls rise 300 feet overhead. Class III-IV rapids and spectacular waterfalls.
Sarapiqui River (Upper and Lower): Northern lowland river with Class II-IV options. Different ecosystem, different geology, different river character.
Rainforest Camping and Remote Lodges
Accommodations match the expedition focus. Two nights at Turrialba Vista Lodge to start. One night glamping on the Upper Upper Pacuare—tents already set up, meals prepared, but you’re camping in rainforest alongside the river. Two nights at Rio Vista Lodge, accessible only by rafting in. Two nights at Ara Ambigua Lodge in the Sarapiqui region. Final night at a San Jose hotel near the airport.
The glamping night means sleeping to jungle sounds with the river running nearby. Rio Vista Lodge perches above the Pacuare with views into the gorge. These aren’t resort accommodations—you’re in the rainforest, expect humidity, insects, and the reality of tropical wilderness.
Advanced Difficulty Appropriate for Experienced Rafters
This trip rates as advanced. The Upper Pacuare section includes Class IV rapids that require technical skills and quick reactions. The Pacuare Gorge runs sustained Class III-IV whitewater. Multiple consecutive days of rafting demand physical fitness and comfort with extended time on the water.
First-time rafters shouldn’t book this trip. You need either previous whitewater experience or strong fitness combined with willingness to learn quickly. The guides provide comprehensive safety briefings and instruction, but you’ll be paddling actively through technical water.This isn’t just a river trip. Canyoneering through five waterfalls (10 to 40 feet high). Zipline courses. Sustainable cacao farm tour with hands-on chocolate making. Local fruit stands featuring varieties you won’t find in the U.S.
Zipline, Tarzan Swing, and Waterfall Hikes
Day 5 breaks from rafting for adventure activities at Rio Vista Lodge. Zipline through rainforest canopy. Experience the Tarzan Swing hundreds of feet above the Pacuare. Hike to Salta Falls for swimming and waterfall exploration.
Day 7 includes natural hot springs after rafting the Sarapiqui. The trip balances maximum river time with enough variety to prevent monotony.
Trip Details: What to Expect on the Pacuare River
This expedition maximizes river time. You’ll raft six of the eight full days, covering multiple river sections with varying difficulty. Days start with breakfast, gear prep, safety briefings, and put-in. On the water, you’ll navigate rapids, stop for riverside lunches, and work as a crew through technical sections.
Physical demands are significant. Consecutive days of paddling require upper body strength and endurance. Wet exits from boats, swimming in current, and helping flip rafts back over all require comfort in moving water. The tropical climate adds heat and humidity to the physical equation.
Technical skills develop throughout the trip. Early rivers like the Pejibaye allow crews to build coordination before tackling harder sections. By the time you reach the Upper Pacuare and Pacuare Gorge, the group functions as an experienced unit.
Duration:
9 Days / 8 Nights
Age Requirement:
14+
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Suitable for experienced rafters seeking technical water and travelers comfortable with physical demands of consecutive paddling days. Not suitable for first-time rafters unless combined with exceptional fitness and willingness to learn quickly on challenging water.
Professional Guide Service
Pacuare Outdoor Center guides bring extensive experience on Costa Rica’s river systems. Training includes advanced swiftwater rescue certification, Wilderness First Responder care, technical whitewater instruction, and years of experience running these specific rivers.
The guide-to-guest ratio ensures adequate safety coverage and instruction quality. Lead guides make decisions about which river sections to run based on current water levels, weather, and group capability. Support staff handle logistics, meals, and camp setup when you’re glamping on the Upper Upper Pacuare.
These guides know where rapids change character at different water levels, which sections require scouting, and how to manage groups through sustained technical whitewater. Experience matters on Class IV water.
2025 Dates & Pricing
Departure: Fall & Spring Dates available
Price: Pricing Built by Party Size — Please Inquire for Custom Price
What’s Included:
Travel Logistics:
Arrive: San José (SJO) Airport between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Day 1
Depart: San José (SJO) Airport between 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Day 8
Cancellation Policy:
91+ Days Notice: 90% refund
61-90 Days Notice: 75% refund
46-60 Days Notice: 50% refund
0-45 Days Notice: No refund
Minimum Group Size: 6 guests required for trip confirmation. If minimum not met 60 days before departure, trip will be canceled with full refund issued at 59 days out.
Physical Requirements and Expectations
This trip demands physical fitness and comfort with consecutive days of activity. You’ll paddle actively through technical rapids, potentially swim in current if you fall out, and help manage rafts through challenging sections. Previous whitewater experience is recommended. First-time rafters with good fitness and strong swimming ability can participate but should understand there is a learning curve on Class IV water.
The tropical climate adds heat and humidity. Expect to be wet most days from either rain, river, or sweat. Mornings tend to be clearer. Afternoons often bring showers. You’ll never fully dry out in the rainforest. Glamping on Day 3 means sleeping alongside the river. Expect jungle sounds, humidity, and the reality of camping in tropical wilderness. It’s part of the experience.
What’s Included in Your Package
We Provide
Guiding & Transportation:
- Professional rafting guides for entire expedition
- Private transportation between rivers and lodges
- Logistics coordination throughout trip
Equipment:
- All whitewater rafting gear (rafts, PFDs, paddles, helmets)
- Drysuits or wetsuits as needed for water temperature
- Zipline and Tarzan Swing equipment
- Camping gear for glamping night (tents, sleeping bags, pads)
Activities:
- All scheduled rafting on five rivers
- Zipline course and Tarzan Swing
- Waterfall hikes
- Hot springs access
- All entrance fees
You Bring
Personal Items:
- Water bottle and hydration system
- Quick-dry clothing and layers
- Personal items from our detailed packing list
- Any necessary medications plus 2-day backup supply
Not Included:
- Flights to/from San José
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Guide gratuity (15-20% of trip cost suggested)
- Alcoholic beverages
Costa Rica is Calling
Five rivers. Eight days of rafting. Technical Class IV whitewater. Rainforest camping. This is Costa Rica’s most river-intensive expedition we offer—designed for rafters who prioritize time on the water.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive San José & Transfer to Turrialba
Lodging: Turrialba Vista Lodge | Meals: Dinner
Arrive at San José (SJO) Airport by early afternoon. Private transfer to Turrialba Vista Lodge, a mountain retreat with views of surrounding peaks. Evening orientation covering the week ahead, safety protocols, and what to expect from Costa Rica’s rivers.
Rafting the Pejibaye River
Lodging: Turrialba Vista Lodge | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Warmup run on the Pejibaye River. Class II-III rapids through tropical scenery. The Pejibaye allows crews to develop coordination, practice commands, and get comfortable working together before tackling harder rivers. Riverside lunch. Return to Turrialba Vista Lodge.
Upper Upper Pacuare & Rainforest Glamping
Lodging: Rainforest Glamping | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Put in on the Upper Upper Pacuare, a remote section most outfitters don’t access. Navigate technical Class III-IV rapids through pristine rainforest. This section sees minimal traffic and feels genuinely wild. Camp on the river that night—tents set up, meals prepared, but you’re sleeping in the jungle with the Pacuare running nearby.
Rafting Upper & Lower Pacuare to Rio Vista Lodge
Lodging: Rio Vista Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue down the Pacuare, starting with the Upper section’s technical Class IV rapids. This stretch demands precise boat control and quick decision-making. Transition into the Lower Pacuare for more manageable whitewater. Arrive at Rio Vista Lodge in the afternoon—accessible only by river, perched above the Pacuare with views into the gorge.
Canopy Course & Waterfall Hikes
Lodging: Rio Vista Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Break from rafting for adventure activities. Zipline through rainforest canopy for aerial perspectives on the river below. Take the Tarzan Swing—safely harnessed, swinging hundreds of feet above the Pacuare. Hike to Salta Falls for swimming and exploration. Afternoon free to relax at the lodge.
Pacuare Gorge & Transfer to Sarapiqui
Lodging: Ara Ambigua Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Navigate the legendary Pacuare Gorge. Canyon walls rise 300 feet overhead. Waterfalls drop into the river. Sustained Class III-IV whitewater through the most scenic section of the Pacuare. Take out and transfer north to the Sarapiqui region and Ara Ambigua Lodge.
Sarapiqui River & Hot Springs
Lodging: Ara Ambigua Lodge | Meals: Lunch
Raft the Sarapiqui River (Class II-IV depending on section choice and water levels). Different ecosystem than the Pacuare watershed—northern lowlands with different geology and river character. Afternoon at natural hot springs. Evening at the lodge.
Final Rafting & Return to San José
Lodging: San José Hotel | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Choose between Upper or Lower Sarapiqui for the final rafting run. Different sections offer different character—guides help select based on group preference and water levels. Take out and transfer back to San José. Accommodation at hotel near airport. Farewell dinner.
Departure
Lodging: None | Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer to San José Airport for departing flights.
Note: Itinerary may vary based on water levels, weather conditions, and group capability.
Guides adapt the journey to maximize both safety and experience quality on technical whitewater.
Ready to Run Costa Rica’s Rivers?
The Rivers of Costa Rica expedition delivers maximum whitewater in minimum time. Five different rivers, eight days of adventure, technical Class IV rapids, and rainforest camping. This trip focuses on river time over tourist activities.
Contact us for custom planning. 888-609-RAFT
Custom Extensions Available
Interested in extending your trip before or after the expedition? We can arrange additional days for:
READY TO PLAN YOUR TRIP?
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