THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Two days of continuous whitewater and jungle hikes on the Pacuare River, including overnight lodging at a riverside lodge. Expect Class III–IV rapids, guided nature walks, and immersive rainforest scenery a ~2.5-hour drive from San José.
Two days of continuous whitewater and jungle hikes on the Pacuare River, including overnight lodging at a riverside lodge. Expect Class III–IV rapids, guided nature walks, and immersive rainforest scenery a ~2.5-hour drive from San José.
The first rapids hit like a newsprint splash across the rainforest silence — water throwing spray and rhythm at the raft as the valley opens into whitewater. You begin with a winding drive east from San José, the highway slicing through secondary forest and small towns until the jungle closes back in and the river starts daring you.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours · Siquirres, Limón Province
The first rapids hit like a newsprint splash across the rainforest silence — water throwing spray and rhythm at the raft as the valley opens into whitewater. You begin with a winding drive east from San José, the highway slicing through secondary forest and small towns until the jungle closes back in and the river starts daring you.
Pacuare cuts through the Talamanca foothills, carved from volcanic highlands and fed by cloudforest springs; its gorge and terraces show raw tropical geomorphology shaped by steep gradients and heavy rainfall. Indigenous groups once traveled these corridors; today, small riverside communities and banana plantations mark the lowlands near Siquirres. The Pacuare River Lodge sits on a raised wooden platform beside primary forest, where howler monkeys announce themselves and toucans flash color in canopy gaps.
Over two days you’ll raft roughly 36 km (22 miles) across a mix of continuous Class III and more technical Class IV rapids — roughly 14 rapids on day one and 30 on day two — with guided ecological hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes squeezed between runs. Expect rainforest trails, muddy sections, and riverbanks lined with lianas and heliconias.
Practical notes: arrive with sturdy river footwear, quick-dry layers, and sun and insect protection. The tour includes meals and one night at the lodge; guides brief on safety and basic paddle technique before launch. The river’s character shifts with the seasons — higher flows mean bigger drops and stronger eddies — so choose timing to match your comfort level. Hydrate, listen to your guide, and be prepared to get wet: the Pacuare rewards those who bring both curiosity and respect for moving water.
challenging.
2 days.
Moderate to fit — comfortable with sustained paddling, short hikes on uneven terrain, and brief swims.
No — guides provide instruction and safety briefings; however, presence of Class IV rapids on day two means participants should be comfortable in moving water and follow guide commands.
Moderate fitness is recommended: you should be able to paddle for extended periods, climb in and out of a raft, and walk on uneven jungle trails.
Yes — the package includes one night at Pacuare River Lodge in walk-in tents on raised platforms, plus meals as listed (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Rain increases river volume and rapid intensity; operators may alter or cancel runs in unsafe conditions and will notify per their cancellation policy.
The Pacuare corridor runs from volcanic highlands toward the Caribbean lowlands and has long been a conduit for local communities and wildlife; rafting began to grow here in the late 20th century as access improved.
Operators often support riparian protection and community initiatives; visitors should avoid single-use plastics, stay on trails, and follow guide instructions to minimize impact.
Greenway Nature Day Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The first rapids hit like a newsprint splash across the rainforest silence — water throwing spray and rhythm at the raft as the valley opens into whitewater. You begin with a winding drive east from San José, the highway slicing through secondary forest and small towns until the jungle closes back in and the river starts daring you.
The first rapids hit like a newsprint splash across the rainforest silence — water throwing spray and rhythm at the raft as the valley opens into whitewater. You begin with a winding drive east from San José, the highway slicing through secondary forest and small towns until the jungle closes back in and the river starts daring you.
Pacuare cuts through the Talamanca foothills, carved from volcanic highlands and fed by cloudforest springs; its gorge and terraces show raw tropical geomorphology shaped by steep gradients and heavy rainfall. Indigenous groups once traveled these corridors; today, small riverside communities and banana plantations mark the lowlands near Siquirres. The Pacuare River Lodge sits on a raised wooden platform beside primary forest, where howler monkeys announce themselves and toucans flash color in canopy gaps.
Over two days you’ll raft roughly 36 km (22 miles) across a mix of continuous Class III and more technical Class IV rapids — roughly 14 rapids on day one and 30 on day two — with guided ecological hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes squeezed between runs. Expect rainforest trails, muddy sections, and riverbanks lined with lianas and heliconias.
Practical notes: arrive with sturdy river footwear, quick-dry layers, and sun and insect protection. The tour includes meals and one night at the lodge; guides brief on safety and basic paddle technique before launch. The river’s character shifts with the seasons — higher flows mean bigger drops and stronger eddies — so choose timing to match your comfort level. Hydrate, listen to your guide, and be prepared to get wet: the Pacuare rewards those who bring both curiosity and respect for moving water.