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Pacuare River Rafting: Costa Rica's Rapids Adventure
4.7
234 Ratings
Turrialba
Embark on an exhilarating full-day whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River. Experience the thrill of navigating class 3 and 4 rapids, surrounded by stunning rainforest scenery. Suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers, this action-packed day trip is not to be missed!
Embark on an exhilarating full-day whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River. Experience the thrill of navigating class 3 and 4 rapids, surrounded by stunning rainforest scenery. Suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers, this action-packed day trip is not to be missed!
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Turrialba - Start the day with a delicious Costa Rican breakfast featuring gallo pinto, eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee before heading to the river launch site.
- Tres Equis - Meet the skilled guides for a safety briefing and gear fitting. This marks the beginning of the rafting adventure!
- Huacas - Experience a dramatic, narrow gorge with…
- Turrialba - Start the day with a delicious Costa Rican breakfast featuring gallo pinto, eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee before heading to the river launch site.
- Tres Equis - Meet the skilled guides for a safety briefing and gear fitting. This marks the beginning of the rafting adventure!
- Huacas - Experience a dramatic, narrow gorge with towering rock walls and lush greenery. It’s one of the river’s most iconic and picturesque sections.
- Pacuare River - Enjoy numerous waterfalls cascading into the river along the route, especially in the canyon areas, providing perfect spots for photos and short breaks. A highlight is the exhilarating Class IV rapid that flows between two steep rock faces, offering both a thrilling experience and breathtaking natural views. As paddlers navigate through the dense jungle, they should watch for toucans, sloths, monkeys, and vibrant butterflies that enliven the rainforest. The river also meanders through lands inhabited by the Cabécar people, Costa Rica’s largest indigenous group—an area not open to tourism but rich in cultural heritage. Midway through the journey, most tours stop at a peaceful riverbank where guests can enjoy a fresh, scenic picnic lunch surrounded by the untouched beauty of nature.
What's Included
- Transportation from Hotels in San José
- Breakfast
- Tour Guide
- Lunch
- Rafting equipment
- Transportation from Hotels in San José
- Breakfast
- Tour Guide
- Lunch
- Rafting equipment
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Additional Information
Prepare for an exciting day of adventure as you navigate the heart of Costa Rica’s vibrant rainforest on the famous Pacuare River. This thrilling expedition covers 18 miles of Class III and IV rapids, ideal for both beginners and experienced paddlers (ages 12 and up).
The day starts with an early pickup from your hotel in San José, followed by a…
Prepare for an exciting day of adventure as you navigate the heart of Costa Rica’s vibrant rainforest on the famous Pacuare River. This thrilling expedition covers 18 miles of Class III and IV rapids, ideal for both beginners and experienced paddlers (ages 12 and up).
The day starts with an early pickup from your hotel in San José, followed by a picturesque drive through Cartago and the countryside to Turrialba. Along the route, savor a delightful breakfast, which is included, before reaching the river launch site.
After a safety briefing and gear fitting by skilled guides, the adventure kicks off! Tackle exciting rapids such as Huacas, Rodeo, Pinball, and Dos Montañas, with pauses to appreciate cascading waterfalls and the breathtaking rainforest. Midway through, recharge with a picnic lunch by the riverside, surrounded by nature.
As your rafting adventure concludes, change into dry clothes and unwind on the return journey to San José—feeling tired, joyful, and filled with unforgettable memories.
- What to bring: Come with rafting clothes on (light shoes that will stay on, swimsuit, shorts, nylon shirt), sunscreen,water bottle, change of clothes, towel, insect repellent, some money for personal expenses.
- Tour operate with a minimum of 2 people
- Contact line available for handling hotel pick-up reconfirmations and day-to-day operational matters.
- Not persons under 12 years old
Location
Turrialba
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(234 Ratings)
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Vijay_i
Apr 9, 2026
Wholesome day of fun - Be prepared for sun (burn), water…and adrenaline. Take water proof bag with snacks. They take photos for you. Fantastic experience
Review provided by Viator
Hershy717
Mar 30, 2026
Amazing Experience - Great experience. The shuttle arrived on time. They provided breakfast, lunch and all gear. The river guide was insightful, upbeat, and fun. The rapids were big. The scenery was beautiful. It was truly an amazing trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vida
Mar 29, 2026
Thrill from start to finish - Our water rafting experience was an absolute thrill from start to finish! The scenery was breathtaking—every turn brought incredible views that made the adventure even more special. We felt completely safe the entire time thanks to our amazing tour guide, Julian, who was not only skilled and professional but also made the experience fun and reassuring. Most importantly, it gave us unforgettable memories as a family—laughing, cheering, and enjoying every moment together. Truly an experience we’ll always cherish!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Desirae_d
Mar 29, 2026
Spectacular, unforgettable, and beginner friendly! - Such a special experience on one of the best natural rafting rivers in the world. We had a good traditional breakfast with fruit and coffee, then we went to the river. As a first time rafter and solo female traveler, I was so intimidated at first, but we got the hang of it quickly and nobody fell in. I felt safe the whole time. If everyone follows instructions, you'll be good (Tip: if ya think you'll get away with just relaxing, think again!) We had an amazing guide, Carlos, who taught us well, kept us safe, and taught us a lot. We saw bird species and waterfalls. For lunch, we pulled over for sandwiches/wraps, on a kind indigenous person's land, very special. Pictures on the river are available for purchase and ours came out great! Due to the active tectonic faults, this river changes every few years, and is absolutely worth coming back to! This was an experience worth every penny and I will cherish it forever!
Review provided by Viator
Tesshutchins2008
Mar 23, 2026
Absolutely worth it - So. Much. Fun. Totally worth it. This was my first white water rafting tour and we all had a blast. Our guide Luis was really great too. He was professional and kept us all safe while still having fun. I loved it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher_t
Mar 23, 2026
You gotta go - I’d just like to say for everyone who said this made their trip NO LIES WERE TOLD. For my first time rafting the guides were 10/10 great energy, funny, knowledgeable all around great people really. Prepare for an arm workout you do get breaks in between paddling. Breakfast was ok but the lunch was great. They have lockers and changing stations bring a change of clothes you get soaked depending on your placement. We thank yall for the longest but most eventful day.
Review provided by Viator
Luceian_c
Mar 8, 2026
Fun times - This is worth the brag. Had a lovely day that included food, 3.5 hours of rafting fun and the opportunity to see wild life. Absolutely, I would do this again.
Review provided by Viator
Kailey_c
Mar 1, 2026
We absolutley loved this... - We absolutley loved this experience! Our driver and guide were great. The food was amazing. The river is so beautiful, and the rapids were so much fun. This was our favorite experience of all!
Review provided by Viator
Hoosayh
Feb 25, 2026
White Water Rafting in Pacuare River - Hands down, the best addition to our itinerary for Costa Rica. We booked last minute and ended up having the time of our lives.
The drive was so scenic and beautiful, we stopped for breakfast at a beautiful spot, drank coffee, even kicked a soccer ball while we waited for everyone to freshen up.
The route to the Pacuare River is stunning. My god, this place is pura vida (pure life) on its worst day.
From the beginning to the end of white water rafting, safety was a top priority. Life vests and helmets were checked multiple times. There was one person (shout out to Johnathan) who would test the waters before any raft could. He would be ahead of the rafting entourage (approx. 20 ppl divided into three boats). He would signal if it was safe/not, then the instructor on your raft would direct you through the river.
In this experience you will be taught about the different levels of white water rafting. Levels 1-3, you'll be alright, mild sweat. At a level 4 your life vest is your life, and your paddle is your steering wheel. If you so happen to fall out your life vest will keep you afloat until someone reaches you. These men do not play about their life vests, and neither should you, so whatever you do keep these secure at all times.
We had a lunch break in the forest. The environment was just incredible. Everyone was laughing, having a good time. My friends and I sat in the middle of a stream and talked about how incredible the experience was while lunch was being prepared.
Special shout out to Luis Ivan, our instructor. This man was the best guide. He knows what he is doing, has the best jokes, and overall such a kind soul. At a certain spot between canyons, we were allowed off the boat to gently float in the river for a time and this man was able to lift us back into our raft like we only weighed 20 lbs each. To this day I am amazed at his strength.
I think about this particular experience every day since leaving Costa Rica.
10/10 experience. Pacuare River my childrens' grandchildren will hear about you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claudiodcarmona
Mar 21, 2026
Total disappointment - I booked 1 day in advance by GetYourGuide, contacted them by WhatsApp to inform the hotel I was staying in, and also by mail. They never picked me up at the hotel. I called them like 10 times and they wouldn't answer. GetYourGuide customer service tried to contact them and they couldn’t get it, so they returned my money. But I've been upstairs since 5:30. I don’t know why they accept reservations 1 day in advance if they’re not going to be reviewed and included in their itinerary. Total disappointment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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