Whitewater Rafting in Costa Rica
Imagine yourself cascading down a warm crystal bluegreen river as you gaze in wonder at the many exotic creatures living in the surrounding jungle. Simply stated, Costa Rica is home to some of the best white water rafting in the world! From the mellow class II rapids of the Pejivalle to the big water class V on the Reventazon river, Whitewater Rafting In Costa Rica will leave you breathless.
Pacuare River
The Pacuare River is the undisputed crown jewel of all the Costa Rican Rivers. National Geographic called the Pacuare one of the top two rafting rivers in the world. On its way to the Caribbean Sea, the Pacuare plunges through some of Central America’s last untouched tropical rain forest. In between the class III and IV rapids you’ll gaze in wonder at the primordial forest and its wild inhabitants. The Pacuare River Gorge is home to thousands of exotic creatures such as sloth, monkeys, toucans, and the elusive jaguar. This lush paradise is accentuated by literally dozens of spectacular waterfalls crashing down hundreds of feet into the blue-green waters of the Pacuare. The Pacuare is invariably the highlight of our client’s vacation in Costa Rica.
Pejivalle River
The Pajivalle River (sometimes spelled Pejibaye and pronounced Pay-E-Baa-He) is one of our favorite rivers in all of Costa Rica. The smaller volume river boasts just the right combination of Class II whitewater, incredible rainforest bordering the river and animal and bird life to make any, beginner to intermediate, whitewater-enthused client smile from ear to ear. The more commonly run lower section is about ten miles long and offers one challenging class III rapid. The river and its rapids are perfect for a family just
starting to get into paddle rafting as there is no stress from the big whitewater and the access road is always less then 100 yards away.
Reventazon River
The Reventazon River, also just outside the city of Turrialba, has numerous sections along its 65 kilometers of whitewater to choose from, ranging from a challenge to really challenging. The Pascua section of the Reventazon River is about 13 miles and offers 15 solid class IV+ rapids of Costa Rican whitewater. The Peralta section is only eight miles, but its class V whitewater is very challenging and only for very experienced paddlers, it is considered the most challenging whitewater in all of Costa Rica. The mellower Florida section of the Reventazon is the last section on the river before it flattens out and flows out into the Caribbean. This final section is Class III. Although the river also sits in a beautiful canyon you typically don’t have much time to enjoy the scenery. The old railroad
from Puerto Limon to San Jose paralleled the river and fragments can still be seen along the banks.
Sarapiqui River
The Sarapiqui River offers some similarities as its brothers to the south (the Reventazon and the Pacuare), enough whitewater to get your heart pumping and the scenery breathtaking between the rapids. There are three runs that are commonly done on the Sarapiqui River giving a choice between easy, medium and hard. The Chilamate run is class I and II and is perfect for families with younger children, or who are more interested in watching wildlife then whitewater. The Lower Sarapiqui section is class III and IV is a good c ompromise of challenging water and wonderful views and is suitable for strong, but inexperienced rafters. The Upper Sarapiqui boasts class IV and V rapids for seven miles and is perfect whitewater for experienced paddlers looking for a major adrenaline rush.