Costa Rica River Rafting Trips

Costa Rica offers rafting through tropical rainforest, with the Pacuare combining whitewater, forested gorges, and riverside waterfalls. The nine-day vacation offered through Western River centers on two rafting days and two nights at Pacuare Lodge, then continues to Arenal and Manuel Antonio.

You raft the Pacuare River with Pacuare Lodge’s guides. The itinerary arrives at the lodge by raft, includes two nights and a full day in the rainforest, then continues downstream by raft. The Pacuare River page explains this part of the experience in more detail.

Pacuare Lodge describes the arrival section as Class II–III and the departure section as Class III–IV. You paddle actively and follow guide instructions. Rainfall and water levels affect conditions, and the operator’s guides determine whether rafting and guest participation are appropriate.

It may be a fit for first-time rafters and families who meet the operator’s requirements and are ready for active paddling. Rafting out has a minimum age of 12, with size and physical requirements as well. Discuss everyone’s abilities and swimming confidence before booking. The guides make the final participation decision.

No. This itinerary includes eight nights in hotels and lodges: Hotel Grano de Oro, Pacuare Lodge, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, and Arenas del Mar. The two-night Pacuare stay is beside the river, with a full day at the lodge between rafting days.

The nine-day itinerary includes Pacuare Lodge’s Full Experience arrangement, two nights at Tabacón near Arenal, a shared guided Mistico hanging-bridges visit, and three nights at Arenas del Mar with a shared guided Manuel Antonio National Park visit. The listed transfers connect the destinations. Meals are included at Pacuare Lodge, with breakfast at the other hotels.

Choose dates with both availability and the whole route in mind. The Pacuare’s Caribbean slope can be rainy when the Pacific coast is drier, so one seasonal label does not describe every stop. Plan for rain and humidity, and check with Western River about your dates and the operator’s current rafting arrangements.

Expect tropical warmth, humidity, and possible rain, with different conditions at the river, Arenal, and the coast. Wear the clothing and equipment recommended by the rafting operator rather than relying on a fixed water-temperature estimate. Rainfall can change river levels and the planned rafting arrangements.

You need a valid passport to travel to Costa Rica. Check current entry requirements for your nationality before departure. You do not need to speak Spanish: your guides and drivers speak English, and hotel staff are generally comfortable with English as well.

Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), serving San José. A private transfer takes you to Hotel Grano de Oro for the first night. The itinerary returns from Manuel Antonio to the San José area on Day 9. Confirm the final drop-off location and timing before purchasing departure flights.

Western River Expeditions books the vacation through Böëna Lodges and its listed local suppliers. Pacuare Lodge provides the rafting and riverside accommodation. The other services are supplied by the listed hotels, transfer companies, and tour operators, including Quercus Travel, Tabacón, Mistico Arenal, Arenas del Mar, and Tucanes Tours. Western River does not directly operate the Costa Rica rafting, hotels, or local activities.

Request a current quote from Western River for your travel dates and party. Pricing varies with dates and availability; there is no single permanent starting price for this itinerary. The nine-day plan includes eight nights, the listed rafting and activities, ground transfers, Pacuare meals, and breakfast at the other hotels. International flights, other meals, insurance, gratuities, drinks, and optional extras are separate. Review the complete quote before confirming.