Rafting from Arenal 1 Day

We have daily departures from San José, the Caribbean Coast and the Arenal Volcano, giving you the choice to start at the place of your preference. This is an excellent option to be combined with our Río Pacuare Rafting trips.

PACUARE RIVER 1 DAY EXPEDITION
This is the Premier River of Costa Rica

RATE: $99.00 USD
Difficulty: Class III-IV
Distance: 30 kms/18 miles
Number of rapids: 38
Approximate river time: 4 hours
Minimum age: 12 years

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Siquirres, Central Caribbean Plain
DEPARTURE TIME 6:00 – 6:30 am        Pick- Ups in San José and Southern Caribbean Coast. In Arenal Pick-Ups start earlier, approximately  5:20 – 5:40 a.m.
RETURN TIME 3:00 – 5:30 pm        In route “Exploration Center” – San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area
WEAR Come with rafting cloths on (light shoes that will stay on, swim suit, shorts,nylon shirt) sunscreen, water bottle, change of clothes, towel, insect repellent, and a bit of cash.All luggage will be kept in lockers.
INCLUDED
Breakfast Lunch
Dinner Transportation
NOT INCLUDED
Surfing equipment
Instructor gratuity

The Pacuare River is one of the best choices for your adventure treks in Costa Rica. Another trip in the country does not exist that offers you a perfect blend of wilderness exposure and excitement, both in one day.

Pacuare is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Here you enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the realness of being connected with nature. You see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right over your head. Amazing views of this virgin tropical rainforestarea, appear before your eyes as you descend this true exploratory land. Wildlife is abundant, with sloth, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies and colorful frogs being common sights.

The white water that is equally exciting. It is not an overly challenging river, but it has a lot rapids, therefore giving you an adventure filled with lots of fun. The 18 mile one day run includes a total of 52 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many.

Upon arrival to the river we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle and then briefyou with a full safety orientation talk. Finally, it is time to take off down the rapids!

The first 4 miles consist of fun class II-III rapids which is a perfect time to test your new river skills and gain confidence in your team. Here you can find pockets of secondary growth forest that is extremely beautiful. After about 40 minutes we will enter the famous Pacuare River Gorge, which is 5 miles of some of the best white water Costa Rica has to offer. The rapids here are “Terciopelo snake”, “Double drop”, “Upper and Lower Huacas”, “Pin ball” toname a few. You will also see the Huacas watefall, a 150 foot dramatic drop into the river.

After the gorge the rivers opens up to a 5 mile stretch on the Valle del Pacuare, where the river has a different character. It is wide open, which gives you the opportunity to rest a bit and take the opportunity to do some wildlife spotting. The main rapids here are “Cimarrones”, “The Play Hole”, “El Indio” and “Magnetic Rock”. The forest remains just as lush, and the rapids just as fun.

We finish in Siquirres, at our own private Exploration Center, where you can take a shower, change and enjoy the gardens and terrace while having a beer or two and reflecting with your new friends about the great adventure you just shared.

River Grade Excitement Fequency Wilderness & Isolation Wild Life Spoting Physical Challenge
High Water
4
4
5
6
5
4
Low Water
3+
3
4
6
5
3
1

Approximate Itinerary for Our Pacuare River Expeditions

6:00 – 6:30 am        Pick- Ups in San José and Southern Caribbean Coast. In Arenal Pick-Ups start earlier, approximately  5:20 – 5:40 a.m.

6:30 – 8:15 am         In route to “Exploration Center” (Siquirres)

8:15 – 9:00 am         Breakfast at “Exploration Center”

9:00 – 9:30 am         In route “Exploration Center” – River Access

9:30 – 10:15 am       Preparation for the Descent (safety orientation, paddle practice)

10:15 – 2:15 pm        River Descent (including lunch)

2:15 – 3:00 pm          Return to our “Exploration Center” with time to shower, change and enjoy a beverage.

3:00 – 5:30 pm        In route “Exploration Center” – San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area

Note: Pick Ups in Cahuíta would be at 6:50 am

2

Approximate Itinerary for our EL Carmen Section River Expeditions

6:30 – 6:30 am Pick- Ups in San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area

6:30 – 8:15 am In route San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area – “Exploration Center” (Siquirres)

8:15 – 9:00 am Breakfast at the Exploration Center.

9:00 – 9:30 pm Route Exploration Center – River access

10:15 pm Preparation for the Descent (safety orientation, paddle practice)

10:30 – 2:00 pm River Descent (including lunch)

2:00 – 3:00 pm Arrival at our “Exploration Center” with time to shower, change clothes, enjoy a beverage and reflect on the adventure just shared.

3:00 – 5:00 pm In Route “Exploration Center” – San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area

3

Approximate Itinerary our Paddle & Hike Expedition

First Day:

6:00 – 6:30 am Pick- Ups in San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area

6:30 – 8:00 am In route San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area – Exploration Center (Siquirres)

8:00 – 8:45 am Breakfast at the “Exploration Center”.

8:45 – 9:30 am In route Exploration Center – River
(Put In at Finca La Cruz, upper part of the River.)

10:00 – 10:45 am Preparation for the Descent (Safety orientation, paddle practice)

10:45 – 1:45 pm River Descent (including a hike)

1:45 – 3:30 pm Arrival at our “Pacuare River Lodge” with time to shower, change clothes, enjoy a delicious lunch.

3:30 – 5:30 pm Team work, team building dynamics, educational experience, hikes or free time at the hammocks.

7:30pm Dinner

Second Day:

7:30 am Breakfast

9:30 – 2:30 pm River Descent (including lunch and a hike)

2:30 – 3:30 pm Arrival a tour Exploration Center with time to shower, change clothes, enjoy a beverage and reflect on the adventure just shared.

3:30 – 5:30 pm In route “Exploration Center” – San José, Southern Coast Caribbean and Arenal Volcano Area

We have daily departures from San José, the Caribbean Coast and the Arenal Volcano, giving you the choice to start and finish at the place of your convenience. Half way between these locations is our Exploration Center, a private base for our river trips and our Tortuguero Expeditions.

Meals
For us at Exploradores Outdoors excellence in our service is key. Therefore we strive to offer you meal combining quality, quantity, cleanliness and good presentation.

River Menu Pacuare I day

Breakfast: Breakfast takes place in our Exploration Center located at the Rio Pacuare. It includes:

  • Fruits salad (Banana, watermelon, pineapple and papaya)
  • Yogurt
  • Granola
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Sausages
  • Gallo Pinto
  • Tortillas
  • Sour cream
  • Hot drinks: coffee, tea and milk
  • Fruit juice

Lunch: Our lunch is buffet style in one of the beautiful beaches in the river. The boats turn in tables and our guides in chefs. Table cloths, trays, tweezers and  gloves are some of the utensils we use to prepare the food. Lunch consists on:

  • Hot flour tortillas to prepare wraps
  • Whole wheat bread to prepare sandwiches
  • Fresh green salad with lettuce, heart of palm, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeños and pimentos
  • Monteverde cheese
  • Chicken ham
  • Pork ham
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Chips and salsa
  • Lemonade or iced tea
  • Fruits (watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe)
  • River cheese cake (guava jelly and cream cheese on a biscuit)
  • Trail Mix (raisins, salty peanuts, candy peanuts and M&Ms)

River Menu Pacuare II Days

Three extra meals will be served at our Pacuare River Lodge

First Day:

Breakfast: Breakfast takes place in our Exploration Center located at the Rio Pacuare. It includes:

  • Fruit salad (banana, watermelon, pineapple and papaya)
  • Yogurt (strawberry and tropical fruits) Granola
  • Scramble eggs
  • Sausages
  • Gallo Pinto
  • Tortillas
  • Sour cream
  • Hot drinks: coffee, tea and milk
  • Fruit Juice

Lunch:

  • Hot flour tortillas to prepare burritos
  • Fresh green salad with lettuce, heart of palm, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and red peppers
  • Hot jalapeno peppers
  • Sour cream
  • Fried mashed beans
  • Ground spicy beef
  • Chips and salsa
  • Fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe)
  • Iced tea
  • River cheese cake (cookies, cream cheese y guava jelly)
  • Trail Mix (Raisins, salty peanuts, sweet covered peanuts y M&M`s)

Dinner:

  • Grilled Chicken
  • Mushroom sauce
  • Garlic sea bass
  • Rice
  • Boiled Vegetables (broccoli, carrot and zucchini)

Drinks: Red Wine, Bottled water

Dessert:  Banana Flambé

Second day:

Breakfast:

  • Fruit salad with fresh yogurt and granola
  • Pancakes
  • Ranchero Eggs
  • Toast with cream cheese, butter and Jelly (Guava and strawberry)
  • Hot Drinks: Coffee – Tea
  • Cool Drinks: Fruit Juice

Lunch:
Our lunch is buffet style in one of the beautiful beaches in the river. The boats turn in tables and our guides in chefs. Table cloths, trays, tweezers, and gloves are some of the utensils we use to prepare the food. Lunch consists on:

  • Hot flour tortillas to prepare wraps
  • Whole wheat bread to prepare sandwiches
  • Fresh green salad with lettuce, heart of palm, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeños and pimentos
  • Monteverde cheese
  • Chicken ham
  • Pork ham
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Chips and salsa
  • Lemonade or iced tea
  • Fruits (watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe)
  • River cheese cake  (guava jelly and cream cheese on a biscuit)
  • Trail Mix (raisins, salty peanuts, candy peanuts and M&M

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