The Savegre is one of the most pristine rivers in Costa Rica rivaled only perhaps by the Pacuare in rafting circles as a perfect tropical adventure.

Several protected areas checkerboard the lower Savegre valley and the Rey estuary where the river meets its neighbor, the Portalon and spreads into mangrove swamps and lagoons before emptying into the Pacific at Playas Savegre and Matapalo.

The private forest and river reserve surrounding Rafiki Safari Lodge adjoins the Portalón and Transilvania National Wildlife Refuges and an undiscovered secret segment of Costa Rica’s most famous national park, Manuel Antonio.  The Los Campesinos ACTUAR community project spans the Quebrado Arroyo tributary canyon protecting even more forest as well as traditions of the rural farming community.

The Savegre river was nominated in June 2019 to join Costa Rica’s National Parks with protection planned for the headwaters high in the Talamanca mountains at Los Quetzales, San Gerardo de Dota and Cerro de la Muerte as well as the lower sections shown here.

“Surfing” a raft means finding a standing wave and balancing the angle perfectly so you’re slipping down the wave upstream and sliding down the current downstream at the same speed bringing you to a standstill… until you catch the bow and flip!