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Pacuare River Rafting Overnight

The Pacuare River is the wildest and most pristine remote river you can reach on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side without a helicopter or a week of trekking.  It’s an unmatched experience and we’ve returned half a dozen times.

Sue and Ray digging in while our guide Giovani keeps us on track. Rafting the Pacaure River with Green Frog Adventures

There are many reasons that National Geographic ranks the Pacuare in the top ten rafting rivers in the entire world but one of the best is splitting it into a two day trip with an overnight off the grid in the remote rain forest.

There’s a rustic luxury camp if you want a pampered experience but our favorite is the authentically rustic camp operated by Green Frog Adventures.

360 degree views of the Savegre valley
Simple screen cabins have 360 degree views of the Savegre valley
relaxing in deck chairs above the Pacuare river
Deck chairs above the Pacuare river

Fresh fruit, fish and typico staples along with beer, wine and beverages are floated in with each group and the palenque with the sound of the rushing river below may be the most relaxing spot in Costa Rica.

Ideally plan on spending two nights in the back country camp so there’s a day for exploring between two days of white water – hiking, birdwatching, the waterfall slide, fishing and swimming and of course there’s an amazing variety of amphibians especially if you venture out on a night walk with one of the knowledgeable guides.

The river borders large tracts of Cabécar indigenous lands and with advance notice visitors are welcome at the tiny village about an hours climb up a steep ridge from a hand powered cable car that crosses the river.

Indigenous Cabécar village

There are no roads and everything the villagers need from the outside world is carried in on their backs or horseback.  They live very much as they traditionally have for hundreds of years and that includes welcoming visitors.  This is not a choreographed historical experience with costumes and reproductions of everyday life…it’s just everyday life.

The rafting companies will pick up from as far away as San José but we prefer to skip the two hour drive by spending a few days near Turrialba before heading out on the river.   The Pacuare one day trip is a unique and highly recommended method of transportation from the airport to the Caribbean beaches (more info).

Paring the pack down to a bare minimum for the overnight in the backcountry on the Pacuare three day rafting trip with Green Frog Adventures. Every few days we end up unpacking everything, reorganizing for road trip mode, backcountry trek mode, or business meeting mode.
Layers – trees, flowers, clouds, mountains, sky
Now that’s what I call a Jacuzzi!
Justin and Sue both lost their sunglasses jumping off the rocks and despite the crystal clear water and diving around looking for half an hour or so we never found them
ducky (inflatable kayak)
A ducky (inflatable kayak). The ducky was a real blast. Not nearly as hard to learn as a skirted kayak but stable and manuverable.
Safety kayaker
The guides’ favorite job is safety kayaker. except on the rare occasion that they have to fish someone out of the drink they’re just getting paid to do what they love most.
cabins at Pacuare
Cabins at the Lodge are set on a hillside with views of the river
oropendula
weaving a hammock
Weaving fibers from tree bark into a hammock
Palenque
The traditional palenque roof. Modern versions on roadside restaurants are made with steel beams and recycled plastic “thatch”
waterfall pool
Dozens of waterfalls cascade into the creeks and quebradas that feed the Pacuare. This one near the camp has a deep swimming pool
subsistence farm plots
The hike to the Cabécar village passes through primary tropical rain forest with small areas cleared for subsistence farm plots
Visiting remote indigenous village
Pacuare River Lodge
A hydroelectric generator provides power for lights and small electronics
Our view inside the cabin on the Pacaure River
The guides worked together like a well oiled machine whether rafting or cooking. The food was amazing – not just some of the best in the remote backcountry but better than most restaurants in Costa Rica.
relaxing in deck chairs above the Pacuare river
relaxing in deck chairs above the Pacuare river
Waterfall near the Pacaure River
Natural waterslide
Definitely in the running for the best front porch in Costa Rica. Green Frog Adventures tent camp along the shores of the Pacuare River
The open air kitchen at Pacuare River Lodge can easily handle meal prep for two to twenty two guests and has spectacular views from it’s perch on the hillside above the gorge.
Senior Garcia
Pacuare Lodge – backcountry eco-luxury
I’ve been trying to get a photo like this for years and our rafting and naturalist guide Giovanni let me in on a secret while hiking a side creek off the Pacuare river canyon. The tiny frogs were everywhere on the moist mossy ground but I was having a tough time focusing and snapping the picture before they hopped away. Giovanni said the secret was to make them dizy, cupped his hands around one of the little amphibians and shook the crap out of it. Sure enough, when he dropped it onto the orange cup mushroom (Cookeina speciosa) it sat there for at least 30 seconds regaining its composure before hopping off into the moss unharmed.
Yes, there is a raft under them!
Monster Machaca on a hand line
Ray in the Waterfal off the Pacaure River
WHITE water rafting! The sun is so bright and the water so aerated that it looks almost like we are rafting on snow

Ray & Sue

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Adventures & Activities - Photos
  • Guayabo National Monument
  • San Gerardo de Dota National Park
  • Lower Savegre & Rafiki
  • Pacuare River Rafting Overnight
  • Pacuare Gilligan’s Island



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