Description
This is the day you will be talking about for years. Extreme canyoneering packs into a single outing everything that makes the mountains of the Central Pacific a playground for adventurers: a private canyon, waterfalls stepping down over ledges of rock and a progression of rappels that culminates in a roughly 150-foot free descent straight into a pool.
After breakfast at the base, about 20 minutes from Jaco, we climb more than 1,000 feet in an open safari-style 4x4 to a private reserve, stopping along the way for wildlife and views. There you are fitted with harness and helmet, and your guides teach the technique on a dry practice rappel. A five-minute walk then leads to two zip lines that soar across the river, the perfect warm-up.
Then the canyon begins. We work our way down the riverbed between moss-covered walls, with turquoise pools where you can swim and jump from heights of 4 to 25 feet. Next come four waterfall rappels of 50 to 85 feet, each with its own personality: jets of water pounding your back, slick rock faces and curtains of spray that swallow you completely.
The grand finale is a rappel of about 150 feet into a deep pool, regarded as one of the longest unassisted rappels in the country. Deeper in the canyon, a few more hidden swimming holes await. The way out is a steep hike of about 30 minutes, so good physical fitness is strongly recommended. It is demanding, wild and utterly unforgettable, the ultimate choice for travelers who want their Costa Rica with an extra dose of adrenaline.
