Description
Some rivers are enjoyed and others are conquered. El Chorro, the upper and most demanding section of the Naranjo River, belongs firmly in the second category. During the dry season, when the water drops and the boulders are exposed, this stretch becomes a maze of abrupt drops, water chutes and passages so narrow the raft seems to brush the canyon walls.
The day starts early with a drive of about thirty minutes to Esquipulas, a small mountain village above Quepos. There your guides, specialists in technical rivers, take all the time needed for a thorough safety briefing: paddle commands, positions in the raft and what to do in every situation. On this river, communication and teamwork are everything.
Once on the water, the river gives no quarter. Class IV and V rapids follow one after another between massive boulders, with near-vertical drops that demand precision and power on every stroke. Between the most intense passages, the canyon offers moments of calm to admire its fern-covered stone walls, waterfalls spilling from the jungle and shafts of light slipping through the trees.
This experience is designed for physically fit travelers seeking a true adrenaline test; previous rafting experience is not required, but a willingness to paddle hard is. At the end, fresh fruit and a traditional lunch celebrate the achievement before the ride back to Manuel Antonio, with the satisfaction of having mastered one of the most challenging rivers in the country.
