Description
Some rivers are simply run, and others are remembered for a lifetime. The Pacuare, flowing down from the Talamanca Mountains toward the Caribbean, appears again and again on lists of the planet's finest rafting rivers, and a single day on its waters is enough to understand why. Its course crosses nearly untouched territory where no roads reach, and the only way through is the river itself.
The adventure begins early with a scenic drive from the Central Valley down the Caribbean slope, through the Turrialba region with its sugarcane fields and mist-covered hills. After a traditional breakfast, our certified guides hand out equipment and deliver a thorough safety briefing, with paddle strokes and commands practiced before we launch.
For about four hours we cover roughly 18 miles of river, linking dozens of Class III and IV rapids whose names say a great deal about their character. Between the rapids the Pacuare calms down and reveals its more contemplative side: moss-carpeted rock walls, waterfalls tumbling straight into the current, toucans crossing the canyon and, with luck, howler monkeys watching from the treetops. The most spectacular stretch threads a narrow gorge of sheer walls, one of the most breathtaking corners of Costa Rica.
Midway down we pull onto the riverbank for a lunch prepared by the guides, with fresh tropical fruit and light dishes, while the murmur of the water keeps us company. At the take-out there is time to change and swap stories before the drive back to your hotel, tired and grinning.
