Pacuare River
Costa Rica, 70101
Flowing through the dense Costa Rican rain forest on its way from the Talamanca Mountains to the Caribbean Sea, the Pacuare River is known for scenic white water rafting. A true gorge at some sections, the river is surrounded by walls of thick greenery dotted with waterfalls and tropical plants and teeming with wildlife.
The Basics
The Pacuare is best explored on a rafting trip with expert river guides who know its course and rapids well. The river is divided into 16 sections, with one of the most noteworthy opening up along the verdant Valle del Pacuare. Rapids range from Class II to Class IV, with stretches to suit most experience and skill levels. During calmer moments, watch the riverbanks for toucans, monkeys, sloths, ocelots, and even jaguars.
Most tours include all rafting equipment, lunch, and transfers.
Things to Know Before You Go
Take a change of clothes and prepare to get wet.
Wear water shoes or other closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting soaked.
Rafting isn’t recommended for pregnant people or travelers with heart or back conditions.
Pacuare River rafting tours aren’t accessible to wheelchairs.
How to Get There
The Pacuare River runs through Costa Rica’s central Cartago Province. Turrialba is the closest city to the river and a popular jumping-off point, though tours also depart from San José, about two hours away. Guided tours typically include vehicle transport.
When to Get There
Pacuare River rafting is available year-round, though certain weather conditions may make rapids larger or smaller. Water levels tend to be higher and rapids more intense during Costa Rica’s rainy season (May to mid-November). River guides assess conditions and water levels to ensure a safe experience.
Nearby Attractions in Cartago Province
A half-day trip down the Pacuare River can be combined with additional sightseeing in Costa Rica’s Cartago Province and Central Valley—a fertile landscape with orchid fields and colonial architecture. The historic city of Cartago (Costa Rica’s former capital) is worth a look around, and you can admire native tropical flora at the Lankester Botanical Gardens. Looming just north of it all is the active Irazú Volcano, with its bright-green-water-filled crater.
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