Costa Rica River Expedition Itinerary

printer-friendly version

Spend a week running world-renowned rivers in Costa Rica! Be challenged on Class III, IV and V rapids that carve through virgin rainforest and twist through indigenous lands under the tropical sun. Each day offers a new section or river and bigger, more challenging water. Read about all the details below.

Sol Encounter will have kayaks, rafts and all additional river gear for use during the trip. Experienced kayakers are invited; please note that this is not a kayaking school to learn the sport, due to the degree of difficulty of the rivers we will run. Rafters with or without experience are invited to join the trip. In addition, one to two rafts will accompany every river trip for those interested solely in rafting or kayakers not comfortable with harder, Class IV sections. All guides are experienced kayakers, rescue kayakers, and raft guides and all know each river intimately. There will be a ratio of one guide per three clients guaranteed. Anyone interested in bringing down personal kayak or rafting gear is encouraged to do so. Please check with your airlines, as most charge an additional $100 fee for kayak transport. A rental fee of $250 will be charged for the combination of kayak, paddle, and skirt. Please contact info@solencounter.com for the models of kayaks we have available. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s), and helmets will be provided.

Day 1
Arrive to Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose (Juan Santamaria International Airport). Once you collect your luggage and pass through customs inside the airport, a member of Sol Encounter, S.A. will meet you at the outer doors. From here you’re be given a mini-city tour to help you orient and exchange money before you’re dropped off at the hotel. The whole group will have a chance to meet and chat with the head guides at a welcome dinner planned for the first evening.

Optional Activities- Depending on your arrival time, you can explore downtown San Jose, visiting the Gold Museum, take a stroll through the centrally-located Plaza de La Paz or experience the sights and smells of the Central Market downtown. A Sol Encounter guide will show you around or provide detailed maps and explanations if preferred.

Day 2
We’ll start with an early morning by loading personal belongings and river gear into a vehicle for the three-hour trip over the central mountain range to the Rio Toro. We’ll stop on the way to enjoy a Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto (rice and beans with eggs) to fuel up for our first day on the river. Upon arriving, you’ll receive a complete safety overview by trained, professional river guides that have been running Costa Rica’s rivers for years then hop in your boat to kick off your heart-pumping journey. Forward!

The Toro is classic pool/drop Class IV river that flows from the central mountain range, including a few active volcanoes, to the Caribbean. Due to the local geological activity, thermal springs often flow into the Toro, adding a primordial feeling to this rainforest river. Your kayak and raft guides will point you through the best lines on the rapids and clue you in to the wonders of river life in Costa Rica. That night, you’ll stay in the town of La Fortuna, where you will you can soak away the day of river excitement in the thermal waterfalls and pools of Tabacón and dine at the world famous Tabacón Resort and Spa.

Day 3
After breakfast, a two-hour transport will take us to the center of the country and the Sarapiquí River. Sarapiquí has an upper creek-like section of Class IV rapids, and then enters a lower and higher volume Class III section perfect for intermediate kayakers. Rapids such as Confusión, Ay Caramba and Roller Coaster will tease your adventurous side and set the mood for the rest of the week. Pending sunny weather, we’ll eat lunch on the river halfway down and continue the ride to finish up the afternoon. The Sarapiquí flows through both open areas and rainforest offering glimpses of many types of flora and fauna.

Day 4
Today starts off strong with a two-day adventure on the headwaters of the Pacuare River. After breakfast and a morning drive over the central mountain range and through rainforest with some of the best views in the country, you’ll arrive at our river put-in (2 hours).

In no time, a Class III rapid named “Bienvenidos” quickly introduces you to the river’s currents. With mostly Class III rapids, you’ll be spending your first day of this unique, 2-day river experience soaking up the rainforest scenery on one of the top 10 rated commercial rivers in the world. After a couple hours of paddling, we pull over and finish the day on the river at the entrance to the Pacuare Canyon where an eco-lodge only accessible by river awaits you. Take a nap Costa Rican style in a nearby hammock, dine later on a delicious gourmet meal, then relax to the sounds of a primary rainforest in your private, comfortable, elevated tent in the heart of the jungle.

Optional Activities- Short guided hikes around the eco-lodge in the afternoon.

Day 5
After coffee, the second day of the Pacuare River starts with a rush as you enter the spectacular canyon section and plunge through Class IV rapids including well-known rapids such as Dos Montanas (The Two Mountains), Cimmarones, and Huacas (indigenous name meaning Cemetery). The bottom section of the Pacuare is not only remarkable for its challenging rapids, but also painted with waterfalls cascading overhead into the river, canyon rock walls that shoot up to reach the rainforest above and river wildlife such as the poison arrow Blue Jeans Frog. The Pacuare exits the mountains in dramatic form to reveal the coastal plains where our vehicle will be waiting to take you to the rafting community and the attractive town of Turrialba for the night.

Optional Activities-Explore the town of Turrialba, or swap stories with other river rats in the many bars and restaurants of Turrialba.

Day 6
We’re increasing the difficulty and adrenaline today so be prepared for the biggest water yet! After a late breakfast, it’s a short ride to one of the most powerful rivers of Costa Rica, the high volume Reventazón. The Pascua section of this giant ups the intensity, thrill and adrenaline offering fourteen Class IV rapids with names like Dirty Mind, Indigestion and the Abyss. Four hours on big water take you through equally big scenery with looming mountains overhead and the sleeping Turrialba Volcano. After a full day, we jump back into our private shuttle and split the drive to the Pacific coast in two by spending the night once again in San Jose.

Day 7
Again, after an early breakfast, you will begin the drive to the remote headwaters of the Savegre River, one of the cleanest rivers in the world heading towards the Pacific shoreline of Costa Rica. The Savegre is a Class III river that passes through rainforest and mountains with cliff faces of thousands of feet and waterfalls running down these peaks. It is a relatively unknown river that will surely gain popularity in the coming years. After an unforgettable day, we make a short drive to Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most memorable and remarkable beach destinations.

Day 8
After a week of whitewater, adrenaline and adventure, take advantage of a relaxing morning stroll through Manuel Antonio National Park. The national park is one of the oldest and best-protected areas of rainforest in Costa Rica and its tropical wildlife is not to be missed. Spend the morning observing white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, howler monkeys and countless iguanas. We’ll leave in the late afternoon for San Jose.

Optional Activities- The day is open for beach activities and can include surfing, sea kayaking, hiking or relaxing on the beach.

Day 9
Sol Encounter will accompany you to the airport and assist with checking in. Don’t forget your $26 exit tax paid in cash-either dollars or colones.

Optional Activities- If you will be staying in Costa Rica longer, a Sol Encounter guide will be available for advice, trip planning and general information.

Register for the River Expedition before September 30th, 2004 and get $100 off each space reserved. Deposits must be received by Sol Encounter on or before this date to receive discount. Full and final payment must be received by November1st.

All dates and itineraries are subject to changed based on safety conditions and local festivals/holidays to enhance your adventure and cultural experience.

All meals included in this itinerary are as mentioned. Please budget for 2 lunches and 5 dinners not included.