Pacuare River Rafting from San Jose: 52 rapids

The Pacuare River Gorge drops 52 rapids into a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of the run.

Pacuare River whitewater rafting from San Jose is an 18-mile guided activity on one of Costa Rica's premier rivers, combining class II-III rapids with rainforest scenery, wildlife spotting and a jungle gorge. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a professional bilingual guide, all equipment, breakfast and lunch. Minimum age is 12. Moderate fitness is required.

The experience

What makes the Pacuare stand out is the gorge itself. After the first 4 miles of class II-III rapids warm you up, you enter a 5-mile stretch where the canyon walls close in and the river narrows. The rapids here have names (Terciopelo Snake, Double Drop, Upper and Lower Huacas, Pin Ball), and they come fast. Halfway through, the Huacas Waterfall drops 150 feet straight into the river. The gorge is the reason people book this run instead of a dozen other rivers in the country.

The day starts with hotel pickup from San Jose and a drive to the put-in. Your guide is bilingual and stays with your group the whole way. You get breakfast before launching, then spend the morning and early afternoon on the water. The first section builds your confidence, the gorge tests your timing, and the final 5 miles flatten out into the Valle del Pacuare, where the current slows and you can actually spot the wildlife the jungle holds: sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis. The river broadens here and the rapids ease, though spots like Cimarrones and Magnetic Rock keep the paddle work honest. You finish in Siquirres, where there's a shower, a change of clothes, and a terrace where you can sit with a beer and decompress before the drive back.

All equipment comes with you: helmet, life jacket, paddle, the raft itself. Lunch is included on the river. The whole day runs 12 hours door to door, which sounds long until you realize how much river that covers. You need to be at least 12 years old and in moderate physical shape. The rapids demand steady paddling and the heat and exertion add up over the afternoon.

What’s included

• All rafting equipment including helmet and life jacket.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose.
• professional guide fluent in English and Spanish.
• breakfast before the run.
• lunch on the river.
• shower and change facilities at the finish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 32

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costa Rica Groups Travel Company

Is this one for you?Choose this shared group tour if you want a guide making all navigation calls while you focus on paddling through 52 rapids and canyon scenery. The guide handles river decisions so you can concentrate on the technical progression from class II-III whitewater.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

70 verified traveler reviews

5 ★62

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★2

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many rapids are actually on the Pacuare River run?

The Pacuare River route includes 52 rapids across the 18-mile journey. The Pacuare River Gorge section alone concentrates the most technical ones, including Terciopelo Snake, Double Drop, and the Huacas rapids, with the Huacas Waterfall dropping 150 feet into the river at the heart of the gorge.

What's the difference between the rapids in the gorge and the rest of the river?

The first 4 miles feature class II-III rapids that build your skills in secondary forest. The Pacuare River Gorge, a 5-mile stretch, is where the canyon walls narrow and the rapids intensify with names like Pin Ball and Magnetic Rock, punctuated by the Huacas Waterfall. Beyond the gorge, the Valle del Pacuare widens into a calmer 5-mile section ideal for spotting wildlife like sloths and toucans, though rapids continue at a gentler pace.

Do I need to be an experienced rafter to do this?

No. The Pacuare River route is designed to progress: the first section builds your confidence with class II-III rapids before you enter the gorge. You need moderate physical fitness and to be at least 12 years old, but the guide handles the technical decisions and your group paddles together.

What animals might I see on the river?

The Pacuare River runs through rainforest, and the calmer Valle del Pacuare section in the final 5 miles is where wildlife spotting happens. Sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis, and vibrant frogs live in the canopy and along the banks, though sightings depend on the time of day and season.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The Pacuare River rafting includes hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose, a professional bilingual guide, all rafting equipment (helmet, life jacket, paddle, raft), breakfast before the run, and lunch on the river. Bring a change of clothes, water shoes or sandals that won't slip, sunscreen, and a towel. You'll shower and change in Siquirres before heading back.

How long is the whole day, and when does it start?

The full experience is 12 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the drive to and from the river, breakfast, the 18-mile paddle, lunch, and a shower break in Siquirres. Your guide will confirm the exact pickup time when you book.