Costa Rica Hotels Wildlife


RÌos Tropicales was created in 1985 to share the beauty and abundant white water of the rivers of Costa Rica with the rest of the world. Our commitment to high quality, safety and personable service have helped us become the largest white water rafting and sea kayaking outfitter in Latin America. RÌos Tropicales has been recognized internationally for its efforts in conservation, reforestation and education of the local population.

Pacuare III-IV Reventazon III-V River Kayaking Sea Kayaking

One Day PACUARE RIVER (CLASS III-IV)

San MartÌn to Siquirres (18 miles)   A trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, exuberant wildlife and spectacular rapids. A quintessential tropical river -- its densely vegetated gorges shelter jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths and an incredible variety of birds and butterflies. Also found within these gorges is some of the best whitewater in the world. Two day and three day trips also available. Your stay at our rustic lodge will be unforgettable.

US$90.00/person

PACUARE RIVER
2 DAYS/1 NIGHT

DAY 1

Early morning pick you up at your hotel (Exact pick up time is given at the time of the reservation). After a 2 1/2 hour drive, past several picturesque valleys we arrive at our put in point. Here our guides will help load your gear into dry bags, prepare the equipment raft and undergo a precise safety and paddle talk.

This first day provide an amazing welcome to the Pacuare gorge its rapids and beauty. Depending on water levels our arrival at Rios Tropicales Lodge will come as a surprise.

You can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking, soaking in waterfalls or simply wondering around. Our Lodge, "Cabecar Indians Style" bungalows, offers all the sleeping comforts you need. Enough energy is created by our own self-sufficient hydro plant. (B,L,D)

DAY 2
Don't worry about wake up time, the beauty of the light through the forestt, the sound of the toucans and the smell of coffee will get you going.

After loading our gear-boats, prepare to paddle through the spectacular gorge of Rio Pacuare with amazing rapids, waterfalls, bird-life, butterflies and more.
Lunch is served along the river. You will never forget rapids like: Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more. At our private take-out bathrooms, changing rooms, cold drinks and bocas are available. Drive back to San Jose or continue enjoying Costa Rica's Caribbean. (B,L)

US$250.00/person

PACUARE RIVER
3 DAYS/2 NIGHTS

DAY 1

Early morning pick you up at your hotel (Exact pick up time is given at the time of the reservation). After a 2 1/2 hour drive, past several picturesque valleys we arrive at our put in point. Here our guides will help load your gear into dry bags, prepare the equipment raft and undergo a precise safety and paddle talk.

This first day provide an amazing welcome to the Pacuare gorge its rapids and beauty. Depending on water levels our arrival at Rios Tropicales Lodge will come as a surprise.

You can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking, soaking in waterfalls or simply wondering around. Our Lodge, "Cabecar Indians Style" bungalows, offers all the sleeping comforts you need. Enough energy is created by our own self-sufficient hydro plant. (B,L,D)

DAY 2
This day is designed to remain at the lodge and enjoy its beautiful surroundings. If good long rainforest hiking is what you want, our expert trail guides will plan a 5 hour hike into Garcias' Indian Village. Experience the side of the Pacuare few people know! Overnight at our Lodge. (B,L,D)

DAY 3
Don't worry about wake up time, the beauty of the light through the forest, the sound of the toucans and the smell of coffee will get you going.

After loading our gear-boats, prepare to paddle through the spectacular gorge of Rio Pacuare with amazing rapids, waterfalls, bird-life, butterflies and more.
Lunch is served along the river. You will never forget rapids like: Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more. At our private take-out bathrooms, changing rooms, cold drinks and bocas are available. Drive back to San Jose or continue enjoying Costa Rica's Caribbean. (B,L)

US$305.00/person

The Reventazon River's Specialists!

FLORIDA SECTION (CLASS III)

Florida to San Alberto (10 miles). Exciting rapids, beautiful rainforest and lowland tropical forest, and plentiful wildlife, will treat first-time paddlers to a unique and wet experience. Early departure from San JosÈ -- traveling through the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park. After our safety orientation, at our private put-in, the first rapid will set the pace of more to come. This is the fastest and finest 10 miles of Class III rapids you will ever paddle! Big waves, hydraulics, wildlife, primary rainforest mountain walls and our delicious river buffet will make this one-day adventure unforgettable!

US$70.00/person

PERALTA SECTION (CLASS V)

Angostura to Peralta (9 miles). Legendary for its big water and big drops, this section of the Reventazon contains some of the heaviest whitewater in Central America. For experts only, from December through May.

US$90.00/person

PASCUA SECTION (CLASS IV)

Peralta to Siquirres (15 miles). An adrenaline-charged, exciting and scenic trip for paddlers with some experience. For those who have paddled with us before, a must! Paddle through rapids known as THE NORTH SEA or HORRENDITO, feel the thrill of Class IV-IV+ rafting. All participants must be in good physical condition and ready to remain active all day.

US$85.00/person

Guidelines for White Water Kayaking

EXPERIENCE

You should be an experienced Class III kayaker for the ReventazÛn River , and experienced Class III-IV kayaker for the Pacuare. All paddlers must interview directly with the RÌos Tropicales operations staff. Please call during office hours to speak with Minor Arroyo or Rafael Gallo. We will ask you about your river experience -- how many years you have been paddling, what rivers you have run, how recently have you been paddling, etc.

EQUIPMENT

Bring your own gear. We have plenty of kayaks, but no gear available. All kayakers must bring their own paddle, spray skirt, helmet and life vest. We also recommend that you bring your own throw bag and floatation bags as well. The "Centro de Aventuras" rents gear to experienced paddlers, with a deposit. 

KAYAKS

We have a wide variety of kayaks: Perception: Dancers, Dancer XS, Corsica,Corsica S; Dagger: Response, Crossfire; Prijon; T-Canyon, Piroutte 5 and more. Please advise us in advance what boat you would prefer so that we can confirm availability.


10 Days Package: US $1375.00/person

Sea Kayaking

With 635 miles of shoreline along the Pacific coast and 132 miles on the Caribbean, and both oceans fed by literally hundreds of rivers, Costa Rica offers unequaled opportunity to enjoy the rapidly growing sport of sea kayaking. Sea kayaking is a natural way to experience the beauty of Costa Rica. The sea kayak is a self propelled small craft devised by the ancient Eskimo tribes in the Arctic ocean and has evolved into a stable, efficient and extremely sea worthy craft which makes wildlife observation excellent and totally unobtrusive. No experience is necessary to control the kayak for the first time. The rudder and paddle are your tools for mastering the operation of this craft.

CURU SEA KAYAK
4 DAY/3 NIGHTS

DAY 1
We depart San Jose early to the Pacific Coast town of Puntarenas, where we board the ferry that will take us across the Gulf of Nicoya to Playa Paquera. From there, we drive to Cur™ National Wildlife Refuge. Upon arrival you will receive a safety briefing and instruction on paddling techniques. A short 45-minute paddle to our private camp at Playa Quesera will get us warmed up for the days to follow. Overnight camping at Playa Quesera. (B,L,D)

DAY 2-3
Cur™ National Wildlife Refuge and its surroundings offer a variety of activities. We will paddle around local islands, snorkel, observe wildlife, and have an option for kayak surfing and sea arch exploration. Of course there will be plenty of time to  relax and enjoy happy hour and excellent meals at Quesera in the evenings. At camp we may see local howler monkeys or kinkajous (a nocturnal raccoon-type mammal). Overnight at Quesera. (B,L,D)

DAY 4
Nearby Organos estuary is abundant with birds and different mangrove species. An adventurous early morning entry will take us into this diverse habitat for bird and wildlife viewing. After returning to the beach where we began our trip, and lunch, we return by ferry to Puntarenas where we meet our transport back to San JosÈ. (B,L)

US$600.00/person

9-Day Golfo Dulce Sea Kayaking
(Advanced)

DAY 1 Early flight from San JosÈ to Golfito (45 min.). Our trip begins at Hotel Las Gaviotas, on the edge of the Bay of Golfito. After packing provisions and camping gear in our kayaks, we begin our journey north to camp on a desolate beach. The dense jungle provides a great opportunity to observe wildlife without ever getting out of our kayaks.

DAY 2 & 3 We continue our journey and, after a calm morning paddle, we arrive at our campsite near RÌo Esquinas estuary. We have a layover day which allows us to hike the jungle trails and paddle up the estuary where the elusive Boat-billed Heron can be observed as well as other shorebirds. Camp at CaÒa Blanca.

DAY 4 Our first long crossing (15 km) to Puerto JimÈnez, where we stop to restock our provisions and continue south to Puntarenitas, a long sand spit from which dolphins can be spotted regularly. Camp at Puntarenitas.

DAY 5 & 6 From Puntarenitas we paddle south towards the tip of the Osa Peninsula. We round several points where surf may break on long shallow reefs from shore. Our destination is Playa Chocuano, where a beautiful beach becomes home for two nights. The wildlife here abounds with squirrel monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, and other species native to this region. Snorkeling, kayak surfing and beach combing are also good options during our stay in Chocuano.

DAY 7 Another long crossing (15 km) takes us to Pavones, an area which is well known by surfers because of its record as the second longest left-breaking wave in the world. Even though we may not land on this particular beach, the options are immense and our camp will be dependent upon accessibility and surf conditions.

DAY 8 This will be our longest paddling day (20 km) along a very extensive beach which ends at Punta Zancudo. Here we begin to see civilization where bars and restaurants are a welcome commodity. Camp at Zancudo.

DAY 9 Depending on tidal conditions we depart to the estuary taking us on our final paddling stretch back to Hotel Las Gaviotas. The jungle ride at Disneyland is nothing compared to this magical place teeming with wildlife. Upon arrival, we catch a plane back to San JosÈ.

 US$1370.00/person