Costa Rica Hotels Wildlife

COSTA RICA WHITE WATER

We're the Finest & Safest

Costa Rica may well have more world class rafting rivers per square mile than any other country in the world. It was this unique national treasure that first attracted Costa Rica Expeditions' founder, Michael Kaye, to Costa Rica more than 20 years ago. Two decades later, the Pacuare and the Reventazón Rivers are an important source of income for nearby communities.

  

WhiteWaterRafting
Costa Rica Expeditions (now known as Costa Rica White Water) was the first white water company in Costa Rica and was responsible for performing exploratory expeditions on all of Costa Rica's most popular and commercially run white water rivers. Our operation adheres to the absolute highest standards of safety (this is not just P.R., but rather a driving force) and our equipment includes custom made Demaree inflatable self-bailing boats, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, helmets and paddles. Costa Rica White Water was our first love and we have chosen to give ourselves the luxury of operating the finest rafting trips in Costa Rica regardless of economic considerations. While other white water rafting companies (most of which trace their roots to Costa Rica Expeditions) have focused on growth, with as many as 50 rafts, Costa Rica Expeditions has intentionally forgone market share by choosing to limit ourselves to 7 rafts and focus on quality.

 We asked our good friend Dave Demaree, the premier inflatable raft designer in the U.S., to design and build customized rafts ideal for our rivers exclusively for Costa Rica White Water.

Our staff includes the 7 best River Guides in Costa Rica. We pay our River Guides more than anybody else. We give our guides, who actually run the river operation, more freedom than anybody else. In return, our River Guides, all bilingual Costa Ricans, (read the note at the bottom of the page) take full responsibility for the quality of the entire operation and continuously deliver a uniquely satisfying white water experience. Safety, above all else, is of paramount importance.

Continuous training is a way of life and providing Legendary Service and Unforgettable Memories is a conscious daily challenge.

Our direction is simple and clear: never more than 7 rafts always getting better.

Note: Occasionally, non-Costa Rican guest guides who have learned our rivers are invited to work with us so that our River Guides and rafters can benefit from experience gained in other countries. During our low season, Costa Rica White Water Guides occasionally travel outside of Costa Rica to run rivers in other countries.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Water level and level of difficulty can vary significantly throughout the year. We reserve the right to change any trip to another river if the levels are too low or too high.

ONE DAY WHITE WATER

Letter Codes: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, RG=River Guide
Fixed Departure Dates: All day trips depart daily with a minimum of 4 people


SARAPIQUI: CLASS: I-II
Year Round
Minimum age: 6 years
Length: 18 miles

Early morning pick up by your bilingual River Guide at your San Jose hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue to our put-in location at Chilamate. Total drive time to the put-in location is approximately 2 hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Stop for picnic lunch on the riverbank. Total river time is approximately 2˝ hours. Mid-afternoon take-out followed by an approximately 2˝ hour drive back to San Jose via the Braulio Carrillo National Park (BL)(RG)
$69.00 p/person


SARAPIQUI: CLASS II-III
Year Round
Minimum age: 9 years
Length: 9 miles

A trip for first time rafters. Early morning pick up by your bilingual River Guide at your San Jose hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue to our put-in location at La Virgen de Sarapiqui. Total drive time to the put-in location is approximately 2˝ hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Stop for a picnic lunch on the riverbank. Total river time is approximately 2˝ hours. Mid-afternoon take-out followed by an approximately 2˝ hour drive back to San Jose via the Braulio Carrillo National Park. (BL)(RG)
$69.00 p/person


REVENTAZON FLORIDA: CLASS II-III
Year Round
Minimum age: 9 years
Length: 9 miles

The trip for first time rafters. Exciting but forgiving rapids in a tropical setting. Early morning pick up by your bilingual River Guide at your San Jose hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue to our put-in location on the Siquirres section of the Reventazon. Total drive time to put in location is approximately 2-˝ hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Stop for a picnic lunch on the riverbank. Mid-afternoon take-out followed by an approximately 2˝ hour drive back to San Jose via the Braulio Carrillo National Park. (BL)(RG)
$69.00 p/person


REVENTAZÓN POWER HOUSE RUN: CLASS III–IV
Year Round
Minimum age: 15 years
Length: 6 miles + 9 miles of Reventazón Tucurrique

We put-in at the spillway of a hydroelectric powerhouse and the action never stops for the next 3 miles. This is one constant rapid and experience is required. Early morning pick up by your bilingual River Guide at your San José hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue to our put-in location. Total drive time is approximately 1˝ hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Total river time is approximately 4 hours. Mid-afternoon take-out followed by short drive to our lunch stop at a typical Costa Rican restaurant. Total drive time back to San José is approximately 2 hours. (BL)(RG)
$80.00 p/person


REVENTAZÓN PASCUA RUN: CLASS III–IV
Year Round
Minimum age 15 years
Length: 13 miles

When you reach the take-out, you will have had enough white water for one day. Pascua will challenge your skills and cleanse your spirit. Experienced paddlers only. A written statement of experience may be required. Early morning pick-up by your bilingual River Guide at your San José hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue to our put-in location. Total drive time to put-in location is approximately 3 hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Picnic lunch on the riverbank. Total river time is approximately 4 hours depending on the water level. Mid-afternoon take-out followed by an approximately 2˝ hour drive back to San Jose via the Braulio Carrillo National Park. (BL) (RG)
$85.00 p/person


REVENTAZÓN GUAYABO RUN: CLASS IV–V
Minimum Age: 18 years
Length: 8 miles

This section of the Reventazón River is one of Costa Rica's wildest rides and must be experienced to be believed. A written statement of experience (or previous experience with CRE) and a signed order of release form are required. Our other river runs are basically safe with more or less controlled risk. The Guayabo run is dangerous. That’s what makes it so good for a select group of white water adrenaline lovers. Depending on water levels and the ability of the group, the right is reserved for the Head River Guide to decide to run another section of river.

Early morning pick-up by your bilingual River Guide at your San José hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue to our put-in location at La Angostura in Turrialba. Total drive time to the put-in location is approximately 2 hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Total river time is approximately 4 hours. Afternoon take-out followed by an approximately 3˝ hour drive back to San José via Braulio Carrillo National Park. (BL)(RG)
$85.00 p/person


ONE-DAY PACUARE: CLASS III–IV
Minimum age: 12 years
Length: 18 miles

The most beautiful river canyon in the tropics will bewitch the adventuresome beginner and the experienced rafter alike. The Pacuare River cuts through one of those rare pockets of wilderness left on the planet. For maximum appreciation, we recommend a 2-day trip.

Early morning pick-up at your San José hotel. Stop en route for a typical Costa Rican breakfast and then continue on to Tres Equis where you will switch to a 4x4 shuttle to take you down to the put-in location. (Depending on road conditions, you may be required to walk for no more than 1 mile.) Total drive time to put-in location is approximately 3˝ hours. After an orientation and safety talk proceed down the river. Picnic lunch on the riverbank. Total river time is approximately 5 hours depending on the water level. Afternoon take-out in Siquirres followed by an approximately 2 hour drive back to San José via Braulio Carrillo National Park. (BL)(RG)
$89.00 p/person

 

INCLUDES:
Round trip transportation from San José, meals as indicated, all rafting equipment including U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets and helmets, the services of a professional River Guide. On multi-day trips, community camping equipment, sleeping pads and sheets are also provided.
Importat notefor kayakers: We do not provide spray skirt nor paddle but they are available at extra cost.