Costa Rica offers some of the best white water rafting in the world. Whether you’re looking for an easy going ride or thrilling rapids, there are rivers to fulfill every adventurer’s needs. There is one in particular that has made headlines around the world and that is Pacuare River.
If you want for the ultimate Costa Rica white water rafting trip, we have an awesome deal for you. Save $5 off your Pacuare River white water rafting trip!
Pacuare River, Costa Rica White Water Rafting Discount
The Pacuare rafting tour is an incredible tour that allows you to experience a unique part of Costa Rica and embark on an exciting outdoor adventure. Want to see what the rafting is like? Read our 1 day white water rafting post to learn more! Please also read our FAQ below.
Original price per person is $111.87, with our discount it is $106.87 with all taxes and fees included.
The tour includes round trip transportation, bilingual rafting guide, safety equipment, rafting gear, breakfast and lunch.
This rate is valid until October 31, 2025. (if you are booking for after that date, we will send you the updated rate).
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Pacuare River White Water Rafting Discount FAQ
Where is included for the free pick up and drop off?
They offer complimentary pick ups and drop offs in and around San Jose downtown, La Sabana Park and near the SJO airport (the San Jose/Heredia side, not in Alajuela).
There are some additional costs if the hotel you are staying at is outside the zone such as Finca Rosa Blanca, Xandari, Vista del Valle, Hyatt Pinares and Martino Resort (some examples) in San Jose. If you are staying outside the free transportation zones, please enter your hotel information for us to check the logistics of transportation and how much is the extra fee (or you will go to the closest hotel to pick up).
For La Fortuna, they offer transportation from downtown La Fortuna to Tabacon Resort and surrounding hotels close to downtown.
For Puerto Viejo, they offer transportation from Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Chiquita and Punta Uva.
They cannot pick up at Airbnbs or vacation rentals, only hotels and hostels.
If I get picked up and dropped off in different places, what happens to my luggage?
You will store your luggage at the operation office while you do the tour. After the rafting, you will go back to the operation office to change, have lunch and pick up your luggage.
What Kind of Shoes are Required?
The best shoes are either closed toed hiking sandals or water shoes. We highly recommend a closed toed shoe for more protection for your toes as your feet will be inside the foot holders of the raft. If you have open toed sandals, your toes will get more smashed.
If you have sandals, they must have a heel strap and a strap on the front such as Chacos, KEENs or Teva sandals.
What if I’ve never rafted before? Do I need rafting experience to go on this trip?
No worries! You don’t need to have professional rafting experience to do the Rio Pacuare trips. I never white water rafted in anything higher than Class 2 rapids and I did both 1 and 2 day trips and loved it. It was the first time rafting ever for many of the people we met on our tours and they had a blast!
The instructors are highly knowledgeable and experienced in rafting. They are all Costa Ricans, in fact most of them are Pacuare River locals and have been rafting this river for a number of years and been guides for many years. They know this river inside and out.
You will get a thorough safety lesson and paddling instructions before the tour. It’s important to follow your guide’s instructions and more importantly, have fun!
I’m a bit nervous, how big do the rapids get?
The Costa Rica white water rafting Rio Pacuare tour starts off with only Class 1-2 rapids (small waves, straightforward moving water) and you will run into a few Class 3 and 4 rapids near the end. You may also get a couple Class 4+ when the river is particularly full.
Class 3 and 4 rapids are considered intermediate to advanced and are a ton of fun to raft through. Your guide will keep a careful eye the entire time as safety is the most important thing, they know how to maneuver through the rapids and keep everyone safe and happy.
You can watch our video to see what the 1 day white water rafting trip is like.
Can I do this tour with my kids? Is there an age limit?
Absolutely! I would say this is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica for families in fact! Teenagers would have an absolute blast.
There is an age limit for the tours, kids must be at least 12 years of age and kids must be at least 110 lbs (50 kilos) and 4 foot 9 inches (150 cm).
How long is the 1 day rafting trip?
The 1 day trip takes around 3.5 – 5 hours and you raft 26 fun kilometers (16 miles) down the river. The day starts bright and early, getting picked up around 5 AM and coming back in the late afternoon depending on traffic.
Orchid says
How does the rainy season affect the rafting experience? Stronger rapids? You also say, they go “weather permitting.” What exactly does that mean?
Do you have to book the rafting tour in advance or is it also possible to go there in the morning and participate? Thanks!
Sammi says
Rainy season does have stronger rapids since the river is fuller. If there is a tropical wave, storm/hurricane/strong winds or the river is too full, they will not operate the tour. You have to book the tour in advance since they need to prepare equipment and schedules.
Jesse says
Does this tour still come with transportation? I talked to Pacuare recently and they said all trip participants have to meet at a point nearly 2 hours from San Jose.
Sammi says
Yes it does but our partner isn’t Pacuare, so I’m not sure about the regulations of that company.
Jennifer Hannon says
We are arriving at 1PM on a Thursday in April and are thinking of the 2 day tour. First of all, would you recommend a 2 day tour or is the 1 day tour enough? Second, we will be renting a car and a I am looking to minimize travel time so was thinking of driving closer to the river to spend the first night. Where would you recommend so that we can go to a waterfall or take a short hike on the day we arrive? Guapiles? Or somewhere closer? Or should we just stay in San Jose to use their transportation? (Thinking of safety of the rental car at the operations center). Thank you!!!!
Sammi says
You can drive to the tour operator’s operation center and leave your car there during your trip whether it’s 1 or 2 days. 2 days is nice if you want to see and experience more of the river but it not necessary if your main plan is to raft and have limited days.
Tara says
How far of a drive is the river from the SJO area airports? Thanks!
Sammi says
About 2.5 hours
Cathryn says
Hi
I’m thinking of doing this trip in August with my 2 kids (20 and 17), pickup in Puerto Viejo, drop off in La Fortuna.
Do you have rough prices for this?
Also prices for if we just do the rafting and organise our own transport as we may stay in the area for a while.
Lastly, I may not do the rafting (medical history). What would be the price for me to be transported but just wait while the kids do the rafting?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Cathryn, the prices in August will be $106,92 USD per person, $101.92 USD with our $5 discount. Let me check regarding if you don’t do the rafting and just transportation, we will get back to you via email.
Barbara says
Hi! We’d also like to transfer from puerto viejo with a raft to la fortuna – how does that look with a luggage? We’re planing to travel without a car (as in your suggested itinerary) and have a backpack about 10kg /22lbs. Would it also be transfered with us?
Sammi says
Hi Barbara, we have sent you an email with more information.
Tian says
Is the tour running on Dec 14? We’ll choose pickup at San Jose and drop-off at Volcano Lodge at La Fortuna. How long is the tour including transportation time? Does the tour include any meal? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hello, please fill out the form on this page or contact us for more information (https://mytanfeet.com/contact-us/). The form also shows what is included in the 1 day trip
Derya says
Hello, I would like to ask if this is still valid? We will be in CR in December 2021 and we want to purchase this one day trip. Plan looks amazing and transportation is a big plus (our plan is from Puerto Viejo to La Fortuna). Is it safe to leave our backpacks during the activity? I want to book the hotels and further transports according to this but can you please inform me on which days in December 2021 do they plan this trip?
Love,
Derya
Sammi says
Hi Derya, they’ll run this tour everyday (weather permitting) and for your luggage and belongings, they’ll be left at the tour company’s operation center in their safe storage area while you’re rafting. If you have any other questions you can enter them in the comment section.
Bill Johnson says
I have a 9 year old, do you have an aggressive white water rafting experience that can include her?
Sammi says
There is one from La Fortuna that is Class 2 and 3 that has a 8 year minimum age. This is our post about it: https://mytanfeet.com/activities/la-fortuna-white-water-rafting-balsa-river-rafting/
PHILLIP says
I want to do white water rafting from Tamarindo to La Fortuna. I am one person. Any assistance would be welcome.
Sammi says
Unfortunately we don’t know of any who picks up in Tamarindo and drops off in La Fortuna, only from Tamarindo or from La Fortuna.
Sammi says
Hello Matt, right now our partner Rios Tropicales isn’t operating in January or offering interconnections but we can help you book the tour with the interconnection with another partner. You can fill out the form.