Rafting Pacuare River One Day from Turrialba
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
San Jose, Costa Rica
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Take a whitewater rafting trip down the Pacuare River with a professional guide to lead the way. You'll travel around 29 kilometers (18 miles), conquering a variety of rapids ranging from class II to class V. At the end of your tour, you'll sit down to dine on a typical Costa Rican lunch.
- Go rafting with a professional guide
- Transportation from select hotels is available
- Lunch is included in the price of the tour
- All safety equipment will be provided
What's Included
- We provide helmts, life vests, paddles!
- LunchWe provide a Typical Costarrican lunch at the end of the trip!
- Private transportation
- Alcoholic BeveragesFor safety reasons we do not permit alchoholic beverages on the trip!
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.8:00 am
What To Expect
1
Pacuare River
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Annalaura_v
Amazing experience. They picked me up from my hotel in Turrialba and it was about 1 hour drive to the starting point. The guides are all fun and knowledgeable and there is a great vibe. I was a solo traveller but felt welcomed in the group. I never did rafting before and I was a bit nervous but the guide explained everything clearly and guided the boat in such a way that we all felt safe and had lots of fun! The river is so beautiful, and you have a very special way to explore it through rafting.
I am glad I did this and if I was staying longer I would have done it again!
Reviews
4.9
based on 344 reviews
Annalaura_v, Mar 2026
Amazing experience. They picked me up from my hotel in Turrialba and it was about 1 hour drive to the starting point. The guides are all fun and knowledgeable and there is a great vibe. I was a solo traveller but felt welcomed in the group. I never did rafting before and I was a bit nervous but the guide explained everything clearly and guided the boat in such a way that we all felt safe and had lots of fun! The river is so beautiful, and you have a very special way to explore it through rafting.
I am glad I did this and if I was staying longer I would have done it again!
Crystal_W, Mar 2026
What a great experience. We had the greatest time. The guide and the photographer were amazing. Several times we were able to jump in the water and float. We felt very safe. We stopped at a small waterfall and swimming hole. River difficulty rating class was 2 to 4. Make sure you wear sunscreen, and some type of shoes you can get wet and secure like water shoes don’t bring flip-flops or crocs you will lose them. You have a break where they feed you fresh fruit and then at the end you get a great Costa Rican meal 10 out of 10 recommend. You will not regret it if you book this.
Heather_M, Jan 2026
3 out of 4 of us were first time rafters, so were a little nervous about this experience, as the rapids were graded at 2-4, but we needn't have worried. We were looked after by our guide from start to finish. He gave us clear and basic instructions throughout, so easy to follow & he definitely helped stear us away from danger! The views were incredible and our guide pointed out animals along the way (we saw toucans, herons and vultures). Also, he taught us about the local indigenous people and other interesting things about Costa Rica. About half way round we did a short walk to a pretty pool where we had a dip and some fresh fruit, which was a lovely break for us. At the end of the rafting we had a delicious lunch of pork, rice and vegetables with a juice. The meal was a large portion, so you get your money's worth! Also 1 of our party is gluten intolerant & another vegetarian. We told the organisers before the day, but both were catered for without any issue. Another boat travels with you to take high quality photographs. We've bought the package and can't wait to see the photos again!
Beata_M, Dec 2025
Safe profesional the best. Team was very well prepared. They guide as safely. I strongly recommend them.
Yael_B, Aug 2025
My son had a fantastic time. I didn't go along, but after meeting the people involved I felt confident that they'd take care of my boy!
Sarah_B, Jul 2025
The amazing: the white water was wonderful. There were enough heart-pumping level 4 rapids to get the adrenaline going, and many many milder rapids too. A calm steep-sided gorge stretch where we could jump in and float downriver was a delightful antidote to the bum-clenching drops of some of the other rapids. Definitely to be recommended.
The good: our guide Adriano was great fun and instilled a strong sense of teamwork. He produced fresh fruit at the halfway point stop, which was delicious. There was also a safety kayaker/photographer who accompanied the group and took hundreds of photos that can be bought at $60 per boat (can be shared between different families/groups if there is more than just your group) - this was the price in July 2025.
Delicious typical local ‘casado’ lunch awaited at the end of the rafting, after a chance to shower and change into dry clothes.
The ‘could be better’: Safety briefings beforehand were cursory - and we were only instructed on how to recover someone from the water after it had happened to the other boat in our party. And no briefing on what to do if you fell out in a rapid. Really that info should be given before setting off - and this is the reason I am giving only 4 stars. Because as a rafting experience it is top notch, and I stress that the guide was great fun and skilful. Just the safety side needs to be better - a few minutes more briefing is all that is required.
The weather was terrible the day we did it but don’t let that out you off - you’re gonna get wet anyway!
We also saw lots of birds on the river and a distant sloth.
Go dressed ready for the water and with your dry things and towel already packed away as not much time or facilities for changing at the start. There is a toilet though.
Harvey_H, Jul 2025
Excellent river guide and experience. Our 3rd time on these rapids. Best crew yet. Best included food we've ever had after the rafting. 10 out of 10.
Joann_L, Jun 2025
It was exceptional with the guides, equipment, GORGEOUS! And even the 77 year old granny did great!! Amazing!!
Aidan_W, Apr 2025
Really good tour! Very well organised, includes free food, and really good value.
The organiser & tour guide reached out on WhatsApp ahead of time and was very attentive and helpful to all questions & queries.
Michel_B, Nov 2024
Very well organized, super friendly guides and the place was just magnificent! Lunch was also excellent.
vicki_d, Oct 2024
We had a Fantastic day. There were Lots of good rapids and Beautiful scenery. The guides were great - really good fun!
Carlos_T, Sep 2024
Wow, what an amazing experience. It’s a must do if you’re in Costa Rica! Rafting the Pacuare is an experience I won’t soon forget. We are a family of four and we were able to do it without too much rafting experience. Our guide was great! The lunch at the end might have been the best chicken I’ve had (definitely the best in Costa Rica, so far). Pura Vida!
Patricia_L, Aug 2024
My 3 grandchildren, ages 20, 17, and 15 went on this trip and had a great time. They were exhilarated and exhausted when I picked them up in the late afternoon, and talked about their “best time ever” all through dinner. They thought their guide was “the best”, the lunch was “really good”, and enjoyed the down time swimming. Judging by their superlatives, I would highly recommend this trip!
Marvin_M, Jun 2024
We’re not the most adventurous and had second thoughts about doing this but I’m so glad we did. Our three boys absolutely loved it and are still talking about it days later. It’s truly a must do but it is quite a work out and you will be tired afterward and maybe sore the next day. The snack break in between was much needed. The lunch that was made for us afterward was one of the best meals we had in Costa Rica.
Maroof_A, Mar 2024
Our guide Ariel was very knowledgeable of the rapids and had a good sense of humor. We enjoyed the trip very much. The tour operators were very responsive to our questions and were very accommodating. Highly recommend!!
jumith20, Mar 2024
If you’re ever in Costa Rica, this is a must
Our tour guide was awesome from beginning to end. We drove from San Jose to the meeting point, from there we left our car there and drove on the tour bus.
From the moment we got to the rafting place, it was a go, no time wasting. Our tour guide made the trip so memorable with the history lessons and the jokes, it was simply a trip to remember. I’m not gonna lie to you, it’s a very active excursion, we had snacks in between, be prepared to be tired at the end but it’s worth it, the food at the end was incredible. Overall book it, it’s worth it.
Jordan_L, Dec 2023
Don’t hesitate to book this activity. Value is very worth it. Firstly you have to arrange transportation going to and leaving Turrialba, but, once you get to their office; they will pick you up and drive you to the site. Very fun guides, Ariel and Fernando were fun and also very accommodating. They also took so many great pictures and there is no pressure to buy after. Dont lose your slippers! Good meal at the end.
Diederik_V, Nov 2023
The rafting was wild and amazing. Nature on the river was stunning.
Our guide Fernando ensured an awesome experience by giving lots of information about wildlife and points of interest in the scenery. Furthermore, he was very competent in captaining the raft and giving instructions, making me feel quite safe.
The food at the end of the tour was high quality.
Dylan_K, Jul 2023
Saved rafting with adrenalina until our last day. Correct decision. Fernando and Ariel were fantastic. Made you feel safe at all times and really made the experience amazing. The pictures we bought were absolutely amazing. It is a full on day and you’re shattered by the end of it but one of the highlights of our trip.
Simona_P, Feb 2023
Beautiful rafting experience.
Pacuare river is gorgeous, as is the surrounding nature.
We had an entertaining, but experienced guide. We had lots of fun duorng the day!
Florence_P, Feb 2023
Rafting the Pecuare should absolutely be on anyone's list when visiting Costa Rica if you like rafting. This place is a gem! Great friendly guides, great price.
PhilipJames_W, Jan 2023
Absolutely excellent day on the Pacuare River. A perfect mix of adrenaline and tranquillity in beautiful scenery. Our guide, Angel, was highly skilled and great fun.
Johan_M, Jun 2025
Great rafting experience, amazing speeds and a great guide for the 4 hours. Lunch was also delicious. Highly recommended.
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Gisele_M, Mar 2025
A organização do passeio foi ótima. Não tinha gente o suficiente na nossa agência e eles nos realocaram para outra, mas isso não comprometeu a experiência.
Equipamentos estavam de acordo para proporcionar uma boa experiência. O guia foi super simpático e preocupado com nossa segurança. Ele também compartilhou alguns conhecimentos conosco sobre alguns animais que avistamos no caminho.
Só não dei 5 estrelas porque achamos que seria mais radical. Talvez o nível do rio estivesse muito baixo e proporcionou corredeiras mais tranquilas.
ALAIN_P, Feb 2025
C est bien simple,nous avons passé une journée extraordinaire....De celle dont on se souvient longtemps,
Tout a été parfait et la descente du Rio Pacuare est spectaculaire.
Emotions,frissons et rigolade au rendez vous avec un guide tout en maitrise.
Merci a l équipe de Adrenalina pour ce grand moment
Amilcar_B, Apr 2024
Passeio.maravilhoso, divertido, guia Ariel profissional no manejo do bote e muito comunicativo e divertido. Bom almoço no final.
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