PACUARE 1-DAY TRIP We have daily departures from San José, the Caribbean Coast and the Arenal Volcano, giving you the choice to start and finish at the place of your convenience. Half way between these locations is our Exploration Center, a private base for our river trips and our Tortuguero Expeditions. PACUARE RIVER 1-DAY EXPEDITION This is the Premier River of Costa Rica RATE: $99.00 USD Difficulty: Class III-IV Distance: 30 kms/18 miles Number of rapids: 38 Approximate river time: 4 hours Minimum age: 12 years DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION San Jose, Puerto Viejo or Arenal with option to change destination. DEPARTURE TIME 6:00 – 6:30 am , Pick- Ups in San José and Southern Caribbean Coast. In Arenal Pick-Ups start earlier, approximately  5:20 – 5:40 a.m. RETURN TIME Approximately 5:30 PM. WEAR Come with rafting cloths on (light shoes that will stay on, swim suit, shorts,nylon shirt) sunscreen, water bottle, change of clothes, towel, insect repellent, and a credit card to buy photos, souvenirs or drinks. All luggage will be kept in lockers. INCLUDED Breakfast Lunch Transportation to/from San Jose, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna town (hotels outside La Fortuna have extra cost) The Pacuare River is one of the best choices for your adventure treks in Costa Rica. No other trip in the country exists that offers you a perfect blend of wilderness exposure and excitement, all in one day. Pacuare is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Here you enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the realness of being connected with nature. You see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right over your head. Amazing views of this virgin tropical rainforestarea, appear before your eyes as you descend this true exploratory land. Wildlife is abundant, with sloth, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies and colorful frogs being common sights. The white water that is equally exciting. It is not an overly challenging river, but it has a lot rapids, therefore giving you an adventure filled with lots of fun. The 18 mile one day run includes a total of 52 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many. Upon arrival to the river we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle and then briefyou with a full safety orientation talk. Finally, it is time to take off down the rapids! The first 4 miles consist of fun class II-III rapids which is a perfect time to test your new river skills and gain confidence in your team. Here you can find pockets of secondary growth forest that is extremely beautiful. After about 40 minutes we will enter the famous Pacuare River Gorge, which is 5 miles of some of the best white water Costa Rica has to offer. The rapids here are “Terciopelo snake”, “Double drop”, “Upper and Lower Huacas”, “Pin ball” toname a few. You will also see the Huacas watefall, a 150 foot dramatic drop into the river. After the gorge the rivers opens up to a 5 mile stretch on the Valle del Pacuare, where the river has a different character. It is wide open, which gives you the opportunity to rest a bit and take the opportunity to do some wildlife spotting. The main rapids here are “Cimarrones”, “The Play Hole”, “El Indio” and “Magnetic Rock”. The forest remains just as lush, and the rapids just as fun. We finish in Siquirres, at our own private Exploration Center where you can take a shower, change and enjoy the gardens and terrace while having a beer or two and reflecting with your new friends about the great adventure you just shared. Approximate Itinerary for our EL Carmen Section River Expeditions 6:00 – 6:30 am Pick- Ups in San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area. In Arenal Pick-Ups start earlier, approximately 5:20 – 5:40 a.m. 6:30 – 8:15 am In route San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area – “Exploration Center” (Siquirres) 8:15 – 9:00 am Breakfast at the Exploration Center. 9:00 – 9:30 pm Route Exploration Center – River access 10:15 pm Preparation for the Descent (safety orientation, paddle practice) 10:30 – 2:00 pm River Descent (including lunch) 2:00 – 3:00 pm Arrival at our “Exploration Center” with time to shower, change clothes, enjoy a beverage and reflect on the adventure just shared. 3:00 – 5:00 pm In Route “Exploration Center” – San José, Southern Caribbean Coast and Arenal Volcano Area Note: Get a Promotion Code by driving yourself there