Budget 2-Day Hiking Combo

San José Caribe Arenal Pacuare Hiking and Rafting 2-Day Trip

from $269 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 2 days
Meeting point: San José, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Exploradores Outdoors S.A

Overview

This two-day Pacuare trip from Exploradores Outdoors starts further upstream than most operators on the same river, which adds roughly 6.5 kilometers to the route and doubles the number of rapids you cover on day one. The first day is 13 kilometers of continuous class III whitewater with 14 rapids, finishing at the Pacuare River Lodge shortly after noon for lunch. Afternoons at the lodge are unstructured: optional hikes, river fishing, or a hammock in a primary forest setting. Nights are spent in walk-in safari tents set on wooden platforms, with modern toilets and showers on site.

Day two is the bigger water. After an early breakfast you paddle 23 kilometers through around 30 rapids, including all of the class IV sections on the itinerary. There are two stops, one for an exploratory hike and one for a riverside lunch. The trip ends in Siquirres at the operator's Exploration Center, where showers, changing rooms, gardens and a terrace await.

The tour suits travellers who want more than a single-day run: more river, a night in the rainforest, and guides who double as cooks, a detail several reviewers praised. Pickup and drop-off from San José, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna town is included, though hotels outside La Fortuna carry an extra cost, so confirm your point on the booking page. English and Spanish are spoken.

What's Included

Included

2 breakfast
2 lunches
1 dinner
1 night at Pacuare River Lodge
2 days of rafting with hikes
Insurance
Transportation to/from San Jose, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna town (hotels outside La Fortuna have extra cost)

Not Included

Personal expenses
Souvenir purchases

Itinerary

Hotel pickupVan pickup from your hotel or town in San José, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna town. Hotels outside La Fortuna have an extra cost.
Drive to upper put-inTransfer by van to an upper put-in used for overnight trips, which the operator says adds 6.5 kilometers of river compared with standard one-day launches.
Day one raftingPaddle 13 kilometers of class III whitewater through 14 rapids.
Arrive at Pacuare River LodgeArrive shortly past noon for lunch, with optional afternoon hikes, river fishing or hammock time.
Evening at the lodgeDinner at the main building, which looks directly over the river, then a night in a walk-in safari tent on a wooden platform.
Day two raftingAfter coffee and breakfast, continue the descent with 23 kilometers and about 30 rapids, including all the class IV rapids of the trip.
Hike and riverside lunchTwo scheduled stops on day two: an exploratory hike and lunch on the river.
Finish and returnThe run ends in Siquirres at the Exploration Center, with showers, changing areas and a terrace. Van transfer back to your pickup point.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what past travellers and the listing suggest you prepare for before booking this trip.

Footwear. The listing asks for comfortable shoes, sandals or water shoes, and closed-toe shoes. Bring a dry change of clothes for the lodge and clothes that can get dirty on the river.
Rainforest nights. The lodge sits in primary forest beside the river. Reviewers describe nights full of tropical sounds, including monkeys, frogs and crickets, with the river audible from camp.
Paddling effort. Two full days on the water with class III rapids on day one and all the class IV rapids on day two. Expect a physically active pace, with the second day longer and more demanding than the first.
Food included. Two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner are included, and several reviewers singled out the guides' cooking. The day starts with freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee.
Swim stops. Reviewers mention stops to swim and play behind a waterfall along the route. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent, which the listing requests.
Camera care. Bring a camera for sunrise between the mountains, a listed highlight, but pack rain gear too. Plastic bags are not allowed on the trip, so plan a dry bag or alternative.

Common issues. The listing excludes personal expenses and souvenirs, and hotels outside La Fortuna town carry an extra transfer cost. Alcohol and drugs, smoking, glass objects and jewelry are not allowed, and pets cannot come, though assistance dogs are permitted. Rain gear appears on the packing list, so come prepared for wet conditions. No specific accessibility or minimum fitness statement appears in the listing, so anyone with concerns should raise them on the booking page before reserving.

Common Questions

What Meals Are Included?

The trip includes 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, plus a night at Pacuare River Lodge. Coffee is brewed fresh on the second morning. Personal expenses and souvenirs are listed as not included.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, the listing includes hotel or town pickup and drop-off from San José, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna town. Hotels outside La Fortuna have an extra cost. Confirm your specific pickup point on the booking page.

How Hard Is The Rafting?

Day one covers 13 kilometers of class III rapids, while day two covers 23 kilometers with about 30 rapids including all the class IV sections. It is a genuine two-day paddle and the second day is longer and tougher. Reviewers call the rapids awesome and mention swimming stops along the way.

What Is The Lodge Like?

Pacuare River Lodge sits next to the river inside primary forest, with walk-in safari tents permanently set on wooden platforms. Toilets and showers are modern, and the main building serves as the dining and hanging-out space with a view of the river.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside that window the listing does not state terms, so check the booking page for details.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable clothes and shoes that can get wet and dirty, sandals or water shoes, closed-toe shoes, a change of clothes, rain gear, a camera, and biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. Leave jewelry and glass objects behind, as both are not allowed, and plastic bags are banned as well.