Explornatura, Hotel Pickup

Rafting Pacuare River from Turrialba

★ 5.0 196 verified reviews

from $120 per person

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

Duration: 6 hours
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Explornatura

Overview

This six-hour trip from Turrialba puts you on the Pacuare River with a professional guide and lunch included in the day. Explornatura runs it daily, with hotel or town pickup and drop-off in the Turrialba area included, though you confirm your exact pickup point on the booking page. The run covers class 3 and 4 rapids, which several reviewers said were the most exciting they had paddled anywhere.

The day follows a simple shape. You meet at the Explornatura base camp in La Cecilia and spend the bulk of the day on the water with a break for lunch. The group ends the day back at the same base camp with a chance to change into dry clothes.

It suits first-time rafters as well as people with prior trips behind them. Reviews from both kinds of travellers describe steady guides and good food, and one reviewer also mentions birds, butterflies, and indigenous communities along the banks. It is not for everyone, though. The listing advises against it for people with back problems, pregnant travellers, and anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions, and the boats carry a maximum of 24 travellers.

What's Included

Included

All taxes, fees and handling charges
Lunch
Professional guide
Transfer from Turrialba

Itinerary

Pickup in TurrialbaHotel or town pickup and drop-off is included; you confirm your pickup point on the booking page.
Explornatura base campThe trip departs from the Explornatura office at La Cecilia, Turrialba, in Cartago province. This is also where the day ends.
Rafting the PacuareThe listing gives 5 hours at the Explornatura office stop, which covers the river run with class 3 and 4 rapids and guide instruction.
LunchLunch is included. Reviewers describe guides preparing burritos and other dishes during the trip.
Return to base campThe activity ends back at the meeting point, where extra clothes and a towel come in handy.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to sort out before you go, based on the listing and what repeated reviewers reported.

What to wear. The listing asks for a T-shirt, swimsuit, and shorts, plus tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps. Flip-flops are not allowed on the river. Bring extra clothes and a towel for the end of the tour, and sunblock for the paddle.
Fitness and pace. The listing says most travellers can participate and that no serious medical conditions, back problems, or pregnancy are advised on this run. The rapids are class 3 and 4, which several reviewers described as exciting even compared with rafting they had done elsewhere. First-timers are fine, and at least one reviewer had never rafted before and was glad the run still carried the bigger water.
Food and drink. Lunch is included, along with all taxes and fees. Reviewers repeatedly praised the meal, with burritos mentioned by name and one traveller rating it above restaurant food they had eaten in Costa Rican cities.
Group feel. The tour runs daily with a maximum of 24 travellers. Several reviewers reported small groups on their trips, and one pair even got a private run with two guides after booking late the night before, though that depends on how the day fills up.
Photos. Guides have taken photos of guests with their own phones when travellers showed up without a waterproof camera, according to one reviewer. If you want shots of yourself in the rapids, ask at the start of the day what is possible.
Weather and season. One reviewer specifically recommended the trip in the wet season, and another noted the rapids stayed fun even after several days without much rain. Water levels can shape how the day feels, so it is worth checking conditions with the operator before you go.

Common issues. The listing sets a firm 24-hour cancellation window, with no refund or changes accepted inside it, and the tour requires a minimum number of travellers to run, so a low-turnout day can mean rescheduling or a refund. It is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Flip-flops are not allowed, so pack tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps instead. One reviewer wished they had booked the two or three day version instead, so anyone wanting more than a single day on the Pacuare should look at the longer options before committing to this six-hour trip.

Common Questions

Is Pickup Included From My Hotel?

Yes, hotel or town pickup and drop-off in the Turrialba area is included. You confirm your exact pickup point on the booking page. The trip departs from the Explornatura base camp at La Cecilia in Turrialba.

Is Lunch Included In The Price?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with all taxes, fees and handling charges, a professional guide, and transfer from Turrialba. Reviewers speak well of the food, with burritos and other dishes prepared during the trip.

How Long Does The Tour Last?

The listing gives a duration of 6 hours. The itinerary lists 5 hours at the Explornatura office stop, which covers the river run, and the day ends back at the base camp.

Can Beginners Do This Rafting Trip?

Yes. The listing says most travellers can participate, and at least one reviewer had never rafted before and still enjoyed the class 3 and 4 rapids. That said, it is not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, no refund is given and changes are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers, and if it is cancelled for that reason you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

The listing recommends a T-shirt, swimsuit, shorts, sunblock, and tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps. Flip-flops are not allowed. Bring extra clothes and a towel for the end of the tour, since you will get wet on the river.