10-Hour Trip, San Jose Pickup

White Water Rafting Pacuare River From San José

★ 4.7 250 verified reviews

from $125 per person

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

Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: San José hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Destination Services Costa Rica

Overview

This is a full-day Pacuare River rafting trip run by Destination Services Costa Rica, roughly ten hours door to door, with round-trip transport from selected hotels in the San José area. The route out passes through Turrialba and the Tres Equis and Huacas stretches on the way to the river. Once on the water, the rafting portion covers about three hours of the Pacuare. A traditional Costa Rican breakfast and lunch are included, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available if requested.

The trip suits people with strong physical fitness, since paddling is constant work with breaks between rapids, as more than one reviewer warns. No prior rafting experience is needed; first-timers and a solo female traveller both reported feeling safe the whole way. It does not suit travellers with back problems, heart conditions, during pregnancy, or anyone using a wheelchair, and the minimum age is 12. Groups run to a maximum of 20 people with a minimum of two to operate, and a bilingual professional guide handles instruction and safety. One reviewer reported a reroute due to high water levels, so it pays to stay flexible about the exact run.

What's Included

Included

Lunch (vegetarian or gluten-free option)
Traditional Costa Rican breakfast
Professional bilingual rafting guide
Round-trip transportation from selected hotels in the San José Area
Complete professional rafting equipment included

Not Included

Gratuities (tips and gratuities)
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Waterproof phone cases or personal waterproof bags
Round-trip transportation from non-designated hotels

Itinerary

Hotel pickup in San JoséRound-trip transport from selected hotels in the San José area is included. Confirm your exact pickup point on the booking page, since transport from non-designated hotels is not included.
TurrialbaA 1-hour stop in the Turrialba area, no admission fee, on the route toward the river.
Tres EquisA 2-hour stretch at Tres Equis, admission free, part of the approach to the put-in.
HuacasA 2-hour portion at Huacas, admission free, continuing the route to the river.
Pacuare River raftingThree hours on the Pacuare River, admission free, with professional rafting equipment and a bilingual guide. Lunch is included during the day, with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Return to San JoséDrop-off back at the designated pickup points, closing out the roughly 10-hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape the day more than most people expect.

Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a strong physical fitness level, and reviewers back that up: paddling is real work with breaks between rapids, not a lazy float. One traveller called it an arm workout. Teamwork matters, since guides expect everyone to follow instructions and paddle.
What to pack. The listing recommends quick-dry clothing, a swimsuit, water shoes or secure sandals, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent. Reviewers add that you will get soaked depending on where you sit, and suggest a waterproof bag for snacks. Waterproof phone cases and personal dry bags are not included.
Food and drink. A traditional Costa Rican breakfast and lunch are both included, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Reviewers generally praise the lunch, served as a midday break during the trip.
Sun and conditions. One reviewer warned about sunburn, so sunscreen is not optional. Water levels on the river shift, and one reviewer described a reroute after heavy rain, so the exact run may not match the plan on any given day.
Photos. Souvenir photos are taken by the crew but are not included in the price; they are available to purchase. If you want pictures of your own, a waterproof case is something to bring yourself.
Group feel. Groups run up to 20 travellers with a professional bilingual guide. Reviewers repeatedly mention the guides' energy and knowledge of the river.

Common issues. The biggest variable is the river itself. One reviewer reported a reroute due to high water levels, so the signature run is not guaranteed on any given day. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for pregnant travellers or those with back or heart problems, requires a minimum of two participants to run, and excludes gratuities, alcoholic drinks, souvenir photos and transport from non-designated hotels.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers round-trip transport from selected San José hotels, a traditional Costa Rican breakfast, lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options, a professional bilingual rafting guide and complete professional rafting equipment. Not included are gratuities, alcoholic drinks, souvenir photos, waterproof phone cases or personal waterproof bags, and transport from non-designated hotels.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, round-trip transportation from selected hotels in the San José area is included. Confirm your specific pickup point on the booking page before the day, since hotels outside the designated list are not covered.

How Long Is The Tour And How Much Time Is On The River?

The full experience lasts about 10 hours from pickup to drop-off. Of that, around three hours are spent rafting the Pacuare, with the rest taken up by the drive out, the included meals, and the return.

Can Children Or People With Limited Mobility Join?

The minimum age is 12, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. The listing also states it is not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with back problems or serious heart conditions, and that participants should have a strong physical fitness level.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum participant number of two is not met, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Quick-dry clothing, a swimsuit, water shoes or secure sandals, lightweight athletic shoes, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent, per the listing. Reviewers also recommend a waterproof bag or case for snacks and valuables, since you will get wet and souvenir photos cost extra.