I remember my river guiding days in the U.S. In the spring, on the second morning of a trip, the cold would really set in. Our wetsuits had frozen overnight, and we would have to crack them over our knees and slowly work them back into shape just to pull them on. That was before we even got near the water.
The Pacuare is very different, and in the best possible way. Costa Rica sits close to the equator, which means the air temperature stays consistently warm throughout the year. Because temperatures never approach freezing, the rain that feeds the river never creates the bone-chilling conditions common in rivers that rely on snowmelt.
In fact, the Pacuare River is quite comfortable. About a year ago I started keeping a small journal of the Pacuare water temperatures, and it never dropped below 21°C / 70°F. Most days it sits closer to 23°C / 75°F. Not hot, not cold, just right.
Because of this, what guests should focus on when packing for a Pacuare River rafting trip is not the water temperature but the outside conditions: sun, rain, and the jungle environment. Bring sunblock for the strong tropical sun, a rain jacket in case of rain, bug spray, and a good pair of sunglasses.
You can see our full Pacuare River packing list here.
So do you need a wetsuit or a drysuit on the Pacuare? Definitely not. Pack the sunblock, the rain jacket, and maybe a sweatshirt for cool mornings at the lodge, but you will not need a wetsuit.
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