Fact Sheet

Pacuare Outdoor Center – Established in 2003

Last updated December 11, 2025

Two lodges, two experiences

We built our Pacuare Eco-Lodge in 2005 and Rio Vista Lodge opened at the end of 2022. With both located in the Pacuare River corridor, we offer two, all inclusive experiences that allow access to our lodges.

Managing Partner

Tom Ranieri | Founder & CEO
tom@pacuareoutdoorcenter.com

Location

Nestled deep in the heart of the Pacuare, our lodges are located further upriver than any other accommodation on the entire waterway. As you raft down the emerald rapids, civilization fades away, leaving only the untamed embrace of the rainforest. No lodges or cabins mar the pristine banks, offering you an unparalleled sense of remoteness.

  • Four hours from San Jose, Costa Rica.
  • Three hours from Arenal, the Southern Caribbean and Tortuguero.
  • Most guests raft into the lodge. This trip takes approximately 2.5 hours on the water, though the exact time depends on river flows.
  • Both lodges are located on River Left, allowing us to have greater access than other lodges on the Pacuare River.

Pacuare Eco Lodge

  • 9 bungalow-style rooms
  • Family rooms
  • Queen beds
  • Twin beds
  • Private bathrooms and hot showers
  • Zipline course and Tarzan Swing

Rio Vista Lodge

  • View and download Rio Vista Lodge photos
  • The newest Lodge on the Pacuare River, built in December 2022
  • 9 bungalow-style rooms
  • Fans in rooms
  • Starlink Wifi
  • Elevated walkways connecting cabins to main lodge area
  • King bed or two twin beds per room
  • Private bathrooms and hot showers
  • Zipline course and Tarzan Swing
  • Private creek with swimming holes and waterfall jumps
  • Coming soon: Waterfall jumping tour (part of the 3-Day experience)

2-Day Pacuare

Two Days/One Night
  • Trip meeting point and ending point.
  • Day One: Meet at 9:30AM. Raft in the morning and then lunch. After lunch, zipline course and Tarzan Swing. In the evening, dinner.
  • Day Two: Breakfast and Class IV rafting. Halfway through, lunch, and then more rafting to takeout. Trips reach the takeout point between 1 – 3PM depending on river flows.

3-Day Raft + Zip

Three days/two Nights
  • Trip meeting point and ending point.
  • Day One: Meet at 10AM. Raft in the morning, explore a creek and swimming hole and then lunch. After lunch, rafting to the lodge and then dinner.
  • Day Two: Breakfast and then our zipline course and Tarzan Swing. After lunch, nature hike and waterfall jump. Then dinner.
  • Day Three: Breakfast and then Class IV rafting. After lunch, more rafting to takeout. Trips reach the takeout point between 1 – 3PM depending on river flows.