This is the most popular trip that we offer. And for good reason.
The very best of the Pacuare and Turrialba
A day of canyoneering. Two days of whitewater rafting. Pacuare ziplining and our Tarzan swing. Exploring Linda Creek and Salta Falls. And the list goes on.
Quick Facts
Trip Cost: $655
San Jose Pickup: Included in the trip fare
Trip Length: Four nights & four days
Minimum Age: 12 years old.
Lodging at a glance
Nights one and two are spent at our Turrialba Vista
Nights two and three are spent at our Pacuare Eco-Lodge
Meals are all included starting with dinner on the evening before (day 0) and ending with lunch on day 4
Adventures at a glance
Five rappels down Silencio Creek
Approximately 50+ rapids, split on day one and day three
Our zipline is the largest on the Pacuare and we have the only Tarzan Swing
The waterfall is 27 feet / 8 meters and jumping is optional (but encouraged!)
2023 Pacuare Rafting
“You fit a ton (of adventure) in on this trip” – Google Review
4-Day Ultimate Highlights
The evening before your trip, arrive at our Turrialba Vista. The next day, which is day one, weāll canyoneer Silencio Creek, which is just a fifteen minute walk from the Turrialba Vista. After another night at the Turrialba Vista, weāll wake up on day two and weāll spend the day rafting Class II and III rapids on the Pacuare River, rafting to our eco-lodge. After spending the night, we then tackle our zipline course and then after lunch, hike to our private waterfall for a jump and swim. Weāll then spend a second night at our eco-lodge and then, on day four, weāll paddle out, rafting Class II, III, and IV rapids.
Trip Itinerary
Day Zero: Weāve found that nearly all of our guests who book this trip, schedule it for the very beginning of their Costa Rica vacation. By doing this, they eliminate the need for an expensive rental car for the duration of the 4-Day Ultimate, saving them hundreds of dollars. Because of this, included in the 4-Day Ultimate trip fare is a shuttle pick-up in San Jose, either at the airport or at your hotel. The drive from San Jose to Turriabla isnāt far, typically 1.5 hours but depends on San Jose traffic. Depending on your timing, we will stop along the drive at one of our favorite restaurants for an authentic and delicious Costa Rican lunch. After, the driver will drop you off at the Turrialba Vista, the starting point of the 4-Day trip. Later that evening, dinner will be served and youāll go over the upcoming itinerary with your host.
Day One: On day one, weāll have a delicious breakfast and then weāll start the trip with canyoneering down Silencio Creek, which is our local creek just down the road. This is an exhilarating, half day excursion that does not require any prior experience as our guides will be with you every step of the way. Silencio Creek includes 5 rappels down waterfalls, with the tallest being 70 feet/21 meters. In addition to that, some waterfalls we slide down, landing in cool, deep pools. After canyoneering, weāll have lunch and then youāre free to spend the afternoon relaxing at the Vista, or exploring Turrialba. Later that night weāll do another dinner at the Vista and weāll prep you for your rafting trip that starts the following day.

After breakfast, weāll shuttle you to the Pacuare River, to start the rafting portion of your trip. The rafting on the first day consists of some great Class II and Class III rapids along with stopping for a delicious lunch on the river prepared for you by your river guides/chefs. After lunch, we will paddle another 40 minutes to the Pacuare Outdoor Center eco-lodge. Here youāll take a 10 minute trek through the jungle to get to our lodge which features breath-taking views of the Pacuare River canyon and surrounding mountains. Once you get settled into your room, you can enjoy the views or you can join us for our Tarzan Hour. We do this with all our groups at 4PM. During the Tarzan Hour, we take you to our Tarzan Swing which is a three minute walk from the lodge and cabins and you get to experience one of the most adrenaline pumping Tarzan swings you will find in the Americas. This is a great activity for the afternoon and if youāre not up for the rush you can watch from our viewing area while enjoying a cup of coffee or simply relax at the lodge. In the evening we will have dinner prepared for you while you listen to the rainforest come to life as the sun dips and the night begins.

The next morning on Day 3, you will wake up to the sun rising over the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Our lodge has views in the morning directly down the canyon towards the Caribbean. The mornings offer the true essence of the rainforest as the mist rises off the mountains. You can spend the early morning sitting in the rocking chairs outside your cabin or come to our main area and get ready for a hearty Tico breakfast. Today we have a full day of fun and adventure. We will start out by completing our zipline course, which features five different ziplines ranging from 30 meters to 620 meters. Not only are they long and fast but they offer the best views you will find anywhere of the Pacuare River. Then we will take a three minute hike back to the lodge where we will have some lunch and an hour of downtime. After lunch, weāll take a trek through the jungle to one of the most pristine waterfalls you will find on the Pacuare River. This waterfall features a 25 foot jump, which your guide will show you how to do. Afterward, weāll walk back to the lodge and hit full relax mode with a chance to reminisce about the full day of adventure.

On Day 4, we head back to the rafts and tackle the whitewater. Weāll enter the famous Pacuare Canyon, which is a gorge that features Class III and IV rapids and breathtaking scenery.
The canyon rock walls rise straight up 200 feet and weāll pass by waterfalls that fall 150 feet into the river. This truly is a magical day from start to finish. Halfway through the day, weāll stop for another riverside lunch served by your guides.
Once lunch is finished itās back to the rapids, split up with a gorgeous float through the famous Dos Montanas canyon section. Following that, the river winds its way into the town of Siquirres, where we reach takeout. Here you will have the chance to change and shower into some clean clothes and say farewell to your guides.

Why the Pacuare
ā …perhaps the greatest, family-friendly jungle raft trip in the world.ā

Paddling Life Magazine
July 23, 2015