San Jose, Pacuare River 2 Days/1 Night - Raft In & Raft Out 3 Days/2 Nights - Raft In & Raft Out 3 Days/2 Nights - Land In & Raft Out 4 Days/3 Nights - Raft In & Land Out Here are some suggested itineraries to Costa Rica, which are designed to start on any day of the week. These itineraries may be modified to suit the individual traveler.	Click map to enlarge
Itineraries

2-Day Pacuare Lodge Itinerary - River rafting to the lodge, & river rating from the lodge

Day 1: 6:00 -7:00 AM. Early morning pick up in San Jose by a Costa Rica Nature Adventures representative and transfer to the embarkation point on the Pacuare River. This is a Class IV river and first you will participate in a brief instruction session on safety before beginning the nine-mile run. Several gorges lie along its course that shelter jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, and an incredible variety of birds. It is some of the best white water in the world. There will be a mid-day stop for a gourmet picnic lunch along the river banks. It is recommended that you wear a swimsuit under your clothing (shorts or long pants and a light-weight shirt). Tennis shoes are mandatory! Bring suntan lotion, sunglasses, a light rain jacket, and a set of dry clothing, which will be waiting for you in the vehicle at the end of the run. At the end of the day you will be transferred to the Pacuare Jungle Lodge, where you can shower, get into dry clothes and enjoy a delicious dinner. And don't forget to take some time to visit the waterfall that cascades out of the forest! (B, L, D)

Day 2: Departure between 9:00-10:00 AM. In the morning you will depart by raft for an even more fun-filled day of white water rafting excitement (approximately 3½ hours over Class III-IV rapids), including a delicious picnic lunch along the river. At the river take-out you will have a chance to change at the private facilities. (B, L, deli-style lunch along the river) (B, L)

The Pacuare Lodge Adventure is sold as a package that includes: Transportation from San José, bilingual guide, typical Costa Rican breakfast en route, Pacuare River rafting tour or ground transportation to the lodge (depending on preference), professional guides and equipment, all meals (gourmet dinners), 1 night bungalow stay, welcome fruit punch, hot beverages, lunch along the river, use of private installations at river take-out, return transportation to San José with guide.

3-Day Pacuare Lodge Itinerary - River rafting to the lodge & river rafting from the lodge
Day 1: 6:00 -7:00 AM. Early morning pick up in San Jose by a Costa Rica Nature Adventures representative and transfer (approximately 2½ hours) to the Pacuare River put-in including a typical Costa Rican breakfast in route. Exciting 1-1½ hour river rafting tour to the Pacuare Lodge (Class II-III rapids) where you will enjoy a two-night stay at Costa Rica's premier eco-lodge. Arrival at the Pacuare Lodge 12:00 - 1:00 PM. After lunch participate in an optional canopy tour (not included in package price) or waterfall hike, or simply relax in your private bungalow or suite. Dine on gourmet delicacies by candlelight and then visit the upstairs lounge for a cocktail or refreshment before retiring to a restful night's sleep. (B, L, D)

Day 2: You'll wake up to bird song and the soothing sound of the river nearby. Then head over to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast of homemade bread, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal, juice and coffee. The lodge employs a resident naturalist guide who will provide unique insights into the plant and animal world. Choose from exciting optional tours that include guided hikes through an emerald rainforest, the Cabecar Indian tour - where visitors may participate in a cultural exchange with a shaman and the Adventure Canopy Tour - where visitors glide amid a tropical rainforest canopy. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Departure between 9:00-10:00 AM. In the morning you will depart by raft for an even more fun-filled day of white water rating excitement (approximately 3½ hours over Class III-IV rapids), including a delicious picnic lunch along the river. At the river take-out you will have a chance to change at the private facilities before being transferred by private minibus back to your hotel. (B, L, deli-style lunch along the river)

The Pacuare Lodge Adventure is sold as a package trip that includes: Transportation from San José, bilingual guide, typical Costa Rican breakfast in route, Pacuare River rafting tour, professional guides and equipment, all meals (gourmet dinners), 2 night bungalow stay, welcome fruit punch, hot beverages, lunch along the river, use of private installations at river take-out, return transportation to San José with guide.
Minimum age for children: 16 yrs old. Parents must provide a letter of permission and sign a liability waiver.

3-Day Pacuare Lodge Itinerary - Arrival by land/river rafting out
Day 1: You will be picked up at your hotel between 6:00 and 7:00 AM for a transfer to the Pacuare Lodge. The first part of the trip is in a microbus, and you will travel a breathtaking route through Cartago, the old capital of Costa Rica, before continuing on toward the town of Turrialba. The two and a half hour trip then skirts the slopes of the Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes towards the north, and the Reventazón River Basin and Orosí Valley toward the south. Majestic scenery includes rolling fields of ornamental plants, sugarcane, coffee, and macadamia, and the jungle-covered mountains of the Talamanca Mountain Range. A stop is made en route to enjoy a delicious traditional breakfast and beautiful views of the town of Cervantes. The bus trip ends in Santa Marta, where you board a four-wheel drive vehicle for the remaining six-kilometer gravel road journey to the banks of the Pacuare River. Views of the mountains covered by dense jungle couldn't be more dramatic! Advancing down the road, you plunge ever deeper into the beauty of the zone until you arrive at the Pacuare River, the Cábecar culture's symbol of life. The adventure continues as you leave the four-wheel-drive vehicle and cross the river on a hanging gondola that carries you above the river via a 100-meter cable running from riverbank to riverbank. Upon arrival at the other side, another experience begins-no more vehicles, electricity, or roads. The last 300 meters to the Pacuare Lodge are hiked over a trail that parallels the river. The staff transports equipment, and a refreshing cocktail awaits your arrival. After lunch participate an optional canopy tour (not included in package price) or waterfall hike, or simply relax in your private bungalow or suite. Dine on gourmet delicacies by candlelight and then visit our upstairs lounge for a cocktail or refreshment before retiring to a restful night's sleep. (B, L, D)

Day 2: You'll wake up to bird song and the soothing sound of the river nearby. Then head over to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast of homemade bread, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal, juice and coffee. The lodge employs a resident naturalist guide who will provide unique insights into the plant and animal world. Choose from exciting optional tours that include guided hikes through an emerald rainforest, the Cabecar Indian tour - where visitors may participate in a cultural exchange with a shaman and the Adventure Canopy Tour - where visitors glide amid a tropical rainforest canopy. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Departure between 9:00-10:00 AM. In the morning you will depart by raft for an even more fun-filled day of white water rating excitement (approximately 3½ hours over Class III-IV rapids, above, left), including a delicious picnic lunch along the river. At the river take-out you will have a chance to change at the private facilities. (B, L, deli-style lunch along the river)

The Pacuare Lodge Adventure is sold as a package trip that includes: Transportation from San José, bilingual guide, typical Costa Rican breakfast in route, overland transfer to the lodge, and rafting tour of the Pacuare River departing the lodge, professional guides and equipment, all meals (gourmet dinners), 2-night bungalow stay, welcome fruit punch, hot beverages, lunch along the river, use of private installations at river take-out, return transportation to San José with guide.

4-Day Pacuare Lodge Itinerary - River rafting to the lodge & land transfer from the lodge
Day 1: 6:00 -7:00 AM. Early morning pick up in San Jose by a Costa Rica Nature Adventures representative and transfer (approximately 2½ hours) to the Pacuare River put-in including a typical Costa Rican breakfast in route. Exciting 1-1½ hour river rafting tour (Class II-III rapids) to the Pacuare Lodge where you will enjoy a two-night stay at Costa Rica's premier eco-lodge. Arrival at the Pacuare Lodge 12:00 - 1:00 PM. After lunch participate in an optional canopy tour (not included in package price) or waterfall hike, or simply relax in your private bungalow or suite. Dine on gourmet delicacies by candlelight and then visit the upstairs lounge for a cocktail or refreshment before retiring to a restful night's sleep. (B, L, D)

Day 2: You'll wake up to bird song and the soothing sound of the river nearby. Then head over to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast of homemade bread, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal, juice and coffee. The lodge employs a resident naturalist guide who will provide unique insights into the plant and animal world. Choose from exciting optional tours that include guided hikes through an emerald rainforest, the Cabecar Indian tour - where visitors may participate in a cultural exchange with a shaman and the Adventure Canopy Tour - where visitors glide amid a tropical rainforest canopy. A therapeutic massage is also included. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Optional Tours (B, L, D)

Day 4: Departure between 9:00-10:00 AM. Private mini-bus transfer to San Jose. (B, L)

The Pacuare Lodge Honeymoon is sold as a package trip that includes: Transportation from San José, bilingual guide, typical Costa Rican breakfast in route, Pacuare River rafting tour to the lodge and ground transportation from the lodge, professional guides and equipment, all meals (gourmet dinners), 2 night stay in the Honeymoon Bungalow with iced bottle of champaign, welcoming fruit punch, a therapeutic massage, hot beverages, lunch along the river, use of private installations at river take-out, return transportation to San José with guide.