Tui 9-Hour Guided Day
A Class 3 and 4 day trip with Tui Destination Experiences, nine hours from San José.
Check availability
Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting: Real Tours, Rapids And Prices
Compare every Pacuare rafting trip by price, rating, trip length and departure point.
- $99lowest per-person from-price in the lineup
- 21Tours Compared · bookable Pacuare rafting trips with a verified listing, in four trip types
- $99 to $505Price Range · from price per person on the 21 listings with a verified price
- 1,636Reviews Combined · guest reviews across the 21 listings
Rafting Pacuare River One Day from Turrialba
from $99 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Meets
- Confirmed after booking
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Adrenalina Rafting Turrialba
Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting By The Numbers
4.6 to 5.0
Best-Rated With 50+ Reviews · rating range on listings with at least 50 reviews
5
Departure Towns · towns and areas the listings depart from: La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, San Jose, Siquirres, Turrialba
About 37 km
Lower Pacuare Run · Class III and IV from Finca La Cruz to Siquirres, dropping about 370 m
8 for Class III, 12 for Class IV
Minimum Age By Class · national norm INTE G60-1:2019; each operator can set a higher minimum, so check the listing
21 C and up
Water Temperature · typical per Pacuare Outdoor Center; no wetsuit needed
3,714 mm
Annual Rainfall · Turrialba area, 2005 to 2024 modelled average (ERA5)
Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting Tours By Departure
One-Day From San Jose
10-Hour Trip, San Jose Pickup
A ten-hour whitewater day on the Pacuare River run by Destination Services Costa Rica.
Check availability
12-Hour Day Trip
Whitewater rafting on the Pacuare with Costa Rica Groups Travel.
Check availability
Full Day, Private Transport
A full-day Pacuare run with Excitement Costa Rica, rated 4.8 across 17 reviews, with free cancellation included.
Check availabilityOne-Day From Turrialba
Budget 6-Hour Rafting
A one-day Pacuare run from Turrialba with Adrenalina Rafting, rated 5 across 385 reviews and priced from $99.
Check availability
4-Hour Run From Turrialba
Four hours on the Pacuare with Ticos River Adventures, a family outfitter with over 30 years on the river.
Check availability
Explornatura, Hotel Pickup
Six hours on the water from Turrialba with Explornatura, free cancellation and a perfect rating across 196 reviews.
Check availability
Travesias Naturales Rafting
Rafting the Pacuare with Travesías Naturales, from $140.
Check availabilityOne-Day From The Caribbean And Arenal
Puerto Viejo Departure, Lunch
This full-day trip from Puerto Viejo pairs seven and a half hours on the Pacuare with a riverside lunch, run by Destination Services Costa Rica with free cancellation.
Check availability
Rafting Plus SJO Shuttle
A Pacuare run doubling as your shuttle to San José or Puerto Viejo.
Check availabilityMulti-Day Lodge Trips
3-Day Private Lodge Trip
Three days on the Pacuare with Tropical Rivers, from $505 per person.
Check availability
2-Day Trip, Transport Included
Two days of rafting with Excitement Costa Rica, rated 4.9 across 10 reviews, with transportation included and free cancellation, from $370 per person.
Check availability
2-Day Lodge Trip
A two-day Pacuare trip from Tropical Rivers, rated 5 across 9 reviews and priced from $397 per person, with a night at a riverside lodge between paddling days.
Check availability
Budget 2-Day Hiking Combo
A two-day Pacuare trip from Exploradores Outdoors that pairs rafting with hiking, rated 5 across 3 reviews, from $269 per person with free cancellation.
Check availabilityNarrow The Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting List To Your Day
A starting shortlist: the three best-reviewed trips on the Pacuare. Answer any question below to reshape it.
Show More Pacuare Trips
Compare All Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting Tours Side By Side
Show
Sort by
All 21 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a sort chip twice to flip the order.
| Tour | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget 6-Hour RaftingAdrenalina Rafting Turrialba | 6 h | After booking | $99 | ★ 5.0385 reviews | Check availability |
| Tui 9-Hour Guided DayTui Destination Experiences | 9 h | San José hotel pickup | $125 | ★ 4.7291 reviews | Check availability |
| 10-Hour Trip, San Jose PickupDestination Services Costa Rica | 10 h | San José hotel pickup | $125 | ★ 4.7250 reviews | Check availability |
| 4-Hour Run From TurrialbaTicos River Adventures | 4 h | After booking | $125 | ★ 4.9204 reviews | Check availability |
| Explornatura, Hotel PickupExplornatura | 6 h | After booking | $120 | ★ 5.0196 reviews | Check availability |
| 12-Hour Day TripCosta Rica Groups Travel Company | 12 h | San José hotel pickup | $119 | ★ 4.670 reviews | Check availability |
| Puerto Viejo Departure, LunchDestination Services Costa Rica | 7.5 h | Puerto Viejo de Talamanca | $147 | ★ 4.862 reviews | Check availability |
| Travesias Naturales RaftingTravesias Naturales | Not stated | After booking | $140 | ★ 4.946 reviews | Check availability |
| 4-Hour Run, Pickup IncludedTicos River Adventures | 4 h | After booking | $119 | ★ 4.927 reviews | Check availability |
| Rafting Plus SJO ShuttleCalypso Adventures | 10 h | La Fortuna | $150 | ★ 5.020 reviews | Check availability |
| No tours match that combination. Set the Show chip back to All and all 21 tours come back. | |||||
Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting Month By Month
Rainfall BandMiddleDriest monthsDriest monthsDriest monthsMiddleMiddleWettest monthsMiddleMiddleWettest monthsWettest monthsWettest months
WaterVaries with rainVaries with rainLowest waterLowest waterVaries with rainVaries with rainVaries with rainVaries with rainVaries with rainHighest waterHighest waterHighest water
- This month
January
Typical figures for January
Rainfall Band: Middle Water: Varies with rain Note: Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day
February
Typical figures for February
Rainfall Band: Driest months Water: Varies with rain Note: Dry-feeling month; operators favour Feb to April for first timers and families
March
Typical figures for March
Rainfall Band: Driest months Water: Lowest water Note: Operators call March and April the lowest, most predictable water
April
Typical figures for April
Rainfall Band: Driest months Water: Lowest water Note: Operators call March and April the lowest, most predictable water
May
Typical figures for May
Rainfall Band: Middle Water: Varies with rain Note: Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day
June
Typical figures for June
Rainfall Band: Middle Water: Varies with rain Note: Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day
July
Typical figures for July
Rainfall Band: Wettest months Water: Varies with rain Note: Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day
August
Typical figures for August
Rainfall Band: Middle Water: Varies with rain Note: Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day
September
Typical figures for September
Rainfall Band: Middle Water: Varies with rain Note: Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day
October
Typical figures for October
Rainfall Band: Wettest months Water: Highest water Note: Operators put the river at its highest from October to December
November
Typical figures for November
Rainfall Band: Wettest months Water: Highest water Note: Wettest month in the modelled series
December
Typical figures for December
Rainfall Band: Wettest months Water: Highest water Note: Rain eases but water stays high
Open The Full Table
| Month | Rainfall Band | Water | Rain (Turrialba) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Middle | Varies with rain | 305 mm | Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day |
| February | Driest months | Varies with rain | 198 mm | Dry-feeling month; operators favour Feb to April for first timers and families |
| March | Driest months | Lowest water | 181 mm | Operators call March and April the lowest, most predictable water |
| April | Driest months | Lowest water | 187 mm | Operators call March and April the lowest, most predictable water |
| May | Middle | Varies with rain | 303 mm | Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day |
| June | Middle | Varies with rain | 309 mm | Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day |
| July | Wettest months | Varies with rain | 379 mm | Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day |
| August | Middle | Varies with rain | 323 mm | Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day |
| September | Middle | Varies with rain | 280 mm | Rain-driven; ask the operator on the day |
| October | Wettest months | Highest water | 412 mm | Operators put the river at its highest from October to December |
| November | Wettest months | Highest water | 477 mm | Wettest month in the modelled series |
| December | Wettest months | Highest water | 360 mm | Rain eases but water stays high |
One Day Or A Lodge Night: Which Pacuare Trip Fits You?
| One-Day Trips | Lodge Overnight Trips (2 or 3 Days) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tours listed | 16 | 5 |
| Price seen | $99 to $195 per person | $269 to $505 per person |
| Time on the listing | 4 to 12 hours door to door | 2 to 3 days |
| Meals included | 16 of 16 | 5 of 5 |
| Free cancellation | 15 of 16 | 2 of 5 (multi-day terms: 3 to 6 days notice on three listings) |
| Reviews combined | 1,599 | 37 |
| Rating on listings with 50+ reviews | 4.6 to 5.0 | No listing has 50 reviews yet |
| National minimum age (INTE G60-1:2019) | Class III from 8, Class IV from 12 | Same norm |
| River covered | Lower Pacuare, Class III-IV | One operator states a higher put-in adds about 6.5 km and a second day of about 23 km (one listing) |
Where Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting Trips Start And Pick Up
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Town
- Budget 6-Hour Raftingfrom $99
- 4-Hour Run From Turrialbafrom $125
Departure Points
- Tui 9-Hour Guided Dayfrom $125
- 10-Hour Trip, San Jose Pickupfrom $125
Lodge
- Budget 2-Day Hiking Combofrom $269
- 2-Day Rafting and Hikingfrom $375
Operator
- Explornatura, Hotel Pickupfrom $120
- TurrialbaTown
- SiquirresTown · 29 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- San JoséDeparture Points · 43 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)Departure Points · 59 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Puerto Viejo de TalamancaDeparture Points · 103 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- La FortunaDeparture Points · 123 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Tres EquisRiver · 13 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Río Pacuare (Turrialba reach)River · 17 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Guayacán, SiquirresRiver · 21 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Pacuare LodgeLodge · 19 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Pacuare River LodgeLodge · 18 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Pacuare Mountain Lodge, Tres EquisLodge · 15 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Explornatura base, TurrialbaOperator · 1.1 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Pacuare Outdoor Center office, TurrialbaOperator · 1.3 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Linda Vista, TurrialbaOperator · 2.7 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Reserva Forestal Río PacuareNature · 27 km from Turrialba in a straight line
- Volcán Turrialba National ParkNature · 15 km from Turrialba in a straight line
What Rafters Say About Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting
These guest quotes are copied verbatim from each tour's own booking listing; this site does not collect or edit them, only chooses which to show.
“My 3 grandchildren, ages 20, 17, and 15 went on this trip and had a great time.”
“Such a special experience on one of the best natural rafting rivers in the world. We had a good traditional breakfast with fruit and coffee, then we went to the river.”
“Wonderful people. Very friendly and knowledge. Would highly recommend. The whole crew was well trained with a focus on safety and fun!!”
“I guess we got lucky and chose the best company to do the rafting on Pacuare river! We only booked at 8pm the day before and still everything went perfectly the next morning!”
Where To Stay Near Turrialba And The Pacuare
Hotel Casa Turire
La Suiza, near Turrialba (Lake Angostura)
Check rates
Hotel Wagelia Turrialba
Turrialba town, 150 m west of the central park
Check rates
Pacuare River Lodge
Rio Pacuare, Bajos del Tigre, Siquirres
Check ratesPacuare Costa Rica Rafting FAQ
What Does Pacuare Rafting Cost Per Person?
Day trips start at $99 per person from Turrialba and $112 from San José. Two and three day lodge trips run from $269 up to $505 per person.
How Long Is A Pacuare Rafting Day?
On the water, trips run around four hours. Most San José departures stretch to nine or more, and durations are listed per trip.
Is Lunch Included On The Trip?
Most Pacuare day trips include lunch. Check each listing to confirm what is covered.
Where Do Pacuare Trips Start From?
San José, Turrialba, Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna are the main departure points for Pacuare rafting trips.
What Time Do Trips Set Off?
Start times depend on the operator and your pickup point. The live listing shows the exact departure time for your chosen date.
What If The Raft Flips?
Guides brief every crew on what to do before the boats launch.
Pacuare Costa Rica Rafting Guides And Answers
Guides
3-Day Pacuare Expedition
Age Limits And Fitness
Best Time To Raft
Class III-IV Rapids
First Trip Planning
Free Things Near Turrialba
From Guanacaste
From La Fortuna
From Puerto Viejo
From San Jose
Is It Safe
One-Day Pacuare Trip
Pacuare Packing List
Pacuare Vs Balsa
Pacuare Vs Reventazon
Pacuare Vs Sarapiqui
Photos And Video
Rafting Costs
Rafting In Costa Rica
Rafting With Kids
Rainy Season Rafting
River Map And Sections
Things To Do In Turrialba
Trips Compared
Two-Day Pacuare Trip
What To Wear Rafting
Where To Stay
Wildlife And Gorge
Answers
- Beginners On Class 4
- Best Rafting In Costa Rica
- Best Rafting Month
- Class 4 Rapids And Kids
- Crocs For Rafting
- Pacuare Rafting Level
- Rafting Difficulty
- Rafting Fatality Rate
- Rafting Safety In Costa Rica
- Rafting Trip Costs
- Rapid Classes In Costa Rica
- River Flow Direction
- Turrialba Highlights
- What Not To Wear