| Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious | | | | north, you'll find the comfortably cool water of |
| rainfall are both responsible for one of the best | | | | Costa Rica's rivers a nice switch from the chilly |
| white water rafting river choices in the world. | | | | water of the northern rivers. All white water |
| Experienced rafting outfitters regularly run about | | | | rafting trips can also be done in kayaks, but |
| half a dozen of rambunctious rivers, and those | | | | kayakers must be experienced. |
| river trips not only provide plenty of excitement, | | | | A wide selection of outfitters run trips down the |
| but also allow enjoying gorgeous scenery. Not only | | | | country's most accessible rivers using trained river |
| do white water rafting enthusiasts flock Costa | | | | guides and modern equipment -- all rafters are |
| Rica, including several Olympic kayaking teams, | | | | provided life vests and helmets -- ensuring safe |
| but every year tens of thousands of visitors | | | | but exciting excursions. Costa Rica white water |
| experience here the thrill of rafting for the first | | | | rafting trip one-day include transportation to and |
| time. | | | | from the river, breakfast and a picnic lunch on the |
| Costa Rica is the perfect place for a first white | | | | riverbank. Overnight trips often include lodging |
| water rafting trip experience, since it has several | | | | riverside cabins and all meals. |
| rivers that offer a combination of reasonable | | | | Following are a few of the most convenient rivers |
| rapids and beautiful floats. There are even rivers | | | | for Costa Rica white water rafting trip: |
| that are great for family excursions and bird | | | | Reventazon: The Tucurrique section (Class III) is |
| watching, since they lack big rapids and flow | | | | easy enough for first-timers. The Pascua section |
| through forests full of birds and other animals. In | | | | (Class IV-V) is very wild, and requires previous |
| fact almost all river trips offer chances to see a | | | | rafting experience. Can be run year round |
| bit of the country's wildlife, such as iguanas, blue | | | | Pacuare: The country's longest and most |
| morpho butterflies, parrots, otters, king fishers, | | | | spectacular river trip (Class III-IV) can be run |
| and herons. | | | | from mid May thru mid March. Two-day trip |
| The river routes available to rafters range from | | | | recommended. |
| the turbulent waters of the lower Reventazon, | | | | Sarapiqui: Beautiful river (Class II-III), good trip for |
| where you hardly have enough time to catch | | | | beginners. Can be run out of San Jose or the |
| your breath between rapids, to the meandering | | | | Arenal area, from mid May thru mid March. |
| curves of the Corobici, where you spend more | | | | Savegre: Another beautiful river (Class II-III) |
| time watching wildlife than paddling. The most | | | | excellent for first timers. River trips leave from |
| popular Costa Rica white water rafting trip offer a | | | | Manuel Antonio and Quepos, May thru January. |
| good combination of challenging rapids and calmer | | | | Naranjo: A wild river (Class III-IV) near Quepos |
| stretches where you can sit back and enjoy the | | | | that requires some rafting experience. Run from |
| passing scenery. If you've done a bit of rafting up | | | | June thru November. |