COSTA RICA RAFTING VACATION

Rio Pacuare

We are going to relax - its mandatory. Join us for a wonderful week in Costa Rica this December for rafting, hiking, soaking and sunning. Very nice food and accommodations as well. If you like soft beds and hot showers between day trips on jungle whitewater then this is the trip for you.

The whitewater is only part of your holiday. During our day hikes you will see toucans, monkeys, sloths, colorful frogs, blue butterflies, and maybe even an ocelot (one of six species of wild cats in Costa Rica). Our travels through the countryside will take us to Arenal to watch an active volcano, which we prefer to view from the Tabacon hot springs at night. We love this place and you will too!

Trip participants must be 16 or older, in good physical condition and should have at least class III paddling experience. Spaces are limited (6 min, 18 max). Our preference is that everyone is from the same group, so call your friends, a special rate is available for a group of 12 or more.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 Airport Pickup, arrival day overnight hotel in San Jose.

Day 2 World famous Rio Pacuare - Class IV. Dinner and hotel in Turrialba, the whitewater center of Costa Rica.

Day 3 Big water on the Pascua section of the Rio Reventazon - Class IV. Dinner in Sarapiqui.

Tabacon Hot Springs

Day 4 Rio Toro (the Bull), class III or V sections - you choose! Dinner and hotel in Arenal.

Day 5 Treetop Canopy Tour. Evening at Tabacon Hot Springs.

Day 6 Monteverde Rain Forest by horseback. Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 7 Morning hike in the reserve, travel back to San Jose.

Day 8 Departure - or we can arrange a few extra days on the beach in Jaco or Quepos for you.

INCLUDES

Meals, accommodations, transportation, equipment from San Jose. Accommodations are double occupancy lodges or motels with hot showers (single rooms available for extra charge). Food is from local restaurants or markets. This trip can be customized to the desires and skill level of the group, including other rivers, and activities for non-boaters.

EXCLUDES

Airfare, personal expenses, travel and medical insurance.

Arenal Volcano

WHAT TO BRING

If you can fit everything into a big duffel bag, life will be very easy.

1. 4 Sets of clothing (shirt, pants, socks, underwear).
2. Light jacket for evening.
3. Personal medications.
4. Swimsuit.
5. Light hiking boots.
6. Sandals or shoes.
7. Sun Glasses.
8. Water Bottle.
9. Cap/hat with brim
10. Small Daypack for side hikes.
11. Digital Camera/Video Camera.
12. Passport, spending money

TRAVEL TIPS

Flying to San Jose is easy and relatively inexpensive. Costa Rica is very safe for travelers, but take the usual precautions. Keep your passport with you and email a copy of it to yourself. Learn a little Spanish before you go, it goes a long way.

Jorge

TRIP LEADER BIO

Jorge Esquivel Selva

Born and raised in Costa Rica, our guide Jorge brings years of experience, enthusiasm and local knowledge along on every trip. He stated his rafting career at age 16 on the Reventazon and Pacuare rivers and then learned to kayak. From there he began traveling internationally and after 11 years of white water, he has run more than 80 rivers worldwide and has worked in many different locations, including Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

A class 5 guide and kayaker, Jorge has represented Costa Rica internationally in different kayak competitions and was the freestyle national champion in 2003.

He likes to have access to the rivers year round, so he enjoys an endless summer spending the North American winter months in South America. Jorge's love of nature and the outdoors has taken him to some of the most beautiful places on earth, where he enjoys hiking, camping and, of course, paddling. Most of his time is spent working as a river and expedition guide, and on his days off you'll see him in his kayak.

Jorge speaks three languages fluently (Spanish, English, and Italian), has a medical and swift water rescue background and years of hands-on experience. He is one of the best-prepared guides to take you down the river and let you experience the most out of Costa Rica.

Pura Vida!