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Costa Rica River Rafting
Costa Rica is a land dominated by mountains and has an abundance of
water: annual rainfalls totals, reach as high as 350 inches in parts
of the country and the Central Valley is considered to be "dry" area
because it receives "only" seventy to ninety inches of rain per
year!
The significance of this fact is not so much that big
whitewater is available, but that even small watersheds gather
enough runoff to be able to paddle. That's why rafting is so great
in Costa Rica, not mentioning great biodiversity and lush
rainforest! If you're trying Costa Rica river rafting for the first time, or are
on a family vacation, there are gentle rapids and lovely places to
just float through. Whichever type of experience you have, you will
be paddling through prime nature viewing areas, and so you will
likely see otters, herons, parrots and iguanas too.
Most of the rivers in Costa Rica flow towards the Caribbean. After a
heavy rain they come to life, going from being a reasonable river to
become a place to enjoy the best whitewater rafting in Costa Rica.
The waters of these rivers are fairly warm so you are not at all
uncomfortable unless you are nervous about trying Costa Rica
rafting. Experienced water goers can also try their hand at kayaking
the rivers as well.
Here is an Overview of Rafting Rivers
Reventazón
The name means "Bursting waves" and the Rio Reventazón certainly
lives up to its name. Because the flow of the water is controlled by
the Cahí Dam, it delivers during wet season or dry. There are four
sections of various degrees of difficulty.
Powerhouse to Tucurrique: The three-mile run begins with a
relentless 115-feet-per-mile drop creating a series of big waves,
except that you'll be too busy to notice. Further along, the
gradient flattens out a bit but the whitewater remains consistent
and exciting.
Tucurrique to Angostura: This 12 miles section is the most popular
rafting trip in Cost Rica and its big, wet action from the put in is
ideal for first time rafters. Several exciting rapids and the
highlight of the trip is the El Gordo, which you hit about a mile
before the end of the run.
Peralta Section - Angostura to Peralta: With lots of water and steep
drops, this section contains some of the heaviest white water in
Central America and has been compared to the classic big-wave run
Upper Gauley in West Virginia. This nine mile run is for experts
only during the low water season. December through May.
Pascua Section - Peralta to Siquirres: The river drops from 1,148 to
262 feet, propelling rafters through rapids with names like North
Sea and the famous Six Frankenstein. El Horrendito (the Little
Horror), Mente Sucia (Dirty Mind), and Aleta de Tiburón (Shark's
Fin).
Pacuare
The country's longest and most spectacular river trip can be run
from mid May to mid March. Two day trip recommended. Pacuare is
Costa Rica's white-water jewel. Its is a fixture on lists of the
world's top ten rafting and kayaking rivers, a heady combination of
beauty and excitement which makes running Pacuare an experience that
will never be forgotten.
The Pacuare isn't called "the
quintessential tropical river" for nothing. Its narrow course winds
through a series of densely forested gorges, punctuated by about 20
waterfalls. The 150 foot cascade called Huacas Falls is one of the
natural wonders of Costa Rica.
Bajo Pacuare - San Martín: Only the brave and skillful attempt these
15 miles of classic boiling white water and even they are forced to
walk around at least one of this section's rapids. Some of the local
outfitters run the trip for groups of expert paddlers from all over
the world that come to Costa Rica to challenge this section, but you
won't find it on any of the lists of tours offered by the major
rafting outfitters.
San Martín - Siquirres: This is the trip your friends back home will
get sick of hearing about. In this magical place, you are surrounded
by sheer gorges, magnificent waterfalls and all the incredible
beauty of the tropical forest as you plunge through some of the best
white water in Central America.
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