The gorge
Hanging waterfalls.
Grez — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Pigment-Ink — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Autentico Adventures Costa Rica — CC BY-SA 3.0
One of the world's best-known rafting rivers, cutting a deep gorge through pristine rainforest on Costa Rica's Caribbean slopes, with clear green water between rock walls hung with waterfalls and forest no road reaches, so most of it can only be seen from a raft. Rafting trips with licensed guides run class III and IV rapids among white water and boulders, then calm stretches where the raft drifts between the gorge walls, showing colourful birds, blue morpho butterflies and slender waterfalls dropping into the river. Trips last one day, or two with a night in remote lodges deep in the forest on the riverbank, reachable only by raft. Local people have defended the river against dam projects so it stays free-flowing. The trip needs reasonable fitness, and young children are usually not accepted. Choose a licensed company, follow the safety briefing and wear the helmet and life jacket.
Hanging waterfalls.
White water.
On the bank.
Near Turrialba, about two hours east of San José
Its class III-IV rapids suit fit beginners with licensed guides, even without prior experience.