Rafting
Easy rapids.
m.prinke — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Victor Quirós A — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Britt Reints — CC BY 2.0 · diego_cue — CC BY-SA 3.0
A tropical river winding through rainforest in the northern Caribbean lowlands, flanked by giant trees and banana and pineapple farms, once the main transport route to the San Juan River and the Nicaraguan border. Its town, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, is a base for adventure and nature. Its best-known activity is rafting its class II and III rapids, a trip suited to beginners and families, along with calm boat trips on the river to spot wildlife on the banks: sloths, monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and waterbirds. The area has research stations and private reserves, the best known being La Selva Biological Station, where visitors learn about the rainforest on guided tours along trails and hanging bridges, one of the country's best birding spots. Cacao farms explain how chocolate is made. The road from San José passes Braulio Carrillo National Park, so combine the two. Rain is heavy most of the year in the rainforest, so bring a waterproof jacket and shoes.
Easy rapids.
Sloths and crocodiles.
Chocolate making.
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, about two hours north of San José
Yes, its class II and III rapids suit beginners and families with a guide and life jacket.