need rafting trip help
 

My boyfriend and I are trying to set up a rafting trip for end of May. We are looking to using Rios Tropicales, want to do a two day Pacuare trip. He is pretty experienced, I went once with the family when I was about 10 so....

Few questions. Is this a good company/good trip? Any other recs? We are not (at this point) planning to rent a car. Will they pick you up and drop you off in San Jose? What about dropping you off in a different locations....other coastal areas. Also, if we have all our stuff (each bringing big backpack) with us since we are hoping to leave San Jose, will the remainder be safe on the bus? I don't imagine we can bring ALL our gear with us....

Finally, still kind of planning/winging our trip. Any suggestions on best place to go from there, seems we'd be closer to Caribbean side. Looking at Puerto Viejo/Cahuita, Dominical, Bocas del Toro or Osa, or just Arenal or something from there. Thanks!

The company you chose to raft with is one of the primary ones and they seem to have a very good reputation. Yes, you'll be picked up in San Jose, but you'll need to stay in town or make your way to a pick up location by about 5:30 a.m. Your belongings will be taken by van and your driver will stay with them so there shouldn't be a problem. They'll tell you what to bring and what not to bring before hand. Don't worry about not being experienced. I sure wasn't! You will probably be put in the back of the boat when things get wild. Just get the floor of the raft if you feel you might go out. If it flips, well . . . you're getting wet. They have helmets and big vests on you so just do as they've told you before take off. It is REALLY fun. Do the one day trip if nothing else. It is almost as long as the two day.

Rios Tropicales is an excellent company and I have rafted with them several times. Exploradores Outdoors is the one that will transfer you to other parts of the country if that is what you are looking for as well. Both companies have very nice lodges on the river.

Either one will pick you up at certain San Jose hotels. I recommend Hotel Don Carlos, I have stayed there several times and rafted from there. Do request a quiet room. EO will drop you off at other places just let them know ahead of time.

You should be fine. The water will be getting higher and it will be more exciting. I personally like to sit in the middle when things look rough. I have seen too many people flipped out of the back. Even had a guide flipped while on the Reventazon.

You can get to the Caribbean side from the take out or you can get to Arenal.

No you can't bring all of your stuff on the raft. Do have your important papers and money with you. Double bag them in zip lock bags and put with your clothes on the raft. They will be put in a waterproof container of some sort.

Have fun. I was a beginner (in my 40's) on the Pacuare myself and have been back for more many times.

Thanks for the tips, we booked a 2 day with Rios Tropicales but consdering changing to 3 day. Is it worth it? Does anyone know what time we get back to operations center and or back to san jose? trying to figure out what to plan for that night....

Two days is good enough...the real rafting time is from Put In to Lodge about 40 minutes depending on water volume...and from Lodge to Siquirres about 2 and half hours ( difficult to give you a precise time...many situations in the river can delay or change the day!!)...again depending on water volume...with a lot of water you will be going down really fast..to me 2 nights is way to much...

R.A Luis

Just buckle up and enjoy your ride in paradise!!

Two nights would be plenty. Keep in mind that it is pretty much the same rafting whether you go 1, 2 or 3.

For the one night they (RT) just divided the one day trip into two. We ended up having the whole afternoon on the first day and the morning of the second day to hike and see stuff in the area. I am assuming that is what they do all the time.

When we overnighted with Costa Rica Expeditions we left in the morning from their tent camp.

We have generally been back to San Jose by around 5-6 pm.

Looks like for the longer trip you will get back to SJ around 3pm because you will have lunch at the operations center rather than at the lodge. I wouldn't think they would make you wait all afternoon for the day trippers to show up to take you back. I would check with them to be sure if you need to know.