volcanogirl

Hi, guys - we're interested in rafting the Pacuare. If you've done it, which company did you use and what did you think?

Also, has anyone stayed at the Rios Tropicales Lodge on the overnight Pacuare trip? What did you think?

Thanks for any guidance you can give me! I have my eye on the Pacuare Lodge too.

volcanogirl

Thought I would top this for anyone who has rafted the Pacuare - would love to know which company you used and what the day entailed.

I guess Rios Tropicales Lodge isn't that popular!

shutterbug85

We rafted the Pacuare just a few weeks ago... we did it through the Pacuare Lodge. Rios Tropicales rafts were alongside us both days. Not sure where they stayed, though. But the Pacuare Lodge was amazing! It is gorgeous and they really took good care of everyone. I highly recommend it. I can give you more details if you want! Just to be sure, this is where we stayed:
http://www.junglelodgecostarica.com/

hipvirgochick

Rios Tropicales is top notch as far as rafting guides. I talked to several people from different rafts and all felt the same. We rafted by both lodges and both looked wonderful. I would consider staying the night at RT more seriously, but honestly I like getting more rafting time in one day. The Pacuare Lodge is too pricey.

Cattail

My husband and I had a top-notch experience on an overnight trip with Rio Tropicales last winter; wished we had more nights there. At the time there was an option of a room with shared bath, which we booked. Upon arrival, we were upgraded to an attractive room with p.b. overlooking the river! I have no idea why, except that we were the only couple besides a honeymoon couple. The room wasn't fancy, which suited our tastes. but cozy and clean, with a balcony overlooking the river.It was restful to fall asleep to sounds of rushing river at night. Meals were tasty. Our guide was excellent and experienced. The morning of our second day it was too rainy to do a canopy tour, so we went on a group hike, which was fun an interesting, and we got to swim under a waterfall. Great trip! Have fun!

volcanogirl

Thanks, guys!

Cat, if you had done the canopy tour, was that a freebie or would you have had to pay extra for that? Did you see much wildlife?

shutter, Yes, I would love to hear more. Did you do any activities once you got to the Lodge?

For everyone, how wild was the ride on the Pacuare - did you get tossed out? Are there calm periods as well as rapids, or did you think it was pretty much nonstop adrenaline?

We definitely want to raft next trip, just trying to decide if we want to do the overnight stay. Did you guys think one night was enough? Thanks for your help!

hipvirgochick

vgirl -- We had some toss outs (two in our raft, not sure how many in the others) but it never felt dangerous or life threatening. The guide was in complete control and we just plucked them right out of the water. We had a little float time, but mostly either paddling to stay on track or paddling to get over the rapids. As you know, the class of the rapids are going to depend a lot on the water level during the time you go. ;-) You will love it!

volcanogirl

Cool, hip, that sounds like just what we're looking for. We loved doing the Sarapiqui, but I know the Pacuare is the one to do!

Cattail

Same here. Didn't actually lose anyone in our raft, but rafts around us did; people seemed to enjoy it! We had plenty of down time to chat, swim under a waterfall, enjoy the scenery, etc. Nice mix of slow and fast. it was raining almost constantly both days we rafted; perhaps that accounted for us not seeing much wildlife.

The canopy tour would have been included, had it been dry enough to do. The lodge has a small one on their grounds.

hipvirgochick

It wasn't raining on us, and we didn't see much wildlife either. Although for the most part we were talking about life or the next rapid and not really looking for wildlife. There was a flat spot where people got out and swam along the rafts for a few minutes. I think that was called a bathroom break...

Cattail

LoL, hip!

In answer to one of your other questions vg, we were torn about wanting more nights. Weather permitting, there's lots of cool stuff to do, enough to happily fill several days. But it rains a lot in that area, and while it would be restful to be there during constant deluge, I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer to be doing something else... in other words, a crap-shoot!

shutterbug85

When we did the Pacuare, it was technically a little on the low side, but it was pretty wild in spots. I never felt in danger though - it's really fun! The first day is usually Class II and III rapids, and the second day was III and IV rapids. I got popped out once when we hit a huge rock right under my seat on the raft, but I grabbed the rope and I wasn't in any danger. One raft in our pack flipped completely in a Class IV rapid, though, and two people ended up swimming through it, but they were fine too. There was a good amount of floating where we could just admire the scenery and our guide would point out animals and tell us all kinds of interesting facts. We got to float along outside the raft a few times, too. Gorgeous!

The guides with the Pacuare Lodge were also excellent. Yes, the Pacuare Lodge is a little on the pricey side, but in my and DH's opinions, it was well worth it. You get your own private bungalow with private bath (options of garden view or river view), and they serve you gourmet dinners and just generally take good care of you. For example, one night before dinner at the bar (in the sitting area of the lodge), we asked for some of the fresh juice they had served us earlier mixed with rum. Our raft guide ended up preparing a whole new batch of juice just for us because they had run out. He definitely didn't have to do that! He also gave us a private hike to a nearby waterfall.

We took the early morning bird hike - you hike around the lodge grounds, so nothing too strenuous. The guide was an excellent spotter (sloth, toucan, many other birds). We didn't do any other activities, but the other couple in our raft did the zip line and said it was awesome. Two people we talked to also did the village hike and thought it as pretty good.

We thought one night was enough, but two would be good too. I think any more than that might be a little too long.

If you want pictures or more info, just let me know!

volcanogirl

Thanks, everyone - this is exactly the info. I was looking for. You guys have been a big help!