Rafting and Kayaking

The sport of whitewater rafting and kayaking was brought to Costa Rica in 1979, when an expedition from Poland made a stop in Costa Rica and ran the Paquare and Reventazon Rivers with modern equipment. These journeys sparked the interest of the commercial whitewater business, which began to take off in the early 80’s around the country.

Since then, the rivers of Costa Rica have become a world-class destination for whitewater enthusiasts and first timers alike. Several companies now operate the multiple wild and scenic rivers around the country. World-class kayakers have trained on the Costa Rican waters including Costa Rican Olympic athlete Roger Madrigal.

The most famous rafting river is the Paquare, considered one of the top ten rafting rivers worldwide. The first designated wild and scenic river in the country, the Paquare is now a protected wilderness area, rushing through 25 rapids, which range in difficulty. The calmer stretches provide amazing swimming holes beneath the gorges. The Paquare can easily be done in a single day. Still, many companies offer multi-day trips which include the opportunity to camp or stay at lodges along the riverbank and explore the complex life system and vegetated mountainsides the Paquare offers. The high annual rainfall in this area, especially during the wet months of June-October keeps the Paquare fast and wild.

Running alongside the Paquare River, The Reventazón is also known for its excellent high volume class III-V whitewater. As the Reventazón eventually dumps into the Caribbean, the scenery changes from lush vegetation to sugar cane fields, lowland forest and a salty breeze. For a “gentler” ride by Costa Rican standards, the Pejibaye is off the beaten river channels and is a worthwhile trip for a quiet, pool-drop kayak or raft run in emerald blue waters. Also, the Sarapiqui offers shorter trips in crystal clear waters, and great stretches for the beginning kayaker.

On the Pacific side, the General and Savegre Rivers offer multi-length tours for a variety of levels in both kayaking and rafting. During the rainy season, these rivers often become flooded and change their course drastically in a short amount of time.

The process of keeping Costa Rica’s rivers up to their world-class standard has not been easy. The high volume of people using the river and riverbanks means more contamination in the watershed. Additionally, several of Costa Rica’s Rivers are in the danger of becoming damned to accommodate the country’s use of hydroelectric power. Like energy shortages around the world in this day and age, this is a consistent battle between the fragile ecosystem and the growing population. To help, several recognized whitewater raft companies around the country have been focusing on sustainable tourism and eco-initiatives to preserve the unsurpassed beauty the Costa Rican waters offer us all.