SPEND 2 DAYS AT RIOS LODGE ON THE PACUARE
Itinerary
Morning: Travel to the Pacuare River
Early morning shuttle pickup from your San José hotel (approx. 2.5-hour drive, depending on traffic).
Come dressed for either rafting or hiking, and have your gear sorted into:
- What you’re bringing to the lodge
- What you want to store (sent to our Turrialba Operations Center)
At the Pacuare River Put-In:
- Receive a drybag for lodge luggage
- Access to bathrooms
- Store any extra luggage with the driver for safekeeping
(Tip: See Packing List FAQ here for what to bring)
Rafting into Ríos Lodge (For Rafters)
- Enjoy Class I–III whitewater rafting on the stunning Pacuare River
- Paddle approx. 16 km (2–3 hours) through pristine jungle, with possible stops to explore waterfalls
- Arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon for lunch
Minimum age for rafting into the lodge:
- 6 years (Dry Season: Dec–Apr)
- 8 years (Rainy Season: May–Nov)
Hiking into Ríos Lodge (For Hikers)
- Shuttle from the put-in to El Tigre, then transfer to a 4×4 vehicle
- Cross the river via the Pacuare “eco-tram” cable car—a traditional Costa Rican method
- Hike 1.5 km (0.9 miles) downstream along the Pacuare River Trail
- 30–45 minutes, moderate difficulty, with rolling terrain
- Arrive at the lodge by early afternoon and join the rafters for lunch
Afternoon at the Lodge
Choose your adventure or relax! All guided lodge activities are included:
- Zipline canopy tour
- Waterfall hike
- Swimming or soaking in natural pools
- Hammock time with a drink and a view
Tapas available for purchase starting at 3:30 p.m.
Bar open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Evening in the Rainforest
6:00 p.m. – Guided Night Hike (weather permitting)
- Explore the jungle after dark with high-powered flashlights
- Look for frogs, insects, lizards, snakes, glowing plants, and more
7:00–9:00 p.m. – Dinner is served
Cocktail hour anytime after 11:00 a.m.—bar is open and well-stocked with local and craft drinks
Morning: Wake Up in the Rainforest
Time to savor your final morning in the rainforest. Enjoy your last cup of rich Costa Rican coffee starting at 6:30 a.m.—watch for toucans overhead and listen for howler monkeys calling through the canopy.
If you haven’t yet, this is your last chance to experience the Dawn Patrol Zipline Canopy Tour before breakfast.
- Breakfast is served around 7:00 a.m.
- Checkout is at 9:00 a.m. – please settle your tab and pack your gear into your drybag
Departing the Lodge: Hikers & Rafters
- Rafters depart between 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- Hikers depart around 11:00 a.m.
Both groups will reunite at the Pacuare River take-out near Siquirres, where you’ll have access to:
- Bathrooms, showers (bring your own travel towel), and changing rooms
- Covered picnic area for lunch and gear reorganization
- Any stored luggage from our Turrialba Operations Center will be waiting for you here
From the take-out, shuttle vans will return you to San José or any pre-booked custom destination.
For Rafters – Rafting Out on the Lower Pacuare River
Your lodge departure doubles as one of the most exciting whitewater runs in the world.
- 2–4 hours of Class III–IV rapids through the stunning Pacuare River Gorge
- Pass towering waterfalls, lush jungle, and the iconic Huacas Falls between Upper and Lower Huacas Rapids
- Enjoy a riverside packed lunch, prepared by the Ríos Lodge kitchen
Minimum age: 12 years old for this section of river
For Hikers – Hiking Out via the Pacuare River Trail
Take your time this morning—you’ll hike out around 11:00 a.m.
- Travel 1.5 km upstream on the same scenic trail you hiked in
- Cross the river again via the eco-tram cable car
- Your guide will point out local flora like cacao trees, and you might spot the rafters floating downstream
At the top of the gorge, transfer to a 4×4, then a comfortable van that brings you to the take-out point, where you’ll enjoy your packed lunch and reconnect with the rafting group.
Return Travel Info
- Shuttles typically depart around 4:00 p.m. from the take-out
- Drive time to San José: 3–4+ hours, depending on traffic and weather
- Arrival back in San José: Between 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Important Travel Tip
We strongly recommend booking flights for the following day after your lodge stay ends.
Return times to San José can vary widely. See our Airport & Hotel Travel FAQ for full details.
PACKAGE INFO
- Trip Length: 2 Days/1 Night
- 2025 Price: From $1041 LS / $1201 HS, for Deluxe Rooms Package for 2 people
- Transportation to/from San Jose: included
- Room Types: Deluxe, Suites, Eco
- Minimum Age: 6 to Raft In (Dry Season) And 8 (Rainy Season)
- Minimum Age: 12 to Raft Out
- Meals: Included
- Activities at Lodge: Included
- Price doesn't include taxes, fees, bar, or gratuities.
LODGE ACCESS: Rafting, Hiking, Shuttle Included – How It Works
Getting to Ríos Lodge is part of the adventure—and we make it easy. All lodge packages include shuttle transportation from San José, typically from your hotel, to the Pacuare River put-in. From there, our expert guides take over. Both hikers and rafters begin their journey here.
Need transportation to or from other locations in Costa Rica? No problem. Custom shuttle add-ons are available—just let us know during online checkout or contact us directly.
At the put-in, you’ll receive a drybag for any luggage you’re bringing to the lodge. Bathrooms are available at the put-in. Any extra luggage you want to store will be sent with the driver to our Turrialba Operations Center for safekeeping. (See Packing list FAQ here.)
Once your gear is packed, you’ll receive rafting equipment and a full safety briefing. Rafting the world-renowned Pacuare River is a one-of-a-kind way to arrive at Ríos Lodge.
This first leg of the journey covers approximately 16 km of Class I–II whitewater and takes about 2–3 hours, depending on water levels. You’ll arrive at the lodge by early afternoon and enjoy lunch.
Minimum age:
- 6 years old during Dry Season (Dec–Apr)
- 8 years old during Rainy Season (May–Nov)
Hikers will travel a short distance by rugged 4×4 vehicle from the river put-in to the cable car crossing point. From there, you’ll cross the river and begin your hike along the Pacuare River Trail, heading downstream.
The trail is 1.5 km (0.9 miles), moderately challenging, and takes 30–45 minutes depending on your pace and photo stops. You’ll arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon and rejoin the rafters for lunch.
Minimum age for rafting:
- Into the lodge: 6 years (Dry Season), 8 years (Rainy Season)
- Out of the lodge (Lower Pacuare): 12 years
After breakfast (around 9:00 a.m.), you’ll check out, settle your lodge tab, and repack your gear into drybags.
- Rafters depart between 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- Hikers begin the trail around 11:00 a.m.
Both groups reunite at the Pacuare River take-out near Siquirres. Facilities include changing rooms, bathrooms, showers (bring a travel towel), and a covered picnic area to repack your gear. Stored luggage from our Turrialba Operations Center will be waiting for you here.
From the take-out, shuttle buses return to San José or continue to your pre-booked destination.
Rafting out of Ríos Lodge on departure day offers an unforgettable ride through the stunning Pacuare River Gorge. You’ll navigate 2–4 hours of thrilling Class III–IV whitewater surrounded by lush jungle, towering waterfalls, and wildlife.
National Geographic ranks the Pacuare as one of the world’s top 10 whitewater rivers. Midway, you’ll stop riverside to enjoy a packed lunch prepared by our lodge kitchen.
Minimum age:
- 12 years old for this section of the river.
Hikers can enjoy a relaxed morning at the lodge before departing around 11:00 a.m. You’ll hike the same 1.5 km trail upstream to the cable car crossing, then cross the river where a 4×4 shuttle meets you for the trip out of the gorge.
From there, a larger van takes you to the Pacuare River take-out in Siquirres, where you’ll enjoy a packed lunch and meet up with the rafting guests as they finish their river journey.
Ríos Lodge is a magical jungle playground for families with kids ages 6 and up. With zipline canopy tours, nature hikes, waterfall swimming holes, and natural waterslides, there’s plenty to explore.
We recommend at least a 2-night stay to fully enjoy the experience and connect as a family. Kids often don’t want to leave!
Important for families: Parents must accompany children at all times —this is a real jungle environment!
For families with younger children (under 12), you can rafting into the lodge (water levels permitting) and must hike out.
Minimum age for rafting:
- Into the lodge: 6 years (Dry Season), 8 years (Rainy Season)
- Out of the lodge (Lower Pacuare): 12 years
More Info
- Lodging for each night of your stay.
- Meals during your stay.
- Guided hiking or Pacuare rafting into and out of the lodge.
- Professionally trained, bilingual (English and Spanish) guides.
- Access to conservation lands and hiking trails on our 2,000 acre Pacuare River Conservation Area.
- Transportation to and from San Jose.
- All Guided Activities at the Lodge: You can choose to experience any of our guided activities daily at the lodge, based on your preferences. These include various day and night hikes, river tubing (water level permitting), ziplining, and more.
- All unguided experiences at the lodge: soaking in nearby waterfall pools, use of yoga mats, hammocks, etc.
- Luggage transportation into the lodge and secure storage of any luggage you don’t want to bring to the lodge.
- Note: All guests’ luggage will be rafted into and out of Rios Lodge, for both hikers and for rafters. Guests will get a dry bag at the river put-in for the luggage they want to bring to the lodge.Pack light with one soft sided bag. Hikers will want to keep their daypack with them separately, for hiking into and out of the lodge. See our detailed FAQ Packing List for more information.
- Transportation shuttles to other locations: La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, Siquirres, or Turrialba. These are available separately if desired, just let us know when you book your reservation.
- Additional gratuities for lodge staff: A 10% gratuity is already included in your package price for meals. Additional gratuities for lodge staff are always appreciated, but not required. All lodge tips are shared across all lodge staff. See our helpful Tipping Information here.
- Gratuities for guides: Gratuities for your guides are always appreciated, but not required. A typical tip is 10% to 20% of the cost of your guided activity. See our helpful Tipping Information here.
- Beverages from the bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Note: Coffee/hot tea, morning breakfast juice, and filtered water are available free.
- Additional food beyond the single serving of entrees and desserts per person, are available at a la carte costs.
- Closed toe shoes (sneakers or river specific shoes) or strapped water sandals (for example Chacos, Astrals, Tevas). We strongly recommend closed toed shoes for every activity at the lodge, including rafting, for better protection.
- Quick drying swimsuit or shorts and top. We recommend shorts for protection against chafing while sitting on the raft, and a long sleeve sun shirt for protection against sunburn.
- Sunglasses and eyeglass strap retainer, especially for prescription glasses! (for example: Chums)
- Optional: Lightweight ball cap with visor to wear under your helmet for helpful sun protection.
- Ecofriendly, waterproof sunscreen.
- Small day pack
- Light hiking shoes or sneakers for hiking
- Light and quick drying hiking clothes
- Croakies and Sunglasses
- Ecofriendly, waterproof sunscreen
- Light rainjacket
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle
- Flashlight or headlamp – a must at night at the lodge.
- Optional: Binoculars. We have a pair at the lodge for guest use at the pavilion.
- Clothes (evenings can be a little cooler depending on time of the year)
- Medications and toiletries (All rooms have biodegradable shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. If you bring your own soaps, please make sure they are environmentally friendly.)
- Quick drying swimsuit or shorts and top
- Closed toe shoes (sneakers or river specific shoes) or strapped water sandals (Chacos, Astrals and Tevas are the most common) for the river. Note: We strongly recommend closed toed shoes for every activity at the lodge, including rafting, for better protection.
- Books
See our detailed FAQ Packing List for more information.