White Water River Rafting In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known as one of the best places in the world to go white water river rafting. Costa Rica is home to an abundance of wild and untamed, big, brash rivers that plunge through incredibly beautiful tropical rainforests. Costa Rica has a river for people of all levels of white water river rafting experience ranging from beginner to expert rafter.

Coastal Spanish helps our students to arrange one of these incredible white water rafting trips in Costa Rica. Through Coastal Spanish our students have access to some of the best white water river rafting companies in and around Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica. In terms of feedback at Coastal Spanish, our Spanish students feel that white water river rafting in Costa Rica is probably one of the 1 or 2 best things to do in the country. Once in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica and at Coastal Spanish, the staff at the Spanish school can help you find the right river and the best white water river rafting company to go with.

Below is an overview of what to expect regarding white water river rafting around Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

White Water River Rafting Classifications

Each river in Costa Rica has different types of classifications which relate to the difficulty of white water river rafting. It is common for rivers to have sections that have different levels of difficulty.

Class I River Rapids: This section of river has moving water with little in the way of riffles, small waves and few if any types of obstructions.

Class II River Rapids: Regarded as easy river rapids with wave sizes of up to 3 ft. The river channel is typically clear of major obstructions. Some raft maneuvering may be required.

Class III River Rapids: These white water river rapids are characterized by high and irregular waves. Sections of the white water river rapids may require complex maneuvering.

Class IV River Rapids: These white water river rapids contains sections of long and difficult rapids. It is common to have sections that require exact maneuvering through very turbulent waters.

Class V River Rapids: Sections of the river contain long, difficult and violent rapids. Routes through the white water rapids are narrow and must be precisely navigated. Rescue conditions can be very difficult.

Class VI River Rapids: The biggest and most dangerous of all white water river rapids. Many times these rapids are virtually impossible and extremely dangerous to navigate. Expert only.

What Is Typically Included In A White Water River Rafting Tour?

Each white water river rafting company in Costa Rica offers something slightly different. However the information below is close to what is typically offered.

The standard white water river rafting trip will include:

• Round trip transportation to the river
• Breakfast at a typical Costa Rican restaurant
• Picnic style lunch at a predetermined rest spot on the river
• All equipment: helmets, life vests, rafts, etc.
• Experienced guides in each raft
• Safety personnel close to each raft in a kayak

Description Of The Popular Rivers Used For River Rafting In Costa Rica

Rio Corobici (class I-II rapids): This is a popular and easy white water river rafting trip in Costa Rica. If you want something relaxing, the Rio Corobici is a great option. Perfect for kids all the way up to the elderly. The views and wildlife along this river are world famous. Wildlife commonly seen include iguanas, monkeys, lizards, kingfishers, cormorants, and ospreys.

Rio Reventazon ~ El Carmen Section (class II rapids): One of the safest places in Costa Rica to go white water river rafting. This section of river can be classified as an all ages area. This part of the Reventazon is known for wide open waters and small waves. The Costa Rican scenery is absolutely amazing.

Rio Reventazon ~ Florida Section (class III rapids): One of the best sections of class III white water rapids in Costa Rica. A perfect place to go river rafting. This section of the Rio Reventazon is roughly 10 miles long and offers a great experience for the first time river rafter to an experience peddler. The waves, hydraulics and scenery is spectacular.

Rio Reventazon ~ Pascua Section (class IV rapids): When you want to experience big water, then this section of the Rio Reventazon is the place to go. Go white water river rafting through amazing rapids with names such as the "Horrendito", the "North Sea", and the "Indigestion". White water river rafting through this section of the river will expose you to twists, turns and big drops through a 15 mile section of river rapids.

Rio Sarapiqui (class III rapids): This stunning rainforest river is an excellent choice for a first rafting trip in Costa Rica. The lush vegetation and thick tree canopy along the narrow, winding river are home to toucans, cormorants, kingfishers, howler monkeys, hummingbirds and much more. You'll have fun going through exciting rapids interspersed with tranquil pools, and taking in the stunning tropical forest scenery.

Rio Pacuare (class III-IV rapids): The Rio Pacuare is considered by many to be one of the best white water rafting rivers in the world due to the combination of scenery and rapids. If you have never gone white water river rafting, then the Rio Pacuare is a great place to start. On this trip you get to see some of the most beautiful rainforest in Costa Rica, an abundance of native wildlife, and exhilarating rapids. Your trip will run through approximately 16 miles of river where you will pass majestic waterfalls, deep gorges, calm stretches of water, and exciting rapids.

White water river rafting in Costa Rica is an adventure not to be missed. Check with the staff at Coastal Spanish to find out how you can participate in this amazing experience!