Turrialba, Costa Rica's Capital of Adventure

[Danny Solano Alvarez]

Jungle, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, canyons and gravel roads come together in Turrialba, making this region Central America's adventure-sport capital. Turrialba is the perfect destination for those who wish to enjoy adventure amid lush nature, so it's no coincidence that Turrialba is the cradle adventure tourism in Costa Rica.

You will find a wide range of high-quality adventure sports which employ rigorous safety standards. Turrialba also boasts the natural topography for adventure sports, as well as the best adventure guides in the country. Our guides don't see adventure as work, but rather as a lifestyle. As proof, included among our guide are international rafting and kayak instructors, rapid-water rescuers and first-response members, five-time national rafting champions, Olympic and Pan-American athletes in kayaking and rafting, as well as successful mountain bikers.

Some of our adventure activities include:

Whitewater Rafting

This is the area's most popular activity. Turrialba houses Costa Rica's largest rafting operation.
There are several commercially run rivers available to rafters year round in Turrialba. Many companies offer tours that include transportation, food, guides and specialized equipment.

• Pejivalle River

This is a class-II and -III river, which means that the whole family can enjoy it, while still being fun and exciting for all. This river has turquoise-colored water that pass through rainforest, and sugarcane, coffee and macadamia plantations as participants enjoy its rapids and tranquil pools.

• Pascua Section

This section of the river offers two dozen class-IV rapids over 25 kilometers. This run is only for experienced rafters who want to challenge their spirit and who enjoy adrenaline.

• Pacuare River

This truly unique river offers visitors an adventurous experience amid a spectacular natural setting. In fact, it is considered among the top 10 rafting rivers in the world.

The Pacuare River offers three different sections of whitewater that flows through forest reserves, national parks and indigenous reserves. Several companies offer rafting excursions that range from the traditional day trip to some incredible two- to four-night stays. Lodging along the river runs the gamut from tents to luxurious rooms with views of the river and surrounding rainforest.

The dense jungle along the Pacuare's banks provide refuge for several species of mammals, including jaguars, anteaters, monkeys and sloths. You can find a huge variety of birds, colorful butterflies and other insects. Additionally, two sections of the river have been awarded the Blue Ecological Flag.
In addition to rafting, the Pacuare is a great destination for horseback riding, canopy tours, nature walks and visiting indigenous communities.

Canopy Tours

Our canopy tours are a must. In Turrialba, four companies offers these tours, either as part of a visit to the Pacuare River or as a guest at a local hotel.

Canyoning

Canyoning, or canyoneering, is an increasingly popular sport around the world that comes to us from Europe. This activity consists of descending canyons by jumping, climbing downwards, sliding along rocks and the most exciting part: rappelling down waterfalls.
In Turrialba, we have around a dozen canyons which are perfect for beginners and experts alike.

Mountain Biking

Cycling is Turrialba's official sport. On any given weekend here, you are bound to see how popular this sport is with the local populace.
For those who wish to enjoy mountain biking in Costa Rica, Turrialba is the perfect place. It's no coincidence that Costa Rica's most important mountain biking race, the Ruta de los Conquistadores, takes place mainly in our region.

Hiking

For hiking lovers, Turrialba is an excellent option within Costa Rica. Our topography affords hikers incredible views of mountains and valleys while they enjoy climate that encourages this kind of activity.

Turrialba's terrain ranges from 3,820 meters above sea level (12,530 feet) to 300 meters (985 feet) in a relatively small area. The area's landscapes lend themselves to all kinds of hikes, ranging from rainforest to man-made landscapes that seem to evolve during your hike.