whitewater rafting Costa Rica

[Danny Solano Alvarez]

Looking for a Costa Rica family adventure out in nature? Spend a fun-filled day splashing in the mild rollercoaster rapids of the Pejibaye River.

The beautiful, tropical Pejibaye River is a tributary of the mighty Reventazon River in the Turrialba Valley, just two hours from San Jose. Its low-key Class 2-3 rapids (in the lower section) make it a great introductory whitewater rafting trip for beginners and children (ages 8 and up). The three-hour river trip gives you spectacular scenery of coffee and sugarcane plantations, chances for wildlife viewing, and small rollicking rapids for a good time. It is one of the safest rivers for whitewater rafting in Costa Rica since the access road runs right along shore.

At the trip's start, you will have some practice time paddling through the first small rapids. It just takes one or two rapids for you to get the hang of rafting, and then you can enjoy the adventure! For a little extra fun, part way down the river you can jump off a giant rock into a deep pool of water.

Turrialba-based adventure tour operator Explornatura operates the Family Rafting Pejibaye River trip every day that weather and river conditions permit.

Add more tours for a full day of adventure

Combine whitewater rafting on the Pejibaye River with a hiking tour of the Pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Guayabo National Monument, a botanical plantation tour of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), or a biking or horseback riding tour of the Turrialba Valley. Explornatura offers these family tours and more adventures in Turrialba, Costa Rica.

Turrialba

The tranquil town of Turrialba is located in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica, east of San Jose, next to the volcano that gives the town its name. Beautiful rural landscapes lead up to Volcano Turrialba's giant crater, which has roared into life in recent years. The area is rich in ecosystems, full of plants and animals and rivers. Turrialba's economy focuses on agriculture (coffee, sugarcane, peaches and macadamia nuts), dairy cattle (Costa Rica's famous "Turrialba" cheese comes from here) and adventure tourism.

It is the town's love of adventure combined with its natural resource of gushing tropical rivers that makes Turrialba the "whitewater rafting capital" of Costa Rica. The Central American nation is one of the world's top destinations for whitewater rafting. The World Rafting Championships were held on the Pacuare River in 2011.

Family Rafting Pejibaye River trip

• What to bring? Quick-dry T-shirt and shorts, swimsuit, tennis shoes or strap-on sandals, and sun block. Extra clothes and towel will be needed at the end of the tour.
• What's included? Transportation, fruit snack, specialized equipment, and bilingual tour guide.
• Suitable for anyone 8 years and older; no previous experience required.

By Shannon Farley