A Costa Rica adventure trip isn’t complete without rafting. The country has amazing rivers for rafting that are born at the slopes of majestic volcanoes and mountains, offering several levels of difficulty, from beginners to experienced rafters. The two most famous Costa Rica rafting tours are the Reventazon and the Pacuare. This time, I chose the Reventazon, next time, I’ll go to Pacuare, but there are options almost everywhere in the country.

I called my Costa Rica travel agency to book the trip. The tour started early in the morning in San José, where a private shutter picked me up along with the fellow adventurers. The excitement was in the air, and we couldn’t wait any longer to get to our destination. Probably half of my travel mates are at least repeating the rafting tour, and I’m sure that it won’t be the last time for most of them.

We made a stop in Paraiso for a delicious breakfast, and 45 minutes later were headed to Cachi. Class II and III rafting tours are available depending on the day, and there are two-day packages when you can get different classes, since the currents of the Reventazon are mostly controlled by the Cachi Dam. It is an exciting, adrenaline-pumping ride, lasting from two and a half to three and half hours, covering around 20 miles in length. The waters are warm, at least compared to the cold rivers in North America, and the natural beauty, with rain forests all over the place, is remarkable. However, when you have to be focused on the rafting and the river, there’s no time to fool around...Experienced guides will take you over the course of the river, and you will wear helmet, floating vests, and other security devices.

The tour is recommended for persons over 12 years old and pregnant women are not allowed to take it. Any person with good physical condition can make the tour, and you are encouraged to bring sunblock, comfortable clothes and shoes, a towel, and one change of clothes. Call your agency and ask them to include rafting in your Costa Rica travel tour. I hope that you enjoy white rafting in the Reventazon as much as I did!