Overview
Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast offers a variety of adventures for clients to experience, and this itinerary features rafting the Pacuare River (listed at one of the top 10 rivers in the world to raft according to National Geographic), zip-lining, hiking and more! Combine this with pristine Caribbean-blue water ideal for snorkeling, surfing, hiking trails, and a plethora of wildlife for an adventure of a lifetime. All meals are included at Pacuare Lodge due to its remote location along the river. However, Hotel Aguas Claras includes breakfast only. They have two restaurants on property: Da Lime Beach Club and Papaya. There are also several delicious local Caribbean-inspired restaurants nearby to choose from. This trip is the ultimate way to see the Caribbean side of Costa Rica in a very unique style.
Quick Summary
Day 1
Arrival Day
Arrival at SJO, transfer to Hotel Grano de Oro. Transportation from the airport can be arranged through the hotel.
Daily Summary
Day 2
Transfer/White Water Rafting to Pacuare Lodge
After meeting in the lobby of Hotel Grano de Oro at 6:20am. A driver and guide takes guests via private transportation roughly one hour and thirty minutes to Cafe Viñas where breakfast and fresh coffee will be served. From there, continue for another 45 minutes driving to Tres Equis (the entry to Pacuare River).
White Water Raft to Pacuare Lodge
Upon arrival at the Pacuare River, guests meet their guides and receive a quick briefing before heading to Pacuare Lodge. This will be around a one hour and thirty minute paddle through Class II & III rapids reaching Pacuare Lodge. En route, quick stop to explore a small waterfall.
* On this day, guests will need to wear water shoes (tevas or chacos) and clothes that you don't mind getting wet like board shorts and a water-resistant shirt. The guides will have dry bags for anyone who wants to bring along their phone or camera. All of the luggage will continue with the driver to Pacuare Lodge and will be waiting for you in your room once we get to Pacuare Lodge.
Daily Summary
Day 3
Activities at Pacuare Lodge
Full Day at Pacuare Lodge
Full day to explore Pacuare Lodge and sample their onsite activities. Other than white water rafting, there will be options for:
- Canopy Tour (zipline)
- Canyoning
- Birdwatching
- Hike to a Nearby Cabecar Indigenous Village
- Hike to the Healing Waterfall
- Night Tour of the property to see nocturnal animals.
*These are all included in the pricing besides the hike to Cabecar Indigenous tribe village (6 hour hike)
Daily Summary
Day 4
Pacuare Lodge to Hotel Aguas Claras
White Water Raft to Siquirres
After breakfast around 8:30am guests leave Pacuare Lodge by water water rafting towards the Caribbean to a town called Siquirres. This raft journey will take about 4 hours and consists of rapids ranking Class III & IV. After getting through the rapids, pass between two cliff faces where everyone can jump in and swim alongside the rafts. Before exiting the river, our guides will serve a healthy lunch on a scenic riverbank.
Upon arrival in Siquirres, a driver will be waiting with the guests luggage. At the river exit, there are showers and towels so everyone will have a chance to clean up and change into clean clothes. From Siquirres to Hotel Aguas Claras, its about a 2 hour drive.
Daily Summary
Day 5
Adventures from Aguas Claras
Upon arrival at Hotel Aguas Claras, guests have the remainder of the day to relax by the beach or pool. The goal is to make it just in time for Happy Hour at Da Lime restaurant located on the beach outside of the property. There is access to snorkel gear and we recommend having a sunset toast on the beach!
Daily Summary
Day 6
Explore Puerto Viejo
Excursions of Your Choice from Aguas Claras
Aguas Claras, part of the Cayuga Collection, is the perfect place to relax or continue the adventures to cap off your Caribbean adventure. Here, jungle meets beach, so there are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife from Green Macaws, yellow pit vipers, sloths, monkeys, tropical fish, etc.. There are also nearby tribes you can meet and hike to waterfalls on their properties. Bikes and snorkel gear are available for any guests to use.
Here is a list of a few tours we recommend booking from Aguas Claras:
- Snorkeling Inside Cahuita National Park
- Yoga at Casa Ghandi
- Hiking at Cahuita National Park
- Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve Tour
- Dolphin Tour
- Sea kayaking Punta Uva
- Mangrove + Hike Mirador Punta Uva
- Visit Gandoca's Lagoon
- Surf Lessons
- Horseback Riding
- Zipline Canopy Tour
- Waterfall Hike (Kekoldi Hike)
- Bri Bri Dialect Tour
- Caribbean Cooking Class
- Caribbean Dance Class
Daily Summary
Day 7
Excursions of Your Choice from Aguas Claras
Excursions of Your Choice from Aguas Claras
Aguas Claras, part of the Cayuga Collection, is the perfect place to relax or continue the adventures to cap off your Caribbean adventure. Here, jungle meets beach, so there are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife from Green Macaws, yellow pit vipers, sloths, monkeys, tropical fish, etc.. There are also nearby tribes you can meet and hike to waterfalls on their properties. Bikes and snorkel gear are available for any guests to use.
Here is a list of a few tours we recommend booking from Aguas Claras:
- Snorkeling Inside Cahuita National Park
- Yoga at Casa Ghandi
- Hiking at Cahuita National Park
- Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve Tour
- Dolphin Tour
- Sea kayaking Punta Uva
- Mangrove + Hike Mirador Punta Uva
- Visit Gandoca's Lagoon
- Surf Lessons
- Horseback Riding
- Zipline Canopy Tour
- Waterfall Hike (Kekoldi Hike)
- Bri Bri Dialect Tour
- Caribbean Cooking Class
- Caribbean Dance Class
Daily Summary
Day 8
End of Tour
SANSA Airlines has daily flights form Limon to San Jose, about a 30-minute flight. The reservations team at Aguas Claras can help book these, or a local DMC can help arrange them. Private charter flights for 2 - 12 people are available as well. We do not recommend driving back to San Jose because it can sometimes take over 5 hours. Upon arrival in San Jose, walk across the street from the Domestic Terminal to the SJO International Terminal for return flight home.
Daily Summary
Accommodation
| Accommodation | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Grano de Oro | San Jose, Costa Rica | |
| Pacuare Lodge | Turrialba, Costa Rica | |
| Hotel Aguas Claras | Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica |
San Jose, Costa Rica
Hotel Grano de Oro
Turrialba, Costa Rica
Pacuare Lodge
Located on the Pacuare River, world famous for it’s whitewater rapids, in the heart of the Talamanca Mountains on 840-acres of private reserve, Roberto Fernandez, who is from nearby Turrialba, created Pacuare Lodge as a camp where whitewater rafters could be set up for the evening. Fast forward to now, the objective has not changed, but the camp has transformed into one of the most unique wilderness lodges in the world. A string of luxury treehouses are spread across the forest canopy above the azure blue waters of the rushing river
Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica
Hotel Aguas Claras
A boutique jewel on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Hotel Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo is a beautifully curated collection of Victorian-tropical bungalows and suites, discreetly tucked within two acres of lush gardens. Untouched by the development of the Pacific Coast, Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean has long captivated local Ticos with its laid-back vibe, crystal clear seas, and influence from Afro-Caribbean and indigenous cultures. Renowned Costa Rican artist Elizabeth Steinvorth first fell under Puerto Viejo’s spell 32 years ago, and has returned nearly every other month since. In 2014 she and her daughter Elena Rohrmoser purchased the old Hotel Aguas Claras property and began meticulous renovations, focused on using reclaimed materials, highlighting the natural surroundings and collaborations with local artists and makers.
Opened in 2018, the hotel is an expression of their creativity and love of place. A brief stroll down a forested lane leads guests to the hotel’s DaLime Beach Club and the clear waters and coral reefs of Playa Chiquita. The property is a 10-minute bike pedal from the restaurants and shops of Puerto Viejo, and a 45-minute drive from the Limon Airport. Black, gold and white sand beaches dot the surrounding coast, offering multiple locations to surf, swim, or snorkel. Both Cahuita National Park and Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge–home to monkeys, sloths and endangered Great Green Macaws–are within 20 minutes of the hotel. Aguas Claras is an ideal retreat for writers and artists or anyone who wants to have the option to get a little work done while still enjoying paradise.
