Home to two rivers suitable for adventure rafting (the Pacuare and the Reventazon), the Cartago province has been Costa Rica’s preferred destination for international thrill-seekers for more than twenty-five years. With the nearby Pacuare being considered one of the most beautiful white-water-rafting rivers in the world, the Turrialba area in particular provides visitors of all skill levels with a variety of challenging options (class 1 being the easiest and class 5 the most difficult).

Explornatura (https://www.explornatura.com/) offers one day class 3 and class 4 Pacuare rafting ($85 pp), class 2 and class 3 family river rafting ($85 pp), and canyoneering/canopy tours ($75 pp) as well as multi day adventures combining several of these activities. Mountain biking tours of the plantations and botanical gardens of the nearby Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion (CATIE) are also available.

Loco’s Rafting and Tropical Tours (http://www.whiteh2o.com) specializes in class 3 small custom rafting and kayak tours ($85 pp) with prior booking by a group of 3 or 4 guests, or for solo adventurers as long as the owner (Lee Poundstone) has a spot available on a tour already going out.

Another operator in Turrialba offering both single day and multi day white-water, mountain biking, and canyoning trips is Ecoaventuras, whose rafting tours require a two person minimum booking. Prices are available via the reservation inquiry page at (https://www.ecoaventuras.co.cr/).

Turrialba is approximately 38 miles east of Orosi and reachable by car in about 1 hour 40 minutes. Tour costs typically include lunch, equipment, guides, and transport to and from Turrialba and the rapids but exclude tips.

Guests looking for a more leisurely experience closer to Hotel Reventazon may find Rafting Orosi to their liking. Offering plenty of photo opportunities of the scenic mountains nearby, this tour takes place on the much calmer Rio Grande de Orosi and is recommended for first-time rafters and children of all ages. The $75 per person price includes a 3 hour tour with 1.5 hours of time on the river, transport, fruits, and lunch. The tours begin every day at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. with a minimum group of 3 rafters or if space is available on a tour already going out. Rafting Orosi also offers kayaking lessons for those who plan on staying in the area for a longer period of time. Tours start approximately four miles north of town on the road to Cachi and can be arranged by contacting Rafting Orosi’s office (2533-4000/8981-5322), open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.