Pacuare Lodge is situated in Costa Rica's Atlantic region, within the Pacuare Protected Zone, approximately 20 miles from the town of Siquirres, at an altitude of 770 feet. You can find it on Google Earth using the following coordinates: 10° 00′ 00”.00 N, 83° 31′ 55”.00 W.
We offer scheduled pick-up and drop-off at the Hilton Garden Inn, Park Inn, and Grano de Oro Hotel. Pick-up is at 6 am, and the tour returns to San José around 6 pm on the departure day. If staying at a different hotel, you can reach these locations on your own or we can assist in arranging transportation for an additional fee, including from areas outside San José.
Due to its remote location, the lodge is not directly accessible by car or public transport. However, you can drive or take a bus to Siquirres and meet us at our warehouse. From there, we provide a transfer to the lodge by raft or ground transportation. Our sales representative will confirm your pick-up time at the meeting point.
Yes, we'll stop at a rustic, scenic mountain view restaurant for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast en route to the river.
The journey to the river takes between 2½ and 3 hours, depending on your hotel location.
Yes, we offer various options including land entry and departure, or a combination of land and river transport. Pacuare Lodge also has an onsite helipad for helicopter arrivals (additional fee).
Yes, all facilities at Pacuare Lodge, including bungalows, the main lodge, and the deck, are non-smoking.
Yes, in case of emergency, our resident manager and security staff are available 24 hours a day.
Pacuare Lodge is an ideal family destination with adventurous and cultural experiences. Due to our remote location and activity nature, we have a minimum age of 7 for staying at the lodge. The rafting tour requires a minimum age of 12. Ground transportation is available for children ages 7 to 11.
It’s best to book as early as possible, especially during the busy mid-December to January period. Booking one to two months in advance is recommended.
No experience is required. Our tours are designed to be safe and enjoyable for those in reasonably good shape, even if it’s your first time rafting. Safety is our top priority, and our bilingual guides are highly experienced and certified in first aid, CPR, and swiftwater rescue training.
Yes, free WiFi is available in our suites, reception area, and restaurant. However, due to our remote location, internet connectivity may occasionally be unstable.
If unsafe river levels force us to cancel rafting, clients will access or leave the lodge by ground transportation via a 4×4 vehicle (approx. 45-minute ride). A minimum of 2 passengers is required for the rafting tour.
Your Pacuare Lodge Adventure includes: Pick-up in San José, transfer to the lodge (choose rafting or 4×4 vehicle), accommodation in a suite, 8 included experiences (Canopy Tour, Tropical Canyoning, Bird-Watching, Cabecar Indigenous Hike, Ancient Trail & Hidden Waterfall Hike, Rural Experience, The Loop, Sustainability Tour), daily a la carte meals, afternoon coffee with homemade pastry, rafting or ground transfer out, and return transfer to San José.
The minimum age for White Water River Rafting In is 9 years old, and White-Water River Rafting Out is 12 years old, with a minimum weight of 65 pounds and a maximum of 275 pounds. Participation depends on river conditions, mobility, physical condition, and size, and is subject to the river guide's approval.
A minimum of three nights is recommended to fully enjoy the lodge. Our Adventure Packages include 8 unique onsite experiences, dining, and a spa.
Expect varied weather in Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest. Mornings are generally sunny and clear, with afternoon rain showers. Temperatures range from the mid to upper 80’s (28 – 30 C) during the day, and evenings may require a light jacket.
Costa Rica is a year-round destination, with peak seasons from December to April (Dry Season) and June through August (rainy afternoons). River levels are higher during the rainy season, especially September to November. For more availability, consider visiting from late April to early June or September to late November.
Any person who is physically fitted to do soft adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, canopy tours, canyoning, hiking, etc. The minimum age is 12 years old, and we cannot accept people with recent surgeries, pregnant women, or people who are not physically or mentally fitted for this type of activities.
A selection of wines, spirits, and liquors are available for purchase from our wine cellar and bar.
We’re located deep in the jungle, yet mosquito complaints are rare. Our bungalows are well-screened, and it’s important to keep doors closed. We recommend insect repellent for late afternoon outings or hikes.
An IP telephone system is available at the reception area for emergency contact.
If traveling from outside Costa Rica, vaccinations may be required depending on your origin. There is no yellow fever risk in Costa Rica, but proof of vaccination may be required if arriving from a high-risk area. Consult your doctor for recommendations.
Yes, all bungalows and suites have solar-heated water with a gas backup system.
While we strive to minimize cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee dishes are allergen-free and cannot accept liability. Guests with severe allergies should assess their own risk.
Yes, our tap water comes from an uncontaminated mountain spring and is periodically tested. We encourage the use of refillable bottles to reduce plastic waste.
Yes, Pacuare Lodge is powered by hydroelectric turbines and solar panels. Lighting and outlets for small devices are available, but high-energy devices like hair dryers are not permitted.
There’s no need to worry about malaria at Pacuare Lodge. While isolated outbreaks have occurred in some areas, these are far from tourist routes. Follow your physician’s advice, but no tourist has contracted malaria in Costa Rica in recent years.
Your stay includes 8 unique experiences: Canopy Tour, Tropical Canyoning, Bird-Watching, Cabecar Indigenous Hike, Ancient Trail & Hidden Waterfall Hike, Rural Experience, The Loop, and Sustainability Tour. Relax at our spa and enjoy unique dining experiences. All activities require a minimum of 2 passengers.
• Jaguar Villa: Luxurious and perched by the river, offering a tropical rainforest experience with elegant comforts.
• Linda Vista Villas: Spacious suites with breathtaking views of the river and rainforest, featuring a king-size bed, indoor/outdoor showers, a long deck, and a private dipping pool.
• Canopy Villa: A honeymoon suite on a hilltop with sweeping views, accessible via a hanging bridge to a private lookout platform.
• River View Suites: Tranquil suites with a private terrace offering stunning river and jungle views.
• Garden Suites: Suites with a private terrace, heated showers, and views of the surrounding rainforest.
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions section for detailed cancellation policies.
Visit our recommended packing list for details on what to bring and instructions for luggage you plan to leave behind.
Meals are highly regarded, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in our main lodge or deck. We can accommodate most special dietary needs with advanced notice.
You can charge devices in your room or at our reception area.
Yes, laundry service is available for an additional charge.
Pacuare Lodge
Costa Rica at its best: Pacuare Lodge – Arenal – Manuel Antonio
8 Days – 7 Nights
You’ll be in the midst of three of Costa Rica’s most spectacular areas. Each boasts its own scenic beauty and diverse wildlife, which you’ll experience firsthand while rafting down one of the world’s most scenic rivers, walking amidst the treetops on hanging bridges, and strolling along a jungle-lined beach. You’ll experience the whitewater rapids and tropical nature of the Pacuare River, the lush rainforest and spectacular views of Arenal Volcano, and the beaches, wildlife, and exuberant scenery of Manuel Antonio – three tropical paradises on one unforgettable journey.
Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica!
We will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel in San José. Overnight at Grano de Oro Hotel or similar.
Day 2: Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting.
You’ll be picked up early for the 2½-hour drive to the Pacuare River, with a stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast along the way. After basic safety training on the riverbank, you’ll embark on an exciting 1- to 1½-hour river rafting trip over class II-III rapids to the Pacuare Lodge: Costa Rica’s most secluded ecolodge. After a farm-to-table lunch, your guide will take you on a short hike through the rainforest to a waterfall and swimming hole. In the evening, you’ll enjoy an exquisite candlelit dinner and will be lulled to sleep by the soothing sounds of the river, crickets, and tree frogs.
Day 3: Personalized Tours at Pacuare Lodge.
Wake up to birdsongs and head to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast with a view of the river and rainforest. This day you can relax and enjoy the scenery or choose from an array of optional tours that include adventure activities such as rock climbing and rappelling on the Tropical Canyoning tour, or gliding through the treetops on ziplines on the Pacuare Canopy Adventure hikes through the forest (from 1 to 6 hours), an introduction to the Cabécar indigenous culture, a visit to a rural community, and the varied treatments available at the lodge’s spa(not included in the price). You’ll end this day with another sumptuous dinner by candlelight.
Day 4: Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting and transfer to Arenal
After another hearty breakfast, you’ll depart by raft for a fun-filled day of whitewater rafting (approx. 3½ hours over class III-IV rapids) on the Pacuare River’s most impressive section. You’ll float through lush canyons past pristine rainforest, crystalline waterfalls, and an array of tropical birds. A deli-style lunch will be served on the riverbank along the way, and you’ll be able to change into dry clothes at a private facility before you’re driven in a private minibus to the Arenal Volcano area (about 4 hours). Overnight at Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens or similar.
Day 5: Arenal Hanging Bridges and Jungle Relaxation
This day, you’ll experience the rainforest from varied perspectives – from the ground (like a jaguar), from the canopy (like a monkey), and from the treetops (like an eagle). You’ll hike along a three-kilometer trail that includes 15 bridges in a private reserve near Arenal Volcano where you might spot toucans, parakeets, and other birds. This afternoon is free for you to relax by your hotel’s pool and enjoy the luxuriant surroundings. Overnight at Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens or similar.
Day 6: Transfer to Manuel Antonio and Unmatched Landscapes
You’ll be driven by minivan through a series of landscapes ranging from jungle to pastoral to Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular spots. The area’s hilly landscape offers breathtaking views of the rainforest, ocean, and offshore islands, whereas Playa Manuel Antonio – an idyllic beach lined with lush foliage and washed by clear Pacific waves – is the perfect place for fun in the sun, sea, and sand. The rainforest that rises up from the coast is home to an array of wildlife that includes monkeys, iguanas, and hundreds of colorful bird species, making Manuel Antonio a great place for nature lovers. Overnight at Parador Hotel or similar.
Day 7: Your Pick of Tours at Manuel Antonio, or Beach-side Relaxation
You can dedicate this day to relaxing on the beach or exploring the area’s natural wonders on any of the varied tours (not included in package price) available here, which include a guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, or a sailboat cruise. Overnight at Parador Hotel or similar.
Day 8: Air transfer to San José:
We provide a transfer to the local airport (Quepos) for the short flight in a small plane to Juan Santamaría International Airport, where you can connect with an international flight or head to a San José hotel.
Package includes:
• Airport transfers
• Breakfasts and other meals where specified
• Lodging as described above
• Ground transportation between destinations
• Pacuare rafting trip.
• Hanging bridges
• Bilingual guides
• Domestic flight Quepos-Juan Santamaría International Airport (San José)
The Pacuare Lodge Rates Includes:
• Pacuare River rafting tour or ground transportation to the lodge (depending on preference)
• Suite accommodation
• 3 exquisite daily meals
• Transportation from San José
• 9 onsite experiences (Night Hike, Canopy Tour, Tropical Canyoning Tour, Bird-Watching, Cabecar Indigenous Hike, Ancient Trail & Hidden Waterfall Hike, Sustainability Tour, Rural Experience, The Loop)
• Professional & bilingual guide and equipment