Discovering the wonders of Costa Rica Pacuare River By: Rodney Alfaro Whitewater rafting has become a preferred sport for those travelers looking for adventure in the middle of a spectacular landscape. This is what attracts plenty of visitors from all over the world to a very special and lively zone of Costa Rica. Recognized as one of the top five rivers in the world for enjoying this activity, the Pacuare River, located in the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica, has become a mandatory stop for adventurers that wish to have a unique experience, and even for couples on their honeymoon who would like to experiment something new in their lives. This river is born on the high mountains of Talamanca and it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, along its 108 kilometers, with a unique wealth of flora and fauna. In 1986, ICE- the Costa Rican Board of Electricity- launched an initiative for creating a hydroelectric dam, but this project was finally rejected in 2005, after evaluating the possible contamination indices and the negative impact on the flora and fauna of the zone, in addition to the effects on the largest source of income and jobs of the region: tourism. Fortunately, the river is a sanctuary of peace for many species that live along its course, which can observed while practicing whitewhater rafting. It is believed that the pioneers who started this activity on the Pacuare River were a group of Polish kayakers in an adventure trip on their way to South America, during the winter of 1980. They found optimal conditions, speed, curves, water level, and difficulty for practicing the sport, and many other pioneers started to experiment, while adventure companies turned the Pacuare River into a safe tour for visitors, regardless of whether they were experts or not in the sport. The path starts in the area of Turrialba, in the province of Cartago, among beautiful livestock farms of green pastures and very fresh air. A delightful breakfast will help gain energy. After arriving to the river bank, there is a talk about security measures that should be followed at every moment while being in the raft. It is fundamental to pay attention to avoid a drastic turn of events in an otherwise fun tour. Basically, the instructions namely consist of knowing when to paddle, according to the indications provided by the guide, and what to do in case of falling in the water, since the person should not be panicky, and should wait to be rescued by the guides. A security equipment will be provided, consisting of an oar, a lifejacket and a helmet. The raft can accommodate from 8-10 persons, and the guide will be in the back, since he will be the rudder in the raft and knows where to paddle. The guides know every swift of the river by heart, which helps to enjoy the adventure. Besides, there is a kayaker joining the raft during the entire trip; this kayaker is a security expert, besides being the one who takes pictures of the participants. The total path is 25 kilometers long, and it takes in approximately 2 ½ hours to complete. Famous rafts such as Cimarron, High and Low Huacas, Two Mountains, and The Velvet can be enjoyed. In some parts the river becomes peaceful, being this the right time to see birds and other animals along the river bank. Sometimes the guide allows tourists to jump in the river and get a little bit refreshed before continuing down the river. A pair of waterfalls, in the middle of the deep vegetation, await ahead for the adventurous, since this is one of the most fascinating spectacles of the tour. A lot of travelers make this as a one-day tour from and to San Jose; however, there are some hotels along the river where you can stay overnight to continue rafting the next day, entering and leaving for the river. This guarantees a unique experience of sleeping in the jungle, lulled by the sound of the river. It is important to mention that the river banks are virgin forest, since the zone is almost untouched by human hands. This makes the place a unique for all the kindness that nature has to offer. Continuing the descent, we arrive to a narrow area of the river between two hughe canyon rocks on both sides, which forms a unique space between the river and the stone, a huge natural swimming pool, where we can see the remains of an abandoned tunnel, part of the hydroelectric project that was never concluded. This is almost the final part of the path. At this point, if you feel adventurous you can jump from the raft and swim to the operations center, where you can return the equipment, take a shower, change clothes and enjoy a delicious lunch before going back to the capital after an adventure that, without doubt, will mark a before and after in the life blog of any traveler. The minimum age required for this or any other rafting is twelve years old, due to safety reasons. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes, preferably cotton, which is not so heavy when soaked with water, as well as water shoes or sports sandals, a towel and a second set of clothes to change into. Enjoy this adventure the best way by following the instructions and overall work as a team. This path provides us with a really good learning experience, since all members are following rules and working together. Keep in mind that is not all the time that you have the chance to make a trip down the river in one of the top five best rivers in the world for whitewater rafting. Whether you are a visitor or a resident, dare to come and meet the adventure.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 19:28:46 +0000
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