Ave Sol Lodge

A riverbank retreat on the Pacuare

The Pacuare River gives Ave Sol Lodge its outlook and its pace. Simple, comfortable cabins stand high on the riverbanks, with views stretching upstream and downstream toward distant Turrialba Volcano. Along a bend below, the rapids give way to a natural pool. Birdlife and the murmur of the river accompany the morning—a reason to linger over the landscape before the day’s exploration begins.

The journey to the river

Getting here deserves a place in your travel plans. Specialized rafting operators lead private river trips to the lodge. The alternative is a road approach, followed by a short walk and a cable-car crossing of the river. The road from the highway to the river requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

A stay connected to conservation

Hand construction and locally sourced materials shaped Ave Sol with a light footprint. The lodge belongs to locally owned Rie Rio Pacuare, whose conservation work reaches into the wider Pacuare basin. Here, a cabin stay comes with a closer connection to the landscape and the people working to protect it.

Ave Sol’s work reaches beyond its cabins. The team brings together expertise in biology, natural resource management, veterinary science and tourism, working with tour operators, universities, nongovernmental organizations and local rural and indigenous communities. Habitat protection and scientific research sit alongside cultural heritage and sustainable tourism, connecting the lodge with the wider Talamanca Mountain Range.

Protection here includes efforts against poaching, illegal logging and unauthorized dam construction. The 120 acres of mature rainforest are a foundation for that work, while ecological research and preservation of Cabécar cultural heritage give it a broader purpose. A visit brings those connections into view alongside the river landscape—a stay with a purpose beyond the cabins.

Packing for the Pacuare

Trails, gardens and a restaurant complement the cabins. Pack for a river and rainforest stay: rubber-soled shoes that can get wet, quick-drying clothes, a swimsuit, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, a hat, insect repellent and a headlamp or flashlight. Long sleeves are recommended. Bring prescription medicines and essential toiletries, and secure your glasses with a strap. Binoculars, a waterproof camera with a strap and cash for souvenirs and drinks may also be useful. The lodge’s minimum age is 12, so include that requirement when planning a river stay with children.

What makes this stay a good fit

• High riverbank cabins: panoramic Pacuare River views and distant Turrialba Volcano make the landscape the focus of a simple, comfortable stay.
• An arrival to plan carefully: come with a specialized rafting operator, or take a four-wheel-drive road followed by a short walk and cable-car river crossing.
• Conservation with local roots: locally owned Rie Rio Pacuare protects 120 acres of mature rainforest and works in research, habitat protection and Cabécar cultural heritage.
• A river and forest experience: a natural pool along the river bend, trails and gardens give you reasons to spend time with the surroundings, with a restaurant supporting days at the lodge.
• For guests age 12 and older: simple cabins and a remote, nature-centered atmosphere suit travelers who want their stay to revolve around the river and forest; keep the minimum age in mind when planning with children.
• Pack for the setting: wet-weather footwear, quick-drying clothes, a light, insect repellent, sun protection and essential medicines matter for this river journey; secure glasses with a strap.