Pacuare River Lodge

Let the river shape your stay

At Pacuare River Lodge, the journey belongs to the experience. Deep in the forest along the Pacuare River near Turrialba, outside San Jose, screened wooden cabins look toward the water, with patios and hammocks inviting you to settle into the riverbank setting. Built as a base camp for whitewater rafting, this is a deeply rustic place to pause between adventures—a stay for travelers drawn to the forest rather than conventional hotel comforts.

Arrive with your guide

The lodge can only be reached by raft, horseback or four-wheel ATV. A lodge representative meets you in town and shows you where to park before you continue with your guide; horseback and ATV arrivals are available on request only. Rafting on the Pacuare includes Class III to Class V rapids, so plan the journey as an active part of your trip, not simply a transfer to a room.

Beyond the river, guided jungle hikes lead to hundred-foot waterfalls, a natural waterslide and pools of swirling water. Trips to an indigenous village and kayaking lessons may also be available. Back at the lodge, river-view patios and hammocks give you a slower way to spend time outdoors, while birdwatching and wildlife viewing bring another dimension to the forest setting.

There is no need to fill every hour with an excursion. Settle into a hammock or spend time on a patio overlooking the river, watching the forest around you and keeping binoculars close for the tropical birds. The riverbank gives these quieter hours their own appeal: a comfortable place to pause outdoors, still surrounded by the landscape that makes the rafting journey so compelling.

Cabins with a camping spirit

The small wooden cabins stand apart from one another, creating a sense of privacy. Screened windows provide natural ventilation, and comfortable beds, river-facing patios and hammocks soften the camping-like experience. Before choosing your bungalow, keep a few practical details in mind:

Separate washrooms and cold-water showers are shared between several cabins, and the facilities are easy to reach at night. Confirm the bathroom arrangement for your chosen bungalow if a private bathroom matters to you. Cabins have no air conditioning; screened windows provide natural ventilation. Solar and hydroelectric power provide limited electricity, with device charging at night. Limited Wi-Fi may be available.

Come prepared for an off-the-grid rhythm, with more attention on the river and forest than on staying connected. With little electricity at the lodge, the night can bring another pleasure: looking up toward the stars.

Meals between adventures

A central covered, open-air restaurant serves healthy, hearty meals, with friendly staff bringing a welcoming touch to the rustic stay. All meals are included in the rafting tours, which also include wine and beer; confirm the arrangements for a stay booked differently. For friends and families who welcome simple facilities and a guided arrival, Pacuare River Lodge makes the overnight stop part of the story, with time to trade the pace of the rapids for a hammock beside the river.

Highlights to help you choose your stay

• The arrival is part of the adventure: Deep in the forest near Turrialba, the riverbank lodge is reached only by raft, horseback or four-wheel ATV. A representative meets you in town, shows you where to park and connects you with your guide; horseback and ATV access are on request only.
• For travelers drawn to the rapids: The lodge began as a whitewater-rafting base camp, and Pacuare rafting includes Class III to Class V rapids. Choose it when an active guided river journey belongs in your vacation, rather than expecting an ordinary drive-up hotel arrival.
• Forest days beyond rafting: Guided jungle hikes reach hundred-foot waterfalls, a natural waterslide and swirling pools. Indigenous-village visits and kayaking lessons may also be available, giving you further possibilities to discuss when planning.
• A river-facing place to slow down: Screened wooden cabins stand apart for a sense of privacy, with comfortable beds, river-facing patios and hammocks. Spend quieter hours on a patio overlooking the river, with binoculars close for tropical birds in the surrounding forest.
• Rustic comfort has clear limits: Cabins use screened windows for ventilation and have no air conditioning. Separate washrooms and cold-water showers are shared between cabins; confirm your chosen bungalow’s bathroom setup before booking if private facilities matter to you.
• Expect an off-the-grid rhythm: Solar and hydroelectric power supply limited electricity and device charging at night. Wi-Fi may be available only on a limited basis, so this stay suits time away from constant connectivity, with the chance to look up toward the stars at night.
• Meals belong to the rafting package: The covered, open-air restaurant serves hearty meals; all meals, wine and beer are included in rafting tours. Confirm arrangements for other bookings rather than assuming the same inclusions apply to every stay.
• A camping-like stay shared with friends or family: This is a super-rustic forest overnight with staff support, cabins and places to gather, suited to rafters, friends and families comfortable with simple facilities and guided access.

Plan a Costa Rica vacation with Pacific Trade Winds and discuss how Pacuare River Lodge fits your route and travel dates.