Costa Rica: River, Waterfalls, and Rainforest

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COSTA RICA: RAINFOREST RIVER RETREAT

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PURA VIDA ON THE PACUARE

Imagine arriving at your jungle home by raft. You paddle past waterfalls tumbling out of the rainforest while toucans cross the river overhead. Your bags ride downstream with you, and at the end of the run a riverside lodge, a hot lunch and a hammock are waiting. No roads, no traffic, no screens. Just you, the river and a crew of amazing women ready for adventure.

This trip is five days deep in Costa Rica's Caribbean-slope rainforest at an award-winning, off-grid eco lodge on the Pacuare River, which is ranked among the world's top whitewater rivers. Your days are filled with guided jungle hikes, waterfall swimming holes, ziplining through the canopy, river tubing, yoga on the riverside deck and wildlife spotting. At night, the howler monkeys sing you to sleep. Every meal, activity, transfer and night of lodging is taken care of, so all you have to do is show up and say yes.

Costa Rica is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in Latin America. Rios Lodge is proudly welcoming to all, with inclusive staff policies and gender-neutral communal bathrooms.

No prior experience is needed, just a desire to discover what adventure means to you!

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TRIP OVERVIEW

When: 🗓️ March 29 – April 4, 2027 (6 nights)

Where: 📍 San José & Rios Lodge, Pacuare River, Costa Rica

Activities: Whitewater Rafting, Rainforest Hiking, Night Hikes, Ziplining, River Tubing, Waterfall Swimming, Yoga, Birdwatching, and more!

ADVENTURE FOR ALL

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DIFFICULTY: LEVEL [2 – 3] OUT OF 5

  • Activity Time: 2–4 hours per activity, with plenty of downtime at the lodge between adventures

  • Getting In & Out: You choose to raft or hike into and out of the lodge

  • Terrain: Jungle trails with natural ups and downs as they follow the mountainous river valley. Expect mud, roots, rocks and humidity. All trail hiking is guided.

  • Activities May Include: Guided rainforest hikes, night hikes, zipline canopy tour, river tubing, waterfall pools and a natural waterslide, riverside yoga, birdwatching and wildlife viewing

  • Preparation: Designed for adventurers of all experience levels who are comfortable being active outdoors in a hot, humid climate. You pick your level each day, and every activity is optional. Rafting out through the Pacuare Gorge is the most challenging piece of the trip, and there is a hike-out option for anyone who'd rather keep their feet on land.

Please see Accessibility section below for additional details to help decide if this trip is right for you.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • All-Inclusive: Lodging, meals, activities, guides, transfers and gear are all handled. We take care of every detail so you can just show up and have fun!

  • Arrive by River: Raft into a lodge you can't reach by car. Your luggage makes the trip by raft too!

  • Off-Grid Eco Lodge: Hydro-powered, built from reclaimed wood, and set on a private rainforest reserve devoted to conservation and reforestation

  • Choose Your Own Adventure: Zipline, hike, tube, swim, do yoga, or claim a hammock and watch the river roll by. Your day, your pace.

  • Wildlife Everywhere: Toucans, howler monkeys, frogs and brilliant tropical birds, often right from your porch

  • Restorative: No wifi in the rooms, no glass windows between you and the jungle, and a whole lot of room to breathe

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At a Glance

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TRIP OVERVIEW

SCHEDULE

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OVERVIEW

Day 1 – Monday, March 29: Welcome to Costa Rica!
Fly into San José (SJO) and settle into our hotel for the night.

  • Check-in to hotel

Day 2 – Tuesday, March 30: Into the Rainforest
We rise early, have breakfast, and then head for the river. It's a scenic 3.5–4.5 hour drive (with a pit stop) to the Pacuare River put-in. There, we pack our lodge bags into dry bags and store any extra luggage securely. Then the adventure begins!

  • Rafters: A 2–3 hour paddle down the gentler upper Pacuare (mostly Class I–II rapids) to the lodge

  • Hikers: A short 4x4 ride and a river crossing by cable car, followed by a 1-mile guided rainforest hike to the lodge

  • Lunch at the lodge, then settle in, swim, and explore

  • Dinner in the open-air riverside pavilion

Days 3–5 – Wednesday–Friday, March 31–April 2: Jungle Days
Three full days of rainforest adventure, delicious meals, laughter and connection are the heart of the experience. Choose from guided hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes, the zipline canopy tour, river tubing, night hikes, riverside yoga and birdwatching. Or trade it all for a book and a hammock.

Day 6 – Saturday, April 3: Down the River & Back to San José
After breakfast, we say goodbye to the lodge.

  • Rafters: A thrilling 2–4 hour run through the Pacuare Gorge (Class III–IV rapids), with waterfalls, lush canyon walls and a riverside picnic lunch along the way

  • Hikers: A relaxed morning, then the same trail back out around 11:00 am and a shuttle to the take-out, with a packed lunch there

  • Everyone reunites at the take-out, where there are showers and changing rooms. Then we shuttle back to San José, arriving early evening.

  • Overnight in San José

Day 7 – Sunday, April 4: Departure Day
All good things must come to an end! Fly home from SJO, full of jungle magic.

Included Meals: All meals at Rios Lodge from lunch on Day 2 through lunch on Day 6 (5 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 breakfasts)

Included Lodging: 4 nights at Rios Lodge, 2 nights in San José

WHAT IS INCLUDED

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INCLUSIONS

  • 4 nights at Eco-Lodge (You'll choose your room type. Prices vary based on room type)

  • 2 nights hotel lodging in San José (March 29 & April 3)

  • Breakfast at San Jose Hotel (2)

  • All meals at Rios Lodge (Day 2 lunch through Day 6 lunch)

  • All guided activities at the lodge: hiking, night hikes, ziplining, tubing, yoga and more

  • Guided rafting or hiking into and out of the lodge, with all rafting gear provided

  • Airport transfers between San Jose Airport & San Jose hotel

  • Round-trip ground transportation between San José and the Pacuare River

  • Luggage transport to and from the lodge by raft, plus secure storage for extra bags

  • Pre-trip planning calls

  • AdventurUs Trip Leader

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EXCLUSIONS

  • International airfare to/from San José (SJO)

  • Dinners in San José (2)

  • Alcoholic beverages and bar drinks

  • Travel insurance

  • Gratuities for lodge staff and guides

MORE INFO

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THIS TRIP IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF...

  • You've dreamed of a real-deal jungle adventure but want someone else to handle every detail

  • You want to try whitewater rafting, ziplining or night hikes in a supportive, no-pressure group

  • You're ready to unplug. Limited wifi is a bonus, helping you stay present.

  • You crave a balance of adventure, connection and restoration

  • You love the idea of sleeping steps from a wild river with the rainforest all around you

  • You feel a women-centered adventure is the right space for you

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WHERE YOU WILL STAY

Rios Lodge sits on the banks of the Pacuare River, inside a private rainforest reserve on Costa Rica's Caribbean slope. There's no road to the lodge. Guests, staff and supplies all arrive by raft or on foot, which keeps it wonderfully wild and quiet.

The lodge runs entirely off the grid on hydroelectric power and was built with reclaimed wood. It's a recognized model of responsible ecotourism, supporting rainforest science, reforestation and conservation across the Pacuare River basin. Meals are served in an open-air dining pavilion overlooking the river. Expect fresh tropical cooking, Costa Rican coffee and prime seats for toucan-watching.

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ACCOMODATIONS

All rooms at Rios Lodge have a private bathroom with a hot shower, a covered porch, fully screened windows, electrical outlets (US plugs), linens, towels and eco-friendly toiletries. Lighted pathways connect the cabins, dining pavilion and common areas.

There are 3 room options:

  • Private Room: Single occupancy, a room all to yourself

  • Shared Room: Double occupancy, two travelers sharing a room

  • Family Room: Triple occupancy, three travelers sharing a room with three beds. You will share a double room in San Jose.

Specific rooms are assigned by the lodge. When you register, let us know if you're coming with friends you'd like to room with, and we'll do our best to put you together

ACCESSIBILITY

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We want every traveler to know exactly what to expect, so here's the honest scoop on getting there and getting around.

Getting to the lodge

  • Drive: Approx 3 hours from San José to the river, with a bathroom stop along the way. with an early pickup from our San Jose hotel at 8:00 am. There are restrooms at the put-in.

  • Rafting in: 1-2 hours on the upper Pacuare, mostly Class I–II rapids. No experience is needed, and you'll get a full safety briefing.

  • Hiking in: About 15 minutes in a 4x4 on a dirt road, a river crossing by cable car, then a 1-mile (1.5 km) guided trail that takes 30–45 minutes. The trail is moderately challenging, with some ups and downs.

  • Luggage: Everyone's bags travel to the lodge by raft, even if you hike in. Pack one small, soft-sided, carry-on-size duffel; it goes into a large dry bag shared with one other traveler. Rolling suitcases and anything you don't need at the lodge stay in secure storage until the take-out. Hikers carry only a small daypack.

Getting out of the lodge

  • Rafting out: 2–4 hours through the Pacuare Gorge, with Class III–IV rapids. This is a paddle trip, so everyone paddles.

  • Hiking out: The same 1-mile trail and cable car crossing, then a shuttle to meet the rafters at the take-out.

  • Rafting fitness: The lodge asks that rafters be at least moderately fit. That means you can paddle actively, fit comfortably in a life jacket, and help with your own rescue (swim to the raft or hold on) if you fall in.

Getting around the property

  • The lodge sits in a mountainous river valley, and paths and trails involve slopes and uneven, sometimes slippery ground. Pathways are lighted at night.

  • All trails beyond the lodge grounds are guided only, and every hike includes elevation gain and loss.

  • The lodge is open-air: no AC and no glass windows, only screens. It's hot and humid, and clothes may not fully dry overnight. They have fans in the rooms which helps with airflow.  Additionally, it cools down at night due to our proximity to the river - while not cold, it helps with overall comfort.

  • Wifi is limited to the dining pavilion. There's none in the rooms.

  • This is a remote location with no vehicle access. In an emergency, evacuation is by trail or river, and medical care is hours away.

If you use a mobility aid, have limited mobility, or have health considerations that might affect rafting, hiking or uneven terrain, please reach out before booking. We'll talk through options together.

TRAVEL INFO

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GETTING TO & FROM SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA

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FLYING TO COSTA RICA

Recommended Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), San José

Arrival Flight Recommendation:

  • Book flights arriving at SJO on Monday, March 29, 2027. Our transfer to the river leaves at 8am the next morning, so arriving on the 29th is a must.

  • Additional pre-trip nights can be added to the San Jose Hotel upon request for an additional charge.

Departure Flight Recommendation:

  • Book flights leaving SJO on Sunday, April 4, 2027. The airport recommends arriving 3 hours before international flights.

  • Transportation from the hotel to the airport is included.

If you purchase your airfare before the trip is confirmed, we recommend a refundable ticket.

Passports & Entry

You'll need a valid passport to enter Costa Rica. Please check current entry requirements for your citizenship before booking flights.

ABOUT US

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THE ADVENTURUS DIFFERENCE

AdventurUs is a woman & LGBTQ+ owned company and as such, we are committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for all women and our friends of all gender identities and expressions, who are seeking a women-centered space.

All trips take into consideration; traveling as a woman and as part of the LGBTQ+ community, identifying locations and partners that also support our community, and are inclusive to all travelers.

Our life-changing adventure travel, camps, and events focus on outdoor skill development, community building, and fostering fun and friendship. AdventurUs Trip Leaders are all professional guides, seasoned travelers, and have Wilderness First Responder certificates.

We welcome travelers of all backgrounds, race, ages, sizes, and experience levels, offering a range of activities.

When you travel with us, not only are you getting an amazing, life-changing trip experience, you’re getting a partner in adventure.

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OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

  • Build Community – Foster joy, laughter, and authentic connections.

  • Embrace Authenticity – Show up as ourselves, with no pressure to perform.

  • Seek Adventure – Explore boldly, from local trails to global destinations.

  • Support Women – Share knowledge, inspire confidence, and uplift each other.

  • Celebrate Inclusivity – Create affirming, welcoming spaces for all.

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PROVIDING A WELCOMING SPACE FOR ALL

AdventurUs is committed to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces. We have no room in our packs for discrimination or disrespect of any kind. We value diversity and respect for all humans, wildlife, and land and expect our travelers to do the same. When planning travel with AdventurUs, you are committing to Leave No Trace principles and to following all rules, regulations, and customs of the places we visit while honoring the local culture. Any traveler who is not adhering to this policy is subject to non-refundable cancellation at any point.

WOMEN-LED

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YOUR GUIDES

We strive to partner with local businesses that support women and our community. At Rios Lodge, you'll be in the hands of experienced, bilingual local guides who know every bend of the river and every bird call in the canopy.

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YOUR TRIP LEADER

All trips have one AdventurUs trip leader in addition to our local guides. Saveria will be with you on this trip, from welcoming you in San José to our final farewell . We make sure every detail is handled so you can enjoy every moment.

ODDS & ENDS

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INTERNATIONAL DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY

Travel is a big commitment — and so is planning, designing, and hosting a trip. So we’ve built a policy that can be flexible for our Travelers, while still protecting the work that our Hosts and Trip Operators do at each stage of the process.

Deposit. International trips require a non-refundable deposit paid at the time you book your trip. If you cancel your trip in accordance with our cancellation policy, please note that we still keep your deposit and it is not included in the full trip amount.

100% of your deposit may be transferred to another trip under the following conditions:

  • the trip you transfer your deposit to must be departing with one (1) calendar year of the canceled trip; and

  • the transfer must occur within thirty (30) days of your cancellation date.

Cancellation. If you cancel your international trip and decide to not transfer your deposit to another trip, our cancellation policy is as follows:

  • if Participant cancels an international trip 180 days (6 months) or more before the trip start date: Full refund minus a 15% cancellation fee based on the full trip amount;

  • 179-91 days (3-6 months) before trip start date: Full refund minus a 25% cancellation fee based on the full trip amount;

  • 90 - 0 days (0-3 months) before trip start date: No refunds, no exceptions.

Our cancellation policy ensures the best possible experience for everyone.

We strongly recommend purchasing Cancel For Any Reason coverage as part of your travel insurance policy.

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PLAN A, B, & C

Adventure Travel is exactly that... an adventure. The outdoors can be unpredictable, so our daily schedule may change as needed. If we adjust the plan, it’s always with your safety, comfort, and overall adventure experience in mind. We stay flexible so you can fully enjoy the journey.

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TRIP MINIMUMS

Trips require a minimum # of travelers to run. Trips will be confirmed 90 days, or sooner, prior to start date.

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