Rafting the Rio Pejivalle River

The Pejivalle River is a bit more mellow and is perfect for first timers and whitewater enthusiasts that are enjoying their Costa Rica whitewater adventure with younger or inexperience paddlers. The river still boasts numerous rapids and breathtaking scenery but is a safer alternative to the Pacuare River.

The main section of the river is the more popular destination for rafters and kayakers. This section starts where the dirt road ends at a small school. From here its about ten beautiful miles along the river to the take out.

The first third of the run is relatively continuous class II rapids. The rain forest comes right down to the river and the canopy here sometimes spreads completely across the whole river. Midway through is a great rock for jumping off into the river and swimming.

The second third of the run passes by a town with the same name as the river. Here the river slows down just a little bit and opens up. The river is a bit wider here and also a little more shallow in spots. The last part of this middle section contains the one class III- rapid. Typically after conquering this rapid we pull over for a lunch on the beach underneath the grand canopy of giant tree. Lunch is served off the bottom of an upside down raft, tablecloth and all.

The final third of the river is much wider now and the rain forest retreats and opens up into a sugar cane plantation. The whitewater in the last section mellows out and it is here that it is best for spotting some of the numerous beautiful birds that call Costa Rica home. The area is wildly popular for Egrets and Cranes. But its when we have spotted a Sun Bird, with two bright orange or yellow rings on its outstretched wings that look like suns, that we know its been a good day.

The take out is at the base of a bridge just before the river meets up with the Reventazon River and Lake Angostora. From here it is about half an hour back to the city of Turrialba over some pretty bumpy roads but you will hardly notice it after your grand adventure.