White Water Rafting in Wild Costa Rica
Written by Bessie on Sunday, August 03, 2008 in Costa Rica
Feelin' normal
Coming to Costa Rica is wild. The roads are bumpy, animals surround, and it rains cats and dogs hours out of the day as it's "winter" here in paradaise. The great part of these things together though, is that it makes for adventurous rafting. Feelin' normal
It began the way most exciting things do down here, with a bumpy ride. We tromped through Palm Oil plantations and organic spice farms smelling fresh cinnamon, vanilla, mint and of course, eating leaves.
We get down to the river, and it's well, rocky and wet looking. The rafting starts out as most other excursions: 1,001 things to avoid so you don't get hurt or die: "Keep your foot lodged like this or you'll fall out." "Don't think, just do everything I say." "Never let go of your paddle." Kristine was looking a bit white in the face before heading out onto her first rafting experience, but she kept it together.
We headed down waves called things like Caesar, the larger Caesar's Son, and Robin Hood (get it, steal from the rich, give to the poor? - keep your wallets and bling bling in a secure place.)
It was pretty exciting rafting. The river was class III, and our guide was working really hard to stear us into rocks and holes in the river that would give us thrills and get us soaked. He would yell for us all to get inside the raft just so that our body weight would push us down deeper into the river as we hit obstacles and get us soaked.
At one point, the people on the other raft with us were all ducked down into their raft enjoying some major splashing, and they got stuck there near a rock. Ready for action our guide led us right into their raft. As you might expect we were like a scene from the Titanic, crashing into raft and rock, and we sent a guy from the other raft flying out into the waters. I've never seen someone so scared in my life. Not to worry, we didn't leave him on the river.
All in all it was a great time, and we had a nice family bonding experience paddling our hearts out. We even got to see vultures eating a cow along the river. How's that for family fun.
Uh-huh, it was eXtreme. Here's a little video our Argentinian guide took.
Comments on "White Water Rafting in Wild Costa Rica"
not every day you get to do that, huh. :)
So is it the naranja or naranjo river.....it struck me as funny that you were "white" water rafting on the "orange" river...
it's naranjo which means orange tree, which is also sort of funny because they couldn't show us any orange trees. don't know if they're actually along the river at all...
kyle will be glad to know that you continue to participate in EXtreme activities. you would think that with the kyles separated, the frequency of saying "EXtreme" would decrease. not the case, at least in my house.
haaaa haaaaaa - awesome to know things are still eXtreme over there eventhough the Kyles are apart. someday they'll totally have an extreme reunion.
Hi guys,
You guys sure started the Costa Rica leg of your trip with a bang!
I was wondering what the cost of rafting is? I did rafting in Veracruz, Mexico for about $30 per person... I am sure that Costa Rica is getting more expensive by the minute!
The Trump monkey and the sloth porn were hilarious!
It was $60 per person, which makes Mexico a deal for white water rafting. That price was a week ago, so it's probably up to $62 by now. In any case, it wasn't too expensive for Trump Monkey...he came along, then promptly bought the river and threw everyone off of it.
so THIS is Winter, huh? Niiiiiiiiiiiice.......... :)
yeah I wish winter back home meant 70s & 80s and rain! T'would be so wonderful!
This was totally a blast! I'm so glad Jim and I could come and share in just a small bit of your Central American adventure. I hope we didn't blow your budget too much! :) If we could come back today, we totally would! I miss the laid back pace of Costa Rica.... aaaahhh. Still looking for some "typical food" here, although I think we call that "McDonalds" in the states... ICK.
Your "eXtreme" Sis
The budget blowing was certainly well worth it! I miss the hot showers already! :) Glad to see the Pura Vida got under your skin - it's a great place down here! We're back at the coast & luckily there's a lot less rain.
Miss you guys & Pura Vida!
Whitewater rafting is a blast! Katie and I went in South Carolina in June. It was a Class III and IV. They filmed "Deliverance" there and sell shirts that say "Paddle faster, I hear banjo music!" I like your video. It's like a roller-coaster without the wheels, isn't it!
Looks like a wonderful adventure. Great discipline with synchronized oars. Looks like an olympic event...
Vultures eating a cow.......I'd deem that a considerable upgrade from hawks eating mourning doves here in Mokena. Rafting looked like super fun......and we're saving some hot water for your showers when you return home.
ooooooh hot showers. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to those and washing machines. :)
What a kick! I can sit here and be perfectly dry and raft vicariously.
by Den C at August 05, 2008 11:07 AM