Testimonials

What People Say About Costa Rica!

"I had an amazing time in Costa Rica and I developed a real fondness for the laid back and 'carpe diem' Costa Rican culture. Further, I discovered an adventurous side which I didn't even know that I had to the degree that I do have and, now, indulge freely! Between the wonderful fish and plantain desserts I feasted upon, the amazing time white water rafting and overnight camping along the Pacuare, the incredibly informative experience I had at CATIE learning about the flora, the wonderful Costa Rican people I met during my travels and the beautiful scenery from the volcanoes to simply gorgeous waterfalls, I have a love affair with Costa Rica. I am eager to return to this wonderful, laid back and inspiring country."

Pamela Chelin is a freelance journalist in Los Angeles who has worked with Access Magazine, Globe and Mail, LA Times, German Glamour, etc.

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I've been to Costa Rica three times now. Each time I go, I find something new and exciting to do, whether hiking in the Corcovado National Park, taking an intensive Spanish course, or, most recently, rafting on the spectacular Pacuare River. The people I have met in Costa Rica are among the nicest anywhere, and will go out of their way to make your stay a treat. I can't wait to go back. -Laurie Ellis, travel writer and massage therapist.

Laurie Ellis LCMT

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"This was such a memorable experience that I recommend it to anyone, regardless of age. The activities were fun for everyone, from families to teenagers to adults.

Jenny F.

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"Amazing country with so much to do! I love the fact that everything is so GREEN, and surrounded by Eco-tourism. I went rafting, ziplining, and hiking. Costa Rica is definitely in my to go back list. PURA VIDA!!!"

Mario N.

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"I went there for only 4 days, and every moment was jammed pack with activities. I only slept for 5 hours a night, and literally we were out doing something new. My buddies and I where traveling together, and having them around, do the same activities, made my whole experience a lot more memorable."

David S

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The Pacuare River winds its way from the Talamanca mountain range, the highest in Costa Rica, all the way down to the Caribbean Sea. The Pacuare is rated amongst the top five rivers in the world for scenery and rapids. A waterfall here, a troop of White-Face monkeys there, an Iguana sleeping on the branch of a tree, then a chestnut billed toucan flies past. Each bend in the river a promise of magic, of mystery. But of course there are the rapids too.

After a lengthy lecture accompanied by strict safety training my companions and I slide our raft into a serene pool at the river’s edge. Tito, our navigator and supreme commander would issue orders as and when required. To disobey might mean getting thrown from the raft, maybe even washed all the way to the Caribbean, alone with just your life jacket and paddle.

The first three sets of rapids are fun, somewhere between an amusement park’s tilt-a-whirl and a low end log flume ride. Then Tito points towards an approaching class IV rapid. I remember Marilyn Monroe in the movie Niagara. Would there be a body mangling cascade just beyond?

Our instructions are to paddle hard into the centre of the flow. Two great blasts of water throw our hind-ends from cheek to cheek as a tremendous sheet of water envelopes us. Then we plunge downward a metre, maybe two into the whitewater storm. A giant boulder to the left, a churning pool called a hydraulic to the right. Tito yells for us to get down. That means lying on the floor of the raft. We slide over a rock and into the hydraulic, then spin out and bounce off the boulder. I want to suck my thumb. Suddenly, Tito yells for us to get up and paddle hard again. We climb back to our sitting positions and follow his command. Moments later, the water is calm again.

“Muy good. High fives.” Tito shouts with an ‘I do this every day’ smile.

We all turn to the centre of the raft, and with wide smiles, raise our paddles to the sky and shout “pura vida” in disjointed unison.

Near the end, in a canyon, we all jump into the river and float on our backs like slow moving logs. I want to free myself of the life-jacket and helmet; dive deep, catch a fish with my bare hands and eat it raw. The river is mine. Costa Rica – Pura vida.

There are nine class III and six class IV rapids on this twenty-nine kilometre stretch of the Pacuare. Each one looking more daunting on approach, but at the same time more manageable as our self-confidence grows.

Jack Drury, Travel Writer

www.travelpod.com

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