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Pacuare Lodge

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Renowned raft-in luxury eco-lodge
- Breath-taking rainforest location
- World Class White-Water Rafting
- Birdwatching, river adventures & cultural visits

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Overview

Tucked away in dense, untouched rainforest is the exceptional Pacuare Lodge, an amazing eco-hotel well suited to anyone with an adventurous spirit. It’s highly luxurious and very well run, and while it must be said that it’s on the expensive side, the property offers a superb all-round experience and we highly recommended a stay here to anyone who can afford it. Arrival at the lodge is via either ground or raft transfer – there’s a pick-up and drop-off service running at set times between various points in San Jose and Siquirres. The Pacuare River is known for being particularly picturesque; it’s a top destination for white water rafting because of its series of thrilling rapids, not to mention the unspoiled rainforest scenery that runs along either side of it.

Accommodation at the lodge consists of 20 thatched roof bungalow suites, each one of which stands apart from the others, affording plenty of privacy. All bungalows are positioned to make the most of the scenic views, and they all come with a private veranda. There are five categories of suite to choose from including Garden Suites with lush views of the exuberant rainforest, River View Suites which as their name suggests look out on to the Pacuare River, the Canopy Suite located high up in the treetops and the Linda Vista Villas which are nestled up on a ridge. Finally, there’s the impressive Jaguar Suite, the lodge’s largest and most luxurious. Some of the amenities common to all suites include indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks out on the veranda, an en-suite bathroom, bathrobes, a fan and luxury bedding. Some suites have fully tiled bathrooms and standalone bath tubs, and a laundry service is available. The lodge is committed to building with sustainable materials and all of the suites have a natural yet upmarket feel.

This stunning property provides first class access to all the wonders and delights of the rainforest. While it’s perhaps best known for its exhilarating, lengthy white-water rafting tours which pass through class III and IV rapids for unforgettable river adventures, there’s so much more on offer. There’s a multi-activity canyoning experience set in a rugged gorge, and an exciting treetop canopy tour. There’s also a more relaxing kayaking adventure down a calmer portion of the river, along with a number of less strenuous activities to enjoy such as relaxed waterfall and birdwatching hikes, and nature walks. For chilling out after a busy activity, the Jawa Juü Spa offers a tempting array of treatments based on centuries-old techniques and organic products.

Children aged 7 and above are welcome and there are some excellent activities tailored specifically to families. Parents should note that for safety reasons there are age restrictions on some of the excursions and activities, for example children under 12 years of age are unable to participate in white water rafting. There’s plenty, however, to do for all ages. Families can enjoy a huge range of adventures from exploring the tree tops to rafting in parts of the river best suited to novices, visiting local villages and classrooms and meeting the local Cabecar Indians who will share their knowledge of local traditions. Parents are reminded, given the rural nature of the lodge, to ensure that their children are under adult supervision at all times.

Suggested Itineraries for Pacuare Lodge

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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