The Savegre carries a reputation as the cleanest river in Costa Rica, and the run mixes calm green stretches with class II and III rapids that hit hard enough to earn the paddle jacket. The ride out takes about 80 minutes, winding past African palm plantations, small towns, and jungle, and it ends at the put-in where your crew gets a safety briefing and practice time before anyone touches moving water.
Rafts carry six passengers plus a guide who calls the strokes through every bend, and a safety kayaker shadows the group the whole way down. The river section runs about two and a half hours: rapids with real push, then quiet water where you can drop over the side and swim, with rainforest birds and wildlife along the banks in between.
Back at base camp, a 30-minute ride from the take-out, you dry off, change into fresh clothes, and sit down to a cooked meal before the drive home. Children need to be at least eight years old to join.
Bring sunglasses with a retainer cord, a change of clothes, bathing suit, waterproof camera, sandals, and a beach towel. Manuel Antonio departures leave at 8:00 am; Jaco departures leave at 6:30 am. Minimum age is eight.
Before you book, one honest note. Prices, departure times, and what is included move with the season here. Rivers rise and drop, tides reset the schedule, boats come out of the water for maintenance, and operators adjust rates without telling anyone first. The details on this page are what we last confirmed directly with the operator, and we go back and check them, but your booking is with the operator and their confirmation is the final word on price, timing, pickup, and what you get. If a detail matters to your trip, whether that is a dietary need, a mobility question, a birthday, or a tight flight, ask us before you book and we will confirm it with them directly rather than guess.
Traveling with kids, limited mobility, or a tight schedule? Tell us your situation and we will match you to the right day and departure.
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