They have diverse nationalities, not all of them are Costa Rican, but in their stories, I find a common thread: they wouldn’t trade their hours on the water for anything. Each in their own way has expressed the need for time on the river to truly live. Many have tried other things but come back. The concerning thing is that there are currently no new generations of guides… it’s a topic being discussed and needs to be addressed soon.

Rafting, also known as river rafting, started in Costa Rica in the 1970s. Its popularity began to grow when adventure tourism enthusiasts discovered the country’s river potential for this thrilling activity.

One of the most iconic and pioneering rivers for rafting in Costa Rica is the Pacuare River. In the 1970s, a group of foreign kayakers explored the river and realized its scenic beauty and rafting potential. A passionate Costa Rican water sports enthusiast started promoting rafting on the Pacuare and became one of the country’s first rafting guides.

As more people discovered the excitement and beauty of navigating through Costa Rican river rapids, rafting gained popularity and became a highly sought-after adventure activity. Costa Rica’s rivers offer a perfect combination of thrilling rapids, lush landscapes, and rich biodiversity, making them ideal rafting destinations.

Today, rafting has become one of Costa Rica’s main tourist attractions. Adventure tourism, including rafting, has had a significant impact on the Costa Rican economy, attracting travelers from around the world seeking thrills and nature experiences. Guides are an essential part of this experience, and at Tropical Rivers, we know this, so we pamper and take care of them because without them, rafting wouldn’t be what it has become today.