Rios Pura Vida Adventure Company — Local services in La Virgen

We came from far away – Europe – and Oscar from Rios Pura Vida more than made our dream of kayaking in Costa Rica come true. From the airport shuttle, accommodation in a beautiful jungle lodge and also at a fantastic private campsite – always in the midst of the country's unique natural beauty...and, of course, near the rivers.

There are many rivers for all skill levels – they are beautiful and, above all, warm. That makes Europeans happy! Oscar also organized a tour on the Pacuare River, with luggage rafting and an overnight stay in a beautiful lodge – right in the middle of the jungle canyon, accessible only by boat. Heaven on earth, and we were right in the middle of it all. All the equipment can be rented if needed – we had modern Dagger whitewater kayaks. Oscar is the perfect organizer and contact for everything a kayaker's heart desires – uncomplicated, flexible, absolutely reliable, and with fair prices. And Andrey, our guide...indescribable! I'll try anyway... There's probably no one with more passion for whitewater, kayaking, and nature itself. He does everything he does with a smile on his face – pure joy of life...very contagious.

Safety and professionalism are still on top priority. And by the way, Andrey is also – and I'm not exaggerating – a world-class kayaker.

And then there was our driver, "Fischerman Joseph"...always nice, always friendly...the good soul in the background. Music is his passion – so there's the occasional spontaneous jungle band with guitar, melodica, spoon, sieve...and whatever else the jungle cuisine has to offer.

Through our kayaking trip with Rios Pura Vida, in addition to paddling, we gained a great deal of insight into the country, people, flora, and fauna of Costa Rica, which would probably remain hidden from the average tourist.

We came as strangers and left as friends – thank you, Rios Pura Vida ...you...

If there were an Olympic gold medal for white water rafting guides, Christopher would take it home every time. Our Sarapiquí white water rafting trip in Costa Rica wasn’t just a tour—it was a full-blown adventure movie, and Christopher was the heroic lead. From the second we buckled our helmets, he had us feeling hyped, safe, and ready to conquer the rapids. His instructions were clear, his timing flawless, and his confidence reassuring. He made class III and IV rapids feel like a rollercoaster built just for us—with zero fear and 100% fun.

Christopher had this magical ability to balance adrenaline with pure joy. Every rapid we crushed was followed by a cheer, a high-five, and a hilarious story that had us laughing even as our hearts pounded. He knew every twist of the river like the back of his hand and made sure we hit all the best drops. But it wasn’t just about the thrill—he’d point out wildlife mid-run, crack jokes between commands, and somehow keep us perfectly in sync. It felt like we weren’t just rafting—we were part of a legendary team led by the G.O.A.T. of guides.

By the end of the trip, we didn’t want to leave the raft. We were soaked, breathless, and smiling so hard our cheeks hurt—and it was all thanks to Christopher. He wasn’t just the best tour guide we’ve ever had—he set the bar impossibly high for any guide, anywhere. The Sarapiquí River was wild, but with Christopher at the helm, it became pure magic. Give this man a cape, because what he does...

(Übersetzt von Google) Wir hatten heute einen wunderschönen Tag! Mit unseren acht und elf Jahren waren wir auf einer fantastischen Raftingtour mit Rios Pura Vida. Nach einer kurzen Einführung – ja, die Tour ist sehr gut für Kinder in diesem Alter geeignet, vorausgesetzt, sie hören zu und befolgen die Anweisungen – ging es los. Das Wasser ist warm, und man kann Vögel und Affen beobachten. Die Tourguides sind sehr kinderfreundlich, herzlich und lustig. Sie geben gute Einblicke in lokale Themen sowie in die Fauna und Flora. Sogar ein leckerer Obstsnack ist inklusive. Unsere Kinder waren von Anfang bis Ende begeistert. Nomen est omen – es ist tatsächlich Pura Vida! Sehr empfehlenswert und am liebsten noch einmal morgen 😀🤣🙌🏻

(Original) We had the most wonderful day today! With our kids, who are eight and eleven years old, we went on an amazing rafting tour with Rios Pura Vida. After a short introduction — yes, the tour is very suitable for children of this age, provided they are willing to listen and follow instructions — the tour started. The water is warm, and you can see birds and monkeys along the way. The tour guides are very child-friendly, warm and funny. They provide good insights into local topics and fauna and flora. Even a wonderful fruit snack is included. Our kids loved it from start to finish. Nomen est omen — it's indeed pura vida! Muy recomendable y preferiblemente otra vez...