Sarapiqui River: Best Of A Costa Rica Vacation
The Sarapiqui River is a bit less strenuous than other rivers. There are sections of the river where you simply lull about, animal spotting and throwing quips with friends. If you need a family adventure in Costa Rica, you might choose the Sarapiqui. Best described as a balance between wild rapids and tame betweens, this Costa Rica river offers the best of a Costa Rica vacation—fun and relaxing.
Costa Rica History: The Sarapiqui River
The Sarapiqui River in Costa Rica is located in the Northern Lowlands. The river was as much popular long ago as it is now, but for different reasons. In the heart of the 1800s, William Walker and his followers of servicemen arrived to fight the Battle of Sardinal here. Cartographers eventually changed the former name ("Yon" in native dialect) to Sarapiqui.
Because of the Sarapiqui's closeness (and tributary) to the San Juan River, the area has been used in African slave to stolen gold transportation from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. The San Juan River is key because it stretches for 190 km out of Lake Nicaragua into the Caribbean. The Nicaragua Canal (like the Panama Canal) was a proposed overland (through land) route for watercrafts and barges.
Rafting the Sarapiqui (and what you'll see)
The Sarapiqui River in Costa Rica is the perfect environment for the duality that is the river. In not so many words, the region is home to a microcosm of Costa Rica's wildlife richness. From monkeys, sloth, toucans and woodpeckers to river turtles, poison arrow frogs, freshwater bull shark, iguanas and wild cats, this Costa Rica river is a popular vacation adventure spot as much as an animal sanctuary.
Though most of the rapids do not exceed Class III-IV rapids, you'll still be outfitted with lifejackets, paddles and (occasionally) dry suits. The upper half of the river is a bit more challenging while the lower half past the Puerto Viejo River snakes along the Selva Biological Reserve, full of all the postcard greenery you've been expecting. There are mostly primary and secondary growth trees.
This river provides a full day journey. You'll be out and about for seven or eight hours, stopping for lunch midway. Many families choose to vacation on the Sarapiqui River because they can choose the adventure by the put-in spot: if they want Class I-II river runs, then they can put-in farther down into the river. If, for example, they'd like more of a challenge, then they can put-in in the upper, more turbulent, section of the river. This also makes it nice for how long they want to white water raft, affording half- or full-day options.
What Are The Rapids Like:
Though the river is a blend of drops, rapids and lulls, there are some more famous sections of the river. Here is an idea of what you'll be getting into if you jump in a raft.
San Miguel to La Virgen: This is a class IV to Class V run with a lot of tapering passages. Mostly, kayakers who have some guts try this section while the rafters watch in awe.
La Virgen to Chilamate: This part of the river is nothing like the above mentioned. No, this section progresses for seven miles through some wet forests and flatter waters. Some say the water is clear enough to see sea creatures, such as otters, playing below. You can spot some nice fowls and fledglings along this portion.
Chilamate to Puerto Viejo: Starting with Class I and staring some major Class III, you'll have no trouble staying in the boat this time. If you into a more remote, flora and fauna experience over pumped up wavering waves, then you'll enjoy this segment the most. There's a lot of animals to be spotted on this section: It's like they know their being watched and thus entertain front and center for their floating audience.
Costa Rica History: The Sarapiqui River
The Sarapiqui River in Costa Rica is located in the Northern Lowlands. The river was as much popular long ago as it is now, but for different reasons. In the heart of the 1800s, William Walker and his followers of servicemen arrived to fight the Battle of Sardinal here. Cartographers eventually changed the former name ("Yon" in native dialect) to Sarapiqui.
Because of the Sarapiqui's closeness (and tributary) to the San Juan River, the area has been used in African slave to stolen gold transportation from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. The San Juan River is key because it stretches for 190 km out of Lake Nicaragua into the Caribbean. The Nicaragua Canal (like the Panama Canal) was a proposed overland (through land) route for watercrafts and barges.
Rafting the Sarapiqui (and what you'll see)
The Sarapiqui River in Costa Rica is the perfect environment for the duality that is the river. In not so many words, the region is home to a microcosm of Costa Rica's wildlife richness. From monkeys, sloth, toucans and woodpeckers to river turtles, poison arrow frogs, freshwater bull shark, iguanas and wild cats, this Costa Rica river is a popular vacation adventure spot as much as an animal sanctuary.
Though most of the rapids do not exceed Class III-IV rapids, you'll still be outfitted with lifejackets, paddles and (occasionally) dry suits. The upper half of the river is a bit more challenging while the lower half past the Puerto Viejo River snakes along the Selva Biological Reserve, full of all the postcard greenery you've been expecting. There are mostly primary and secondary growth trees.
This river provides a full day journey. You'll be out and about for seven or eight hours, stopping for lunch midway. Many families choose to vacation on the Sarapiqui River because they can choose the adventure by the put-in spot: if they want Class I-II river runs, then they can put-in farther down into the river. If, for example, they'd like more of a challenge, then they can put-in in the upper, more turbulent, section of the river. This also makes it nice for how long they want to white water raft, affording half- or full-day options.
What Are The Rapids Like:
Though the river is a blend of drops, rapids and lulls, there are some more famous sections of the river. Here is an idea of what you'll be getting into if you jump in a raft.
San Miguel to La Virgen: This is a class IV to Class V run with a lot of tapering passages. Mostly, kayakers who have some guts try this section while the rafters watch in awe.
La Virgen to Chilamate: This part of the river is nothing like the above mentioned. No, this section progresses for seven miles through some wet forests and flatter waters. Some say the water is clear enough to see sea creatures, such as otters, playing below. You can spot some nice fowls and fledglings along this portion.
Chilamate to Puerto Viejo: Starting with Class I and staring some major Class III, you'll have no trouble staying in the boat this time. If you into a more remote, flora and fauna experience over pumped up wavering waves, then you'll enjoy this segment the most. There's a lot of animals to be spotted on this section: It's like they know their being watched and thus entertain front and center for their floating audience.
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