Rafting on the Rio Reventazon

“Whoa! Vultures… how scary!” said the tourist in front of us.

“No not scary. They clean our country.” The Costa Ricans have a sense of humour.

And with this, our bus pulled into the white water rafting centre. Our original plans to raft on the River Pacuare were cancelled due to an "incident" the day before. So we were happy enough to be re-scheduled onto the Rio Reventazon (for rafters aged 9 - 55) and let the vultures have a quiet day.

Some clever Costa Rican has devised a system where you get to go rafting and then get an onward bus journey. Buses arrived at the white water rafting from San Jose, Porto Viejo and La Fortuna. We were making our way to La Fortuna, and the white water rafting adventure was a perfect (and very good value) interlude during our three our minibus ride.

Our raft was captained by Ricky, a poker-faced Costa Rican with all his teeth in the right places - a good sign in a competent white water rafting guide.

We shared our raft with two gay couples ("You would love Porto Viejo - you can sunbake naked there all day long...") who duly produced the theatrical "whoas" when the water got a little choppy. 

Reecey contrived to fall out - despite the lack of rapids at the time - and by saving her paddle, earned herself a promotion to steering the boat from the back seat.

Ricky thought it would be funny if he let me float down the river and then give the command "forward" so that I would be left behind.

Fortunately my new friends were there to lend a hand in the rescue operation.