Rios Lodge, Adventure Eco-Lodge (Honest Review)
Are you not sometimes adventurous however eager to attempt what Costa Rica affords? Did you grow to be hesitant if you noticed that reaching Rios Lodge requires rafting, and now you might be looking for an in depth overview? I’m with you. 100 %. Journey will not be precisely my forte, but spending simply three days there proved transformative. Proceed studying, and you’ll uncover how Rios Lodge is likely one of the greatest locations to step out of your consolation zone.
I visited Costa Rica for the primary time within the final week of February 2024. Having researched completely beforehand, I knew that journey is likely one of the nation’s major points of interest. The prospect of discovering what Costa Rica had in retailer for me was intriguing.
After which, I arrived at Rios Lodge, the place nature and journey go hand in hand, the place you might be deeply cared for, and the place you may experiment in a protected surroundings. It was thrilling many instances, however I felt actually content material and completely satisfied that I may expertise all that.
Welcome to my overview of Rios Lodge, an journey eco-lodge close to the Pacuare River in Limón, Costa Rica. They hosted me for 3 days. No one informed me what to put in writing. These are my trustworthy views and the true reflection of my expertise. I didn’t settle for any cost in change for favorable protection.
Introducing Pacuare River
The Pacuare River is considered one of Costa Rica’s premier rivers for whitewater rafting and different eco-adventures. It flows roughly 67 miles from the Cordillera de Talamanca to the Caribbean Sea. The river is split into sections based mostly on the problem from Class I to IV, providing rapids for newbies and skilled rafters alike.
The river flows by means of dense major rainforest and affords an undisturbed view of its wealthy natural world throughout rafting. Eco-lodges dotting the riverbanks present employment alternatives for native communities and concentrate on preserving the rainforest intact. This space can be the homeland of the Cabécar Indians, considered one of Costa Rica’s largest indigenous tribes.
There are not any paved roads close to the Pacuare River. As a substitute, locals navigate the panorama utilizing hanging bridges, aerial trams, and climbing trails. Upon reaching the path ends, you see small parking heaps the place they go away their automobiles to proceed their journey on rocky roads.
The world appeared pristine, as if untouched by time. I spotted I used to be actually within the coronary heart of a major jungle, identical to those you see in documentaries, full with towering canopies, moss-draped timber, and wildlife at each step.
Introducing Rios Lodge aka How we received there
A driver picked us up at our resort in San José and drove us round 1.5 hours to Turrialba to depart a part of our baggage on the tour firm, White Water Excitement. Then, it was one other 45 minutes till the river put-in close to Siquirres.
Round 10 am, I discovered myself beside a blue inflatable raft. Our information, Jorge, was busy securing our remaining baggage in dry luggage whereas waving to different raft guides drifting by. All their passengers appeared captivated by the cover above, hardly noticing us. I believed: “I hope I might be like them.”
We had been able to embark, geared up with our life vests, helmets, and paddles. Jorge completely defined every little thing, guiding us on when and find out how to paddle and what to do if we fell out.
However the river greeted us with calm waters and delicate rapids, making the expertise pleasing and much from troublesome. Jorge was in full management, and my awful paddling efforts had been inconsequential.
After a short while, we docked at a small pebble shore and walked about ten minutes to a captivating little swimming gap. Regardless of the cool water, the swim was refreshing. Floating effortlessly, we had been enveloped by the sounds of the rainforest, having fun with a second of pure serenity.
After our swim, we returned to the raft to proceed our journey. We had been there in the midst of the dry season, so the water ranges had been low, and the move was mild. Alongside the best way, we noticed herons and kingfishers perched on branches or rocks, watching the water for small fish.
The spotlight of our journey got here subsequent once I rescued a Blue Morpho with my very own fingers. It was essentially the most beautiful butterfly I’ve ever seen, with dazzling blue wings. Our information noticed one struggling on the water’s floor and requested me to carry it gently onto a close-by department. There was a small gap by means of considered one of its wings, however I hope he made all of it proper.
Quickly after, Rios Lodge got here into view. As you’ll think about, it was a real off-grid eco-lodge, with its wood cabins constructed on stilts, nestled among the many timber and overlooking the river. It was easy but stunning, becoming completely to the panorama.
The story behind Rios Lodge
Earlier than eco-lodges and ecotourism turned well-liked, native tribes and communities resorted to clearing the rainforest for agriculture as the one method to assist their households.
Rafael Gallo, a co-founder of the Rios Tropicales rafting tour firm, purchased 90 acres of land from a neighborhood household to ascertain a campsite and reforest it. He employed the household to handle the location, offering them with a livelihood past farming.
Through the years, he expanded this space into roughly 2,600 acres of protected rainforest, incomes quite a few awards and accolades for his conservation efforts. You possibly can read about them here.
Sadly, the pandemic led to the lodge’s closure, and after a 14-month battle with most cancers, Gallo handed away. Nonetheless, within the wake of his passing, 15 members of the family and pals got here collectively to save lots of his legacy. They now work side-by-side to protect this magnificent slice of paradise the one method it’s doable: by creating jobs for the locals and connecting guests with nature.
“Preserving the rainforest requires creating interactions between locals and nature and guests and nature. With out establishing a connection, there may be little to no incentive for conservation,” says Arturo Oropeza, one of many stewards of Rios Lodge.
Kind of lodging
Rios Lodge operates off-grid, using a mixture of hydro and solar energy for its vitality wants. The creek’s location is right for producing hydroelectric energy across the clock. Though Costa Rica receives about 10-12 hours of daylight every day, photo voltaic vitality operates on full effectivity for under 4-5 hours.
Cabins and cabin rooms
Rios Lodge has 11 rooms in standalone cabins and 6 in what they name the jungle tower. The lodging embrace double rooms, household rooms for 3-4 friends, and one honeymoon suite, all with views of the Pacuare River or the creek working by means of the property.
Waking up at 5 am attributable to jet lag, I loved watching the river immediately from my mattress, which confronted a big screened window, or from the hammock on my terrace. Every morning, I noticed glowing blue butterflies and listened to birds chirping. I noticed Montezuma oropendolas busily setting up their nests and listened to the distant calls of howler monkeys. However primarily, I used to be captivated by the dawn as its rays illuminated the rainforest throughout the river in a golden glow.
Why display screen home windows? The humidity is palpable right here. You’re feeling it in your pores and skin, on the mattress sheets, and in your garments. Being too enclosed would have been suffocating. The evening breeze by means of the screens was exactly what we would have liked.
The lavatory had a curtained view, and whereas nobody may see me, I opted to maintain it closed. The entire cabin was easy, cozy, and simply good.
Hostel rooms
A current addition to Rios Lodge is hostel-style accommodation. This constructing options eight rooms, every with 4 bunk beds and shared loos, catering to backpackers and solo vacationers. It’s designed with a big terrace and a communal house geared up with multi-person hammocks.
They used wooden and different sustainable building materials that they had at hand. “Each piece of metallic is treasure. Each single factor has a narrative. Every part you see was right here to be re-used or purchased right here by rafts,” says Arturo Oropeza, one of many stewards of Rios Lodge, in regards to the growth.
Meals
Rios Lodge options an open kitchen, permitting friends to watch Chef Luca and his crew at work. He works with locals from close by villages and indigenous tribes, mentoring considered one of them to grow to be a sous-chef. They’re all exceptionally type and all the time smiling, making them a few of the most useful and nice folks you’ll encounter regardless of occasional language limitations.
Breakfast
We opted for the traditional Costa Rican breakfast of rice and beans, fried plantains, scrambled eggs, and recent greens. Tea, espresso, and filtered water had been accessible across the clock, complemented by a big jug of freshly made fruit juice – pineapple, watermelon, or papaya – offering the proper begin to our day.
Lunch and Dinner
For lunch and dinner, we loved two-course meals accompanied by one other serving of a pleasant fruit juice. Each meal was distinctive. We notably loved the spaghetti bolognese, the honey-glazed hen with squash stew and rice, and the shrimp in coconut curry. Nonetheless, the dish that stood out essentially the most was the pan-fried mahi-mahi with pizzaiola sauce, served on a mattress of julienne carrots and chopped chayote. See the image of it beneath.
Actions on-site
Rios Lodge offers many activities and we selected the beneath choices to attempt.
Zip-lining
Let’s begin with zip-lining. It was undoubtedly the spotlight of our go to and, for my part, a must-do exercise right here. It’s the solely zip-line in Costa Rica, with eight strains zigzagging above a river.
The journey begins with the primary two strains hovering over the lodge at a top of 60 toes, providing a perspective like that of a drone flying excessive and capturing beautiful views. It was an exhilarating expertise being so excessive, not like something I’ve skilled earlier than.
Once you suppose it couldn’t get any higher, the finale is a 350-foot zip-line that takes you proper alongside the river, flying above the rapids.
I hope I can promote it, however in case you can, do it twice. I did, and it was so price it. You possibly can see my zip-lining adventures on Instagram, which I saved below Highlights.
Canyoning
I used to be hesitant about canyoning and practically eliminated it from my listing of actions, however I’m completely satisfied I attempted it. It was a primary for me. I appreciated that it concerned a mild creek somewhat than daunting rapids and enormous swimming pools with excessive rocks to leap from.
We placed on our river sandals and adopted the creek upstream. Our information, Jorge, described it as a family-friendly exercise particularly well-liked with kids. Although we’ve been removed from being children for years, we discovered immense pleasure in canyoning, barely noticing the hour we spent.
This expertise additionally showcased our information’s experience and deep data of the realm. He recalled recognizing a venomous Eyelash Pitviper on a department ten days earlier. With a 5-foot-long wood stick in hand, he looked for it and located the viper virtually in the identical place. There it was, mendacity lazily, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of three towering figures observing it.
As we neared the tip of our journey, our information identified a termite nest on a rock and requested us, “Do you need to attempt it? They’re peppery however tasty.” We politely declined and felt completely content material with out sampling this distinctive Costa Rican delicacy.
The one exercise we missed was the water slide, which isn’t beneficial throughout low water ranges. As a substitute of the termite snack, that’s undoubtedly on my listing for subsequent time.
Tubing
Tubing marked one other first for us. As I informed you, we’re not sometimes the adventurous sort in addition to climbing. Nonetheless, by then, our full belief in our information made us believers in our personal capabilities. He assured me that, regardless of my doubts, I may paddle throughout the river’s calm part with my brief arms. He satisfied me that the low water stage made it extra of a kid’s playground than a problem.
It turned out he was proper. Once more. We placed on our river sandals (essential on this area) and carried our inflatable rubber rings (aka tubes) down the river.
Remarkably, I managed to paddle throughout while not having any rescue. Ultimately, I floated down a straightforward, fast 3 times, by no means falling out of my tube. I don’t contemplate the second I received caught between two rocks important since I freed myself with out assist. It simply added to my story to inform.
It was straightforward, enjoyable, and kid-friendly. I’m glad I attempted it on a Class I fast, not the next one although. This manner was extra enjoyable than worry.
Night time stroll
Experiencing an evening stroll in a lodge surrounded by a well-kept backyard contrasts sharply with one nestled inside a dense major rainforest. And this latter was the case at Rios Lodge. The distinction was that it was extra full of life. Each step there was a brand new insect to determine.
Throughout our stroll, we noticed bullet ants, military ants, leaf-cutting ants, varied species of lizards, frogs, caterpillars, and spiders. We found that crickets within the jungle might be surprisingly loud and that moths steadily collide with us, attracted by our flashlights.
Nonetheless, the spotlight was seeing an ogre-faced spider. Not like others who wait of their webs, this fascinating creature creates a web within the form of a window. Then, the spider skillfully throws it over unsuspecting bugs to seize them.
Fortunately, we didn’t see any snakes or big tarantulas, though some folks had been rooting for them to make a fast look.
Greatest time to go to
Selecting the best time to visit Costa Rica could also be tough because the nation has 4 distinct climates. The Caribbean coast and the realm across the Pacuare River are tropical rainforests.
On this area, the dry season runs from mid-December to mid-April. This era can carry warmth and humidity, but the dense rainforest cover offers a pure shelter. Venturing out from beneath is usually reserved for journeys to the river, however the cool waters of the rapids and the small swimming pool and waterfall on the finish of the creek supplied a refreshing escape.
Throughout our go to in February, we discovered the temperatures comparatively reasonable. We even seen a slight drop throughout nightfall and early morning once we wanted a blanket to cowl ourselves a bit extra throughout sleeping.
Nonetheless, it was heat and summery for rafting and different out of doors actions. I like to recommend you carry a hat, sun shades, and sunscreen for cover.
Easy methods to get there
The closest worldwide airport to the Lodge is Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José. The Lodge advises booking an overnight stay in San José and having a morning pickup the next day.
A driver collected us from our San José resort downtown and took us on a roughly 1.5-hour journey to Turrialba. There, we dropped off a few of our baggage on the tour firm, White Water Excitement. After that, it was one other 45-minute drive to the river’s entry level close to Siquirres. The rafting lasted round two hours arriving simply in time for lunch. You possibly can learn all the small print at first.
I added beneath the map with all factors of curiosity. When you click on on it, you may browse the map freely.
On departure, we selected to hike out. The path, primarily following the riverbank upstream, was straightforward and took us about 45 minutes at a relaxed tempo to achieve the eco tram. This small cable automotive, hanging over the river, accommodates 3-4 passengers and affords a swift and enjoyable experience. It was a captivating farewell to the river.
After the tram, we took a 30-40-minute journey on a tough filth street to the paved one. We stopped for lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, the place we loved very good grilled hen marinated in coconut milk alongside a refreshing aqua de sapo, a mixture of sugar cane and ginger.
Our flight was late within the night (9 pm), so we headed straight to the airport. The Lodge typically advises you to plan your flight for the day after you hike or raft out since rafting can final 3-4 hours and site visitors is commonly unpredictable. Nonetheless, we encountered no points or site visitors, possible as a result of we traveled on a Saturday.
Sensible info
Are you sleeping with wildlife at Rios Lodge?
It’s fully comprehensible to ask whether or not wildlife is a priority when visiting Costa Rica for the primary time. It was considered one of my preliminary questions, too.
The cabins had been clear and comfortable. Regardless of solely having screened home windows, we encountered just a few ants and two tiny millipedes. Our go to coincided with the dry season, sparing us from mosquito bites. The wildlife did favor to remain open air.
All through our time in Costa Rica, we discovered that wildlife was detached to us so long as we didn’t trouble them. Sticking to the paths and being aware of the place we stepped or positioned our fingers across the Lodge had been all the security measures we would have liked. I actually imagine it’s the place you may carry children to discover nature and really feel protected.
Rafting or climbing?
You possibly can select climbing as an alternative of rafting to Rios Lodge. Mountain climbing follows the identical route I described above. However rafting, imagine me, was enjoyable and straightforward. You may be in such competent fingers that each one you need to do is benefit from the experience. The primary half was actually mild and kid-friendly.
We didn’t select rafting for our departure primarily as a result of it sometimes requires 3-4 hours, and our flight was leaving the identical day. Nonetheless, after three days, I felt practically assured sufficient to sort out these Class III-IV rapids, particularly with the promise of such a tremendous waterfall (within the photograph beneath) to witness alongside the journey.
What to carry with you
In brief, river sandals and fast dry garments are a should to get pleasure from all types of water actions.
Rios Lodge offers a comprehensive FAQ section and a suggested packing list that I extremely suggest following completely. I assumed river sandals had been solely needed for rafting, however they had been important for many actions.
Choosing rafting as your arrival technique to the Lodge, you’ll go to a pure swimming gap inside quarter-hour. It means you may be moist all through from the beginning. We wore quick-dry shorts and UV-protective shirts, which proved to be a sensible choice.
A baseball cap simply suits below a helmet. So, we had some shade from the solar on the river. Whereas securing your sun shades with a strap is suggested for rafting, we discovered it needed just for tubing.
Given the restricted quantity of clothes we may carry, we solely packed swimsuits, quick-dry shorts, undergarments, UV-protective or quick-dry shirts, gentle climbing pants, skinny jumpers, and climbing boots. The excessive humidity meant thicker shorts and swimsuits with sponge padding didn’t dry in a single day.
Abstract – Last ideas
I hope my overview does justice to our expertise at Rios Lodge. Staying in the midst of the jungle, unusually or not, I felt peaceable. It felt like getting into one other world devoid of stress, rush, noise, and crowds. It was like moving into an alternate actuality or a camp the place every little thing exterior its perimeter fades away. Nothing else is extra necessary than being there, exploring, and having fun with your self.
I really like watching the dawn and listening to the sounds of the rainforest and the river. Strolling across the Lodge meant discovering new issues at each step: a vibrant inexperienced lizard right here or a neon blue butterfly there.
It was additionally partly a digital detox, with Wi-Fi out there solely within the eating space. The absence of alarm clocks, notifications, and the lure of social media meant I totally embraced and loved my environment with out distraction.
I want I had stayed longer to take part in extra actions. For instance, our information informed me about many glorious climbing trails and waterfalls. With every passing day, my confidence grew. I’m now keen to search out out what waterfall rappelling is all about and sort out tougher rapids with rafting. Maybe I may even squeeze in one other zip-lining session earlier than departing.
There’s all the time a subsequent time. I hope it arrives quickly. I believe a real indicator of how a lot you loved your trip is how lengthy you miss it. And certainly, I’ve missed it each single day since.
Emese Maczko is a journey blogger behind Eco Lodges Anyplace. Having explored a number of locations round Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the UK, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a eager understanding of numerous cultures and an appreciation for the fantastic thing about every vacation spot she visits. She advocates for sustainable journey and ecotourism.
