Costa Rica stands out from the rest of
Central America
for a long list of reasons that include social guarantees, a high
literacy rate, a peaceful and democratic government and
world famous
conservation efforts. How did this exceptional nation evolve? Events
celebrated with great pride and events we would perhaps prefer to erase
from history have sifted through the hourglass of time: from
unprecedented environmental and cultural destruction, human bloodshed
and strife, to the evolution of a peaceful democratic nation known
globally for its successful conservation efforts.
Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are together
responsible for one of the
best white water
river selections in the world. About half a dozen rambunctious
rivers are regularly run by experienced rafting outfitters, and those
river trips not only provide plenty of excitement, they also pass some
gorgeous scenery. Not only do white water enthusiasts flock
Costa Rica,
including several Olympic kayaking teams, but every year tens of
thousands of visitors experience the thrill of rafting for the first
time there. Costa Rica is
the perfect place for a first
white water rafting
experience, since it has several rivers that offer a combination of
reasonable rapids and beautiful floats. There are even rivers that are
great for family excursions and bird watching, since they lack big
rapids and flow through forests full of birds and other animals. In fact
almost all river trips offer chances to see a bit of the country's
wildlife, such as iguanas, blue morpho butterflies, parrots, otters,
king fishers and herons.
The river routes available to rafters range from the turbulent waters of
the lower Reventazon, where you hardly have enough time to catch your
breath between rapids, to the meandering curves of the Corobici, where
you spend more time watching wildlife than paddling.
The most popular
rafting trips offer a good combination of challenging rapids and
calmer stretches where you can sit back and enjoy the passing scenery.
If you've done a bit of rafting up north, you'll find the comfortably
cool water of Costa Rica's rivers a nice switch from the chilly water of
the northern rivers. All
rafting trips
can also be done in kayaks, but kayakers must be experienced.
A wide selection of outfitters run trips down the country's most
accessible rivers using trained
river guides and
modern equipment -- life vests and helmets are provided for all rafters
-- ensuring safe but exciting excursions.
One day river trips include transportation to and from the river,
breakfast and a picnic lunch on the riverbank. Overnight trips often
include lodging in riverside cabins and all meals.
Many proposals have been made for adjusting, or entirely replacing the
old standard scale, the
American White water
Afiliation International
Scale of River Difficulty. While some of these proposals have
considerable merit, no consensuc has been reached within the
white water
community about adopting a new scale or standard for reference.
Therefore, we will begin with the AWAscale:
Class
I Moving water with a few riffles and small waves. Few
or no obstructions.
Class II
Easy rapids with waves up to three feet, and wide, clear channels that
are obvious without scouting. Some maneuvering is required.
Class III Rapids with high irregular waves often capable of swamping
an open canoe. Narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering.
May require scouting from shore.
Class IV Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that
often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scouting
from shore is often necessary, and conditions make rescue difficult.
Generally not possible for open canoes. Boaters in covered canoes and
kayaks should be able to Eskimo roll.
Class V
Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested
routes that nearly always must be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions
are difficult and there is significant hazard to life in event of
mishap. Ability to Eskimo roll is essential for kayaks and canoes.
Class VI Difficulties of Class V carried to the extreme of
navigability. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For teams or experts
only, after close study and with all precautions taken.
This attractive little town 53km
(33 miles) east of San José is best known as the starting point and home
base for many popular white-water rafting trips. However, it's also
worth a visit if you have an interest in pre-Columbian history or
tropical botany.The town of
Turrialba is
located in a mountain valley near
Turrialba Volcano.
Turrialba is
located halfway between San Jose and the Caribbean city of Limon. The
charm of
Turrialba, and
especially the volcano, is the off the beaten path
location and activities for travelers. While the most visited volcanoes
in Costa Rica such as Arenal, Poas, and Irazu have paved roads, tour
buses, and large crowds of tourists,
Turrialba stands as a quiet and less explored alternative with
breathtaking summit views and
Costa Rica's
only opportunity to hike down into the volcano's crater. There are many
other reasons to make a trip from San Jose to the town of
Turrialba. Neary
by is the country's most impressive and largest historical site, Guayabo National
Monument, which protects the ruins of a pre-Columbian town,
complete with paved streets, aqueducts and grave mounts, that was
inhabited for a period of 2,400 years. Close to
Turrialba is the Pacuare River,
famous for being one of the
best rafting rivers in the world.
Rafting the
magnificent passages through lush valleys and high canyon walls is a
must do for travelers. The town of
Turrialba itself is embedded in the mountains and is a centre for
agricultural products. Famous for the white Turrialba Cheese
that is produced and forms an important part of Costa Rica’s national
menu. It’s a soft pre-cheese and when you have the chance you should
definitely try it before leaving Costa Rica. You probably have never
realized that when you are watching the
Major League Baseball games, you are watching Costa Rican
products flying around. All of the famous Rawlings MLB baseballs are
made in their factory in Turrialba.
When you are on the way to the
Caribbean beaches
authentic and unique towns.
Guayabo National
Monument
is one of Costa Rica's only pre-Columbian sites that has been excavated
and is open to the public. It's 19km (12 miles) northeast of Turrialba
and preserves a town site that dates from between 1000 B.C. and A.D.
1400. Archaeologists believe that Guayabo might have supported a
population of as many as 10,000 people, but there is no clue yet to why
the city was eventually abandoned only shortly before the Spanish
arrived in the New World. Excavated ruins at Guayabo consist of paved
roads, aqueducts, stone bridges, and house and temple foundations. There
are also gravesites and petroglyphs. The monument is open daily from 8am
to 4pm. This is a national park, and admission is $10.Botanists and
gardeners will want to pay a visit to the Center for Agronomy
Research and Development , which is located 5km (3 miles)
southeast of Turrialba on the road to Siquirres. This center is one of
the world's foremost facilities for research into tropical agriculture.
Among the plants on CATIE's 2,000 acres are hundreds of varieties of
cacao and thousands of varieties of coffee. The plants here have been
collected from all over the world. In addition to trees used for food
and other purposes, there are plants grown strictly for ornamental
purposes. CATIE is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm. Guided
tours are available with advance notice.
Is
pleased
to announce that
it
is the official
sponsor of the team
of
rafting
in Costa Rica.
Our
goal
is
to support
COSTA RICA
NATIONAL TEAM,
with
a percentage
of all
businesses
of the site can
produce.
This
money
will help
buy
equipment for
.......
