Río Naranjo

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Description

For non-stop, intense white-water action, the Naranjo River’s El Chorro Section is your ride. Experienced paddlers and hard-core rafting enthusiasts will thrill to Class IV rapids in a tight, geologically fascinating canyon near the popular Manuel Antonio National Park. Between runs, you will witness untouched tropical forest yielding various species of birds such as the keel-billed toucan, aracari toucans, and several kinds of kingfishers. This unique yet challenging opportunity gives you a first-hand look at Costa Rica’s bountiful nature and dominating rivers.

Exploding from the hills, just 45 minutes northeast of the Quepos-Manuel Antonio area, we will drive to the start of one of Costa Rica’s most challenging commercial rafting runs on the Naranjo River. The El Chorro section goes from the mountain town of Esquipulas to the town of Villanueva. Our route carves deep into the river’s exposed bedrock, making this thrilling El Chorro section of the Rio Naranjo an exception to the geological youth of Costa Rica. This 3-mile labyrinth canyon delights the advanced paddler with steep and advanced runs through 9 technical narrows. Once you are in, you are committed to bouncing and squeezing through the gorge’s tight rock walls, maneuvering and carving around massive boulders and bends, and sweeping down drops and through seemingly impassible chutes. Within the 3-mile stretch, we will tackle rapids such as the Hidden Dragon, El Chorro, and the Three Stooges. We will stop halfway through the trip for a snack of fruit, juice, cookies, and water.