For anyone who is looking for a unique experience in Costa Rica, the Pacuare river is the right destination to be alone with the force and beauty of nature. The river Pacuare originates in the mountains range that separates the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica from the Central Valley. Between these mountains and the town of Siquirres, the Pacuare river winds through one of the most isolated and untouched valleys. Not only provides the Pacuare river, said to be ranked in the world’s Top Five Rivers for whitewater rafting, rapids up to class V, but an abundance of natural beauty. But there is another attraction; the Pacuare Lodge. This lodge is located on the banks of the Rio Pacuare and submerged in the virgin rain forest. For a long time the only way to enter the valley would be by boat, following the river down stream. Now the lodge can also be reached by road, the last part has to be in special four wheel drive vehicles and the crossing of the river goes by a cable carriage. Amidst lush vegetation, monkeys, sloths, birds, ocelots and even jaguar, this lodge is the perfect base to really become one with nature. This lowland tropical forest on the northern slopes of the Talamanca mountain range is the home of the Cabecar indigenous tribes. A two hour hike from the lodge through the jungle leads to a village where the life of Costa Rica’s native people can be experienced in an unspoiled environment. Most people are unaware of these possibilities, since the main attraction of the Pacuare is after all sensational white water rafting. But a stay I in the lodge can easily be combined with rafting, so when you have the time, enjoy the other unique feature of the Pacuare River.