"Pacuare Lodge was truly one of the most unforgettable places we’ve ever stayed. From the moment we were picked up in San José, everything was first-class. Our guide, Juan Carlos, was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about Costa Rica. Even though the drive was over three hours, he kept us entertained the entire way. We even stopped for a delicious breakfast and to see sloths! Our driver was also outstanding and made us feel completely safe navigating the long, winding mountain roads. The whitewater rafting trip into the lodge was an adventure we’ll never forget. Danny and Rudy were fantastic guides—professional, fun, and made the experience exciting while always making us feel safe. When we arrived at the lodge, we were greeted with warm towels and refreshing drinks before being escorted to our Linda Vista Villa, and all we could say was “wow.” It was spacious, beautifully designed, and absolutely perfect for our family of four (two adults And two 17 year olds) We loved being right on the river with our own private deck and plunge pool. Falling asleep to the sound of the rushing river and the surrounding rainforest was magical. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans during our stay. Heavy rain and lightning forced the cancellation of the other excursions we had booked. Thankfully, we were still able to enjoy the incredible property and restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all exceptional—in fact, the meals at Pacuare Lodge were the best we had during our entire trip to Costa Rica. One thing to be aware of is that the villas are naturally warm and humid at night since there is no air conditioning. For us, it was a small tradeoff for such an authentic rainforest experience. We were also very fortunate that the river conditions allowed us to raft both into and out of the lodge. We learned that many guests had been unable to do so for weeks because the river had been too high. Honestly, rafting in and out is such an essential part of the Pacuare experience that I think we would have been very disappointed if we had needed to drive instead. It’s truly what makes this lodge unlike anywhere else. The property itself is stunning, with a gorgeous infinity pool and breathtaking scenery in every direction. The whitewater rafting trip back out was actually our favorite part of the entire stay. If you’re up for an adrenaline rush, sit in the front of the raft—it’s an unforgettable experience! We were lucky to have Rudy and Danny again as our guides and we ate a delicious lunch on the river's edge and saw tons of waterfalls. We especially appreciated how the lodge made our travel logistics. They arranged for our rental car to be waiting for us at the departure center after our rafting trip, making the transition to the next part of our Costa Rica adventure completely stress-free. We stayed one night, which worked well for our itinerary. If we were to do it again, I think two nights would be the perfect amount of time, while three might feel a bit long. Pacuare Lodge is one of those rare places that stays with you long after you’ve left. It is luxurious without losing its sense of adventure and connection to nature. We will truly miss this special place and hope we’re lucky enough to return one day. For the Pacuare Lodge, we really packed light. For white water rafting we wore a bathing suit, shorts, rash guard, and water shoes. Workout clothes for the other onsite excursions and then very light airy clothing for around the property and dinner since it is so wet and humid. Definitely pack a good rain jacket. We brought bug spray but never once needed it. They had excellent umbrellas and flashlights for us to use. I was also told they had boots if we needed it."

"Absolutely magical. The location, atmosphere, rooms and staff could not possibly be improved. We stayed at the Lodge almost 20 years ago, and much has been done to upscale everything since then, although we loved it in 2007 too. Restaurant offernings are fabulous, and activities and spa services are top notch. Best of all, however, is the staff, who are local residents and mostly commute from local villages 2+ hours every day to get to the Lodge. They are kind, helpful, understated and completely professional. Our one comment is that the river rafting staff, who transport clients in and out of the resort, can be a bit aggressive about soliciting tips, although this issue is strictly limited to the rafting staff and never occurs once you are inside the resort area. We were confronted several times by rafting staff who told us "not to forget to tip us." A very small problem to deal with in the context of a superb experience, but something to be aware of."

"We had an absolutely magical trip to Costa Rica with the Boena hotel chain. We purchased the Ultimate Experience package to stay at three properties in three VERY unique corners of the country. They arranged everything from start to finish - which is important when travelling such great distances and several of their properties are accessible by only boat or 4x4!! Each hotel, (Paquare, Tortuga, Lapa Rios) is a special gem, with ambiance, food, and experiences special to each locale. We were able to explore so many different ecosystems and cultures in Costa Rica during a 7 day spring break, impossible to do if I tried to book it on my own. I can't recommend it highly enough!!!"

"What a special place on the Pacuare River! Not only are you able to raft in and out of this resort on one of the most scenic rivers in the world, but the accommodations are incomparable. From the personal welcome signs in our suites to the gourmet dining and nature activities-everything was truly unique and in harmony with the setting. We will never forget the sounds of the river and rainforest creatures right outside our plush suites-it was truly a dream experience!"

"We stayed for 3 nights in a garden lodge. The lodge was clean spacious and private. The 3 meals a day were excellent and they catered for my coeliacs disease (gluten free) without any fuss, so I enjoyed the dining experience. I was nervous about rafting in, but the guides made it an enjoyably wet experience. The swimming pool was a great size for swimming with river views, I enjoyed the guided walks and all the staff were excellent, including the spa. I had not heard of Boena lodges before and I would definatley seek out there other locations if returning to Costa Rica, as there Monteverde lodge we stayed in was also excellent. After almost a month in Costa Rica this was one of the best experiences."