Turrialba Travel Guide

  Sponsors at the World Rafting...
by Traveller28
 
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  • Tropical Biking Tour in Turrialba
      Tropical Biking Tour in Turrialba
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  • Tropical Biking Tour in Turrialba
      Tropical Biking Tour in Turrialba
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Explore Turrialba

Things to Do  

Hike cloud forest

Hike cloud forest, Turrialba

 mrotsmit Says:  After the "English saddle" I looked forward to good, old-fashioned walking. The guide (from the lodge) will take you down the country roads into the cloud forest which is kind-of a jungle in the mountains. It's dark and ancient looking, ooooh... saw a coati and a quetzal on... 

Into the volcano

Into the volcano, Turrialba

 mrotsmit Says:  You could walk, the two Swiss guys did, but you shoulda seen the sunburn they got. No, I'm afraid you're gonna have to ride the horse, do you know the difference between an English saddle and an American saddle? Unfortunately, I do - talk about excruciating - somewhere down... 

Rafting the Pacquare - Tico's River Co

Rafting the Pacquare - Tico's River Co, Turrialba

 peggydaly Says:  Ok - This ROCKED. About 3-4 class Vs and a few more class IVs. Even one of my fellow travelers that is not a big water fan loved this. We were served a great lunch on the river. Definitely go with Roberto at Tico's River Outfitters. They had a guy come along with a camera in... 

Horseback riding

Horseback riding, Turrialba

 kyoub Says:  After a morning of walking the trails you may want to go for a horseback ride.Horses are available here. 

Birdwatching

Birdwatching, Turrialba

 kyoub Says:  More than 345 birds have been seen within 2 miles of the lodge.Four main trails are on this ranch. They are well maintained and not difficult to walk. You will find shelters and benches along the way.The guides are very helpful and knowledgeable.My favorite humminbird was... 

Hang out on the balcony

Hang out on the balcony, Turrialba

 kyoub Says:  There is a balcony the full length of the lodge.From there you can birdwatch, look at the beautiful flowers, watch them plant crops on the hillsides with a mule, or just rock. 

Hotels  

Hacienda Tayutic

 41 Opinions

Hotel Casa Turire

 60 Opinions

Hotels  

Spanish at the river: Learning spanish in Turrialba

Spanish at the river: Learning spanish in Turrialba, Turrialba

 remonvink Says:  Hey guys,For anyone searching what to do in Turrialba I would recommend a great Spanish school: Spanish by the RiverMy boyfriend and I just spent the last three weeks there and had a great and productive time!! Our teacher was really good: patient, lots of conversation... 

Hotel Interamericano: Cheap and clean, but be careful of your belongings

Hotel Interamericano: Cheap and clean, but be careful of your belongings, Turrialba

 eilan81 Says:  The hotel is very nice and clean, though beds were a bit uncomfortable (very hard, did not sleep much). However, what really pissed us off was that we got stolen 50,000 colones (about 100$) from the room.They ask you to leave the key to the reception desk every time you go... 

Hotel Wagelia: Comfy and Helpful

Hotel Wagelia: Comfy and Helpful, Turrialba

 peggydaly Says:  We were gonna stay somewhere cheaper, but we were exhausted and this place was nice and had a restaurant. They called a guide to come talk to us about the river. Oh, and parking is terrible in the hotel part of town and they had a secure parking lot, which was really... 

Hotel InterAmericano: Hotel InterAmericano, Turrialba

Hotel InterAmericano: Hotel InterAmericano, Turrialba, Turrialba

 ABankerMU Says:  Four friends and I stayed in the Hotel InterAmericano for one night after whitewater rafting with Costa Rica Rios that day. The little hotel is brightly colored, seemingly newly remodeled, and very clean. The woman who runs the hotel is super-friendly and full of advice. She... 

Restaurants  

Rancho Naturalista: Find the diningroom
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3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

kyoub 2221 reviews
Salsa

All meals are served family style in the diningroom.
Food is good and plentiful ranging from Coata Rician to Mexician.
This is were we learned to use Lizano salsa.

Written Mar 26, 2005

Related to:
 Farm Stay

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Nightlife  

Charlie's Place OR Nazca Bar-Rest.: Few places after hours

Charlie's Place OR Nazca Bar-Rest.: Few places after hours, Turrialba

 advntdad Says:  It's a small town so don't expect anything spectacular but it can be fun sometimes at Charlie's Bar (inside little shopping center next to main red taxi terminal). Most people eventually gravitate to this place as the hours progress. Very casual dress, music varies, some... 

Bed: 14 hours sleep

Bed: 14 hours sleep, Turrialba

 mrotsmit Says:  It gets really cold at night. I guess if you're from Siberia you won't notice, but, for us it was cold. Couple that with the aforementioned "nothing to do" and sleeping is the most obvious option (well, maybe second most). Lots of blankets and you'll need that electric... 

Transportation  

Avoid driving
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3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

kyoub 2221 reviews
Transportation

A driver/guide will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the lodge. It saves you driving in San Jose traffic.
When it is time to go home he will take you back.

Written Mar 26, 2005

Related to:
 Adventure Travel

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What to Pack  

Don't forget your bird book.
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4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

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Reading birdbook

Luggage and bags: Bring as little as possible. They do laundry here. Long pants and long sleeves are best.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Daytime temps usually in the 70's, nighttime usually in the 60's. Afternoon rain common.
Bring comfy walking shoes or boots. Rain poncho.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring what you will need there are no stores nearby. You will need a lot of mosquito repellent.

Photo Equipment: Bring lots of film or memory.

Miscellaneous: Don't forget to bring your binoculars or your bird books.. You will need them here.

Updated Mar 26, 2005

Related to:
 Birdwatching
 Eco-Tourism

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Off The Beaten Path  

Best vulcano

Best vulcano, Turrialba

 alex240975 Says:  If you only have time for visiting one vulcano choose Turrialba. The reasons? Here they are:1. Entrance to the National Park is (still) free2. You can walk around the caldera, directly at its edge through sulfur steams,... (not possible at Poas, Irazu)3. There are (up to... 

Wandering

Wandering, Turrialba

 kyoub Says:  Down the road from the lodge is a trapiche, the old-style sugarcane press.You may want to explore along roads in the 125-acre farm or along the Tuis river. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Costa Rica Rios Whitewater Rafting, Turrialba
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ABankerMU 26 reviews
Costa Rica Rios, Turrialba

Costa Rica Rios runs full or half day rafting trips on the Pacuare River out of Turrialba. The group is owned by young Americans, one of which accompanied us on our full-day trip. All the staff were extremely friendly and energetic, and all spoke at least some English. The van ride to the start point was long, but enjoyable, as the owner answered questions and pointed out sights along the way. Once in the water, the scenery was breathtaking. There were plenty of opportunities to swim along the rafts during lazy portions of the river--depth around 4ft most of the time (suppose this changes depending on rainfall). We stopped at a small stream cascading over a rocky embankment and hiked up to a larger pool at the end of which was a large waterfall. We all tried, unsuccessfully, to swim up to the waterfall, but the flow was too strong to allow it. The rapids are a blast. No rafts flipped, but we did fall out occasionally. The guides are very professional and get you back into the raft in a jiffy. There is a safety kayaker following behind if you get separated from the raft. Costa Rica Rios keeps the number of rafts at a minimum to enhance safety. We did run into several other groups at different points with larger groups of rafts. I was happy to be with the smaller, more familiar group. Lunch was served on an upside-down raft and consisted of various freshly-cut fruits, sandwiches, guacamole (prepared on-the-spot) and chips, and homemade cookies for dessert. It was delicious. Pineapple has never tasted so good. The rest of the river yielded plenty of action and plenty of scenery. More waterfalls, indiginous villages, etc to be found. I've done a fair amount of rafting in Colorado on different stretches of the Arkansas, and it does not compare at all. If you're into rafting, this is a must-do!

Leave a comment and let me know if there is something that I could add to make this tip better!

Equipment: Swimsuit
Fleece (or something that stays warm when wet)
Change of clothes
Waterproof Camera (buy in the states)

Updated Jan 23, 2005

Address: Turrialba

Phone: 888-434-0776

Website: www.costaricarios.com

Related to:
 Kayaking
 Rafting
 Jungle and Rain Forest

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Map of Turrialba