HIGHLIGHTS
- Rafting in rio grande Panama
- Difficulty rating: Class II –III
- June through March
- All-inclusive package
- Age: 9 and up in good health
- Great for families and groups
- Gateway: Cocle Beach Area
Coclé has become Panama´s meca of beach tourism due mostly to Playa Blanca, a gorgeous white sand beach in the Pacific Ocean. Playa Blanca has attracted all included beach hotels such as Decameron, Sheraton Bijao, Marriot Buenaventura, Riu Playa Blanca and others in the area..
Coclé, besides its beautiful beach, is also well known for El Valle, a mountain village, inside a exticnt volcano crater.
This part of the river, characterized by currents alternating with backwaters, is considered as Class II, although several rapids are considered Class III by the International Classification of River Navigation.
Upper Section, Class III+
This is the best part of the river. It runs through breath taking gorges with some nice drops.
We could choose not to run it with high water due to lack of shores in some sections. If this is the case we always have the lower section alternative to have fun.
We only run this section in kayaks/duckies or small rafts
Lower Section, Class II-III
Characterized by big water pools followed with rapids.
It runs mustly through planes and small hills.
It is a introduction to rafting well suited for the whole family. Very exciting with good water level.
View Rio Grande White Water by Aventuras Panama in a larger map
ITINERARY
From Panama City: Pickup at 6:00 a.m. We will arrive to the put in location after a three hours drive to start rafting around 11:00 a.m. We should arrive to the take out zone around 2:00 p.m. and be back to the original pick up place in the city about 5:30 p.m.
From Playa Blanca beach area: Pickup around 8:00 a.m. We will arrive to the put in about hour and half later to start rafting around 9
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned transportation, rafts and gear, guides, and meals. Our guides are trained in white-water navigation skills, first-aid and CPR.
WHO CAN GO ? Any person from twelve to seventy years old, in good health, ready to walk for about an hour and a half through an irregular and muddy path. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? Swimsuit or a pair of short for navigating, sneakers or light boots with good soles, a cap, sun-block, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case the weather turns chilly), a towel and dry set of clothes for the trip back.
WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc. Do not bring flip flops or beach sandal to hike or raft.
PRICE:
USD $ 135.00 per person
Group leader will go free for a group of more than ten persons.
WARNING:
Duckies are more demanding.....As mentioned below at SEASON, at the begining of and during the Dry Season, when the river water level goes down, we will paddle in duckies (inflatable kayaks). This is fine for inexperienced paddlers, but participants should be aware that it is more challenging than paddling in a raft. Participant should be in good shape, weight below 180 lbs, and be ready to behave aggresively in paddling and in a self rescue situation. Guides will provide basic training, guidance, and escort ducky comboy downstream... Duckies are more demanding.
When paddling small rafts and duckies less experienced participants will be on the rafts, regardless of participants bonds, i.e. we might split a party procuring overall safety.
SEASON:
The river is at its highest water level by November which is the Rainy Season peak, and at its lowest water level by March-May, which is the end of the Dry Season.
We usually raft the Lower Section from June through December. From December through June we usually raft the Upper Section in duckies (inflatable kayaks) and smaller rafts.
Rafting Rio Grande Panama is fun in raft or duckies.