What to bring on a rafting tour? When you are planning to do a Rafting tour in Costa Rica, it is important to consider what to bring, because the safest adventures are only possible by the combination of good guides, detailed information and, excellent equipment. The basic equipment like Personal Flotation Devise (lifejacket), helmet, and paddle are normally provided by the rafting companies, but there is some other gear that is important to wear to enjoy fun and safe rafting trips. Rivers in Costa Rica like the Balsa River may be very rocky, and some good rapids maybe only are 2 or 3 feet deep. Coming from the base of the Volcanos those rocks may be sharp and irregular. In case of falling out of the raft, we must assume the white water swimming position, which is; to lay on your back keeping your feet first downstream, so your feet will become like a shield, protecting the rest of your body, our legs are flexible and stronger than our arms, this is the best you can do when floating on a rapid. Once this is cleared, is easy to understand that going rafting barefoot is a really bad idea. Something similar happens when people use flip-flops, "It's ok I have done it before!" they say. But the truth is that working as river guides we have seen thousands of broken nails, and millions of flip flop going all the way down to Nicaragua. The safest rafting shoes are regular hiking shoes, sneakers, tennis shoes, diving boots, and any type of shoe that covers your toes and is well tied and closed around your ankle. Sunblock is important, but NOT on your forehead ?! We normally down rivers at noon trying to avoid the rain from the afternoon, the
What to bring on a rafting tour? When you are planning to do a Rafting tour in Costa Rica, it is important to consider what to bring, because the safest adventures are only possible by the combination of good guides, detailed information and, excellent equipment. The basic equipment like Personal Flotation Devise (lifejacket), helmet, and
