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World Class Rafting in Central America

Chiriquí has the best whitewater rafting rivers in Panama...

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Rafting Safety Protocol: our primary concern is participant safety. Age, weight, lack of conditioning, heart or other disease, can create additional hardship that diminishes the suitability or enjoyment of this type of vacation. Please check with your physician prior to your trip if you have any medical or health condition or if you are taking any medications. Rafters must alert guides in advance to any physical conditions that may impede performance on the river.

Some river sections are tougher than others and require constant paddling from all raft members so please be aware of your physical capabilities and fitness level. You may not believe it but paddling during several hours can be exhausting.

Alcohol beverages are NEVER allowed on our rafting trips. Rafting requires everybody's full attention at all times.

Pay attention! Before starting the rafting trip you will be given a trip orientation safety speech by your guides that will include, amongst other things, how and where you can sit on the rafts, how to hold on, how to grab the paddles, how to paddle, what to do if you fall of the raft and other safety precautions while on the river. At all times rafters have to obey the guides. We cannot stress on the importance of following these indications. Not doing so may result in serious injury or even death.

Minimum age restrictions may apply depending on river section. Children under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. We reserve our right to cancel trips if water levels exceed our standards for river saftey. Previous experience will be required for rafting trips on certain sections and rivers.

Each guide experiences at least 300 hours of training before escorting his first guest down the river. This training includes swift water rescue certification, CPR and First Aid Certification. The training is conducted by Ryan Brandt, founder and owner of Mirador Adventures. Mirador Adventures has been chosen by Habla Ya as the outifitter to run our rafting trips in Boquete, due to their immaculate saftey record and competitive prices. We will ocassionally book some rafting trips with Panama Rafters when Mirador Adventures is not able to run the rafting trip.

Most rafting trips require a minimum of 4 passengers to conduct the tour. In some cases a minimum of 3 is acceptable. Information about your party, experience level, and the age of those wanting to raft is required. If you are traveling by yourself, with your couple or a small group of friends, please CONTACT US letting us know the river and section that you would like to raft and we will advise on options available during the dates that you plan to visit Boquete.

What do you need to take?
• Shoes or sandals with a sturdy sole and connected to the heel (no flip flops)
• Towel
• Waterproof sun screen
• Copy of your passport (although debated if it is actually a law, police may ask to see your id)
• Change of dry clothes
• Bands for glasses
• Camera and/or video camera (the guide will carry it within a underwater waterproof case)
• Snacks for at the end of trip (lunch is provided)

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Chiriquí Viejo River: in the Top 5 Rafting Trips of Central America

When whitewater enthusiast talk about epic rivers, the Chiriquí Viejo immediately goes to the top of the list. Many rafting experts have proclaimed it to be a World Class River and possibly the best river for whitewater rafting in Central America. It is a river that has it all: constant breathtaking rapids, virgin tropical forest, dense jungle, spectacular water falls, plenty of wildlife and exotic birds.

Come and see it for yourself: the Chiriquí Viejo offers an amazing opportunity to experience some of the most exciting and intense rapids in Central America. If you are looking for the most extreme river rafting in Panama, the Chiriquí Viejo is your river, well known for its thrills. It has more than 60 kilometers of Class IV rapids and during the rainy season it also has various Class V features. Its biggest rapids are called Misterioso, La Bomba and Bajo Méndez II (with 3 big holes in it).

The Chiriquí Viejo, located near the Costa Rican border, is 128 km long and is born in the heights of Cerro Picacho, on the northwest side of the Volcán Barú, the highest elevation in Panama at 3,475 meters above sea level. Within the peaceful towns of Cerro Punta it rapidly evolves from a creek into a crazy river at about 2,000 m above sea level. It then meanders along the Panamanian-Costa Rican border until it flows into the Pacific within Panama.

Its watershed is between 1,000 and 1,500 square km. Although its water level is at is top during the rainy season and specially between October and November, there is always enough water to encounter class IV sections.

In the Chiriquí Viejo, cormorants, kingfishers, vultures and other birds glide in the heights of the sky over the river, landing on rocks to fish, or to soar into the jungle on the other side. Rafters may be lucky and also spot a toucan. Along the journey river runners can stare in awe at the waterfalls pouring into the river or try to spot elusive spider monkeys climbing in the trees and iguanas sunning themselves on fallen logs.

HELP NEEDED! The Chiriquí and Estí River have already been affected by hydroelectric projects. Help is wanted to prevent another tragedy happening. Please help us stop the damming in Chiriquï and let us together protect the entire ecosystem that depends on this river, the populations who require its water for their most basic needs and Panama's most precious gem for whitewater river rafting. Contact us to see how we together can stop the damming of the Chiriquí Viejo...

In this river you will encounter 5 different sections, several of which are worthwhile rafting together. The upper sections pack a real punch of adrenaline and advanced whitewater ensuring that your day on the river will be a one in a lifetime experience and the lower sections offer a shorter day with tons of rapids and an easy access to the river. Anyway you choose, it is sure to be an unforgettable day of fun.

Note: We normally only run the Palón and Sabo section of the Chiriquí Viejo but for groups with sufficient rafting experience we also arrange rafting trips on the Cerro Punta, Bambito and Caisón Section (depending on water levels). Please contact us for pricing and trip arrangements.

Palón Section - Class IV River Section - Advanced

Immersed within the tropical rainforest it is perhaps one of the most beautiful river sections in Central America and is also packed with non stop excitement due to its constant rapids, technical maneuvers requirements, deep canyon gorges and its spectacular tropical jungle scenery.

In several parts of the Palón section, the Chiriquí Viejo turns into a very narrow river and drops with considerable abruptness at high speeds, demanding rapid and precise maneuvering to get through its many rocky passages and immense boulders. It continually delivers plenty of adrenaline ranking it as a Class IV section.

Throughout the rainy season the river obviously carries more water and runs even faster. This time of the year is ideal for those in search of even more of a challenge. At some stages it may have Class V features and because of this, caution and the guide's experience play a major role in order to avoid or prevent any type of danger. Fooling around is not the name of the game, as falling into the water could mean getting dragged by a Class V sucking machine into the mouth of a passage of huge rocks, falling down a 1.8 meter drop and being washed over by a huge standing wave. Only experimented rafters will be taken on this section during the rainy season. Obviously scouting is always required.

If the level of water is too high, this section will be done from the Quebrada las Vueltas until the beginning of the Salsipuedes section, covering 14 kilometers in length with a gradient of 13 meters per kilometer descending a total of 182 meters.

During the descent of this section rafters will stop for lunch at an incredible site of mesmerizing beauty. After a short hike they will reach an amazing 10 meter waterfall within the tropical rainforest and they will be able to contemplate nature's grandeur in its entire magnificence.

Compared to other rivers with sections of similar ratings within Central America, it is accessed with relative ease. To reach this section, for example, after a 3 hour drive from Boquete through gorgeous cloud forest views, rafters only have to hike for around 15 minutes downhill and assist the guides to get the rafts to the river.

Sabo Section - Class III River Section - Intermediate

This lower section of the Chiriquí Viejo River offers a fun ride with many high and deep wave trains bordered by the wild tropical jungle. The first course of the Sabo section is packed with big rapids while the second section is great for birdwatching featuring kingfishers, cormorants and egrets. This less technical section is great for beginners looking for some excitement or is a good section to start with if you plan to have another day of rafting to then build up the difficulty.

This section starts at the beginning of the Salsipuedes section and ends in Paso Canoas, averaging a gradient of 12 meters per kilometer during 10 kilometers. Depending on the water level, this rafting trip will take between 2 to 3 hours.

Chiriquí Viejo River Rafting Trip Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Chiriquí Viejo Palón IV-V 16 3 hours All year 4 hours $85
Chiriquí Viejo Sabo III 12 3 hours All year 2 hours $75

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during trip, saftey kit.

Río Chiriquí: one of Panama's Classic Whitewater Rafting Trips

A classic favorite, the Chiriquí River is one of the two largest watersheds in the province of Chiriquí. Its headwaters are located to the east of Boquete and it drains southwesterly towards the Pacific. Conveniently located, a 45 minute drive will suffice to take paddlers to the beginning of this river.

Unfortunately it has been dammed so paddlers will have to start after the Fortuna Dam and it can only be run during the rainy season between June and November. As its course has been affected by hydroelectric projects its water levels are constantly changing from very wild to complete dryness and obviously this has also affected the entire ecosystem. HELP WANTED! If you would like to know more about the consequences of hydroelectric projects in the province of Chiriquí, what we are doing to prevent them and what you can do to help, CONTACT US TO help us stop the damming and mini hydroelectric projects in Chiriquí.

The Chiriquí Viejo, located near the Costa Rican border, is 128 km long and is born in the heights of Cerro Picacho, on the northwest side of the Volcán Barú, the highest elevation in Panama at 3,475 meters above sea level. Within the peaceful towns of Cerro Punta it rapidly evolves from a creek into a crazy river at about 2,000 m above sea level. It then meanders along the Panamanian-Costa Rican border until it flows into the Pacific within Panama.

Unbelievable scenery and river beds leads way for some great whitewater and a real catch with this section is that we incorporate a stop at the amazing natural hotsprings at Caldera. A quick break from the river gives us a chance to relax in the steaming hot waters located only within a short 3 minute walk from the river bank.

In the Chiriquí Viejo you will encounter the following sections:

Frijoles Section - Class V River Section - Advanced

Just after Fortuna Dam the river is steep and technical but due to damming we have to make sure that there is enough water to make it runnable, but not too much as it may become dangerous. This section also contains many boulders. As most rivers in Panama it can become a high volume run during the rainy season (around 140 cubic meters per second). Due to its unpredictability we only run this section if we are contacted specifically to run it in which case we will tell you the most appropriate time for your group to come.

Witches Section - Class III River Section - Intermediate

This section of the Chiriquí contains highly technical class III rapids and the occasional class IV. Due to its pool drop nature the section has great play spots where the inexperienced will truly enjoy and the more advanced will find a challenge.

Bajo Méndez - Section Class III - Intermediate

A relatively calm section during its first 3.2 kilometers it evolves to a more pool drop nature for the rest of the way. Long wave trains and wild scenery make it a perfect starting point for the first time rafter. With the aid of the hydroelectric plant releasing water, this section always has water. In the rainy season you will encounter fun holes and play spots. Some of Panama 's classic rapids are found in this section, like Bajo Méndez, Culebra and Juan de La Guardia.

Barrigona Section - Class III Section - Intermediate

A perfect trip for families and beginners who would like to have a feel of what whitewater river rafting is about. This section offers a few class III rapids while the rest of the section is full of continuously moving water that keeps the excitement going. The plains of Chiriquí are the main topic of the scenery as well as its gentle rolling hills which are mainly used for crops, cattle and dairy farming.

Chiriquí River Rafting Trip Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Chiriquí Witches - Bajo Méndez III - IV 14 1.5 hours Jun - Nov 5 hours $80
Chiriquí Bajo Méndez - Barrigona III 10 1.5 hours Jun - Nov 5 hours $75

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during trip, saftey kit.

Río Caldera: continuous Class IV rapids very close to Boquete

This river also drains from the flanks of the Volcán Barú and is mostly a creek with several technical, rather steep sections full of constant thrills and lots of fun. A ride on the Caldera River can be described as one long rapid as you will be able to experience one rapid after another, with very few pauses.

It includes one portage around a big waterfall (a stretch at which the raft has to be carried by the rafters) and plenty of fun Class IV rapids. At the beginning of the trip paddlers will encounter a fun little gorge (canyon or deep valley between cliffs carved from the landscape by a river) or when the water is higher they may have to portage.

The river Aguas Blancas joins with the Caldera at the last part of the run, and the rapids change character with more volume. The rapid "Take a hit" comes up right after the confluence, and it is hard to scout and quite long. Might as well just take a hit...

This is our nearest rafting trip from Boquete and can only be offered during the rainy season when recent rains have taken place. This trip is best done either in the morning or in the afternoon as it is a half day of intense rapids. But wait, for those who want a full day of action, the river can be descended twice (double run).

Río Caldera Rafting Trip Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Caldera 2 runs on upper section IV 16 1 hour Jun - Nov 5 hours $90
Caldera 1 run on upper section IV 16 1 hour Jun - Nov 2.5 hours $55

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during trip, saftey kit.

Río Gariché: Class III natural immersion into Chiriqui's beauty

The Bijagual section of the Gariché River offer paddlers a unique opportunity to admire the wonders of Panama's dense vegetation, pristine waterfalls and exotic wildlife. Besides encountering Class II and III rapids, rafters will enjoy spotting monkeys and refreshing swims in its waters.

Río Gariché Rafting Trip Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Gariché Bijagual II - III 10 1.5 hours Jun - Nov 3 hours $75

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during trip, saftey kit.

Río Dolega: Class III section in the jungle with superb pools

When it comes to value and price, with absolutely no sacrifice in excitement, the Dolega River is your best bet if it is your first time on the river and it is no wonder why we have been taking more people down this section than any other river in Chiriquí.

If birds and wildlife, mixed with the views of Panama's indigenous culture is what you are looking for, then the Bridge Section is for you. In this fast technical river you will encounter tranquil water spots for swimming and nature observation and several waterfall treks for your delight.

If spending hours in the car is not something that you are up to but getting in touch with the jungle is, we can offer you a trip like no other.

Río Dolega Rafting Trip Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Dolega Bridge II - III 10 1 hour Jun - Nov 4 hours $70

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during rafting trip, saftey kit.

Río Majagua: a Class II for beginner kayakers & young rafters

A favorite for beginner kayakers and for families with small children, the Majagua River is a peaceful Class II river that offers those without any previous whitewater experience an opportunity to enjoy their first rapids and some really beautiful scenery from a river perspective. Hikes to stunning waterfalls are offered as well as an introductory course to kayaking. The kids will certainly love taking a dive into the many pools found throughout this section.

Río Majagua Tour Options

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Majagua Lower - Rafting II 8 1 hour Jun - Nov 2 hours $50
Majagua Lower - Kayaking II 16 1 hour Jun - Nov 2 hours $55
Majagua Lower - Kayaking II 16 1 hour Jun - Nov 4 hours $80

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during trip, saftey kit.

Río Estí: a serene Class II rafting trip for the whole family

This river runs serenely though beautiful country scenery and hosts many migratory birds that nest among its banks. This river is a good beginning to river rafting for the whole family, especially if you have young children. Swimming along the way and experiencing quick current with a few class II rapids are the reasons to try this river.

Río Estí Rafting Trip Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, water level, time of year, group size, rafters physical condition and other factors.

River
Section
Class
Min. Age
Drive Time
Season
Raft Time
Cost p/p
Estí Lower II 6 1.5 hours All year 3 hours $65

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to river drop off point, pickup at the end of section and transportation back to downtown Boquete, all rafting equipment, lunch, drinking water during trip, saftey kit.

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