Río Corobicí

Six km north of Cañas, the Pan-American Highway crosses the Río Corobicí. The 40-km-long river is fed by controlled runoff from Lake Arenal, providing water year-round, good for rafting. The trip is a relatively calm Class II run described as a “nature float.” Though it cuts through cattle country and rice paddies, the river is lined with a riparian forest of mahogany, ceiba, and palms. Motmots, herons, crested caracaras, egrets, and toucans are common, as are howler monkeys, caimans, and iguanas basking on the riverbanks. With luck, you might even spot a crocodile. Pools provide excellent swimming.

Safaris Corobicí (P.O. Box 99-5700 Corobicí, Cañas, tel./fax 506/669-6091 or 506/669-6191, safaris@racsa.co.cr, www.nicoya.com) has an office beside Hwy. 1, about 400 meters south of the river. Two-hour guided trips cost $37. It has a three-hour bird-watching float ($45), plus a half-day float including lunch ($60).