Rural Tourism-Mariposas del Pacuare

Recently, we visited our friends at Mariposas del Pacuare in El Tigre near the Pacuare river.

First let us introduce you to them!

Mario Achoy created this magical place starting 3 years ago with the help from Rafael Gallo and Rios Tropicales, since 2009 he has been working on his lush garden!

This family project started with the purchase of the land and the slow shaping of the tropical gardens into the paradise we find today.

Mario Achoy’s passion for butterflies is obvious as he explains to guests the importance of their life cycle and their importance in the earth’s life cycle. The care he has for the butterfly houses (completely clean screens and flowering plants!) emphasize the importance of the project to the Achoy family.

Mario has carefully selected the plants that we can find in their gardens, Sangrillo trees for the

production of the Morpho butterfly, various flowering plants such as verbaine, labios de novia, lantana and cecropia trees for the toucans!

The main area of the garden has a great lookout platform for spotting the exotic morphos.

The lunch that they serve is amazing, the cook is from the local area & makes a delicious costarrican lunch served fresh cold fruit juice, a great meal!

This little butterfly garden is a family project and guests feel a part of it when they visit.

When you enter the garden rolls up hills to their rancho / restaurant.

Here after the tour the guests can receive lunch and coffee all while overlooking the endless amount of tropical rainforest around the Pacuare river.

The sound of singing birds and insects makes for a peaceful afternoon.

Thank you to Mario for the wonderful visit and we hope that more people visit this special garden.

For more information contact us at: verolizvacations@gmail.com o visit our facebook page!

World Rafting Championships 2011-Pacaure River, Costa Rica

The Pacuare River is one of the best rivers for rafting in the world.

In October Turrialba had the honor of hosting the World Rafting Championships on the Pacuare river for the 3rd time!

The competition was fierce with teams from Japan, Brazil, France, Mexico, Canada, England and the Czech Repulic. There were a total of 32 teams competing in the World title in down river, head to head and sloalom.


Costa Rica’s women’s team lead by Carol Vargas put on an excellent show, winning the Head to Head competition!

Although access was a little tricky to get to the competition (tractors and cattle cars there to provide some easy) but the descent to the river and the areas of competitions was long and difficult. When it rained the vehicles could not get up or down; the fans and spectators had to do the 3 hour walk!

But once at the center of the competition, you forgot the walk and become wrapped up in the emotions shared by the international teams. There was an excellent vibe in the air as the teams descended down the river in the various competitions.

Fans and visitors got to be front row as there was ample room for everyone to be seated at the edge of the water to cheer their team on. Argentina had a huge flag and great sportsmanship.

No matter who was winning or loosing the atmosphere at Pacuare made teams, fans & the press take great appreciation for such an important river for Turrialba, rafting & the world at the Rafting Championships 2011!

For more information on rafting and white water adventures in Costa Rica contact us at: verolizvacations@gmail.com