Pacuare River
| Pacuare | |
|---|---|
Pacuare River | |
Map of the Pacuare River watershed | |
| Location | |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| City | Siquirres |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Talamanca, Costa Rica |
| • coordinates | 9.611, -83.636 |
| Mouth | |
• location | Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica |
• coordinates | 10.22, -83.28 |
• elevation | sea level |
| Length | 129 km (80 mi) |
| Basin size | 900 km2 |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Rio San Rafael, Rio Plantanillo, Rio Pacayitas, Quebrada Grande, Rio Siquirres |
| • right | Rio Madre de Dios |
The Pacuare River, or the Río Pacuare, in Costa Rica has its source in the Cordillera de Talamanca and flows approximately 108 kilometres (67 mi) to the Caribbean. It is a popular location for white water rafting, whitewater kayaking and riverboarding. The rainforests that surround the river are home to exotic animal species such as jaguars, monkeys, ocelots, and a very large number of birds. It was considered one of the 5 nicest rivers to practice rafting.
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad - Costa Rica's state-owned electricity agency - suggested in 1986 the possibility of building a hydroelectric dam on the river. This plan was finally rejected in 2005 due to concerns about the pollution and other impacts on tourism and the ecology of the river and its surroundings.