The exhilaration leaves you breathless, your heart pounding, and you only hear the water's roar—that's white water rafting. It's not a sport for the timid. It's a passion for those into adrenalin rushes when pitting your skill against nature's galloping waterways. And, when exhausted at the end of the day after the thrill of navigating a water world of massive boulders on a rollercoaster ride of excitement and fear when your body's dopamine levels flood the brain with euphoria, focus and energy, you are on a high and want nothing more than a touch of luxury to bring you down gently.
Some of the best places to lay your head on a pillow, either within close proximity to gushing water or perched strategically along rivers for ease of access to nature's watery playground, are below:
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Costa Rica
One of the best places in the world for white water rafting is the Sarapiqui River in Costa Rica. A river that you don’t have to be an expert to ride its rapids—stretches of the river are from level one to four—meaning beginners can give it a go, as much as the experienced adrenalin junky.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa is hidden in the mountains, shrouded in cloud forests, and a 60-minute drive from San Jose. A sophisticated boutique lodge of only 16 suites and eight villas, it’s the perfect retreat after a white water rafting dopamine rush that will soothe your body and mind. It's the little touches that make this lodge so sumptuous, such as a hot water bottle placed in your bed while guests are at dinner. The surreal architecture of mammoth glass windows blends the outdoors with the indoors, giving a peaceful vibe, especially when wallowing in the private outdoor whirlpool spa with a glass of wine in hand. When the day's adventures call for body pampering, a dedicated spa enclave is beside a gently flowing creek. With so many activities besides white water rafting, El Silencio Lodge & Spa is an indulgent space of comfort and calm.
Eleven Rio Palena Lodge, Patagonia
The mighty Rio Futaleufu begins in Argentina and runs to Chile, cutting through extraordinary granite canyons in a valley hugged by glacier-laden peaks. Nicknamed 'the Futa,' it is always at the top of the world list for whitewater rafting adventures because of its huge rapids of azure water that are totally unbelievable in color, running in unbreakable noisy waves, creating massive frothy holes between jagged mountain escarpments.
Eleven Rio Palena Lodge is located on the apron of the majestic Rio Palena in the Los Lagos region of Patagonia, an area known for wild brown and rainbow trout. It is the ultimate adventurer's dream space for hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, heli-skiing, and running the rapids while white water rafting on the Rio Futaleufu from the lodge's remote outpost. You will be deliciously indulged with only seven en suite guest rooms peering over the river. A private chef will send you off in the mornings totally satiated, having eaten a creative brekky that will make your mouth water and packing for you a substantial savory lunch to be had by the riverside when the hunger pangs attack. Upon returning to the lodge, you can slip into a steamy wood-fired hot tub, or shut the door on the world and relax in a sauna. Unwind and chill out with a pisco sour or revel in the taste of sublime Chilean wine. Meals are a feast for the senses using local produce and presented like art on a plate. This is where a wild and adventurous world meets refined luxury.
Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco, Peru
If you are chasing the ultimate thrill when white water rafting, the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley of Peru offers a ride that won't disappoint. Experienced souls can battle Class IV near the Cusipata and Chuquicahuana sections. Novices will find equally exciting sections to try their skills in the Ollantaytambo area. It's a ride through amazing scenery, taking in lush green vegetation and Incan terraces with a mesmerizing backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
When looking for accommodation in the area, there are a few options—Urubamba and Ollantaytambo both have proximity to the river, or you can opt for the ultimate indulgence of Monasterio, a Belmond Hotel in Cusco, where you can mix up your activities with horse riding, trekking, and exploring the museums and art galleries of Cusco.
Monasterio oozes charm with a hefty dose of decadence. Sitting in a 16th-century converted monastery, this hotel has a unique history. With stunning walkways and walls splashed with artwork, the hotel is only a few minutes from the beautiful main square of Cusco. There are 117 rooms and suites that will take your breath away— think marble bathrooms, quaint balconies, butler service, two wonderful restaurants, and a contemporary bar where you can hang out at the end of the day indulging in an aperitive.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
