Boreal River Adventures - Costa Rica

Boreal River Adventures - Costa Rica

Boreal River Adventures - Costa Rica
5
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About
Boreal River Adventures—established in 2008—brings you on small group wilderness expeditions with professional guides. Whether you're a 100% beginner or a seasoned river runner, you can raft, packraft, or kayak the world's best destination rivers—in Costa Rica, Patagonia, and Canada. On this page, explore incredible Costa Rica adventures—and experience the rainforest up close.
San Jose, Costa Rica
Travellers talk about

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles11 reviews
Excellent
10
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1
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Kevin H
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
I did the 5-day WFR with Boreal River Rescue in March 2022 and it was absolutely amazing. First, the course itself was fantastic. There is tons of materials to cover and Danny, the instructor, made it very approachable by combining different formats (reviews, discussions, simulations, etc.) and bringing his years of real-life experience. And he made everyone feel welcome and comfortable regardless of their level of knowledge and experience. Second, it was so much more than a WFR course. You raft into this gorgeous campsite by the river in the rainforest (with wonderful staff), go on refreshing hikes and swims during lunch breaks (which was much appreciated to break up long days of learning), and do another substantial rafting out of the camp. I cannot imagine a better way to do the WFR certification!
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katie C
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
This course exceeded everything I was thinking it would-from the camp to the classwork. I had such an incredible time. The location along the Pacuare is beautiful, with the added adventure of being able to paddle in and out. The week was jam packed with class, but Danny kept it fun and hands on. I was lucky enough to have a friend recommend this course to me and now I'm passing that recommendation on to all of you!
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sadie m
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
Incredible. The most fun I’ve ever had learning anything, period. Danny is an amazing instructor, and his support team from Coast to Coast was top-notch. Combine that with the rafting adventure, the mind-blowing natural environment, and the ever-crazier wilderness scenarios and you have an experience that is not to be missed. I couldn’t give this a higher recommendation. Honesty I’m not sure why you are still reading my review instead of booking this for as soon as you can possibly get in!
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ian C
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Boreal River has perfected the 5-day Wilderness First Responder course. Their partnership with Coast to Coast Adventures was excellent. I am a Physician Assistant with 22 years of experience in Emergency and Orthopedic medicine. I learned A TON of practical skills for responding to illness and injury in the wilderness.
The transportation by raft to and from the site was down the beautiful, wildlife-rich Paquare River. We stayed in gorgeous, rustic accomodations and were treated to delicious, nutritious food every day.
This course is a MUST for anyone wanting to guide others in an outdoor environment or just wants to be prepared for anything on their own adventures.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeff W
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Solo
I took the Wilderness First Responder course in Costa Rica in October of 2016. The entire process from start to finish was well organized and planned, not to mention an incredible experience. Danny Peled (Boreal River) is an excellent teacher and exhibits knowledge and patience to ensure that you learn and understand the material. My favorite part of the course is the real life scenarios. Practice makes perfect! As for the adventure, the class room settings in the jungles of Costa Rica were amazing. Particularly the white water rafting to our two remote locations. For me, waking up to the sounds of exotic wildlife and smelling freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee in the jungle sure beats a hotel and an indoor classroom.
If you are ever considering getting your WFR certification, then I would highly recommend Danny Peled and Boreal River.

Jeff/ Florida
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jeff, Thanks so much for the review! Hope you're having a great summer in Florida.
Written August 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

kfox148
New York City, NY3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Solo
I took the Wilderness First Responder Course back in 2015 and the fact that I'm writing this review 4 years later as soon as Boreal River Adventures had a Trip Advisor should indicate to you how great the experience was.

The course was well-planned with great communication from the company as to what to expect. Traveling alone to another country, this was very important to me.

In terms of the actual course content and instruction. This was an absolutely fabulous experience. The instructor, Danny, was knowledgeable, able to clearly provide instructions for more hands-on lessons and great fun to be around - he kept the group interacting and having a great time. The lodging was perfect and the scenery beautiful. Just rugged enough to feel adventurous but not too far out of anyone's comfort zone - there was running water, food prepared for you, raised tents, etc. The course went at a great pace and I really enjoyed the practical components. We even practiced what we'd learned while in the raft, which was awesome!

What originally drew me to this course was the white water rafting, but what makes me excited to take another course is the quality of the instruction and Danny's commitment to ensuring your experience is not only educational but also incredibly fun. Compared to other WFR courses I have taken, this is the tops for sure - I definitely recommend it.
Written April 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey Kelly, Thanks so much for the review! :) Danny
Written August 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

R. Marge
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Business
Lifetime experience. (I did not attend March 2019)
I took the course in 2013 and the pictures are exactly what you get: rivers, waterfalls, lush scenery & flowers, outdoor classroom. I decided to take this course instead of one in the states because it was in Costa Rica, exciting, right? The overall cost was also CHEAPER: flights, stay, food, etc. There was no course near me at the time to compare.
Danny is the idyllic teacher and great traveling company. Engaging, entertaining, and interactive. I appreciated how he made sure he applied the course work into each student's field of work. The course is hands on and fun...not to mention alongside a river with picturesque scenery and delicious food. I remember being pleased with the balance between classroom time, application time and fun exploring time.

Things to consider, the course is in two languages, at times it may feel sluggish. To me it was a bonus. I speak some Spanish and work in the medical field, so I enjoyed listening and learning the language applied medically. The camp has outdoor showers, which were chilly but refreshing. It can get "warm" with no electricity, bathrooms are uphill from the tents and the showers are outside (one for men, one for women but may have changed in the recent years).

All things considered, I would take this course again and highly recommend Boreal River Adventures.
Written April 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much Rachel! Great feedback. Since we switched from the 8-day format to the 5-day onsite + 25 hrs pre-course learning format, all the instruction is in English. Thanks, Danny
Written August 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JP S
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Solo
Boreal's Wilderness First Responder course in Costa Rica was both an excellent educational experience and an adventure in a spectacular location. The river camps were rustic but very comfortable and made for the best outdoor classroom imaginable! Danny Peled (Boreal) is a great teacher and made the course challenging but fun. Learning to respond to emergencies in this setting was very effective - I learned a great deal and saw incredible wildlife at the same time. Two thumbs up!!
Written April 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks JP! So great that you made the trip from Bermuda. Thanks for the review and the nice feedback.
Written April 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Chloe Clark
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Solo
I completed the wilderness first responder course in San Jose in February of 2018. This was an amazing opportunity to do some introspection while your deep in the jungle. This week long trip taught me more than anything about teamwork. I learned about our native surroundings, how to be a Woofer, and how to raft plus so much more. The camping was comfortable and the food delicious! Bring rain gear and warm clothes. I highly recommend this trip to anyone, especially those who are adventurous!
Written April 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the review Chloe!
Written April 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

whenaliciatravels
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Solo
This was one of my top trips of all time. In Feb of 2017 I decided to throw caution to the wind and take this 5 day WFR course in an exciting location instead of a 7 day one in the US. It was easy as a solo traveler to get to the right spots, and from the moment I got picked up, every single detail was taken care of and I learned a ton.

The class itself was fantastic. Danny, the instructor, was a great teacher and able to put details in context so I had a real framework for thinking through an emergency. Our time was split between classroom (more like beautiful treehouse) instruction and applying it in short and long rescue scenarios. It was an incredibly engaging and efficient way to learn...plus getting to play the victim is a great time.

The campsite was beautiful. We slept in our own tents on platforms under tarps. The grounds were landscaped with flowers and grass and pathways. Bathrooms were plumbed and the showers were incorporated into the jungle rocks. At night everything was illuminated by candles. Food was delicious. The whole thing was fantastic! And by the end I had friends to explore San Jose with before I went home.
Written March 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Alicia, Thanks so much for the detailed review. It was great meeting you on the course. Brings back memories of an awesome week! Best of luck with life in California!!
Written April 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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