The award-winning Rios Tropicales Lodge, located on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica, has reopened under new owners and with Roberto Gallo, the son of Rios Tropicales Co-Founder and conservation pioneer, Rafael Gallo, as one of four partners. The lodge was established in 1989 and the Rios Tropicales adventure company closed in 2021 amidst the global pandemic and the death of founder Rafa Gallo.
Roberto Gallo was determined to both continue, and expand, on his father’s legacy. He has joined up with three highly experienced partners, Arturo Oropeza, Justin Rae, and Sam Drevo, who together attracted a storied and passionate group of paddlers, conservationists, and adventure tourism leaders who believe that the best could be yet to come. The new stewards purchased the Rios Tropicales Lodge — along with 100 hectares of primary and secondary rainforest and Pacuare River frontage — and all Rios Tropicales digital assets in early 2022, under the name Rios Lodge, LLC. They gave the ecolodge a slightly different name, Rios Lodge, in tribute to Roberto’s father’s legacy, while creating space for a fresh, new brand to be born.
Initial investment plans to expand the lodge’s facilities, hydropower system, activities, and conservation projects in the famous Pacuare River ecosystem are well underway, with half a million dollars committed so far. Lodge upgrades are anticipated to be completed later in 2023. The original zipline course just reopened with now eight ziplines, and incredible new zips flying up and across the Pacuare River.
Guests choose between rafting or hiking into and out of this remote ecolodge, as there is no direct automobile access. Hiking in is a new focus and opens up the lodge to an expanded market of customer ages and interests. Typical stays are 2-4 days, and available activities at the lodge include ziplining, hiking, horseback riding, conservation tours and tree-planting, waterfalls and swimming holes, birdwatching, and visits to a community butterfly garden. All meals are included, and longer stays are available. This intimate lodge currently has 17 rooms, and the all-new eco-hostel group housing area that is currently under construction will open in spring of 2023.
Rios Lodge is ideal for active travelers who are looking for authentic adventure experiences that make a positive impact in responsible tourism and conservation. Guests are supporting reforestation and biodiversity programs as a result of their stay. They can participate directly in tree-planting carbon sequestration projects in the large, extended Gallo-Jiménez Family Private Rainforest Reserve, started three decades ago by Rafael Gallo.
Rios Lodge welcomes adventurers from around the world, including groups and independent travelers. We welcome travel agencies and trade partners to work with us, and media to talk with us. Contact us today.
About Rios Lodge
Rios Lodge is an intimate, private ecolodge located on the Pacuare River in Limon Province, Costa Rica. It is on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and approximately 3-4 hours drive from San Jose to get to hiking or rafting access points. The lodge is accessible only by raft or hiking trails and is fully off-the-grid, powered by hydropower, and with satellite WIFI services. It was established in 1989 as Rios Tropicales Lodge, by Rafael (Rafa) Gallo and Rios Tropicales adventure company. The lodge was sold when Rios Tropicales closed in early 2022, and reopened in late 2022 as Rios Lodge, led by the new partners, including Rafa’s son, Roberto Gallo. The lodge offers 17 deluxe, classic and suite rooms, group lodging, and adventure activities including ziplining, hiking, waterfalls, horseback riding, and conservation tours with tree-planting.
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