Frequently Asked Question of Quepoa Expeditions
Costa Rica
When and Where do we meet?
Confirmation?
What does Quepoa Expeditions
provide?
What do we wear?
What about food?
Can we bring alcohol?
Can we bring cameras?
How many people in a raft? How
is it guided?
Who can do it?
How cold is the water?
Is it customary to tip the
guides?
What 'Class' is the river we are running?
Guide training and
certification
What is a Ducky or Inflatable
Kayak?
| When
and Where do we meet? Confirmation? |
| Confirmation is your Pay Pal deposit or payment. We will meet and pick you up at your local area lodging and drop you off at the end of the trip. |
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| What does Quepoa Expeditions provide? |
| All our trips include self-bailing rafts or
inflatable kayaks, PFD's (life jackets), a helmet, first aid supplies
and dry bags for your personal gear. Shoes that can get wet are a must. Transportation
to and from your local accomodations is included on all trips, as well as water, snacks and/or full meals. Feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages if you have special needs or preferences. |
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| What
do we wear? |
Proper foot wear-- it is important to wear sandals that will stay on in the water or any type of shoe that you can get wet. NO FLIP FLOPS. They will not protect your feet in the event of a swim.
Sunscreen, the tropical sun is deceivingly powerful, even during the rainy season.
Change of clothes for full day trips make lunch and your ride home more pleasant. |
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| What
about food? |
| It is no problem to bring snacks, water, soda, etc. All of our trips include a snack, and some include full meals, so read the trip descriptions on the TRIPS page for more details. |
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| Can
We Bring Alcohol? |
| Obviously I don't want to have inebriated clients on my raft. On the other hand there is nothing better than having a cold one after the trip. Be responsible, don't get obnoxious, and remember, like the sign in the bar says "we retain the right to refuse service to anyone." |
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| Can
We Bring Cameras? |
Waterproof cameras are optional, as most trips will be accompanied by a professional photographer whose pictures will be available for purchase at the end of the trip. |
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| How
Many People in a Raft? How is it Guided? |
| Quepoa Expeditions owns a variety of rafts and inflatable kayaks suited to the special needs of each river and the season. Being a smaller company we don't have the crowds on the river or in the raft. Generally we have anywhere from 1 to 6 people in a raft plus the guide. |
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| The boat will be guided by me or one of my professionally certified guides. We will work together as a team in what is called a paddle raft. The guide gives commands and steers, you are the motor. If we don't work together as a team, we will probably swim the river as a team. |
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| Who
Can do it? |
It is important to understand that here in Costa Rica the conditions are constantly changing. During different times of year, we may recommend different rivers depending on the age and experience level of your group, and the type of experience you are looking for. Let our staff work with you to determine which river is best for you. For a guideline, the recommended minimum age in the dry season is 8 years old. In the rainy season it is 12 years old.
Rainy season in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica extends from May through the beginning of December. During this time the rivers become big and continuous, providing hard-core whitewater excitement. The Dry season is from Mid-December through May. As the rivers become calmer, the water becomes sparkling clear, and safer for families with young children. River trips are available year round, and they always offer a refreshing relief from hot crowded beaches. Plus, we offer the ducky option for those who want intense action and adrenaline during the dry season.
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| How
Cold is the Water? |
| This is Costa Rica! None of that wetsuit nonsense and frigid water you may be used to in the States, Canada or Europe. Temperatures are usually in the low 80's farenheit or about 25 celcius. |
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| Is
it Customary to Tip the Guides? |
| Gratuity for guide service is customary. A tip
is a nice way to say 'thank you' and should reflect
how you feel about the personal service you or
your group received. Some groups organize a tip
for their guide, others prefer to tip personally.
Average tip is between 10-20% of your trip cost
per person. |
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| What
Class is the River we are running? |
Most rivers in the world are rated on the International
Scale of Whitewater, I-VI. Class I is flat water
with some current, something you would be comfortable having your kids float in an inner tube. Class VI is impossible, for instance
Niagara Falls. Our rivers range from Class II to Class IV, from continous raging water in the rainy season (June into December) to rapids with a pool waiting below. Please allow us to discuss your skill, fitness, desired excitment level and ages of those in your group to find the best and safest trip for you. |
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| Guide
Training and Certification |
All things are equal except for the people.
Quepoa Expeditions guides are dedicated
outdoor enthusiasts with many years of experience
guiding and adventuring. All of
our guides are CPR/First Aid Certified. Many are
EMT's, Wilderness EMT's, as well as Swift Water
Rescue Technicians. Our guides have made whitewater
their profession and aren't just working a season
or two, but people who have dedicated their lives
to the passion of living and working outdoors.
We reserve the
right to deny a trip to any person for safety
reasons and to modify any trip due to unsafe
river conditions. |
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| What
is a Ducky or Inflatable Kayak? |
Duckies are one-person inflatable kayaks, similar in shape to a canoe but maneuvered with a two bladed paddle like a kayak. These boats are a lot of fun, easy to maneuver after brief instruction, and a great opportunity to learn paddling skills. Ducky trips are conducted at lower flows during the dry season (December –May). Guides are in their own duckies or kayaks to direct everyone down river and give paddling instructions.
Be aware the ducky option is for people who want more adventure than a typical low water rafting trip. It is much more physically challenging than rafting, and getting stuck on rocks, falling out of the ducky and rescuing yourself are all part of the experience. At the start of the trip, you will be required to practice flipping over and getting back into the boat. The inflatable kayaks often provide great entertainment for your friends and family who elect to stay in the more stable raft. |
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