By Grettel Prendas

Twenty years ago, inspired by the beauty and the outstanding rapids along the Pacuare River, Rafael Gallo Palomo, an industrial engineer born in New York; decided to reside in Costa Rica and offer hundreds of national and foreign adventurers like himself, the opportunity to experience one of the most majestic sceneries of the world, while it riding these refreshing yet turbulent waters.

His passion began in 1983, while organizing a 20 day expedition along Colorado’s Grand Canyon. Many other expeditions would follow to diverse parts of the United States and Canada. But upon visiting Costa Rica, he was so impressed by its rivers, that he decided to live there.

Gallo consequently establishes the Rios Tropicales in 1985, to operate tours in the Pacuare region, becoming a pioneer in this extreme sport of rafting. He later purchases 1,000 hectares of forest, 300 of which are dedicated to the establishment of a biological reserve.

His leadership and focus towards adventure tourism along with his admiration for this imposing phenomenon of nature, has led to him to spearhead a never ending fight to defend the Pacuare, threatened by the possible development of a hydroelectric dam.

"The Pacuare River has a character that few rivers in the world possess. Its gradient is ideal for the formation of the class III, IV and V rapids that characterize it, the surrounding nature of the environment is exceptional; while in addition, the numerous waterfalls and the temperature of the waters is ideal... ", he most emphatically expresses.

Enamored with nature that has inspired his 30 year hobby for photography, Rafael has also ventured into the literary world by coauthoring the book "The Rivers of Costa Rica", published in the United States with a first edition of 5 thousand copies.

His career in tourism has led him to hold several key positions in the industry, among them as founder, president and later vice-president of the International Rafting Federation. He is also a member of the New York Explorers Club, the American Whitewater Affiliation (AWA) and since 1992; he maintains a seat on the Board of Directors of American Outdoors. In addition, he created the Pro-Rivers Foundation and was president of the Kayaking Sport Association of Costa Rica.
Gallo foresees a need for greater awareness in regards to the attributes of the region, for which from his position as an entrepreneur, he endorses a message of conservation and leads efforts towards a better understanding of the treasures that the Central American region shelters.

He stresses his belief that "…the best is being done with the resources at hand..., it is a pity though that a long term planning process does not exist, in aims of protecting areas that require it while permitting growth in areas that are fit for development” he points out.