Top Costa Rica On the Water

Learn to paddleboard on the placid, scenic waters of Lake Arenal in Costa Rica! After an on-shore lesson from your expert guide, take a boat to the middle of the lake to try out your new skills. Stand up on the long board and paddle along the surface of the lake for a thrilling, athletic experience. Soak up the gorgeous scenery, including spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. This half-day tour includes a snack and hotel transport from La Fortuna.

A personalize adventure for those who enjoy the nature running one of the cleanest rivers of Central America.

First-time rafters and travelers with kids will love white-water rafting on Costa Rica’s beautiful Sarapiquí River. The rapids are class II and III, which is exciting without being terrifying. Spot flora and fauna along the way and enjoy views inaccessible by other means. Children as young as seven can join in the fun. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Beginner kayakers are at ease on this Sarapiqui River kayaking tour. Roll over mild class I and II rapids on your way to wildlife watching zones along the river, which runs through a biodiverse section of the jungle. You might see tropical birds, wild orchids, and more as you follow your guide along the course.

Take a whitewater rafting trip down the Pacuare River with a professional guide to lead the way. You'll travel around 29 kilometers (18 miles), conquering a variety of rapids ranging from class II to class V. At the end of your tour, you'll sit down to dine on a typical Costa Rican lunch.

Head out on the Sarapiqui River in the afternoon for a thrilling ride down the Class II and Class III rapids. This activity is great for those who have other morning plans or arrive in town later in the day; most rafting trips offered have early morning starts. With a guide at the helm, you’ll be safe and comfortable and have all the instruction you need.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the opportunity to hike and zipline through the Costa Rican rainforest. After a safety training you’ll hike through the forest to an area with seven ziplines strung between the treetops. Enjoy zooming along these, looking out for wildlife on the way. Some of the ziplines go right past some beautiful waterfalls, for the best views.

Lie back and relax as we paddle you through the canals of Tortuguero. Learn about the incredible diversity of wildlife native to the area, such as birds and tortoises, as you look for these creatures in the lush rainforest with binoculars. In case of inclement weather, rain ponchos will be provided.

Get on the Pejibaye River totally worry-free with this all-inclusive tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll hop into your private car for a ride to the river—and a stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Once at the water, your guides will set you up for an exciting 3-hour float through the jungle, complete with photos, water, and towels provided.

This group tour near Manuel Antonio takes you into the jungle for a yoga and hiking excursion, followed by lunch and even learning to make corn tortillas. You’ll start with a hotel pickup to keep things running smoothly, then your guide will organize yoga, a hike, a waterfall visit, and a well-earned lunch in a local’s home.

Experience scuba diving without a certification while in Costa Rica. This excursion includes a theory session, practice time with an instructor, and two dives at the Catalina Islands, known as some of the best scuba diving spots in Costa Rica. Choose between a 1- or 2-day option where you’ll be able to practice in a pool the day before heading out on the boat.

Learn the basics of scuba diving under the watchful eye of your guide on this introductory course departing from Tamarindo. Begin at TamaDive Tamarindo Diving Center, then enjoy two dives at different sites with a break in between, using the scuba equipment provided so you don't have to worry about a thing. Hotel pickup is available from select Tamarindo locations for even more convenience.

This experience stands out by offering kayaking down the Peñas Blancas River and transportation from Fortuna. Get picked up in La Fortuna and make the 30-minute drive to La Perla near the Peñas Blancas River. After a restroom break and safety briefing, kayak along the river known as one of Costa Rica’s kayaking and rafting gems, spotting animals such as monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas, and various birds along the way.

When sailing the river course, the raft riders encounter turbulent waters, exciting waterfalls, quiet pools, high rock walls, and wildlife, while being splashed and thrilled.

Explore a lush jungle on a 4-hour adventure tour from Jaco, then ride, rappel and soar through groves of ancient trees. Steer your Costa Rican stepping horse along a forested path to El Encanto waterfall, then learn the basics of safety and technique before rappelling off the edge of the 180-foot (55-meter) cascade. Hop from pool to pool as you lower yourself along the cliff face, then continue to a series of eight thrilling ziplines, and soar through the forest canopy before hiking to a nearby ranch for refreshments.

Wildlife enthusiasts will love touring the Costa Rican rainforests by rafting down the Corobici River. With a small group of like-minded travelers, you’ll float down the river on the lookout for sloths, tree frogs, crocodiles, and many varieties of birds. You’ll get a different perspective of the jungle that many travelers miss.

Leave the beach behind to experience the best of Rincon de la Vieja National Park on this dual hiking and tubing adventure from the Guanacaste area. Walk down the Las Pailas Trail with a guide to see bubbling geothermal activity and wildlife like howler monkeys and iguanas, and then change into your swimsuit for a tubing trip down the Rio Negro.  This tour includes all transportation, activities, and meals as per itinerary.

The 230-foot (70-meter) high La Fortuna Waterfall, surrounded by verdant wet forest, is one of the region’s most photographed attractions. On this half-day tour, take the scenic route as you float down the river on a raft, then cool off with a swim beneath the falls. Along the way, look out for exotic birds, howler monkeys, and sloths; visit a traditional Costa Rican family home; and tuck into a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Test your limits on an extreme canyoning expedition in Costa Rica. On this thrilling, half-day tour from La Fortuna, journey to a remote rain forest canyon where you rappel down cliffs, leap from waterfalls, and trek through a jagged, slippery landscape. Prepare to get soaked as you splash into jungle pools and swim under cascades in an extraordinary natural playground. This is the ultimate choice for thrill seekers in La Fortuna.

Go river rafting on the Pacuare River on a full-day tour from Turrialba that showcases some of the gorgeous scenery in Costa Rica. Expect to spend about four hours on the river as you raft about 18 miles (29 km) on large and small rapids, with lunch provided during a break along the way. This whitewater river rafting experience is suitable for active people that enjoy an outdoor challenge.

Cruise along one of Costa Rica’s most scenic coastlines on a sailing and snorkeling tour of Manuel Antonio. Relax on deck and sip unlimited drinks from an open bar as you get a new perspective on the unspoiled nature preserve and try to spot dolphins, turtles, and migrating whales. Stop to swim and snorkel among tropical fish in the clear waters off Biesanz Beach, and then reward your efforts with a gourmet lunch prepared right on board.

Some of Costa Rica's most spectacular sights are best seen from the water, but many visitors stick to land and miss the chance to cruise along the Pacific coastline. Relax on a spacious catamaran and take in the views from an uncrowded vantage point. Cruise along the coast, jump off the boat to snorkel and explore local marine life, and have fun on the waterslide and jump platform. Cap off the day with a grilled gourmet meal and tropical cocktails.

Discover Cahuita National Park on this all-day private tour. For those arriving via a cruise ship, travel from the port in Limon to Cahuita where you’ll go snorkeling with a guide, as well as take a short hike through the park. Cahuita National Park is home to a reef that’s filled with over 240 marine species including wildlife such as tropical fish, mollusks, and nurse sharks. Also, head to Puerto Vargas beach for more snorkeling opportunities.

Enjoy a heart-stopping adventure during your time in Costa Rica on a small-group tour to the Arenal Volcano. Start with a challenging ATV ride through tropical jungle and mountainous terrain, navigating rugged terrain and taking in volcano views before a traditional Costa Rican lunch. Then, get ready to get wet on a thrilling rafting tour down more than 30 rapids, with transportation included for a seamless experience.