Top Costa Rica White Water Rafting

Mambo Combo Canyoning and Rafting near the Arenal Volcano

Feel the rush of the rapids on the Naranjo River on this full-day, guided, white-water rafting tour with stop in historic Quepos included. Ride the challenging waves through the jungle, past mountains, near plantations and in view of farmlands tackling the waters as team. Take a break at the halfway point to refuel, relax and enjoy the view before finishing the course and floating into shore on calm waters.

White Water Rafting Naranjo River |Class III From Manuel Antonio

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

El Chorro Water Rafting from Jaco

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

White Water Rafting II and III Maquique Costa Rica La Fortuna

5 hoursFree Cancellation

You book Jonatan — not a company. He has 24 years on the Pacuare River, personally plans your trip, and past guests have stayed at his house. That’s the Turrialtours difference. The Pacuare is National Geographic-ranked among the world’s top whitewater rivers. It runs through a pristine jungle canyon and the protected territory of the Cabécar people — Costa Rica’s largest indigenous community. No dam, no crowds, no highway views. Private 4x4 pickup — never a bus. Maximum 18 guests. World Rafting Federation-licensed guides, CPR/First Aid certified, fully insured. Everything included: transport, equipment, buffet lunch (+ breakfast from San José). No hidden costs, no surprises. Our guests say it best: “friends, not clients.”

Pacuare River Rafting Class IV from Turrialba

This tour stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it offers a seamless private experience, including transportation from your hotel or our office in La Fortuna, ensuring convenience and privacy from start to finish. Secondly, the tour provides a perfect blend of excitement and safety, with certified bilingual guides and comprehensive safety briefings, ensuring a thrilling yet secure rafting adventure. Moreover, the opportunity to witness diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes along the river adds a unique element to the experience, making it not just about the adrenaline rush but also about connecting with nature. Additionally, the inclusion of refreshing stops with seasonal fruits and swimming breaks enhances the overall enjoyment. Finally, the personalized touch of providing amusing photographs of your rafting experience and a delicious traditional lunch further sets this tour apart, leaving guests with lasting memories and a fully immersive adventure.

Private White Water Rafting with Arenal Rafting

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste Hotel

40 minutesFree Cancellation

White Water Rafting Sarapiqui River | Class II - III from San Jose

10 hoursFree Cancellation

Rafting Class III and IV in Tenorio River from Playa Flamingo

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

White Water Rafting Tenorio River Class 3/4-Hermosa Coco

Price varies by group size

7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Guachipelin Volcano Combo: Zipline, River Tubing & Hot Springs

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Full Day Class II-III Rafting and Canyoning Rappelling from La Fortuna-Arenal

9 hoursFree Cancellation

White Water Tubin in the river BALSA

Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Manuel Antonio

Rafting Class II-III and Zipline Tour from La Fortuna and Arenal

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Rafting Balsa River level II - III + Canopy Tour & Organic Lunch From San José

9 hoursFree Cancellation

If you’re looking for an extreme adventure on the Balsa River, this white-water rafting tour is a great pick. Paddle your way down six miles (9.6 kilometers) of nearly non-stop white water—most rafting companies don’t take this extreme route on the Upper Balsa, so it’s unlikely that you’ll see any other rafts as you head through the rain forest canyon. This tour includes an extra stop at the El Salto swimming hole and lunch.

White Water Rafting class V

Whether you're a novice rafter or a rapid expert, this 8-hour trip down Costa Rica's Sarapiqui River is sure to please. Navigate Class III and IV rapids with a professional guide who ensures both your safety and your entertainment during the trip, which passes through 7.5 miles of tropical rain forest environments. This tour includes a typical Costa Rican lunch and round-trip transportation from your hotel.

Sarapiqui White Water Rafting from La Fortuna

Whitewater Rafting Savegre River Class II & III + Waterfall Break

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

This Balsa River rafting experience combines adventure, nature, and local hospitality in one unforgettable tour. Unlike more intense rafting trips designed only for experienced paddlers, this experience is ideal for beginners, families, and travelers who want real excitement without feeling overwhelmed. The Balsa River offers the perfect balance of fun Class II and III rapids and peaceful stretches where travelers can enjoy the scenery, swim, and look for wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds. In addition to rafting, guests enjoy fresh tropical fruit by the river, professional bilingual guides, round-trip transportation from La Fortuna, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch. It is more than a rafting trip it is a complete Arenal adventure.

Balsa River White Water Rafting in La Fortuna & Costa Rican Lunch

Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River Class 2-3 San Jose to Fortuna

Go whitewater rafting even if you're a beginner, with this Class II and III rapids experience on Costa Rica's Balsa River. Well-suited for travelers who like to keep active on vacation but want to ease into this activity, start off with small to medium waves before progressing to an intermediate route. Enjoy the views as you cruise through the rainforest, with opportunities to see monkeys, sloths, and toucans.

Rafting Class II & III + Local Farm Lunch & Cultural Tour

White Water Rafting Class III & IV

1 2 3 4 5

Must-Dos in Costa Rica

1 / 2

What are people saying about Costa Rica

Betsaida_C, Nov 2026

Rafting for 2 turned awesome!

Our hosts are quite charming and teach you a lot about the region along the drive. They take good care of you with respect to snacks, beverages, equipment, and training. The rapids were strong as it had just rained when we hit the water. The first half was intense! The second half was definitely more relaxing and allowed us to observe much more of nature, including birds, frogs, and of course, the natural wonders along the ravine and river banks. We stopped to view quite a few sloths, “peresosos”, enjoyed a delicious lunch, sugar cane juice, and a walk in a cute farm. I had a blast. The day flew by. I would definitely recommend spending the day with Orlando and Werner and the driver too! They make a great team and you’re sure to have a most memorable occasion.

White Water Rafting Class II and III

YOLANDA_C, Oct 2026

Exceptional

Very fun activity. A great team with a lot of professionalism and at the same time very approachable, friendly and fun who will convey security. The place is incredible and the instructions are clear. They also explain many things about the fauna and flora. We were able to see a sloth. Special mention to our instructor, Yuriel, all motivation, safety, dynamism, and professionalism. Highly recommended!!!!

Extreme White Water Adventure Class III & IV

yunninf, Oct 2026

A spectacular experience, 10/10! 🌊🔥

We had an incredible experience with Sarapiquí Outdoor Center on the class IV rafting tour. From the beginning, everything was excellent: they picked us up on time, gave us all the safety instructions, and offered us a safe place to store our valuables and vehicle keys. The rafting was simply spectacular, with extremely professional, trained, and attentive guides at all times, which allowed us to enjoy the adventure to the fullest with confidence and safety. In addition, the details at the end made the difference: they provided us with towels to dry off, and we enjoyed a snack, coffee, and delicious sugarcane juice. They also gave us the freedom to stay on the premises, use their spaces, and continue enjoying the river after the activity. The commitment, organization, and excellent service of the entire team are evident. An adventure full of adrenaline, fun, and first-class service! Totally recommended. Without a doubt, an experience to repeat. Many thanks to the entire Sarapiquí Outdoor Center team! 10/10. 🙌🚣‍♂️

Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica

MonaLy_R, Sept 2026

All the guides for the...

All the guides for the rafting were great. The shuttle ride to the river went by a breeze with Yader spotting sloths and telling jokes. Our raft guide was Roberto and he did a great job making the activity as a whole feel very safe, secure and fun. At first we were a little worried as it was our first time rafting, but Roberto made sure we were ok and also enjoying ourselves. He was very good at spotting wildlife, stopping to show us poison dart frogs, toucans and sloths. One of the highlights was the fruit they served, which to date is the best pineapple we have had ever.

Whitewater Rafting Savegre Class II-III plus Waterfall Manuel Antonio

Alyssa_U, Sept 2026

Awesome Rafting Trip

We had a blast with Amigos Del Rio Rafting Tours! Juan Carlos and Jason were awesome guides and very knowledgeable about the river! We stopped in a small village and got some delicious food prior to hitting the water! Juan Carlos was a great leader and did well with providing instructions during his safety briefing. Once we hit the water there was nonstop fun and beautiful scenery. The rapids were constant, fun, and at points challenging. The break along the river to check out the waterfall was nice, with excellent snacks! Then after rafting the lunch that was provided was amazing! We truly had a wonderful time on this trip!

White Water Rafting Pacuare River From San José

Trinity_H, Aug 2026

10/10 experience!

Amazing experience. One of my favorite things we have done in Costa Rica so far. Be prepared to work! It’s not a lazy trip down the river. The scenery was beautiful and our guide Jose was very knowledgeable about the river, different birds we saw, and overall made the experience so wonderful for us.

Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica

chuyabraams, Aug 2026

An unforgettable experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An incredible experience! We loved the rafting! We enjoyed it very much from beginning to end. Everything was super well organized and at all times we felt safe and in very good hands. We want to especially highlight our guide, Braulio Machillo, who was fantastic. He made the whole tour super fun, explained everything perfectly to us, and made us feel very safe throughout the entire experience. You can tell he knows perfectly well what he is doing and, in addition, he has great energy. It has been one of the best experiences of our trip to Costa Rica. We loved it and we recommend it 100%! 🌊🚣‍♀️🇨🇷

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV

J5073LXmathieul, Aug 2026

Rafting with Brian, the best!

Great organization with excellent rafting quality. Pick-up at our hotel and bus transport with the guide and host Carlos, a real pro and very friendly. Afterward, upon arriving at the river, we had the best guide in my opinion, Brian, a REAL crazy guy!!! A great organization and great activity to do father and son!

Whitewater Rafting Class III and IV

Vanessa_R, May 2026

A MUST in Guanacaste!

Our white-water rafting excursion was easily one of the highlights of our trip! A huge thank you to our guide, Junior, who made the entire experience unforgettable. As first-time rafters, we were a little nervous, but Junior was incredibly friendly, professional, and knowledgeable from start to finish. He explained everything clearly, kept us informed throughout the trip, and most importantly, made us feel completely safe on the river. His confidence and expertise allowed us to relax, have fun, and enjoy the adventure. The rafting itself was exciting, beautiful, and well-organized, but Junior's outstanding service truly made the experience special. If you're considering this excursion, we highly recommend it—and if you get Junior as your guide, you're in excellent hands! Thank you, Junior, for an amazing adventure and memories we'll never forget!

Whitewater Rafting Class 2-3 Balsa River from La Fortuna

Karina_G, May 2026

AMAZING experience!

Booked this experience because we had to fill one of our last days, and went into it with no expectations. Although I was a little nervous at first, it ended up being so fun! Our guide Aurelio was super nice and informative, and had an amazing vibe! We also felt super safe as there are many other rafts and individual guides in the river that go and help out when people get pulled in the water (although this is rare). Overall amazing experience, and even though this seems like more of an adrenaline excursion, at times it felt like a nature one as well because of the AMAZING views and huge amount of wild life (especially birds) that we got to see. Overall a 10/10 and I would highly recommend this if you’re looking for something fun and different for your trip!!

Rafting Class II & III + Local Farm Lunch & Cultural Tour

Chelsea_B, May 2026

Great experience! Jairo...

Great experience! Jairo was very informative of the expectations of the tour during the bus ride, and his photos of the experience came out incredible! Our raft guide was Esteban and he did a wonderful job navigating a group of English and Spanish speaking people during stressful moments. We had a scary experience in the raft where it got wedged under a rock, but navigated everyone to safety and we all enjoyed the rest of the experience! I have white water rafted before in other countries and this experience is very equivalent and fair-priced. Be warned if you don’t like long bus rides, there is a fairly long bus ride to and from the experience. However, they do provide drinks after the experience and an opportunity to change out of your wet swimsuits, which was awesome!