Top La Fortuna White Water Rafting

Enjoy a thrilling yet gentle day of white-water rafting down class II and III rapids on the Balsa River. This active adventure includes transfers from La Fortuna, equipment, instruction, a safety briefing, and ends with a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Feel the thrill as you bounce and glide 6 miles (10 kilometers) down the river flanked by lush the jungle filled with monkeys, tropical birds, and sloths.

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

Grip it and rip it on the upper Balsa River during the half-day whitewater rafting adventure over class III and IV rapids. Feel heart-pumping action while immersing yourself in Costa Rica's incredible natural beauty, spotting sloths, iguanas, howler monkeys, and tropical birds. Cap it all off with an authentic lunch chased down with a glass of handmade sugar cane juice that you get to press yourself while learning about local culture.

White Water Rafting Class III & IV

Rafting the Sarapiqui River isn’t just a fun way to get an adrenaline fix; it’s also a chance to see spider monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other wildlife. As you hit a series of class III and IV rapids on a raft, your guide shares information about the river’s important history and rich wildlife. This all-inclusive tour provides hotel pickup, transportation, snacks, drinks, and lunch, so you can avoid logistical planning.

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV

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

Price varies by group size

White Water Rafting Class II & III in the Afternoon

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Experience the thrill of rafting down Costa Rica’s Balsa River on this small-group white-water adventure. Following the lead of an experienced guide, navigate Class II and III rapids as you pass through a lush rainforest landscape for a safe and unforgettable journey. After working up an appetite paddling down the river, enjoy a delicious buffet-style lunch at our private restaurant located next to the famous El Salto swimming hole. Round-trip transport from your La Fortuna hotel is included.

Whitewater Rafting Class 2-3 Balsa River from La Fortuna

4 hoursFree Cancellation

La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

Pure Trek Canyoning & White Water Rafting Class II & III

8 hoursFree Cancellation

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

9 hoursFree Cancellation

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

Experience the thrills of both white-water rafting and tubing in one day on this combo adventure in La Fortuna, which saves you the hassle of booking activities separately. Tackle Class III and IV rapids in a raft with a small group and guide. Enjoy a refreshment break halfway, then hop on a tube through Class II and III rapids. Afterwards, refuel with an included lunch and enjoy an organic farm tour and sugarcane demonstration.

La Fortuna Small-Group Whitewater Rafting and Tubing Combo Tour

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Combine three thrilling activities into one action packed day with this tour. Instead of having to book separate canyoning, rafting, and water-tubing packages, you get to experience all three along with a small group of fellow passengers and guides to keep you safe and on track. As an added bonus, stop for an included post-activity lunch at an organic farm and enjoy a short farm tour before returning to La Fortuna.

La Fortuna: Small-Group Canyoning, Rafting, and Water-Tubing Tour

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Dial up the adrenaline with this family-friendly, full-day, guided white-water rafting adventure with lunch included. No matter your skill or ability level, this thrilling ride down the Balsa River and over class II and III rapids is pure fun. Paddle with your fellow travellers over rapids called “Dredges” and “Magnetic Rock” and see the tropical jungle and wildlife along the shore. Afterwards, relax with a traditional lunch.

White Water Rafting Balsa River |Class II &III From Arenal

Jungle adventure meets family fun on this canyoning and whitewater rafting tour from La Fortuna. Tour the rainforest, rappel down waterfalls, and bounce down class II and III rapids on the Balsa River, stopping along the way to swim and spot wildlife. This tour even includes a professional photographer so you can leave the camera somewhere safe, live in the moment, and purchase pictures after.

Mambo Combo Canyoning and Rafting near the Arenal Volcano

White Water Rafting Adventures - La Fortuna, Costa Rica

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

Rafting La Fortuna the highlight of your vacation in Costa Rica - Lunch Included

Our experienced guides will tell you everything you need to know about whitewater rafting and guide your team safely through the exhilarating and breathtaking rapids. Not only are they trained whitewater guides, but they will also share their expertise on the abundant flora and fauna of Sarapiquí. La Virgen is particularly suitable for wildlife lovers given the more moderate pace of the rapids, allowing more time to explore the banks and treetops in search of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Halfway through the trip, we'll stop at our majestic lunch spot to offer a chance to stretch your legs and fill your stomach with a delicious riverside lunch.

Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River, Costa Rica – Class IV

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5% savings

from

$110$105

Rafting Class 2-3 Sarapiqui AFTERNOON Trip

An activity for the whole family, where children from 7 years old can participate in this wonderful trip. We will start the tour from La Fortuna to the Sarapiquí area, once in the river our guides will give a talk on safety and equipment management. When we have finished with all the protocols, we will begin the tour on the waters of this majestic river, with tropical landscapes, warm waters, and continuous rapids. An unforgettable experience! While you have fun you can enjoy the flora and fauna of the place, we will make a stop to taste some delicious fruits and juices, ending with a delicious typical lunch in a typical restaurant in the area.

White Water Rafting Sarapiqui River From Arenal

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiquí River, Costa Rica – Class III

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5% savings

from

$110$105

White Water Tubin in the river BALSA

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

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

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Must-Dos in La Fortuna

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What are people saying about La Fortuna

Kilian_D, Nov 2026

100 % again.

Participated with a nearly 6-year-old child. It was a super tour with great and very funny guides who put in a lot of effort. It is 100% worth it. The guides adapt to the participants per boat, making it wild or calm depending on what you want (e.g., with a child, also a bit calmer without capsizing, etc.).

White Water Rafting Class III & IV

michaeloZ3577BD, Oct 2026

We would book this tour exactly the same way again!

That was a huge amount of fun and a great experience - for us a highlight on our fourth time rafting. Greatly organized, very nice, good-humored, and confident guides, with whom we felt safe and with whom it was really fun. In addition, there were fruit snacks and a delicious lunch. A photo service was also offered at a fair price (definitely book it!). Full marks from us, we would book the tour exactly the same way again!

White Water Rafting Class II and III

Marvin_C, Oct 2026

Best adventure in Costa Rica

Fun and safe. The whole team was great. We did the class 2 and 3 rapids, great intro for first timers. We had a halftime, on land fruit break. Had a little swim time off shore and holding on the raft in calmer waters. We had several sections of rapids and calm waters. During calm waters we saw lots of igauanas, birds, bats and slothes which the guides pointed out for us. Our guide felt out our excitment level and so he made out raft do 360 spins and backwards approaches which added to the fun. We had a delicuois lunch back at the compnqy resturant and got to pet amd feed the animals (goats, cow, donkey) in the back. The whole trip was 5 hours. Uriel was our guide and Warren was thr kayak photographer. I highly recommend this company.

La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour

natewelt, Oct 2026

This was a wonderful...

This was a wonderful experience. Catrina was very knowledgeable and passionate during each session of the tour. The volcano walk was beautiful and filled with nature, the waterfall was stunning and the hanging bridges allowed for many types of monkeys, birds, snakes, and spiders. Highly recommend

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

Natsha_R, Aug 2026

Highlight of our La Fortuna Trip - Highly recommend !!

We had an AMAZING time on the tour. Our guide was Carlos and he made it so fun and safe. Our original tour got cancelled because the rain made the water levels unsafe and luckily the team was able to quickly rebook us and it worked perfectly. Was definitely the highlight of our time in La Fortuna. And the whole operation was ran like a well oiled machine. Would highly recommend. Our photos were phone and hilarious. Carlos was so kind and funny and catered to everyone’s wants and needs while on the river. I can’t say enough. Thank you to the whole crew David our driver , Carlos and even Alan another guide.

Mambo Combo Canyoning and Rafting near the Arenal Volcano

pygudefin, Aug 2026

Day of aquatic adventures

We had an excellent day with Jeremy and Diego, two very enthusiastic and friendly guides. With our 3 teens, we loved the river tubing, very funny! The afternoon was also very entertaining with the hike up the river to the lioness waterfall. There, we were able to swim and try to swim against the current. On the way, we spotted an owl and some bats. Great family moments!

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV

Sandeep_K, Aug 2026

Carlos and Alan were...

Carlos and Alan were absolutely amazing and incredibly helpful throughout our rafting experience. This was our first time rafting, and they made sure it would be an unforgettable experience. Initially, we chose a rafting level that was too challenging for beginners. After understanding our experience level, they wisely suggested that we downgrade to an easier level. It turned out to be an excellent recommendation! After experiencing the easier route, we realized that the original level would have been far too difficult for us as first-time rafters. We really appreciated their professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine concern for our safety and enjoyment. Thanks to Carlos and Alan, we had a fantastic and memorable rafting experience. Highly recommended!

Whitewater Rafting Class 2-3 Balsa River from La Fortuna

Petra_F, Mar 2026

We had a great time...

We had a great time rafting! The guides were very friendly and made us feel safe in the raft. The class 2-3 were perfect for us as there were many exhilarating rapids and it ended with a relaxing float down the river where our guides pointed out various animals and birds to us. We had a small group so it ended up just being my husband and myself on the raft which was an amazing private experience! We would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for some adventure and beauty in Costa Rica

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

Stephanie_P, Mar 2026

Best experience of our trip!

We had a communication blip on starting location as the location didn’t match the text communications. We thought we had hotel pickup and Wave thought we were meeting there. It ultimately was just an unfortunate miscommunication and we missed the morning departure for Zip-lining. Wave worked hard to rearrange our day to ensure we could still experience both. They were very accommodating and this entire experience ended up being the highlight of our trip! We had a blast experiencing the rapids with our guide Kervin. He was fun and very personable. We would highly recommend their company and use them again. Because we had to shift our time, we had to make it back for zip-lining by 3p. Wave coordinated an alternative lunch and got us delicious boxed lunches. We made it to Go Adventure and enjoyed a fun experience zip-lining! The guides were phenomenal and our 8 year old was very attached to his guide that travelled the lines with him! He was nervous at first but his guide made him feel so comfortable and he LOVED the experience. We were so grateful to both companies and the guides. This will definitely be an experience we’ll reflect fondly on and cherish memories from forever. Thank you!!

Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui Class 3-4 from La Fortuna

Brady_W, Feb 2026

Sarapiqui River Class 3-4 whitewater rafting

We had fantastic morning of white water rafting and a nice meal included. The drive of about an hour to and from La Fortuna was comfortable. The guides were great and included safety kayakers which I’ve never seen before. The rafting was about two hours of 3-4 level rapids with short floats between and a couple of stops for swimming and fresh fruit. It was quite enjoyable!