Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Paddle through moderate class II and III rapids
- Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch plus bottled water
- Handy transfers from hotel in and close to La Fortuna are included
- Towels are included so you don't need to bring your own
Sample Menu
Main
Costa Rican Casado Lunch
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Transportation from hotels located less than 6 km away from our main office
- Bottled water
- Towel
- Lunch
- Pick up time may vary up to 20 min depending on hotel's location.
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase) at the end of the tour.
- Pick up service at hotels located over 6 km away from our main office
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.9:20 am
What To Expect
1
Arenal Rafting
2
Rancho Mi Tata To Go
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Minimum age 5 years old
- Maximum weights 220 pounds
- Near public transportation
- Please bring changing clothes, water shoes, clothes to get wet
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Amanda_A
We had a great time on this experience. Carlos, Henri and Elvis were amazing. Our river Guide Elvis made our 7 year old feel super included even though she wasn’t paddling. Would 10/10 recommend this tour.
Reviews
5.0
based on 2,005 reviews
Armond_R, Jun 2026
My family and I had an amazing time. Our guide in one raft was Moises and our other guide was Frijoles (black bean). I highly recommend this excursion and these guides.
stacy_m, Jun 2026
Good safety information. Fun trip. Offered juice, water, coffee on arrival. Took 30 minute bus ride to river. Got on river... Half way through got fresh pineapple and watermelon. Continued down river. Got water and towel at end to use. Drive back to starting place and got a great local lunch. Places to change clothes and use restroom. Our tour guide braullo was great!
Deepali_S, Jun 2026
It was first white water rafting experience for our twin boys. Marcelo (our guide) was very patient and ensured kids felt safe, and we all had fun. Balsa River wasn’t available the day we decided to go, so we did it at alternative Sarapiqui River. Fruits - yum, lunch - amazing. Picture package was pretty decent priced and they were delivered within 2 hrs. Along with us was a family who were celebrating birthday of their little daughter and company arranged for a yummy cake during lunch. That was a nice gesture. If I ever visit CR the next time, I would love to do more thrilling rafting.
maidabcariazo, Jun 2026
I was hesitant at first because it was the first time white water rafting for all of us, including my husband’s family. We also had teenagers with us, although they were in a separate boat. Our guide, Robert, and the guide for the other boat, Tom, were both amazing. They made the entire experience fun, exciting, and unforgettable.
From the van ride to the rafting adventure itself, we were laughing the whole time. I never felt scared during the trip because I knew we were in good hands. Their professionalism, energy, and sense of humor made everyone feel comfortable and safe.
Without a doubt, this rafting experience was the highlight of our trip and one of the best memories we made together as a family. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Megan_C, Jun 2026
This was our whole family’s favorite thing on our trip to La Fortuna! Julio, our guide, was awesome with the kids (11, 9, and 8). Everything was well organized and the lunch was great!
Anastasia_A, May 2026
Great experience from start to finish. Our guide in the bus was informative yet entertaining when it came to giving us the breakdown of what to expect/rules. He went so in depth that it actually made me nervous to do it. Once on the water, all my anxieties went away. It helps that o was in a raft with two kids, so I think our raft guide took it easy on us, which I’m so grateful for! Everyone from the company that I interacted with was kind (all dudes though) until the very end. The lunch after was also very good! We also spotted a sloth at the fruit store on the way to the river
James_W, May 2026
Jilbin was an amazing guide! Terrific adventure with our kids ages 10, 12, and 14. The rapids are fairly fast from the start but nothing super scary. Well organized with a delicious watermelon and pineapple on the river and Costa Rican lunch at the end. Enjoyed it from start to finish.
Katie_S, May 2026
1st time rafting and this was a great experience. Our guide Tom was amazing. Kept us upright and entertained the whole time. And the lunch afterward was delicious.
beatriz_g, May 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An unforgettable adventure—ask for Victor!
We had an absolutely excellent experience on our white-water rafting tour! From start to finish, the energy was incredible, but what truly made the day special was our guide, Victor. He was professional, highly skilled, and made us feel completely safe and confident navigating the rapids while keeping the entire group laughing and entertained. His knowledge of the local river and Costa Rica's wildlife added so much value to the trip. If you are looking for an amazing adventure in Costa Rica, book this tour and definitely ask for Victor! 10/10 highly recommend.
Katharine_S, May 2026
Imanol was fantastic, he was a pleasure and helped us ensure a safe yet exciting first time rafting for myself and my partner! He was very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna as well.
Kara_B, May 2026
We did the Balsa River 2/3 rapids tour and had a blast! Our guide, Didier, was amazing! Our raft hit the swirl and I ended up out of the boat- along with 4 other rafters in out boat lol- the team did a great job rescuing all of us and getting us back in the boat and back to rafting fun! Even though it seemed dramatic in the moment their team was poised and ready for any challenge! This tour ended up being our favorite activity of our trip! They also have a photographer taking photos from shore that you can buy later — they were priceless!! What great memories!! Everyone was laughing at the slideshow during the great typical Costa Rican lunch! A definite must do!
Carsten_S, May 2026
We had a great time rafting even though the river gets a little crowded. We had two children with us (5yo and 7yo) and the guide did a great job ensuring they had fun. Only let down is that they charge you 40$USD for the photos, which is ridiculous considering that is 50% of what the activity costs. Overall a good experience though
Kensi_E, May 2026
My friend and I had a blast! Our guide, Imanol, was amazing- knowledgable, fun, and just awesome all around. He was experienced and was easy to follow when he gave instructions for rowing through the rapids. He also had such a fun personality and sense of humor right from the start. He definitely made the experience memorable! Thank you, Imanol! And happy birthday! The other ladies that were in our raft were also so fun too! We just had the best experience. Definitely recommend.
Brent_T, May 2026
Had the time of my life Gonzales or what he’d like to be called speedy Gonzalez. He was the absolute best guide, cracked jokes, made fun and guided us through fast rough waters with no issue. It was a really good adventure going down the river. Great job highly recommend the experience..
Reuben_J, May 2026
Very well coordinated and professional team. The guides are experienced and knowledgeable of the flora and fauna. We saw 2 different sloths and numerous birds and iguanas. Our guide Victor was excellent!
Tina_S, May 2026
Highlight of our vacation, rapids were great, guide Moses was excellent and the food was very good, a perfect day!
Frida_S, May 2026
gilbin was my instructor and he was very friendly and welcoming! I like to people watch and noticed that all the other instructors are also super fun and friendly. this is def a class for beginners it’s not too crazy of rapids, def level up if you want more action. other than that, it was a very fun experience & it comes with a yummy costa rican lunch option (casado)!
Jordan_M, May 2026
This was one of our highlights of our trip! Jhonny was a great guide and we had so much fun. There was a nice mix of floating and rafting. We got our adrenaline fix and some nice site seeing, even saw a sloth on the river!
Nikolai_F, Apr 2026
Just have fun. Rapids can be strong when they release the dam. As always, the more people in the boat, the greater your odds of getting stuck. Water is cold at first but you quickly get acclimated.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience.
We’re glad you had fun on the river. Conditions can definitely feel a bit stronger at times depending on water releases, but that’s part of what makes the Balsa River such an exciting rafting experience. Our guides are always focused on keeping the trip safe and enjoyable for everyone, no matter the group size or conditions.
And yes, that first splash of cold water always surprises people a bit, but most guests get comfortable pretty quickly once the action starts.
We appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback and hope to see you again for another adventure.
Christian_S, Apr 2026
We had a great time white water rafting! We were a bit unsure about booking this one because our younger son is the youngest age allowed but we decided to give it a shot. We’re glad we did. Our guide (Victor Tuigi) put us at ease. He has decades of experience on the river and we felt like we were in great hands. The excursion is super fun. Lots of rapids and some calmer areas where you can get out and float. They also stop and give you fresh fruit. Even learned what part of the pineapple is the sweetest. Only downside is it’s a decent drive from La Fortuna and not the most comfortable ride back in wet clothes. But overall was great. Highly recommend!
Mackenzie_B, Apr 2026
Amazing experience! Our guide was Victor and he was extremely knowledgeable and safe! Showed us all the local animals and plants! We loved it and would do this again! Highly recommend this company and this guide!
Nicholas_C, Apr 2026
First time rafting and experience did not disappoint. There was a good mixture of cruising and more intense rapids! Carlos was our guide. He was fun and we felt safe. He accommodated our desire to be more adventurous in the water. Overall, fun day from start to finish.
Amanda_A, Apr 2026
We had a great time on this experience. Carlos, Henri and Elvis were amazing. Our river Guide Elvis made our 7 year old feel super included even though she wasn’t paddling. Would 10/10 recommend this tour.
Stephanie_G, Apr 2026
We loved this trip. We had Allan as our guide. He did a great job guiding us as he was also helping some others that had fallen out of another boat. Trip was well planned with great food at the end!
Amanda_W, Apr 2026
Great rafting trip, lots of rapids throughout the trip. Staff was friendly and our guide, Chompi, was great!
Steven_M, Apr 2026
Did this white water rafting river cruise class 2/3 rapids with my 3 kids (12, 14 and 17) and wife. The experience was absolutely fantastic, enjoyed more than expected. The right balance of thrilling and a sense of accomplishment almost that we didn't fall in the river lol, as many people do! But it felt quite safe, there are guides and spotters all along the river. Kids especially can't wait to do it again.
Amanda_P, Apr 2026
We had the most amazing experience white water rafting today! We were picked up promptly at our hotel at 9 am. Axel was such a fun bus guide. Once we got to the river, we met our guide, Carlos Gonsales, who was so experienced and so fun! The trip was extremely well organized, very safe. There were photographers along the way to capture the trip. It was so fun, very safe and so well organized. It ended a delicious lunch and slide show of all of the pictures. I highly recommend using Arenal Rafting for your best white water rafting experience in Arenal/La Fortuna!
Jennifer_A, Apr 2026
This was fantastic! Our 7 and 8 year old had a wonderful time as did we. Our guide Moises was amazing and so fun! The entire team was so enthusiastic, helpful, and fun. Highly recommend this activity and company.
popsie1, Apr 2026
We had never been whitewater rafting before and signed up for the class 2 and 3 rapids. These rapids were more like class 3+ as our guide explained. There were 4 of us - me, my husband, and our two teenagers. The instructions were very clear and the whole team was organized. We were given a small raft that fit the 4 of us and our guide, William, who told us he was a national champion. He definitely knew what he was doing and how to steer the raft. The rest of the people all had large rafts and bigger groups, so I wonder if having a small raft made our trip harder. We had water in our faces the entire time with the exception of the very end where the rapids are calm. It felt like we were constantly trying to come up for air because the water was coming straight in our faces. At one point, we hit a large rapid and our raft turned sideways. Thankfully my kids didn't fall out but slid to the back of the raft where William caught my daughter who was very anxious to begin with. My son had his feet in the air (per the photos we saw at the end) but recovered. My husband and I fell out. My husband was able to get back on the raft quickly, but in the fall, I was thrown from the raft and despite wearing a life jacket, plunged into the river and had to swim up. When I came back up, I saw our raft heading far away from the river. I figured ok, I guess I need to figure out how to swim to shore, but swiftly within 10 seconds, my life jacket was grabbed from behind by a single rafter who worked for the company, extended his paddle for me to grab onto, and then swung me over to another raft who could pick me up. In the process, I got pinned under another raft coming down the river. It was only for 20 seconds or so, but given that I am a terrible swimmer, it was scary because I was stuck under water. Thankfully, the raft was able to paddle backwards so that I could come up for air. I then climbed onto that raft which was a big one which others had and the experience was totally different. No crazy waterboarding in my face, but just a fun ride. Eventually we reached my original raft where my family was relieved to see me, and they pulled the raft together in the river so that I could hop back onto my original raft. After that, we came to the rest stop for fruit. At that time, I learned my husband had fallen in and lost his shoe but was able to recover it. He ended up with a few scratches. I was fine but the next morning had an enormous black and blue bruise on my forearm which was either from the impact of falling into the river, or from the force of being pulled into the other raft. We were all surprised by the impact of the fall into the river. My husband hated the trip, my daughter thought it was way too scary, my son thought it was ok but didn't like the water in his face all the time, and I thought the trip was ok and very uncommon from all the reviews I read on here. I was expecting big rapids but not having water straight in my face constantly. I'd give this an average experience because I think falling happens, maybe not in the way I experienced it, but I did appreciate how organized and experienced the rafters are. I wish we could have bought some photos but every photo was a splash and there were ZERO photos of the four of us without water covering our faces. I think I saw only one photo where my son's face was visible and that was it. So unfortunately, this experience is a far cry from all the other reviews on here. Maybe it's because it was a small raft. Maybe William was struggling because we were all novices who couldn't paddle well. No idea, but this was not the experience I was expecting.
Allison_K, Mar 2026
We had so much fun white water rafting. Amazing guides and just a fantastic day on the Balsa River. If you’re on the fence, do it!
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