Safari Float
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get up close to Costa Rican wildlife on this morning safari float along a river beneath imposing Volcan Arenal. Be prepared to get wet as you’ll be in an inflatable vessel, close to the water. Look out for animals including sloths, snakes, and a variety of birds. Take a short hike to an organic farm, where you’ll collect your lunch ingredients.
- Hotel transfers are included
- Lunch and snacks of fruit will be provided
- A must for nature-loving travelers
- Towels will be provided and bring a change of clothes
What's Included
- Transportation
- Lunch
- Hotel pick up / drop off La Fortuna
- SnacksFruits
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.9:30 am
Itinerary
1
Costa Rica Descents
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
La Fortuna (Pass By)
2
The Boat House Bar & Grill
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Janelle_H
Super fun and low key. Beautiful scenery. We saw a lot of animals. We had teens with us and they really enjoyed it. Our guide, Warner, was a wealth of information. Lunch was delicious. Definitely recommend!
Reviews
4.9
based on 282 reviews
Vijitha_T, May 2026
Very very relaxing experience, our guide Austin, the lunch was amazing, definitely recommend, will come back
Ibrahim_A, May 2026
So far this has been the most wildlife we’ve seen in Costa Rica through this safari float tour. It was so fun and saw a bunch of monkeys, a crocodile, a toucan, a grey hawk (which had a squirrel caught!) and some other cool animals. The views alone are also magnificent. 100% recommend this tour, lunch was also provided and very good. Thank you Austin and the team!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that the Safari Float gave you some of the best wildlife sightings of your time in Costa Rica.
Seeing monkeys, a crocodile, a toucan, a gray hawk, and so many other fascinating animals in their natural habitat is exactly what makes this experience so special. We’re thrilled that you enjoyed not only the incredible wildlife but also the beautiful scenery along the river.
A special thank you for recognizing Austin and the team. We will be sure to share your kind words with them. They are passionate about helping our guests discover the natural beauty of Costa Rica, and they will be delighted to know they helped make your experience so memorable.
We're also happy to hear that you enjoyed the included lunch. We believe a great adventure should be complemented by great food, and it's wonderful to know it was part of your positive experience.
Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing Costa Rica Descents. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!
Warm regards,
The Costa Rica Descents Team 🌿🛶🐒🦜🐊😊🇨🇷💚
Rachel_G, Apr 2026
Really enjoyed this safari tour. Aimon was very knowledgeable and got the kids really engaged in the animal spotting process. We saw an alligator, monkeys, sloths, so many species of birds and iguanas and basilisks, and more. Light paddling requirement was fun. Aimon did all the hard work!
Janelle_H, Apr 2026
Super fun and low key. Beautiful scenery. We saw a lot of animals. We had teens with us and they really enjoyed it. Our guide, Warner, was a wealth of information. Lunch was delicious. Definitely recommend!
Shangyuan_L, Apr 2026
Warner is a great guide! Very relaxing experience for my kids. I would recommend. The river is very good!
Emily_B, Mar 2026
5 bright stars! We’ve done other river float tours, and this one went beyond with delightful extras: a delicious lunch, coffee-making demonstration, farm tour, and sugar can juice toast at the end. Andres and his colleagues worked hard to show us all the incredible animals on the river, answer our questions about the area, and generally make us feel a part of the pura vida vibe (gracias, senior!). We’ll treasure these memories.
Barbara_G, Mar 2026
This excursion lasts longer than published. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable but we were tossed around a bit with inaccurate instructions on paddling at times. Not too much in the way of animals to encounter.
Janki_P, Feb 2026
Our Safari Float Tour was absolutely incredible and one of the highlights of our trip! Our guide, Carlos Sanchez, was outstanding — knowledgeable, friendly, and amazing at spotting wildlife we never would have seen on our own. Thanks to him, we saw so many animals along the way, which made the experience truly unforgettable.
We were traveling with young kids (ages 4 and 6), and Carlos was incredibly patient, kind, and helpful, making sure they felt safe, comfortable, and engaged the entire time. He went above and beyond to ensure our whole family had a wonderful experience.
The lunch provided was excellent — fresh, delicious, and very satisfying after the float. We also loved the mini farm tour at the end, which was such a fun and unique addition, especially for the kids. The fresh sugarcane juice was a special treat and the perfect way to wrap up the day.
Highly recommend this tour for families and nature lovers. If you can, request Carlos — he truly made our experience five-star!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us.
We’re delighted to know the Safari Float was one of the highlights of your trip and that your family felt safe, comfortable, and fully engaged throughout the adventure. Spotting wildlife along the river and enjoying the farm visit at the end truly make this experience special. We’re also glad you enjoyed the lunch and the fresh sugarcane juice to finish the day.
We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and are grateful you chose to share this memorable moment with us.
samina_z, Feb 2026
Very friendly and informative guide
Enjoyed our float and lunch. Saw many animals.
Recommend this for a relaxing time.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your recommendation.
We’re glad you enjoyed the float and that it gave you the chance to relax while spotting plenty of wildlife along the way. A calm river, good company, and a nice lunch make for a pretty perfect day.
We appreciate you choosing us and hope to see you again on your next visit.
Tricia_S, Jan 2026
This was so fun and relaxing! We saw a croc, monkeys and some cool birds. I would have enjoyed this even if we hadn't seen any animals because the scenery was so pretty. Esteban lead the group and he was funny and engaging. I feel bad, I'm blanking on the name of our individual raft guide but he was really nice and shared a lot of information (in Spanish) about the area. After the river float we returned to the meeting point where we had one of our more delicious meals of the trip. I had the vegetarian version: rice, beans and vegetables with a couple sauces-- all super tasty. After lunch there was farm tour which was also fun. We lost track of time and almost missed our next activity, we left in such a hurry that we forgot to leave them a tip. Ugh! Sorry!! Practical tips: Wear something you don't mind if it gets wet/splashed, definitely wear water shoes. No need to bring a change of clothes and drinking water was provided throughout the excursion. Travel light: slather on sunblock in advance, wear a hat and bring a camera. You'll have to leave your backpack behind on the bus during the float but will be reunited with it before lunch and the farm tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and kind review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the river float, the beautiful scenery, and spotting wildlife along the way. It’s wonderful that you also loved the meal and the farm tour afterward. No worries at all about the tip—your thoughtful feedback already means a lot to us! We appreciate your practical tips too, and we hope to see you again for another memorable adventure.
Rachael_R, Dec 2025
We did the safari float tour with Costa Rica Descents as a family of four (two adults and two kids, ages 4 and 9), and it was a fantastic experience. Our guide, Esteban, was incredibly kind, patient, and attentive with the kids. He went out of his way to engage them — playing with our four-year-old and even teaching our nine-year-old how to help guide the boat, which made him feel so proud and included.
Esteban’s passion for Costa Rica was clear throughout the tour, and we were truly impressed by his knowledge and love for the area. While we didn’t see a ton of wildlife on this particular trip, he went above and beyond to make sure we still had an amazing cultural and educational experience. For the value, hospitality, and overall experience, this tour is a 10/10 and something we’d absolutely recommend, especially for families.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We’re thrilled to hear your family had such a wonderful safari float tour! It’s fantastic that the guide made the experience engaging and memorable for both the kids and adults, while sharing his passion and knowledge of Costa Rica. Thank you for recommending the tour and for sharing your detailed feedback!
Peter_H, Dec 2025
Great trip with Costa Rica descents.
Well organised, good communication
I've been travelling for months, lots of tours and guides, and Estaban was the best I've had - so easy to be with, friendly, funny, knowledgable - ask for him by name.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great feedback. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed a well-organized trip with clear communication and a friendly, professional atmosphere. It truly means a lot to us to know this experience stood out during your travels, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it.
George_W, Aug 2025
Estaban our guide as exceptional. His knowledge and ability to share with us was really appreciated.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the Safari Float and appreciated Esteban’s knowledge and guidance.
Best regards,
Costa Rica Descents
seth_j, Jun 2025
Estabaun and his brother were great guides. They explained the flora and fauna and provided historical context. We ate pineapple, saw monkeys, a sloth and a crocodile. Would do it again.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hello!
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re glad to hear that Esteban and his brother made the experience informative and enjoyable. Sounds like you had a fantastic time with great wildlife sightings! We’d love to welcome you back anytime.
Best regards,
The Costa Rica Descents Team
Martin_F, May 2025
Warner did a fantastic job both guiding the boat and pointing out / explaining all of the flora & fawna overall a very relaxing and informative trip down the river
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your review!
We're glad you enjoyed the peaceful ride and appreciated the insight into the local flora and fauna.
Sounds like a great experience—we hope to see you again!
Steve_M, Apr 2025
Easy relaxing float while your guide has the ‘eagle eye’ to spot all the wildlife! But yes you gotta paddle some to stay off the rocks!
Our guide Esteban & his little brother were a dynamic duo! Stopped many times to view sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, toucans and more. Refreshing stop with fresh fruit and bananas chopped right from the tree! Not like your local grocery ones either!
Tour ends with a great lunch, sip on the local CR ‘moonshine’ and tour of farm.
Pura Vida !
Response from Host, Apr 2025
What an awesome recap—thank you!
We're so glad you enjoyed the relaxing float and got to see so much wildlife along the way. 🐒🌿
Sounds like you soaked up every moment, from the fresh fruit to the moonshine!
¡Pura vida!
sylviachau, Mar 2025
We had an exceptional experience on the safari float! The tour was incredibly well-organized, and our guide Jimmy was outstanding. His extensive knowledge of the wildlife and their habitats ensured that we spotted an impressive array of animals, including iguanas, toucans, monkeys, tropical birds, and even a crocodile.
The delicious lunch provided was a lovely bonus, adding to the overall enjoyment of our adventure.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind words!
We're so glad to hear you had an exceptional experience on the safari float. It's great that you were able to spot so many incredible animals along the way. We're happy the lunch added to your enjoyment, and we appreciate your feedback.
We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Elly_S, Mar 2025
Great experience! Warner did an exceptional job as our guide! He pointed out so many animals on the float, including monkeys, birds, lizards, porcupine, fish, etc. Didn't get to see any crocodile or caiman, but not for a lack of Warner trying. Warner also stopped along road after he picked us up to see a sloth. Lunch was wonderful and farm tour and sugar cane drink was a nice touch to end the tour! Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your review!
We're happy to hear you had such a great experience and got to see so much wildlife along the way. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the lunch, farm tour, and sugar cane drink as well. Hopefully, next time you'll spot a caiman!
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure. 😊🌿🚣♂️
Melissa_P, Feb 2025
This activity was beyond my expectation! The raft float on Penas Blanca was so peaceful, immersive, and just a lovely experience. No skills needed for this very light activity. Seeing the toucans , caimans, howler monkeys, birds, and several different waterfowl along the river was spectacular. All while enjoying the lovely sounds of the rainforest around us as well. Our guide was well educated and had a lot of info to offer. We even stopped on the rivers edge to have a snack our guide brought along. Lunch was fantastic as well, typical Costa Rican casado. This was one of my favorite activities of the whole trip!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your amazing review! 😊
We're so happy to hear the experience exceeded your expectations. The peaceful float, incredible wildlife, and rainforest sounds truly make it special. 🌿🐒🦜 We're glad you enjoyed the snack, lunch, and the insights from your guide.
Hope to see you again for another unforgettable adventure! 🚣♂️✨
Brina_N, Feb 2025
The Safari float with Costa Rica Descents was the highlight of my family’s stay in La Fortuna. Our guide Andy was the BEST! He was so knowledgeable and great at sitting the wildlife. 100% recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much for your amazing review!
We’re so glad to hear that the Safari float was the highlight of your family’s stay in La Fortuna. Your guide will be so happy to know that his wildlife spotting and knowledge made your experience even better.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you and your family back for another adventure soon!
Laurie_P, Feb 2025
There was a little bit of confusion when we arrived due to a very small misunderstanding / language barrier, but eventually it was all sorted. Not a big deal.
This was a relaxing float down a calmer part of the river -- not white water rafting at all. Perfect for our not hugely Adventurous family, but active enough for us to really enjoy ourselves. A few people in the group were given paddles to help guide our raft, but mostly this was quiet and relaxing.
Our HUGE highlight was seeing and then hearing the howler monkeys, a sound that was really memorable and quite unbelievable.
Wonderful guides. And the lunch (and farm tour) after the excursion were great too. All four of us really enjoyed ourselves.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review!
We're glad to hear that despite the small misunderstanding, you had a relaxing and enjoyable time. It sounds like the howler monkeys were a memorable highlight! We’re happy you enjoyed the float, the lunch, and the farm tour as well.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to see you again for another adventure!
Hima_D, Dec 2024
We were a family of 7. With a 2 year old and 7 year old. It was safe and super fun, would definitely recommend. The tour guides know what they're doing. The lunch at end was nice and the sugar cane juice.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We're so glad to hear that your family had a safe and fun time with us. It's great that the kids enjoyed the tour as well! Our guides take great pride in providing a memorable experience, and we’re happy to hear they made a positive impact. We’re also glad you enjoyed the lunch and sugar cane juice!
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you all again soon!
Linda_R, Dec 2024
One of the best tours during our time in Costa Rica. Impressed that when the guide called out to a family of monkeys in the trees, they all responded!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We’re so happy to hear that our tour was one of the highlights of your time in Costa Rica. It’s amazing that the monkeys responded to the guide’s call – what a unique moment!
We’re glad you enjoyed the adventure and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future!
Joseph_C, Dec 2024
My partner and I loved this experience. This may have been my favourite activity in La Fortuna. We went with our guide named Grey. He was enthusiastic and an awesome guide. Great way to see a variety of animals and just an all-around fun experience.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for your fantastic review!
We’re so happy to hear that this experience was one of your favorites in La Fortuna. We’re glad to know that your adventure at the raft was memorable. It’s great to know you enjoyed seeing a variety of animals and had fun throughout the tour.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences soon!
Barbara_M, Nov 2024
The sounds of moving water and bird call lull you into relaxation. Then you find sloths, iguana, monkeys, toucan, vultures and turkeys. The snack of pineapple was the sweeter I’ve ever tasted, and the lunch and farm tour were great.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful description of your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the relaxing sounds of nature and all the incredible wildlife sightings, along with the sweet pineapple and delicious lunch. It's great to hear that the farm tour also added to your experience. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! 🌿🍍🐒🦜
Judith_K, Aug 2024
This was an amazing day full of fun and with lots of appreciation of nature in the trip downstream but also at tge farm afterwards.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thanks for notice all the details we try to show, pura vida!!!!
Karenrangell, Jul 2024
What’s wonderful tour. We floated down the river saw, monkeys, lizards, ect. Were treated to a fresh pineapple on the beach. Later after completing the tour had a delicious lunch and tour of the farm. Even got to taste fresh sugar came. Warner our host couldn’t be better. Fun for all ages.
Marcy_W, Jun 2024
We saw so many animals and our tour guide Kevin was great. Very informative and funny. He got us into the best spits. The lunch and coffee were absolutely delicious. Highly recommended. Wonderful easy paddle, beautiful and peaceful.
Cheyanne_I, Apr 2024
Warner was an amazing raft guide. Helped us stop for great pictures. We saw so many cool animals with the help of him.
Katherine_C, Mar 2024
This wasn't a great experience. Our tour guide Sara seemed to be in a hurry to get it over with. We saw other safari floats from other companies on our way and they were stopping so that they could get a close up look at animals. Sara ridiculed the other tour guides and how they were stopping at every single creature (which is what we wanted to do because it's a SAFARI). Meanwhile we never stopped when we saw something interesting, which wasn't much because Sara didn't point out anything that wasn't already obvious.
At one point, we came across a different safari float tour guide checking out bats in a tree and he motioned for Sara to let us see it, but she didn't even stop in the spot for us to see bats. The same happened with an owl other people were looking at. Suffice to say, at the end of the tour, everyone in my group wished we had booked a different safari float.
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