Rafting in Costa Rica – Family & Extreme Tours

Discover Costa Rica's rainforest rivers with rafting experiences on the Balsa and Sarapiquí. Choose a family-friendly descent or a more demanding whitewater adventure based on the river, rapid class and participation requirements.

Tour Details

• Location: Balsa and Sarapiquí rivers, with transport from La Fortuna
• Duration: 5 hours for the tours described below
• Requirements: Minimum ages and difficulty vary by tour

Tour Options

Balsa River — Class II & III

A beginner and family-friendly route with a 2-hour descent over 10 km of Class II and III rapids.

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Minimum age: 6 years
• Includes: Transportation, tropical fruit and a traditional lunch

Sarapiquí River — Class III Afternoon Tour

Depart at 12:00 PM for a 2-hour descent over 10 km, including 25 rapids. The route includes fruit and rest stops, with an optional supervised cliff jump.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age: 6 years
• Includes: Transportation, snacks and coffee

Sarapiquí River — Class IV Extreme

A demanding whitewater route with 9 miles (14.5 km) of powerful rapids.

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Experience: Previous rafting experience is recommended
• Includes: Transportation, fruit, lunch and certified guides

What to Expect

Begin with hotel pick-up and a scenic drive to the river. Your bilingual guides provide a safety briefing and fit your helmet, paddle and life jacket before the descent. Watch for wildlife such as toucans, iguanas and monkeys along the route.

At the end, towels, water and return transportation to La Fortuna are provided. Meals and refreshments vary by option, as listed above.

What's Included

• Transportation
• Experienced bilingual guides
• Rafting safety equipment
• Towels and water after the activity
• Meals or snacks as specified for your tour option

What to Bring

• Quick-dry clothing that can get wet
• Closed-toe water shoes or sandals with straps; no flip-flops
• A swimsuit
• A change of clothes and a towel
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• A refillable water bottle
• A waterproof camera or GoPro

Requirements & Restrictions

• Minimum age for the Balsa Class II–III and Sarapiquí Class III tours: 6 years.
• Minimum age for the Class IV Extreme tour: 18 years.
• Previous experience is recommended for the Class IV Extreme tour.