Where to Book Costa Rica Rafting Tours: the 15 Best

1.White Water Rafting Canyoning Combo Maquique Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $170 a head Our pick

You spend about eight hours with Maquique Adventure combining five canyon rappels, three waterfall descents, a forest zip line, creek hiking, white-water rafting, and a 13 to 16 minute rainforest walk. The day includes fruit, drinks, and a Costa Rican lunch of rice, beans, chicken or fish.

“This was hands down the highlight of my trip to Costa Rica! The entire experience was thrilling and unforgettable, from rappelling down waterfalls to canyoning through stunning gorges and rafting in the rushing rivers. Each activity was increRead more”

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2.Pure Trek Canyoning & White Water Rafting in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $204 a head

Start with Pure Trek’s waterfall canyoning, including rappels, rock work, and a forest zipline. Then ride about 45 minutes to the Balsa River for Class II and III rafting, a swimming stop, snacks, drinks, and lunch. Guides such as Byran, Myron, Augusto, and Mario have earned praise for calm, careful instruction.

“There was a little miscommunication on the transportation to the excursion, but the guides were very accommodating and made sure we were taken care of. The rappelling was amazing and maybe the best part of our trip to Fortuna.”

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3.Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $125 a head

From Manuel Antonio or Quepos, you’ll ride about an hour to the Savegre River for a six-hour rafting day with guides such as Nico, Mario, Nicholas, Jonathan, or Jairo. Expect safety training, Class II and III rapids, wildlife, snacks, photos for purchase, and a Costa Rican lunch.

“would have given it a 5 but the water was very low so was expecting more white water ( not the tour companies fault) for advertised 2-3 - id say mostly 2”

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4.White Water Rafting class V

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $150 a head

This six-hour Costa Rica Descents trip takes you from La Fortuna to the Balsa River for demanding class V rapids. Guide Orlando leads the raft, with safety kayakers such as Jean Carlos nearby. Expect river instruction, waterfalls, a possible cliff jump, fruit snacks, lunch, and a farm visit with sugar cane tasting.

“If you want thrills and excitement with a great team then book this adventure. The wife and I just did this, and it was awesome! The staff is excellent and safe. Thanks to all of you”

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5.La Leona waterfall Cliffjumping White water Tubbing PrivateTour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $260 a head

Spend 7 to 9 hours exploring Guanacaste with a private guide and driver. Jump from 25 to 45-foot cliffs, scramble through the forest to La Leona Waterfall, and ride Colorado River rapids by tube. Guides including Paul, Sebastian, Alberto, and Juan Carlos are praised for their care, photos, and local insight. Bring sturdy closed-toe shoes.

“Our transportation host was Paul who was absolutely amazing! He was knowledgeable of the terrain and the history of the land, he was very accommodating with any requests, and he had a very good attitude and personality! Paul was definitely one of the reasons our excursion was SO AMAZING! BOOK AND REQUEST PAUL!”

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6.Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $167 a head

Leave Jaco early for breakfast, then follow the Savegre River through tropical rainforest on a guided Class II-III rafting trip. Guides such as Orlando, Jairo, Roberto, and Leandro have led past departures. Expect wildlife stops, a waterfall visit, fresh fruit, lunch, safety gear, and hotel transport. Bring dry clothes.

“The crew was great. Felt very safe. Had a great time. Lunch and breakfast was very good. The crew pointed out birds and plants. Very educational”

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7.Combo Arenal Rafting and Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160 a head

Start early in La Fortuna for canyoning through rainforest gorges, with rappels, pool jumps, and steep hikes. Then raft the Balsa River through a 45-minute Class III section and a gentler hour of swimming, fruit, and wildlife spotting. Guides such as Victor keep the rafting lively and safe, with lunch, water, towels, and transport included.

“Canyoning is exhilarating. No prior experience needed. I am a 51 year old who is not athletic, but they were very helpful.”

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8.Combo White Water Rafting and Tubing in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90 a head

Start at 9:00 am with a 40-minute ride from La Fortuna to the river. After a safety briefing, raft the first section, pause for fresh fruit, then try white-water tubing on the second half. Finish with lunch, coffee, an organic farm walk, and a sugarcane demonstration. Groups are limited to 12.

“We will remember this day out for a long time! The white water rafting was great, and we even managed to spot some wildlife in the trees and on rocks along the river as well. The tour really fell down though on it's lack of communication on what the plan was for my husband and I when it came to the tubing part of the tour... It was after the half way break of the tour that they tried to put us in the tubes and we realised what we'd signed up for. Just to give some general advice on the tubing - there was only myself and my husband…”

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9.Awesome Fun Rafting Class 3 Balsa River 5-Hour Tour in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $88 a head

Paddle 11 km of Class 3 rapids on the Balsa River with guides including Christian and Marcos. You will get hotel pickup at 10:00 AM, a riverside fruit stop, chances to spot monkeys, sloths, and toucans, then a traditional Costa Rican lunch and drinks. No rafting experience or swimming skills are required.

“Our family has done whitewater rafting before and we all agree that this is one of the best. From pick up to drop off, Christian and his team were top notch in the equipment, safety and knowledge of the river. The Balsa River was nonstop action with very little calm water. We had a blast and really appreciated all the little extras like a towel to dry off, fresh fruits and snacks and a delicious wood fire Costa Rican lunch. Pura Vida!”

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10.Savegre River Rafting Private Trip from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $146 a head

Leave Quepos by air-conditioned minibus for a private Savegre River rafting trip through rainforest and plantation country. After Class II and III rapids, swim at a waterfall, enjoy fruit and cookies, then finish with a Costa Rican casado lunch. Guides such as Ronny provide clear instruction and local insight.

“This tour was very fun! I am not a huge fan of the water/swimming ect but my husband really wanted to do it so I acquiesced. I am glad I did! I had waaay more fun than I had expected and the rapids weren't bad at all we did class 3. We got to hang out for awhile at a fun waterful and stuff ourselves on pineapples and cookies before finishing the trip. My only complaint was the lunch that was included after the trip, they'd have almost been better off not including it at all. It was nearly 20 for 2 drinks, and the food was dry and 'meh'.…”

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11.Naranjo River Rafting Private Trip from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $134 a head

Leave your Quepos or Manuel Antonio hotel for a private Naranjo River rafting trip with bilingual guides, safety gear, and a 35-minute drive through palm, teak, and melina plantations. Expect about 1 hour and 45 minutes on the river, Class 3 to 4 rapids, a snack stop, and a choice of departure times.

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12.White Water Rafting Pacuare River with Lunch From Puerto Viejo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $131 a head

Leave Puerto Viejo early for a full day on Costa Rica’s Pacuare River. After breakfast, you’ll tackle Class III-IV rapids with guides such as Roberto, Andres, Eduardo, and Roy, stop for a riverside buffet lunch, then shower and change at the Siquirres base. It suits fit adults and teens 12 and older.

“They run a fantastic operation! From pick-up at hotel to the food to the experience on the river — it was awesome! It’s a workout but the guides were kind, helpful, and supportive. We had such a great time.”

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13.Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $119 a head

Leave San José before dawn for a full-day Pacuare River run. You’ll paddle class II to IV rapids, pass Huacas Waterfall and rainforest gorges, and stop for breakfast and lunch. Guides such as Roberto, Robert, David, and Luis are praised for clear instruction and confident river skills. The trip ends with showers in Siquirres.

“I bought this as a birthday gift for my son (who is an adult) whilst we was in Costa Rica. He told me he had a really good time and that the ages of participants varied from the young to old. He told me that he would definitely recommend this experience to other people.”

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14.Rafting Sarapiqui River Class II-III Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $60 a head Cheapest seat

Spend about two hours on Costa Rica’s Sarapiqui River with certified guides such as Andres, Felipe, Arturo, and Philippe. Expect Class II-III rapids, a safety briefing, a natural-pool stop for swimming or jumping, fruit and cookies, and transport from the La Virgen meeting point. No rafting experience is required.

“Arturo and Felipe were great guides. We had an incredible experience for our first time rafting. The rapids were just the right level for a beginner. I definitely recommend this experience for anyone curious about rafting.”

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15.La Fortuna white water rafting + Authentic Costa Rican Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $72 a head

Start at 9:30 a.m. for a guided 10-kilometer rafting trip near La Fortuna. You receive safety instruction and equipment, then paddle through rapids with chances to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, and iguanas. The day also includes tropical fruit, drinks, swimming time, hotel pickup, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

“ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! One of the best experiences I’ve had while traveling! Guides were knowledge, friendly and helpful in learning how to raft. The river was a good introduction to rafting and I highly recommend this trip over other companies. Much more personal and small compared to others.”

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