11 La Fortuna Rafting Tours Worth Flying For

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

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

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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2.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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3.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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4.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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5.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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6.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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7.Canyoning and Arenal Rafting (COMBO TOUR)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160 a head

Start at 6:30 am with ABC Canyoning, hiking five minutes to four waterfall rappels from 49 to 131 feet. Then raft Rio Balsa through Class III rapids, gentler water, wildlife stops, fruit, and lunch. Guides such as Osa and Axle have helped make the day both lively and reassuring.

“We are adventurers, my kids are 9, 9 and 11 - the waterfall part of this tour is a true adventure and the hike takes work, that's my only warning to others, get ready to work for it - it's worth every second. We had a small group of about 12 people in our group - we arrived at the house where you get set up for the waterfall repelling and there were kittens, baby chicks and a family setting up for our breakfast (eat something small before you go b/c they don't feed you until after!) You get to the first small waterfall quickly and then you work your…”

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8.White Water Tubin in the river BALSA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $70 a head Cheapest seat

Spend about six hours tubing the Balsa River near La Fortuna, with Class I and II rapids, guides such as Jean Carlos, Carlos, or Mario, fresh tropical fruit, and a buffet lunch overlooking Arenal Volcano. Transport, hotel pickup, changing rooms, and a small group of up to 20 are included.

“Just fantastic friendly staff with lots of knowledge, great food and sugar cane demonstration. Was on the river for a long amount of time and felt well looked after.”

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9.Adrenaline Pack (Zipline + Rafting)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $166 a head

Start with seven ziplines and a Tarzan swing, then trade the treetops for Balsa River rapids. Guides such as Andre, Susan, and Nelson keep the day moving safely, with fruit, water, lunch, and return transport included. Expect a 7-hour outing, moderate activity, and a small group of up to 15 people.

“Very professionally run throughout. Guides were very informative and made the event a very memorable day.”

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10.Rafting Class 2-3 Sarapiqui AFTERNOON Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $90 a head

Meet Desafio Adventure Company in La Fortuna at noon for a small-group rafting trip on the Sarapiqui River. Guides such as Gabriel, Jeffrey, Walter, and Braulio provide instruction, point out birds and wildlife, and lead you through Class 2 and 3 rapids. Expect river swimming, a jump spot, snacks, and changing rooms with showers afterward.

“Gabriel and Jeffrey were awesome. We had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed every drenching we got along the river”

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11.Peñas Blancas River: Wildlife Safari Experience by Raft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $84 a head

Take a four-hour wildlife safari on the calm Peñas Blancas River near La Fortuna. Calypso Adventures provides transport, a certified guide, raft or double kayak, safety gear, water, pineapple, and insurance. Expect a relaxed family outing with chances to see howler monkeys, capuchins, sloths, birds, iguanas, and caimans.

“Amazing experience by Calypso Tours- owned and operated by a woman, Bethshive, who went above and beyond to make our experience special and memorable. you were able to see a lot of animals on the river, including a sloth!! We had a great time and highly recommend other families to take this tour!”

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