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If you’re looking for a fun, heart-pumping experience in the jungle of Costa Rica, you’ve come to the right place!
Whether you’re a beginner looking for gentler rapids or a seasoned pro seeking more extreme rafting, you’ll be able to have a great experience in La Fortuna. You can even combine your adventure with ziplining or a nice meal at a local restaurant!
Whitewater rafting is one of our favorite activities, and we’ve done it multiple times while living in Costa Rica. We want to make sure that you are choosing a tour with a reputable company so that you stay safe and have the most memorable time possible. That’s why we’ve created the guide below to the absolute best whitewater rafting tours in La Fortuna for every level!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
If you don’t have time to read the full article, we’ve got you covered! This half-day whitewater rafting adventure from La Fortuna takes you to the Balsa River to ride down some class 2 and 3 rapids!
Class 2 and 3 rapids are perfect for every traveler, even beginners or families with children 5 years or older. This tour offers a mix of a scenic float down the river (keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!) and tackling some fun rapids. Afterward, you’ll head to a local restaurant for a delicious traditional Costa Rican lunch.
We love how affordable this 5-star experience is (check out the incredible reviews here!). At only $68 USD per person, it includes round-trip transportation, your safety equipment, an expert guide, snacks, drinks, and lunch.
Plus, this tour offers free cancellation for up to 24 hours before departure. One thing to know, though, is that it is a very popular tour so you should book in advance to avoid missing out!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- The BEST La Fortuna Whitewater Rafting Tours
- What should you wear while whitewater rafting in Costa Rica?
- Do you need to book a La Fortuna whitewater rafting tour in advance?
- Is whitewater rafting in La Fortuna worth it?
- Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
The BEST La Fortuna Whitewater Rafting Tours
1. Upper Balsa River Whitewater Rafting Class 3 and 4
This half-day whitewater rafting experience promises an unforgettable journey on the Rio Balsa (Balsa River). Since you’ll be tackling class 3 and 4 rapids, this option is a bit more extreme, making it perfect for those who like an adrenaline rush!
When we saw the hundreds of 5-star reviews on this tour we knew we had to check it out, and boy are we glad we did! Our day started around 9 am with pick-up from our central La Fortuna hotel before driving about 45 minutes to the Balsa River and hitting the rapids (but not before a safety briefing of course)!
We traveled over 15 km (9 miles) down the river, navigating many rapids with our experienced and hilarious guide, Juan. The ride downstream was very scenic and Juan pointed out lots of wildlife along the way such as birds and monkeys. After rafting for a while, we stopped for a break to enjoy some fruit, snacks, and even a beer, which was a nice treat because this activity can be quite tiring!
After the rafting, we refueled with a complimentary casado for lunch in a local restaurant. This is a traditional local meal, which usually consists of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and some sort of protein – which really hit the spot after rafting! They also offer vegetarian options if you let the tour company know when you book your tour.
We loved that this tour included towels, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own. Just make sure to wear clothing that can get wet and closed-toed shoes. It costs $85 USD per person aged 12 and over, which includes the rafting experience, central La Fortuna hotel pick-up and drop-off, safety equipment, snacks, and lunch – which is a pretty great deal if you ask me!
Check the schedule and secure your spot here!
2. Balsa River Whitewater Rafting Class 2 and 3
If this is going to be your first-time whitewater rafting, then you might be seeking a gentler experience. Fortunately, the Rio Balsa is also home to some Class II rapids, which are much calmer.
This half-day tour takes you rafting on the Class II and III rapids along the Rio Balsa. You’ll travel about 6 miles (10 kilometers) in total, and since you’re moving slower, you can really check out all the wildlife you pass. It’s still a lot of fun and super exciting, but it’s perfect for beginners and families (with kids 5 years or older) because it’s easier than the previous tour we mentioned.
And if you’re nervous, don’t worry! You’ll be accompanied by expert guides the entire time who make your safety their number one priority. You will also get all of the necessary safety equipment and go through a safety briefing before getting on the water so that you’re well-prepared and know what to expect.
The tour begins around 9 am daily and lasts for 5 hours in total, which includes your safety briefing, rafting experience, and a delicious traditional casado lunch at a local restaurant. It also includes bottled water, snacks, and towels, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off in central La Fortuna – talk about a package deal!
You can book this tour for only $68 USD per person. Just make sure to budget some extra cash for souvenir photos at the end if you wish. It’s not easy to take your own photos while on the river, so we love that they offer this option!
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and secure your spot here!
3. Full Day Class 2 & 3 Rafting and Zipline Tour
As well as its world-class whitewater rafting, La Fortuna is also an awesome place to go ziplining, thanks to its abundant rainforest. If both activities sound exciting, you can combine the two with this full-day adventure tour!
Be prepared for an early start, as you’ll be picked up from your La Fortuna hotel around 7:30 am. But trust me, the early morning is well worth it since you’ll soon be gliding high above the treetops! You’ll reach speeds of up to 70 kph (40 mph) as you zoom along ziplines that are up to 980 meters (3,200 feet) long. One even goes over the famous 75-meter (246 ft) tall La Fortuna Waterfall!
But, the highlight of the ziplining adventure for us was when we got to climb up a 54-foot (18-meter) tower and take off across a canyon below while suspended 120 meters (360 ft) in the air – it definitely got my adrenaline pumping!
Once the ziplining is done, you get to ride to the Balsa River in a 4×4 jeep, adding to the adventure even further. The rapids you take on are classes 2 and 3, so no experience is necessary, but believe me, they are still a lot of fun! Lunch is also included at the end of this tour, as you will certainly have worked up an appetite by now. But don’t worry, fruit snacks are provided along the way in case you get hungry.
All in all, we think that this is the perfect adventure-filled day out in La Fortuna for anyone aged 8 and up. It costs $136 USD per adult which we think is a great deal considering it includes roundtrip transport, both activities, snacks, bottled water, and lunch – if you don’t believe us just check out the glowing reviews here!
Book this exciting whitewater rafting and zipline experience here!
Related Read: For more zipline adventures, read our guide to the best zipline tours in Jaco.
4. Sarapiqui River Whitewater Rafting Class 4
If this is not your first rodeo, then this half-day rafting tour on the Sarapiqui River is sure to be a thrilling experience. The Sarapiqui River is known for its extreme tours and has more class 4 rapids than the Balsa River, so you’ll be tackling continuous class 3 and 4 rapids throughout the entire journey!
We love that this is an all-inclusive tour, so towels, snacks, drinks, lunch, and transport from La Fortuna hotels are covered. However, if you’re staying more than 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away from the tour office, you’ll have to drive yourself. Tours start around 8 am with a 1 hour and 10-minute drive to the Sarapiqui River to start your adventure.
Here, you’ll zoom through the jungle, tackling the incredible rapids. Costa Rica is known for having the best whitewater rapids in the whole of Central America, so if you love rafting, you can’t miss the chance to get out and experience some of the most exciting ones that La Fortuna has to offer!
For over 2 hours we tackled more than 30 epic rapids on our boat of 6 people. Even though I fell in once, I was swiftly rescued by our amazing guide, Carlos, and never felt unsafe! We loved that this tour included a stop at a swimming area so we could jump in and swim around, which was so refreshing after a couple of hours of rafting.
This 5-hour tour costs $85 USD per person, which we think is a good deal since it’s all-inclusive and covers everything we mentioned above. It is a super popular experience, so make sure you secure your spot early. We recommend booking with Viator because they allow you to cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, making booking early truly risk-free!
Book your Sarapiqui River Whitewater Rafting experience with 24-hour cancellation here!
5. Whitewater rafting Class 2 & 3 with Local Farm Tour
This 6-hour tour not only includes an exciting whitewater rafting experience, but you’ll also go to an organic farm to learn how two of Costa Rica’s most famous exports are made. Yup, we’re talking about coffee and chocolate – two of my favorite things!
You can request pick up or join your group at the meeting point for a 9 am start. Once you hit the river, you’ll enjoy rafting through the jungle across class 2 and 3 rapids. It’s beginner-friendly but still thrilling, especially since you’re likely to spot sloths, iguanas, monkeys, and more along the way. The crew will make sure you don’t miss anything, and they’ll also have you laughing the entire time.
Then, you’ll go to a coffee and chocolate plantation where you’ll learn about agriculture and try lots of exotic fruit. Your group will also take a hike through this organic farm while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Adults will even get to try some local moonshine here, which is a fun experience. It was intense, but we embraced it! Afterward, you’ll enjoy lunch as a group before heading back to La Fortuna.
We think this option is great value for money at only $65 USD per person because it includes all of your transportation, activities, food, and drink, plus the farm tour. I don’t think you can find a deal better than that! It runs daily and is perfect for adventurers 7 years or older who want to try rafting and learn all about the local exports (with yummy samples of course)!
Reserve your spot on this fun combo tour right here!
Related Read: While you’re in town, take a tour of La Fortuna Waterfall! It’s a gorgeous excursion and one of the most popular activities here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
What should you wear while whitewater rafting in Costa Rica?
We recommend activewear. You just need comfy clothes that you can move around in and don’t mind getting wet! Also, bring a change of dry clothes to change into afterward.
Most tour companies also stipulate that you must wear closed-toe shoes. Waterproof shoes are best if you have them with you. However, we just wore our running shoes and used a blow dryer to dry them out back at our hotel after the tour. It took 15 minutes and was really no trouble, so don’t worry too much if you don’t have waterproof shoes.
Do you need to book a La Fortuna whitewater rafting tour in advance?
Yes, you should. The tour companies need time to organize everything, so you can’t just turn up on the day. It’s always best to book at least a day or two in advance. During the busy season, you will need to secure your spot further ahead of time.
Peak season is between December and April, which is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica. This means the best tours (such as the ones on this list) always book up well in advance during this time. If this is when you’re visiting La Fortuna, we’d recommend reserving your tour at least a week in advance.
Luckily, all of the tours on our list have a 24-hour cancellation policy meaning that you can secure your spot and then cancel if needed up to 24 hours before your departure time for a full refund! One of our favorite parts of booking with Viator, and why we always recommend Viator tours, is because they have a buy now pay later option. You can reserve your spot on tours ahead of time to help you better plan your vacation and then pay later, closer to your trip time. And with their lowest price guarantee, you know you are getting the best deal out there!
Is whitewater rafting in La Fortuna worth it?
Yes, we loved it! In fact, we loved our first experience so much that we’ve now gone back multiple times. La Fortuna is one of the best places to go whitewater rafting in all of Costa Rica, and you won’t be disappointed!
There is a tour here for all levels, making it a great activity for beginners or experienced thrill seekers. The epic adventure plus the scenic beauty of rafting through Costa Rica’s jungle is an experience you won’t soon forget!
Learn more about our favorite La Fortuna whitewater rafting adventure here!
Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
Of course, going whitewater rafting is one of the best experiences, but there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:
- Hot springs – If your tour doesn’t include hot springs, we definitely suggest visiting some! The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.
- Go on a night walk – Since rafting is a daytime thing, go on this night walk and dinner tour for a fun evening experience. Guides lead you on an easy hike through the rainforest, spotting all the critters that come out after dark. To finish it off, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove.
- Visit a rope swing – El Salto, or “the rope swing,” is a hidden paradise with a swimming hole, waterfalls, and a local vibe – you’ll actually get a sneak peek as you drive by here on the whitewater rafting tours. This is one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna! You can easily walk to El Salto and swing into the refreshing waters – or ask the locals where it’s safe to jump!
- Hanging bridges – Make sure to walk among the treetops! The Mistico Hanging Bridges are some of the best around here. There are 14 total bridges here, with 6 of them being hanging bridges. It’s a fantastic place to spot wildlife, especially if you join this guided tour!
- Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour. For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram, fly by on an ATV ride, or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal.
Related Read: If you’re flying into San Jose, read our guide on how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Going whitewater rafting in La Fortuna is such a fun adventure! However, it’s the type of thing that definitely requires planning ahead by booking a tour, which is why we’ve provided this list with a variety of options. All of these tours will let you enjoy the experience while also ensuring that you’re on the water with a reliable company.
Hopefully, you found a tour that looks just right for you! We always have an amazing time whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, and we want you to as well. Before your trip, make sure to check out our full blog on Costa Rica. We have lots of tips and advice to make your vacation the best one yet.
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