Whitewater Rafting Costa Rica – Try one of the best adventures in Costa Rica, with our rafting tour operator, Rios Tropicales, who pioneered whitewater rafting in Costa Rica in 1985.
They are experts on all the country’s rivers! With tours for all ages and adventure interests, you can float along with your friends by day or night, shoot the rapids on celadon-colored, warm water or enjoy the challenging rapids in tight canyons.
Costa Rica has a river for everyone, and Ríos Tropicales offer rafting trips on nine diverse rivers, each one fully-guided by professional, bilingual guides.
Experience the abundant flora and fauna of Costa Rica up close and personal.
Pacuare River
Description
If you wish to experience a whitewater rafting trip on a wild river with warm water, unique landscapes, amazing wildlife, Pacuare is a dream come true!
On one of the best-rated rivers in the world, you’ll experience the intimate nature of the rainforest as you raft right through 19 miles of Class III-IV white water.
You will indulge your senses on the warm water, cascading waterfalls, and opulently lush rainforest with its brilliantly colored plants, animals, and birds.
After an early morning pick-up from your San Jose hotel, you will be transported to the Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a tasty, typical Costa Rican breakfast. Next, after changing into rafting gear, you will be driven to the banks of the Pacuare River.
Here we evaluate and adjust all required equipment for proper fit, give you a full rafting safety speech, and instruct you on paddling basics. From here, you and your group will start your raft and begin to paddle 19 miles deep into the heart of one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary primary rainforests.
You’ll pass through thickly vegetated rainforest gorges, view waterfalls, relax in calm pools and experience pounding rapids. Halfway down the river, you will pass the Rios Tropicales Lodge, a unique ecolodge, where visitors stay on one of our two, three, and four-day multi-sports adventure trips.
You will enjoy an adrenaline-packed afternoon running the Pacuare’s biggest rapids: Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas and more. From the take-out, it’s a short drive back to the Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a tasty lunch and hot shower.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guide
- Rafting equipment
- Breakfast and a hot lunch
- Spacious changing rooms and hot showers
- Transportation to and from San Jose
- Secure, dry transport of your luggage in dry bag
What to Bring
- Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, boots or similar).
- Swimsuit
- T-shirt and shorts of a quick-drying material.
- Long sleeve shirts are very useful if you get cold easily on the water or want more sun protection.
- Water-resistant sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or higher).
- Sun hat or bandana.
- Bug Repellent.
- Croakies or straps to secure glasses
- Change of clothes, including shoes, for after your tour.
- Towel for showers after the trip.
- Any prescription medications necessary during your tour
Rates
From $95.00 Per person
Upper Sarapiquí River
Description
Hop on a raft with us for an adrenaline-fueled ride down a Class IV river – the Upper Sarapiquí River in Costa Rica’s Arenal region – whose permanent rapids and countryside with rainforest walls dripping with cascades give you a taste of what will be in store for you.
You will paddle more than 30 rapids, many of them rated Class IV, with big slopes leading to a huge splash as you ride down the pure, clean, fresh waters of the Upper Sarapiquí River. This is one of the most exhilarating runs in Costa Rica!
Class III: Intermediate
Rapids with moderate, irregular waves. Complex maneuvers in fast current are often required. Large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided.
Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
Class IV: Advanced
Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat-handling in turbulent water.
Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. Scouting may be necessary. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Assistance for rescue is often essential and requires practiced skills.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guide
- Rafting equipment
- Breakfast and a hot lunch
- Spacious changing rooms and hot showers
- Transportation from and to La Fortuna area
- Secure, dry transport of your luggage in dry bag
What to Bring
- Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, boots or similar).
- Swimsuit / swim trunks.
- T-shirt and shorts of a quick-drying material. Long sleeve t-shirts are very useful if you get cold easily on the water or want more sun protection.
- Water-resistant sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or higher).
- Sun hat or bandana.
- Bug Repellent.
- Croakies or straps to secure glasses.
- Change of clothes, including shoes, for after your tour.
- Towel for changing/showers after the trip.
- Any prescription medications necessary during your tour
Rates
From $95.00 Per person
Cucaracho River
Description
This rafting adventure takes you through an incredible canyon surrounded by primary rainforest and filled with inhabitants such as spider, howler and white-face monkeys, and exotic birds, such as the white hawks, herons, egrets, and sun bitter.
The Cucaracho River begins after the confluence of four stunning rivers that flow to the northeast base of the Rincon De La Vieja Volcano on the Caribbean slope.
The adventure begins when we pick you up at the Blue River Hotel, Rincon de La Vieja.
You’ll be driven to the river check-in, get your equipment fit, and take a safety lesson. Then you’ll start the and 12-mile run down nonstop Class III-IV rapids, plus two additional Class VI rapids, and the upper and lower Cricket.
You will paddle more than 70 rapids and finish up at the town of Birmania, where you’ll have a delicious hot lunch and change your clothes to return to your hotel.
Class III: Intermediate
Rapids with moderate, irregular waves. Complex maneuvers in fast current are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
Class IV: Advanced
Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water.
Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. Scouting may be necessary.
Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Assistance for rescue is often essential and requires practiced skills.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guides
- Rafting equipment
- Costa Rican-style lunch and water and snacks during the tour
- Please note it does not include ground transportation.
- Additional transportation available from Papagayo and Tamarindo area for an extra fee
What to Bring
- Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, boots or similar).
- Swimsuit / swim trunks.
- T-shirt and shorts of a quick-drying material. Long sleeve t-shirts are very useful if you get cold easily on the water or want more sun protection.
- Water-resistant sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or higher).
- Sun hat or bandana.
- Bug Repellent.
- Croakies or straps to secure glasses.
- Change of clothes, including shoes, for after your tour.
- Towel for changing/showers after the trip.
- Any prescription medications necessary during your tour
Rates
$135.00 Per person
Savegre River
Description
Your quest starts with an early drive south of Quepos.
We’ll drive an hour and a half through African palm farms, teak reforestation projects, and picturesque landscapes on the way to the Savegre River put-in.
After a security orientation and paddling instruction, you will start running rapids such as Boca Diablo and Washing Machine.
You will stop on the river shore for a energy snack of fresh fruits and cookies before continuing your expedition down the river.
Near the end, you’ll run an exciting rapid called Screaming Child before the river breaks down. You’ll have a lot of time to relax and enjoy the plentiful flora and fauna on the way down the river.
The free-flowing Savegre River has Class II-III rapids for a placid ride with some exciting rapids for joy. This half-day tour shows you the beauty of Costa Rica from the top vantage point–right on the water!
Class II Rapids: Novice
Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers.
Class III: Intermediate
Rapids with moderate, irregular waves. Complex maneuvers in fast current are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided.
Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guides
- Rafting equipment
- Costa Rican-style lunch and water and snacks during the tour
- Transfers from Manuel Antonio-Quepos to and from Savegre River
-
Transfers outside this area can be arranged with an additional charge
What to Bring
- Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, boots or similar).
- Swimsuit / swim trunks.
- T-shirt and shorts of a quick-drying material. Long sleeve t-shirts are very useful if you get cold easily on the water or want more sun protection.
- Water-resistant sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or higher).
- Sun hat or bandana.
- Bug Repellent.
- Croakies or straps to secure glasses.
- Change of clothes, including shoes, for after your tour.
- Towel for changing/showers after the trip.
- Any prescription medications necessary during your tour
Rates
From $90.00 Per person
Tenorio River
Description
If you’re ready for a great adventure, then check your courage on the rollicking rapids of the Upper Tenorio River in Guanacaste.
Lots of of excitement awaits you as you plunge through twists, turns and drops down 8 miles of extreme, challenging rapids.
The Tenorio River has everything a rafter wishes, including a one-of-a-kind Class V 12-foot drop! For rafters, this is a must-run river.
We will meet at the Rincon Corobicí Restaurant in Cañas. Please be on time so we can fit in all the enjoyment on this one-day tour.
From here, we’ll hit the road and go to the river put-in, situated a half hour from the restaurant. Your guide team will have the security equipment ready (life jackets, helmets and paddles) for you, along with a river safety direction.
The trip on the river lasts about 2 ½ hours and comprises a snack at the end: fresh fruits, cookies, natural beverages and water.
Class III: Intermediate
Rapids with moderate, irregular waves. Complex maneuvers in fast current are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided.
Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guides
- Rafting equipment
- Rafting equipment
-
Lunch at Rincon Corobicí Restaurant and water and snack during tour
-
Transfers from and to the Rincon Corobicí Restaurant in Cañas
-
Additional transportation available from Papagayo and Tamarindo area for an extra fee
What to Bring
- Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, booties or similar).
- Swimsuit / swim trunks.
- T-shirt and shorts of a quick-drying material. Long sleeve t-shirts are very useful if you get cold easily on the water or want more sun protection.
- Water-resistant sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or higher).
- Sun hat or bandana.
- Bug Repellent.
- Croakies or straps to secure glasses.
- Change of clothes, including shoes, for after your tour.
- Towel for changing/showers after the trip.
- Any prescription medications necessary during your tour
Rates
From $99.00 Per person