Two rivers do the heavy lifting here, and this list covers both: the Balsa at class II to III and the steeper Sarapiqui at III to IV. The Balsa takes kids from around age eight; the Sarapiqui wants teens and up. Rain rarely cancels a trip; it’s why these rivers run all year.
Prepare for an exhilarating and heart-pounding adventure on the Upper Balsa River in Costa Rica, where Class 3/4 rapids await those seeking a thrilling experience like no other.
Most Popular★ 5.0“Our first time rafting, and it will not be our last. Rupert was our guide, he was AMAZING. They went out of their way and stopped along the way to show us sloths. Refreshing fruit break while rafting and amazing food at the end of…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,919 reviews5 hours (approx.)From $85.00
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Unleash your inner adventurer and prepare for an unforgettable experience on the Balsa River in Costa Rica, where white-water rafting class 2/3 rapids promise to leave you breathless.
★ 5.0“This was an amazing river experience. Our group had 2 rafting virgins in our boat and they loved it. Felt exhilarated, secure and thrilled. We all could not stop smiling! Our guide Julio was great, made it extra icon in some places to really get…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,881 reviews5 hours (approx.)From $70.00
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Tackle the thrilling adventure of white water rafting Class III & IV rapids on the upper Rio Balsa in Costa Rica and prepare to be captivated by the heart-pumping action and stunning natural beauty that awaits.
★ 5.0“The whitewater raft trip was so much fun!! Rowdy river to start but had a great time. Our guides Warner and Nicolas were amazing and very helpful and prioritized safety. We had an excellent lunch after as well. Would highly recommend. Saw 2 sloths on…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,220 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $85.13
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Intrigued by the anticipation and excitement, a group of adventurous souls gather at the banks of the Sarapiqui River, ready to embark on a thrilling journey through Class IV rapids.
★ 5.0“Amazing time with Arenal Rafting on the Sarapiqui River Extreme. This was our 6th time ww rafting and Oso and Cuca were the two best guides we've ever had. The jokes kept coming as did the rapids. Sick a great day and a week organized…”
★★★★★★★★★★
808 reviews5 hours (approx.)From $85.00
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Unleash your sense of adventure as you dive into the exhilarating world of white water rafting in Class II and III rapids, where tales of daring rapids and breathtaking views await.
★ 5.0“This was one of the most exciting tours so far in Costa Rica. Our guide Kevin was exceptionally. Knowledgeable, experienced and lead the team well. I felted very welcomed and safe. Would do this tour again. Highly recommended”
★★★★★★★★★★
790 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $65.00
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Kicking off with thrilling rapids and hidden secrets, embark on a white water river rafting adventure in the Costa Rican rainforest.
★ 5.0“Great tour. Our tour guide Mario was amazing at giving instructions. Also gave us bit of history knowledge. Amazing lunch as well. Great tour for first timers.”
★★★★★★★★★★
523 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $93.79
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Conquer the rapids and experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Class II and III Balsa River, but be prepared for an adventure that will leave you breathless.
★ 5.0“We had a wonderful experience and would absolutely recommended. Our guide Jorge was so much fun! Our 15 and 18 years old children loved it so much.”
★★★★★★★★★★
301 reviews4 hours (approx.)From $80.00
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Immerse yourself in the tantalizing world of Costa Rican coffee and chocolate at North Fields Cafe, where a sensory adventure awaits.
★ 5.0“Wonderful and knowledgeable guide”
★★★★★★★★★★
276 reviews2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)From $46.00
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Wondering what it would be like to combine white-water rafting and ziplining in Costa Rica? Hold on tight, because this adventure will leave you craving for more.
★ 5.0“Great experience and awesome, skilled guides. Lunch was delicious as well. Would recommend to solo travelers and groups, including families with kids bc the guides really help”
★★★★★★★★★★
264 reviews9 hours (approx.)From $148.88
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Buckle up for a breathtaking adventure as we uncover the hidden wonders of canyoning, rafting, and the mysterious secrets of an organic farm.
★ 5.0213 reviews8 hours (approx.)From $176.00
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Want to experience a thrilling adventure that will leave you breathless and craving for more?
★ 5.0“My son came from South Carolina to enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica seeing the diversity of nature, rivers and delicious local fruit.”
★★★★★★★★★★
162 reviews6 to 8 hours (approx.)From $120.00
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Feel the rush of the rapids as you embark on a thrilling white water rafting adventure in the afternoon, and discover the hidden wonders that await beyond the rushing waters.
★ 5.0“The rafting trip was one of the top highlights of our time at Arenal. Our guide, Jean Carlo was friendly, knowledgeable and caring…making the experience fun and humorous as well. The scenery and wildlife made the rafting trip more than just a water adventure. We…”
★★★★★★★★★★
154 reviews4 hours (approx.)From $70.00
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Unleash your inner thrill-seeker as you navigate challenging rapids on the Sarapiquí River, but be prepared for the unexpected twists and turns that lie ahead.
★ 5.0“We did class 3-4 and loved it. There were only 3 of us in the raft plus the guide so we didn’t have much weight but we handled it well. We flipped twice in the class 4 but we were able to get back in…”
★★★★★★★★★★
128 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $83.00
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Lose yourself in the exhilarating rush of Class III rapids on the Rio Sarapiqui afternoon tour - but what unexpected twists and turns lie ahead?
★ 5.0“Great trip…..very squared away organization. Timely on everything. Raft trip was great. Guide, Gabriel, was a lot of fun and made the experience all the better - exceptional job! Enrique took some fabulous photos as well. Highly recommended!”
★★★★★★★★★★
126 reviews5 hours (approx.)From $75.00
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Challenge yourself and conquer the thrilling Mambo Combo Canyoning and Rafting near the Arenal Volcano, where adrenaline and adventure await.
★ 5.0“This tour was a BLAST!! It was a rainy day in the jungle, but we were getting soaked in the river anyway! Our raft guide, David, was so much fun! We had a river full of rafters, but it didn’t slow us down. I would…”
★★★★★★★★★★
113 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $165.00
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