Choosing Your Rafting Tour
Balsa River Class II & III: 6 years old. Balsa Adrenaline Experience: 12 years old. Sarapiquí Class III & IV: 14 years old.
For the Sarapiquí afternoon tour, private trips and combos, check the specific tour requirements before booking. Age is only one requirement; our team also considers the participant’s ability and equipment fit.
Balsa River Class II & III is our family-friendly option. Balsa Adrenaline Experience offers a more thrilling ride through the way our guides navigate the rapids. Sarapiquí Class III & IV is our most challenging rafting option, while the Sarapiquí afternoon trip runs a Class III section.
Choose the specific tour based on the rapid level, minimum age, swimming requirements and your group’s abilities. Compare our rafting tours or WhatsApp our team for help.
Class IV rapids require more demanding maneuvers and stronger paddling than Class III. Falling out of the raft is a possibility on a white water rafting trip.
Our guides provide equipment, a safety briefing and paddling instructions. Follow their instructions throughout the trip and choose a tour that matches your group’s abilities.
Sarapiquí Class III & IV is our most challenging rafting option. It involves more demanding rapids and active paddling, and participants must meet the tour’s age and swimming requirements.
The itinerary depends on river and weather conditions. Optional activities are subject to the guides’ instructions and conditions on the day.
Swimming is required for Class III–IV tours.
It is not mandatory for Class II–III tours.
Check the minimum age for your chosen tour and tell us the children’s ages before booking. The guide decides how each child participates based on their ability, equipment fit and river conditions. Follow the guide’s instructions on paddling and holding the raft’s safety rope.
The recommended maximum weight is 260 lbs.
Additionally, the life jacket must fit properly around the chest and abdomen.
No. This activity is not recommended at any stage of pregnancy.
Booking & Preparing for Your Trip
- Comfortable clothes that can get wet and allow you to paddle.
- Secure closed-toed shoes, such as well-fastened sneakers or water shoes. Flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed.
- A change of clothes for after the trip.
- Sun protection. Follow the guide’s instructions before entering the raft.
Leave items you do not need on the river with your belongings in the transport vehicle.
There are no lockers at the river put-in. You can leave your bag, phone and dry clothes in the transport vehicle, which our driver keeps locked during the activity. Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables.
Contact our team before booking so we can discuss your mobility, the equipment and the requirements of the specific tour. Participation is assessed individually; please do not assume that every tour will be suitable.
You may bring your phone at your own risk, but a waterproof case does not eliminate the risk of loss or damage. Bags and attachments must not interfere with safety gear or paddling; check with your guide before entering the raft.
The simplest option is to leave your phone with your belongings in the transport vehicle.
Choose your tour and use its Book Now button to reserve online. For a private trip or help choosing an experience, contact us by WhatsApp our team, email or phone.
Have your preferred tour, date, group size and hotel name ready. A booking with payment pending is not confirmed; complete payment and follow the confirmation instructions from our team.
At least 12 hours in advance.
You may bring a camera at your own risk. Equipment can be lost or damaged, and attachments can interfere with paddling or safety gear.
Check your camera setup with the guide before starting. Customers are responsible for configuring and attaching their cameras; guides do not attach them. Both hands need to be available for paddling.
Getting Here & Hotel Pick-up
Departure and return times depend on the tour you book. Hotel pick-up happens before the departure from our La Fortuna office.
Check your booking confirmation and our departure times and hotel pick-up guide. Return times are approximate and can vary with the itinerary, river conditions and transport.
Hotel pick-up is included for eligible hotels within 5 miles of La Fortuna Central Park. Airbnb pick-up is not included.
Check our hotel pick-up information and contact us if your hotel is not listed. Include your hotel name, tour date and reservation number.
Meet at Arenal Rafting Company in La Fortuna: Avenida 333, Calle 460, 100 metres north of the police station.
Open our location in Google Maps. Follow the arrival time in your booking confirmation.
Yes, we offer private parking with security cameras and staff on-site.
The rafting put-in and take-out are different locations, so you cannot simply leave your car at the starting point and return to it after rafting. We recommend meeting at our La Fortuna office and using the tour transport.
If you need a different arrangement, contact our team in advance to discuss availability and cost.
Eligible hotel pick-up within 5 miles of La Fortuna Central Park is included. Hotels outside this area may require an additional transfer charge; contact our team for a quote before booking. Airbnb pick-up is not included.
Yes. Restrooms are available at our operations base, and we also make a stop on the way to the river.
At the river, we aim to preserve the natural environment, so there are no bathrooms or constructions at the put-in.
Meals, Photos & Tour Policies
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options are available. Tell us about dietary requirements or allergies before your tour so our team can confirm what can be accommodated. Guides take lunch orders on the way to the river.
Up to 6 participants + 1 guide.
During low water season (March–April), this may be reduced to 4 for safety and comfort.
Photos are not included, but you can purchase a package of approximately 100 photos for $40.
Yes, we operate 365 days a year.
Children occupy a place in the boat and bus the same as adults, on the other hand the security measures in boats with children are increased, for this reason and for the tour to maintain the best quality and safety, there is no difference in price between children and adults.
Please arrive at the time shown in your booking confirmation. Late arrivals can miss the departure; contact our team immediately if you are delayed.
For cancellation deadlines, refunds, rescheduling and no-shows, read our Cancellation & Refund Policy.