Best La Fortuna Rafting Tours - Our Top 12

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

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

Start with Pure Trek’s waterfall rappelling, rock climbing, and zipline in a rainforest canyon, then ride 45 minutes to the Balsa River for Class 2 to 3 rafting. Guides such as Byran, Augusto, Mario, and Warner have earned praise for calm safety instruction. Hotel pickup, lunch, and drinks are included.

“We had a great time rappelling the waterfalls. During our white water rafting, we tipped over and out raft guide (Mario) did an amazing job at keeping us safe and bringing us back on board! 10 out of 10 recommend this tour to anyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.White Water Rafting class V

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $150

Take on nearly nonstop class V rapids near La Fortuna with guide Orlando and a safety kayak team including Jean Carlos. The six-hour outing includes transport, fruit snacks, lunch, waterfalls, a possible cliff jump, and time at the company’s organic farm.

“We had the best day doing the class V rapids on Sarapiqui with Orlando! I cannot say enough positive things about him. The rapids were a blast but we never felt unsafe. He knows the river and was an excellent guide. He also provided cultural knowledge throughout the day and after the rafting trip, and showed us around the farm behind the company. We got to hold baby goats, crushed sugar cane, and took shots of moonshine together. We would highly recommend this excursion to anyone who is adventurous! And shout outs to Giancarlos (Rasta) and Gustavo!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Combo Arenal Rafting and Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend about eight hours with Arenal Rafting, rappelling through rainforest canyons before tackling the Balsa River. Expect Class III rapids, easier water for swimming and wildlife spotting, lunch, fruit, towels, and transport. Rafting guide Victor has earned praise for safety and animal spotting.

“Canyoning is exhilarating. No prior experience needed. I am a 51 year old who is not athletic, but they were very helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Combo White Water Rafting and Tubing in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Start with a 40-minute ride from La Fortuna, then raft through river rapids before switching to white-water tubes for the second half. After lunch, visit an organic farm and see sugarcane turned into a traditional drink. The six-and-a-half-hour outing suits fit adults and children 12 and older.

“What a great time. Everything was well coordinated and great. No complaints besides wishing for more rapids”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Awesome Fun Rafting Class 3 Balsa River 5-Hour Tour in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $88

Join Christian, Marcos, and the Rafting Costa Rica team for an 11 km Balsa River run near La Fortuna. You’ll handle lively Class 3 rapids, watch for monkeys, sloths, and toucans, stop for fresh fruit, and finish with a traditional Costa Rican lunch. 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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Pure Nature Safari River Float

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $101

Ride from La Fortuna to San Rafael de Guatuso, then float the Frio River with a naturalist captain who points out monkeys, sloths, caimans, birds, and more. The relaxed river trip ends at a Costa Rican family farm for homemade food. Guides may include Cesar or Nelson.

“The Pure Nature Safari Float on the Rio Frio was one of our favorite tours. It was incredibly peaceful, with no other groups on the river at the time. We were told that even during peak season, the Rio Frio is much less crowded than places like Rio Celeste—and that was a big plus for us. We saw a wide variety of birds and howler monkeys, and the rural scenery was beautiful and serene. Our guide was excellent—very knowledgeable about the wildlife, geography, history, and local culture, which added a lot to the experience. After the float, we were treated to a homemade meal at a local family’s farm (listed…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.La Fortuna white water rafting + Authentic Costa Rican Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $72

Start at 9:30 a.m. for a guided 10-kilometer rafting trip near La Fortuna. You get equipment, safety instruction, tropical fruit, drinks, a swim stop, and a traditional lunch. Hotel pickup is available, and guide Bryan has earned special praise for his patient, helpful instruction.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Canyoning and Arenal Rafting (COMBO TOUR)

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

Start with ABC Canyoning, where guides outfit you for four waterfall rappels from 49 to 131 feet. Then raft Rio Balsa through Class III rapids, easier water, fruit stops, and wildlife viewing. Guides Osa and Axle have earned praise for safety, humor, and clear instruction.

“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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Packraft in Rio Tres Amigos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

Paddle your own packraft through class II and II+ rapids on the Tres Amigos River near La Fortuna. With guides such as Alex, Javi, and Aletto, you’ll practice first, swim in calm pools, enjoy tropical fruit, and return after about five hours.

“Exhilarating experience where you are actively controlling the packraft and learning skills with the help of an expert instructor.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Adrenaline Pack (Zipline + Rafting)

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

Start with nearly 3 km of ziplining above La Fortuna, then tackle Balsa River rapids with guides such as Andre or Susan. Expect fruit, water, lunch, gear, and return transport. The day suits active visitors age 7 and up who want two major Costa Rican adventures in one well-organized package.

“We had the best time zip lining and rafting with Jacamar Naturalist tours. Our guides were kind, fun, knowledgeable and didn’t rush you from one activity to the next. Our rafting day was amazing- our guide Andre did a great job taking us down the rapids. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does and loves to share in the excitement. We went to lunch in La Fortuna at their restaurant, and it was so quaint, and peaceful. We sat facing lush greenery and birds were flying around the whole time. Plus the food was excellent! I finished my entire plate. Would definitely recommend this activity, and if we…”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.White Water Tubin in the river BALSA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $70Best value

Join Costa Rica Descents for a six-hour Balsa River tubing trip from La Fortuna. Expect Class I and II rapids, guides such as Jean Carlos, Carlos, or Mario, fresh fruit on the river, and an organic buffet lunch with Arenal Volcano views.

“Actually we landed up white water rafting our guide as Mario. A great and memorable experience. Stopped at One point for a swim and to snack on water melon and pineapples prepared by the guides. Highly recommend this tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Rafting Class 2-3 Sarapiqui AFTERNOON Trip

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

Meet Desafio Adventure Company at noon in La Fortuna for a small-group rafting trip on the Sarapiqui River. Guides such as Gabriel, Jeffrey, Walter, and Braulio lead you through Class 2 and 3 rapids, with time for swimming, a river jump, wildlife spotting, and a snack afterward.

“Walter and Braulio made this rafting trip so much fun for me, my husband my kids. The rapids were a lot of fun and they pointed out lots of beautiful birds and wildlife! We were even able to jump into the river and given a yummy snack and lunch. It was the most memorable and fun excursion of our trip to Costa Rica. Thanks so much Walter and Braulio! Pura Vida!!”

Check availability →Read our full review