La Fortuna

Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica

Badge of ExcellenceLa Fortuna, Costa Rica
Balsa River Class 2 and 3 White Water Rafting from La Fortuna
  • 5 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Connect with the waters of Costa Rica by paddling down class II and III white waters of the Balsa River. This half-day, guided, white-water rafting tour includes equipment, instruction, safety briefing and ends with a delicious lunch served in a local restaurant. Feel the thrill and excitement as you glide six miles (10 kilometers) down the river flanked by lush the jungle filled with monkeys, tropical birds, and sloths.
  • Guided white-water rafting adventure in the jungle
  • See tropical wildlife in their natural setting
  • Paddle over top of class II and III white waters
  • Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch

Sample Menu

Main

Costa Rican Casado Lunch

What's Included

  • Professional guide
  • Transportation from hotels located less than 6 km away from our main office
  • Bottled water
  • Towel
  • Lunch
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase) at the end of the tour.
  • Pick up service at hotels located over 6 km away from our main office

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • Arenal Rafting
    Av 333 y Calle 460, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica

    If you do not need to pick up, you can get to our office at 9:15 am. We are located 100 meters north from the police station, avenue 333 street 460. You can find us On Waze or google maps as ARENAL RAFTING COMPANY.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

09:10 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

-Bring comfortable clothes to get wet and paddle, secure shoes for rafting (closed toed shoes are safer, flip flops or crocs are NOT RECOMMENDED), bring also changing clothes. -Make sure you show up at the reception of your hotel or pick up place at the right time. Guides and drivers only wait a maximun of 5 minutes after the pick up time. If you are not sure about your PICK UP TIME call or send a whatsapp message to +506 89342626. Please Note: "Pick up time" refers to the time we pick you up at the hotel, "Start Time" refers the time when the tour starts. Pick up service is included ONLY for hotels located 5 km around La Fortuna Central Park. We DO NOT offer pick service on Airbnb, however you can drive or take a taxi to our main office in La Fortuna, where we offer safe parking and more facilities.

What To Expect

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • Minimum age 5 years old
  • Maximum weights 220 pounds
  • Near public transportation
  • Please bring changing clothes, water shoes, clothes to get wet
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

See more
Featured review
Frida_H
Fantastic day experience. Very professionally run. The whole team were really friendly and helpful. Rafting was great fun, exciting but always felt safe. Very good lunch after. The whole family loved it. Erick the guide was brilliant. The photos were very good. $40 bought a good selection of good photos from various points along the river.

Reviews

5.0
1,018 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,018 reviews
Great day great staff...
Allison_M, Apr 2024
Great day great staff loved every minute. Would recommend this tour for families. We would love to do it again
SOOO FUNNN
ariyanavv, Apr 2024
My boyfriend and I decided to do this excursion. I’ve never been water rafting but after doing this one I can’t wait to do it again! It was so fun and the lunch they provided was so good. The scenery was beautiful and our tour guide was friendly and fun. I 100% recommend. They also provided some different types of fruits which were delicious.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your boyfriend had such a wonderful time on our excursion. It's fantastic that your first water rafting experience was so enjoyable and left you eager to do it again! We're delighted that you found the provided lunch delicious and that you enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way. Our guides strive to make every trip enjoyable and memorable, and we're glad to hear that yours was friendly and fun. Thank you for your recommendation, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in the future! ¡Pura Vida!
Brilliant day. Highly recommended
Frida_H, Apr 2024
Fantastic day experience. Very professionally run. The whole team were really friendly and helpful. Rafting was great fun, exciting but always felt safe. Very good lunch after. The whole family loved it. Erick the guide was brilliant. The photos were very good. $40 bought a good selection of good photos from various points along the river.
Arenal Rafting Co.
Jared_F, Apr 2024
Very friendly and knowledgeable guides. Spotted several sloths and monkeys along with a nice snack and lunch.
Must do in La fortuna
Leslie_M, Apr 2024
A great experience all around. Our first time white water rafting and had such a fun time. Elvis, our guide was amazing. Everything was planned out perfectly, from the pickup at our hotel, drive to rapids, to lunch after. Even did a pit stop for snacks, water shoes, bathroom break for those that needed it. The river was fast moving but always felt safe. Saw lots of wildlife too. A must do if you are in la fortuna area.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hey there! Thanks a bunch for sharing your awesome experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your first-time white water rafting adventure was such a success. Elvis sounds like a fantastic guide, and we're delighted to hear that he made your experience amazing from start to finish. Ensuring everything is planned out perfectly, from pickup to lunch, is all part of providing a seamless and enjoyable adventure for our guests. We're glad to hear that the river felt safe despite its fast-moving currents. Your safety is our top priority, and we're thrilled that you felt well taken care of throughout the trip. Spotting lots of wildlife along the way must have been such a treat! Costa Rica's biodiversity is truly remarkable, and we're glad you got to experience it firsthand. We couldn't agree more – rafting in the La Fortuna area is a must-do for anyone visiting the area. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you again soon for more unforgettable adventures on the river! Warm regards,
Give it a Try!
Kim_N, Apr 2024
We were hesitant to try, first timers. We had a blast! The Guides were competent and courteous. Many thanks for the fun memories.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience as first-timers! We're thrilled to hear that you had a blast on your rafting adventure with us. It's wonderful to know that our guides were competent and courteous, helping to make your experience enjoyable and memorable. Creating fun memories for our guests is what we strive for, and we're delighted that we could be a part of yours. We hope to see you again for more exciting adventures in the future!
So much fun!
Emma_D, Apr 2024
Such a fun trip! Our instructor Alejandro explained everything really clearly and was very friendly. The experience was so much fun and my husband, son (13 years old) and I really enjoyed it. We saw a sloth in the trees too!
Great Family Trip
Lindsey_V, Apr 2024
We took our sons ages 6, 10 and 13 on the class two and three rapids trip. Our guide Carlos R was simply fantastic! He was knowledgeable, made us feel safe and had a great time, joking and playing around with the boys. I would absolutely recommend this company and this activity! Thanks again!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family had a fantastic time on the class two and three rapids trip with Carlos R as your guide. It's wonderful to know that Carlos R was knowledgeable, made you feel safe, and ensured that everyone had a great time, especially by joking and playing around with the boys. Providing a fun and memorable experience for our guests, including families with children, is always our goal. Thank you for recommending our company and this activity! We truly appreciate your kind words and the opportunity to create lasting memories for you and your family. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future for more adventures on the river! 🌊
10/10 would recommend
Amy_N, Mar 2024
This tour is absolutely perfect from start to finish. The tour operator even sent me a message on whats app the day before confirming my reservation. They were five minutes early to pick us up at our hotel. I never write reviews but I had to for this tour. It was hands down the best thing we did during our stay in La Fortuna. Our whole family had a blast and we felt very safe. We made memories to last a lifetime. Thank you!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your tour with us was absolutely perfect from start to finish. At Arenal Rafting, we believe in providing exceptional service from the moment you book your tour until the end of your adventure. We're glad that our proactive communication via WhatsApp and punctual pick-up added to the overall positive experience. It's fantastic to know that your whole family had a blast and felt very safe throughout the tour. Ensuring the safety and enjoyment of our guests is always our top priority. We're honored that you consider our tour to be the best thing you did during your stay in La Fortuna and that you made memories to last a lifetime. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure! We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you and your family back in the future for more unforgettable experiences. 🌊
Excellent experience
Jennifer_C, Mar 2024
Really good experience. We had a lot of fun and the people in charge were super helpful. We gad a nice lunch after the tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you had a really good time and enjoyed the tour. It's fantastic to know that you found our team to be super helpful – ensuring our guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience is always our priority. We're glad you enjoyed the nice lunch after the tour. At Arenal Rafting, we believe that delicious meals are an essential part of the overall experience. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure. We hope to see you again soon for more fun-filled experiences! 🌊
Adventurous but Fun!!
sathish_a, Mar 2024
Carlos/toucan and team made it a great rafting experience for all of us. They not only kept us safe but they made the whole experience memorable and lively. My 9 year old rates this as her best activity in this trip
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello, Thank you for your review! We're thrilled to hear that Carlos/Toucan and the team made your rafting experience great and memorable. Safety is always our top priority, and we're delighted to know that you felt well taken care of while also enjoying the lively atmosphere created by our team. It's especially heartwarming to hear that your 9-year-old rates this as the best activity of the trip. Making unforgettable memories for our guests, regardless of age, is what we strive for. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you again for more adventures in the future! Pura Vida! 🌊
Great experience
GilbertGlynn_C, Mar 2024
It is our first time to do water rafting and we all had a wonderful time . Our guide Vladimir made us all feel safe and we also learned alot . The lunch meal was delicious . All the staff are very friendly .
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello, Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time on your first water rafting experience. Ensuring our guests feel safe and have an enjoyable learning experience is our top priority, and we're glad that Vladimir was able to provide that for you. We're also thrilled that you enjoyed the delicious lunch meal and found all our staff to be very friendly. Providing excellent service with a friendly atmosphere is what we strive for, and we're glad it resonated with you. Thank you for choosing us for your rafting adventure, and we hope to welcome you back for more fun-filled experiences in the future! Best regards,
Awesome
Nancy_C, Mar 2024
The experience was great and the guide Juan Miguel was perfectly good. He masters rafting. It was a lot of fun
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello, Thank you for your review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our guide Juan Miguel. Mastering rafting and ensuring our guests have a lot of fun is what we aim for, and we're delighted that Juan Miguel delivered just that. We appreciate your feedback and are glad that you had a memorable time on the river. If you ever want to experience more fun-filled adventures, we'd be thrilled to welcome you back! Best regards,
Wild in a good way
Karlyn_S, Mar 2024
Great guide lots of fun!! I would definitely return to this same company. Lunch was delicious. No one fell in but a few of us floated down the river feet first of course.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello, Thank you for your review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time with our guide and found the experience lots of fun. We're delighted that you enjoyed the delicious lunch as well. Floating down the river feet first sounds like a wonderful experience! We're glad everyone stayed safe and had a memorable time. We look forward to welcoming you back to our company in the future for more adventures! 🌊
Fun rafting trip
Kristi_S, Mar 2024
A ton of fun! Very well run! Johnny was our guide and he was great- highly recommend this company. Lunch after was good.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had a ton of fun and found our rafting excursion well-run. Johnny, our guide, is indeed fantastic, and we appreciate your recommendation of our company. We're glad you enjoyed the lunch afterward as well. Providing a satisfying meal is just one more way we strive to make your experience memorable from start to finish. We look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures with us in the future! 🌊
Awesome Rafting Adventure
Peter_M, Feb 2024
Our guides were Awesome! Johnny, Kevin and Machito (sp?)Braulio were knowledgeable and taught us everything we needed to know to survive. They were warm, engaging and really fun to be with. They made sure we stayed safe while having a good time. Halfway through the rapids we stopped and ate a fabulous fruit spread that they prepared. Finished up with an incredibly delicious lunch! First time rafting and absolutely would repeat the experience! Highly recommend this experience!!
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that Johnny, Kevin, and Machillo provided such an awesome and memorable rafting adventure for you. It's fantastic to know that they were knowledgeable, engaging, and fun to be with, ensuring that you felt safe while enjoying yourselves on the river. 😊 We're glad you enjoyed the delicious fruit spread halfway through the rapids and the incredibly delicious lunch afterward! We're delighted that your first rafting experience with us was so enjoyable that you would absolutely repeat it. Your recommendation means the world to us! Thank you for choosing us for your adventure, and we can't wait to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences on the river. Warm regards from all of us at Arenal Rafting! 🌊😊
Great trip great guides great pictures great food. Great fun.
Dianne_G, Feb 2024
The rafting trip was amazing. The guides were awesome and would highly recommend it to anyone. The pictures were great! The fresh fruit stop was very tasty and most refreshing. The dinner they served was very good.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hello Dianne, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time on the rafting trip. It's wonderful to know that you found our guides to be awesome and that you would highly recommend the experience to anyone. We're glad you enjoyed the pictures and found them great! We're also delighted to hear that you found the fresh fruit stop tasty and refreshing - it's always nice to have a delicious break during the adventure. Additionally, we're happy that you enjoyed the dinner we served; providing a delicious meal is important to us. Thank you for choosing us and for recommending our rafting trip! We hope to see you again for more adventures in the future! 🚣‍♂️🌟😊
Do it!
pamela_e, Jan 2024
Our guy Didier was knowledgeable and such pleasant company! Of course, safety was his priority and he made sure we had a wonderful ride. It really was the adventure of the trip and having professional photos of it will be so fun to look back on. The lunch was delicious. Everything was super organized and very professionally done.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hello! Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Didier provided you with knowledgeable and pleasant company during your adventure with us. At Arenal Rafting, safety is always our top priority, and we're glad to hear that Didier ensured you had a wonderful and safe ride. It's great to know that you enjoyed the adventure and that having professional photos will allow you to cherish the memories for years to come. Our team works hard to capture those special moments, and we're delighted that you appreciated it. We're also glad you enjoyed the delicious lunch and found everything to be well-organized and professionally done. Providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for our guests is important to us. Thank you for your kind words, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in the future! 🌊🚣‍♂️
Best tour
Lily_F, Jan 2024
It was such an amazing day! We had great fun on the rapids and they took care of me when I cut my knee open on the boat. They also cut fruit for us to eat on the river and provided us with lunch after. Sanchez was a great guide and pointed out iguanas, birds, and important flora. It was great fun and worth every cent
Response from Host, Jan 2024
¡Hola! Thanks a bunch for sharing your amazing day with Arenal Rafting! We're thrilled to hear that you had a blast navigating the rapids and that we could take care of you when you cut your knee – safety and enjoyment go hand in hand. It's wonderful that you enjoyed the added touch of freshly cut fruit on the river, and a satisfying lunch afterward. Our team takes pride in ensuring our guests have not just an adventurous experience but also a comfortable and enjoyable one. Big kudos to Sanchez for being a fantastic guide! We're proud that he could share his knowledge about the local wildlife, pointing out iguanas, birds, and important flora along the way. It sounds like the perfect blend of fun and learning! We appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you found the experience worth every cent. If you ever decide to join us for another adventure, we'll be here with open arms (and oars)! Feel free to reach out if you have any more memories or thoughts to share. Pura Vida! 🌊🚣‍♂️
Loved it!
avemor, Jan 2024
Amazing experience! If we had done this activity earlier in our trip, I would have probably booked it a second time. We had so much fun! Thanks for Carlos Sanchez for being a great guide/instructor. Would recommend 100%.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hello, Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with us. Carlos Sanchez is indeed a fantastic guide and instructor, and we're delighted that he contributed to the fun. It's never too late to plan another adventure with us, and we'd be more than happy to welcome you back anytime! Thanks a bunch for the 100% recommendation. We can't wait to have you rafting with us again in the future! 🚣‍♂️🌟😊
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From $68.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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