Choose your rafting trip around where you are staying, the river section and the time you have. Compare Balsa, Sarapiquí, Pacuare and Savegre below, then explore the trips and detailed river guides.
Swipe horizontally to compare all trip details.
| River / trip | Departure area | Rapids | Total time | Choosing this trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balsa | La Fortuna | II–III | 5 h | A lower-grade option from La Fortuna to consider for a first rafting trip. The public listing describes about five hours overall, including around two hours on the river. Confirm participant requirements. |
| Chorro | Manuel Antonio / Quepos | To confirm | To confirm | This listing needs clarification: its booking link currently leads to Savegre, not a confirmed Chorro trip. Confirm the river before paying. Please contact us rather than book it as a Chorro excursion. |
| Pacuare | San José / Puerto Viejo de Talamanca / La Fortuna | III–IV advertised | Full day | Allow a full day for transfers and rafting. Confirm the exact river section, pickup and return time for your departure area before arranging onward travel. |
| Sarapiquí | La Fortuna | IV | 6 h | The more demanding excursion offered from La Fortuna, not the river’s milder II–III sections. Participants need to know how to swim; check fitness and other requirements for your group. |
| Savegre | Manuel Antonio / Quepos | II–III | Confirm schedule | A rainforest outing from Manuel Antonio or Quepos. Confirm the complete schedule, including transfers and lunch: published duration estimates differ. |
Approximate times cover the full excursion, not time on the river. Confirm your exact pickup, return time and participant requirements before paying. Where schedules differ between listings, we have left the total time to confirm rather than give a misleading estimate. A general family-friendly label does not establish suitability for a particular child or non-swimmer.
Tours shown: 5 / 5 · sorted A–Z
Manuel Antonio & Quepos · 4 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 141.25
La Fortuna · 5 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 79.10
La Fortuna · 6 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 96.05
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, San José, La Fortuna · 11 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 111.87
Manuel Antonio & Quepos · 8 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 141.25
Choose the trip, not just the river name: different sections can have very different rapids. Balsa and Savegre are listed as Class II–III; the Sarapiquí excursion offered here is Class IV, not its milder beginner sections.
For a longer rainforest journey, consider the Pacuare trip, whose detailed description advertises Class III–IV rapids. Confirm the exact section and conditions for your departure. If you are considering Chorro, please contact us first: that listing needs confirmation before booking.
White water rafting in Costa Rica, Pacuare is widely considered one of the best river experiences in all of Central America — and for good reason. The Pacuare cuts through untouched rainforest canyon walls, with wildlife-filled riverbanks, suspension bridges, and Indigenous villages along the way.
The Reventazón near Turrialba is another river to research when planning a rafting trip. Sections and operating conditions vary. We do not currently list a matching Reventazón excursion, so this card provides context rather than a booking offer.
The Sarapiquí has milder Class II–III sections, but the excursion offered here from La Fortuna is sold as Class IV. Do not choose it on the assumption that all Sarapiquí rafting is a beginner or family trip. Check the exact section, swimming ability, fitness and participant requirements before booking.
Staying near Arenal? Compare the Balsa Class II–III trip with the more demanding Sarapiquí Class IV excursion. Both are listed from La Fortuna, with transfers and time away from your hotel to consider. Check your accommodation’s pickup arrangements and the full return schedule rather than assuming every Arenal hotel is included.
For travelers staying in Manuel Antonio or Quepos, the Naranjo is a different river from the Savegre. Read our local rafting guide to compare the area’s options. If you are interested in the Chorro section, contact us to confirm the correct excursion before booking.
The Balsa trip combines Class II–III whitewater, transfers from the La Fortuna area and a meal. Its public listing describes around two hours rafting within a roughly five-hour excursion. It is a useful starting point for first-time rafters; confirm the participation requirements for your group.
The Savegre trip combines a drive inland from Manuel Antonio or Quepos, Class II–III rapids, quieter river stretches and lunch. Swimming or waterfall stops depend on conditions. Plan for the whole outing, not just paddling time, and confirm your pickup and return schedule before making other plans.
Rainfall upstream can change water levels even when it is sunny at your hotel. Dry-season dates do not guarantee gentler rapids, and wet-season dates do not guarantee that a trip can operate.
The exact section, recent rain and guide assessment matter more than a calendar label. Confirm conditions close to departure and ask what happens if the route changes or the excursion is cancelled. Do not assume a refund, rescheduling or year-round availability.
We can help you compare the options listed on this site against your dates, location and group needs, and identify details to confirm before payment.
Availability, included services, weather decisions and cancellation terms vary by product; check those on the booking page.
Explore these specific river and departure-area guides for more context.
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