Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 101 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal worth booking?
Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal is a 8-hour experience in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, from $106 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 101 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (101)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $106 per person
Are you ready to live the best Rafting experience in Costa Rica, join us and be part of this unique adventure full of adrenaline in the Sarapiqui River. An activity for the whole family, where children from 7 years old a
What you get
- Equipment
- Fruits
- Bilingüal naturalist guide
- Lunch
- Transportation
About this experience
Are you ready to live the best Rafting experience in Costa Rica, join us and be part of this unique adventure full of adrenaline in the Sarapiqui River. An activity for the whole family, where children from 7 years old and up can participate in this wonderful journey. Indispensable practice friendly to the environment: BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE.
What's included
Included
- Equipment
- Fruits
- Bilingüal naturalist guide
- Lunch
- Transportation
Not included
- Bottled water
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Canoa Aventura
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Dress code is light clothing/shorts, tennis shoes or trekking sandals, sunscreen, a hat.
- Binoculars and/or camera
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 101 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
101 verified traveler reviews for Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Exciting rafting, suitable for the whole family
Our family of 15 (ages 8 to 80) had a wonderful time on the Sarapiqui river. Distributed in three rafts, we had outstanding guides and great attention to safety. In addition to the rafts, there was another guide in a kayak watching over us and making sure anyone who went overboard was safely plucked out of the water. The surroundings are beautiful, the river, pristine, the air clear, and the adventure just fabulous, especially for city-dwelling kids who have never experienced anything like it. The drop off was unremarkable, and before boarding the rafts, there was a detailed instruction of safety procedures. All wore life jackets during the entire trip. There were class II and III rapids, expertly negotiated by our guides, although they did make us work hard on those oars! There were a few calm stretches that gave the opportunity to jump in the river to refresh and swim for a few moments. The debarking part was somewhat less smooth, and we walked uphill over uneven terrain, carrying the rafts and oars for 5-10 minutes, then continuing without the load to the changing spot, which was just a short distance from the covered lunch area. OVERALL, AN EXCEPTIONAL RAFTING EXPERIENCE, SUITABLE TO ALL AGES.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful review! We’re truly happy to know that your whole family had a great day with us. Having such a wide range of ages join us is always special, and we’re glad everyone felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout the adventure. We really appreciate your feedback and kind words about our team. It was a pleasure having your family with us, and we hope to see you all again someday!
via Tripadvisor
Perfect for First Time Rafters
Great day on the river. Pretty mild rapids for the most part and many of them, so no long chill river floats, lots of action and some fun wildlife sightings. Perfect for first time rafters! Our guide Francisco was fun, safe and skilled. Thank you Francisco!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fun day on the river and that Francisco helped make the experience a memorable one. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure with Canoa Aventura!
via Tripadvisor
10 out of 10
10 out of 10. We took our teen and preteen with no prior experience and it was a safe, educational and thoroughly enjoyable activity for everyone in our party. The team of guides are friendly, work well together and ensure you have everything you need. Joe our “boat captain” gave clear instructions the whole ride
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the 10/10! We’re thrilled to know that everyone in your family had such a fun and comfortable experience, especially with no prior experience. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Joe and the rest of the team. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to see your family back on the river someday! 🌿
via Tripadvisor
A MUST activity when near Arenal!
Such a fun and amazing experience. Very exhilarating! We saw Toucans and Sloths. Delicious fruit break and lunch. Great group of guides. Highly recommend!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted you had such an enjoyable experience with our team. It means a lot that you'd recommend the tour, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure. Pura vida!
via Tripadvisor
Great guide, great food, great memories
The experience felt very safe throughout, Gorge was a great host who was very invested in making sure that we were having a good time and making great memories. He was a very experienced navigator of the rivers. We were initially concerned about whether or not it would be safe, but it ended up being very manageable and was a great experience all around. The fruit snacks in the middle of the trip were very welcome and the lunch afterwards was also quite delicious.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re happy to know you felt safe and well taken care of throughout the tour. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Jorge — he’ll be glad to hear it. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon. Pura vida! 🌿🚣♂️
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Canoa Aventura, who run 5 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.2.
See everything Canoa Aventura runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for La Fortuna.
How much does Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal cost?
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Prices start at $106 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in La Fortuna usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in La Fortuna is not rushed.
Is Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 101 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in La Fortuna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 8-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal?
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Around 35 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in La Fortuna can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in La Fortuna and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sarapiquí River Rafting Tour – Class II–III Near Arenal start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central La Fortuna within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in La Fortuna?
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On Outty we rank every La Fortuna experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica, North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour, Canyoning Adventure Rappelling Waterfalls in Arenal Volcano. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in La Fortuna?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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