White Water Rafting - Class II & III - Balsa River

- Duration:
- 5 hours
- Location:
- La Fortuna
- Region:
- Arenal Volcano
- Difficulty:
- Class II & III
- Adventure & Thrill
- Kid-friendly
- Water Activities
- Wildlife & Nature
Per person
$79.10 each
$79.10 each
all taxes included. No hidden fees.
- Price before tax
- USD 140.00
- Costa Rica sales tax (13%)
- USD 18.20
Total taxes includedUSD 158.20
Secure payment via Stripe · Charged now · Full refund if we can’t confirm your booking. Once confirmed, cancellation fees apply—see our cancellation policy.
About this tour
If you're looking for an exciting and family-friendly white water rafting experience near La Fortuna, this Balsa River white water rafting tour is an excellent choice. With Class II and III rapids, beautiful rainforest scenery, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, it's the perfect way to experience Costa Rica's rivers without tackling the country's most extreme rapids.
Your adventure takes you down approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the Balsa River, navigating around 25 fun rapids over approximately two hours. Expect exciting waves, big splashes, and plenty of adventure, with calmer sections where you can enjoy the scenery, swim, and take in the lush tropical surroundings.
Along the way, you'll have a chance to spot wildlife and enjoy the incredible vegetation surrounding the river. You'll also stop at a beautiful riverside location to enjoy fresh seasonal tropical fruit, such as pineapple, watermelon, or mango.
After rafting, relax with a traditional Costa Rican lunch and coffee before heading back to La Fortuna. With experienced bilingual guides, transportation, equipment, lunch, and towels included, this is one of the best rafting tours in La Fortuna for families, first-time rafters, and adventure-loving travelers.
Why You’ll Love This Tour
- Class II & III rapids offering exciting but manageable white water
- Approximately 10 km of rafting on the beautiful Balsa River
- Around 25 rapids with fun waves and big splashes
- Family-friendly adventure with a minimum age of 6
- Experienced bilingual guides with at least 10 years of experience
- Wildlife spotting and spectacular rainforest scenery
- Fresh tropical fruit served during the river break
- Traditional Costa Rican lunch and coffee included
- Transportation available from many hotels in La Fortuna
- A great combination of adventure, nature, and local culture
What to Expect
Hotel pick-up or meet at the rafting company's office in La Fortuna
Approximately 45-minute drive to the Balsa River
Safety briefing and equipment fitting
Short practice session before entering the rapids
Approximately 2 hours of white water rafting
Around 10 km of Class II & III rapids
Approximately 25 rapids with waves and splashes
Riverside break with fresh seasonal tropical fruit
Opportunities to enjoy the river and spot wildlife
Return to La Fortuna
Traditional Costa Rican lunch and coffee
Return transportation to your hotel
Tour Details
Duration: Approximately 5 hours total
Rafting Time: Approximately 2 hours
River: Balsa River
Distance: Approximately 10 km (6.2 miles)
Rapids: Approximately 25 Class II & III rapids
Difficulty: Moderate / Family-Friendly
Minimum Age: 6 years old
Departure: Approximately 9:20 AM from the rafting company's office
Hotel Pick-Up: Available from many hotels around La Fortuna
Experience Required: No previous rafting experience required
What’s Included
- Round-trip transportation from participating hotels in La Fortuna
- Bilingual professional rafting guides
- Life jacket, helmet, and paddle
- Safety briefing and rafting instruction
- Approximately 2 hours of white water rafting
- Fresh seasonal tropical fruit during the river break
- Traditional lunch and coffee
- Bottled water
- Towels
What to Bring
- Secure closed-toe shoes (required — flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed)
- Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting wet
- A change of clothes for after the tour
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof camera or GoPro (optional)
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- Departure times:
- 9:20 AM
- Age restrictions:
- Age 6 and up "No kids rates all kids charged as adults”
- Food:
- Yes
- Transportation:
- 9:00 AM Transportation included with-in a 6 kilometer radius of the tour office. Any centrally located hotels in La Fortuna.
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