Name: Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV
SKU: 36775P4
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (845 reviews)

WizardTrip

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV

5.0(845)· La Fortuna· By Arenal Rafting Watch the video

Free cancellation

From

€77per person

1 to 30 travelers per booking.

Time

1 × Adult × €77€77

Total€77

About the activity

The Sarapiquí River is renowned for its vibrant natural beauty and offers a thrilling white-water rafting experience with continuous Class IV and III rapids for over two hours. Keep an eye out for abundant wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, and toucans, during your descent. Recognized as a Natural Monument of Costa Rica, the Sarapiquí River is significant for its natural and cultural heritage. The region hosts the La Selva Biological Station, a vital neotropical ecological research and conservation center owned by the Organization for Tropical Studies. This tour offers an exciting blend of adrenaline and nature, set within one of the world's most important biological territories.

What's included

✓Fresh fruit served on the river
✓Bottled water
✓Professional guide services
✓Transportation for hotels within a 6 km radius of our main office
✓Pick-up times may vary by up to 20 minutes based on hotel location
✓Lunch included
✓Towels provided

What is not included

✕Souvenir photos are available for purchase after the tour
✕Pick-up service is not provided for hotels located more than 6 km from the main office

Activity itinerary

Activity Schedule 5 h The Sarapiquí rapids are ideal for adventure seekers looking for challenging whitewater with diverse obstacles and large, splashing waves. Our expert guides will lead you safely down the river in a raft designed for six people, navigating over 30 rapids for two hours of excitement and adrenaline. You'll be asked to paddle vigorously and work together as a team. This tour is an outstanding adventure, combining sport, nature, and thrills. Safety is paramount, with a safety kayaker, professional and bilingual guides, personal flotation devices, helmets, paddles, and a comprehensive safety briefing provided. Included in your tour are fresh fruit during the river journey, towels, water, and a delicious Costa Rican lunch known as 'Casado,' along with time to enjoy the 'Pura Vida' lifestyle. Departures are available daily between 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Please bring a change of clothes, clothing suitable for getting wet, and tennis shoes or water shoes.

Places visited

Sarapiqui River

How to use your ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking

Meeting point and return

If you do not require pick-up, please arrive at our office by 8:15 AM. Our location is 100 meters north of the police station, on avenue 333, street 460. You can find us on Waze or Google Maps by searching for ARENAL RAFTING COMPANY.

Secure, closed-toe shoes are mandatory for rafting; flip-flops and Crocs are not permitted. Wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement while paddling, and bring a change of clothes.

Ensure you are at your hotel reception or pick-up point at the scheduled time. Drivers and guides observe a strict 5-minute waiting period. For any pick-up time inquiries, contact us via call or WhatsApp at +506 89342626.

Please be aware that 'Pick-up time' is when we collect you from your hotel, and 'Start Time' is when the activity begins at our office.

Pick-up service is exclusively provided for hotels within a 5 km radius of La Fortuna Central Park. We do not offer pick-up services for Airbnbs. Guests staying at Airbnbs are welcome to drive or take a taxi to our main office in La Fortuna, where secure parking and additional facilities are available.

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for getting wet and paddling. Secure footwear is essential for rafting; closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety, while flip-flops or Crocs are not advised. Bring a change of clothes.

Please be present at your hotel reception or designated pick-up location on time. Guides and drivers will wait a maximum of 5 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time. If you are uncertain about your pick-up time, please call or send a WhatsApp message to +506 89342626.

Kindly note that 'Pick-up time' refers to when you are collected from your hotel, and 'Start Time' is when the tour commences at our office.

Meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Practical information

This activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
Travelers with spinal injuries should avoid this tour.
Individuals with poor cardiovascular health are advised against participating.
Participants must possess a high level of physical fitness.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A vegetarian meal option is available upon request; please specify when booking.
All participants must be able to swim.
The minimum age for participation is 12 years old.
A good level of physical fitness is required for this tour!
This tour is not recommended for individuals with obesity or weighing over 120 kg (260 lbs).

Activity options

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV
Pickup included

Duration

5 h

How to prepare for your experience

Wear secure, closed-toe shoes for rafting.
Bring a change of clothes and wear comfortable attire for paddling.
Be at your pick-up location 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
Ensure you can swim and are in good physical condition.
Inform us at booking if you require a vegetarian meal option.
Check pick-up times and contact us if unsure.

Embark on an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure on the Sarapiquí River, navigating challenging rapids and encountering abundant wildlife in a stunning natural setting.

Cancellation conditions

For a full refund, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.

Any questions?

Product code: 36775P4

Activity offered by Arenal Rafting via Viator.

Who is this activity suitable for?

Adventure seekers
Nature enthusiasts
Individuals with a high level of physical fitness
Rafting participants aged 12 and above

Activity essentials

Experience Class IV and III rapids on the Sarapiquí River
Observe diverse wildlife like sloths and monkeys
Raft through a Natural Monument of Costa Rica
Guided by professional and bilingual experts
Includes a delicious Costa Rican lunch ('Casado')
Thrilling adventure combining sport and nature

La Fortuna: good to know

Population: 16,150 (2022)
Elevation: 253 m
Currency: Costa Rican colón
Official language: Spanish
Driving: on the right
Power plugs: A, B · 120 V
Emergency number: 911
Capital city: San José

Average temperatures

22°Jan
23°Feb
24°Mar
25°Apr
25°May
24°Jun
24°Jul
24°Aug
24°Sept
23°Oct
23°Nov
23°Dec

Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?

The minimum age for participation is 12 years old.

What should I bring for the rafting trip?

Bring comfortable clothes to get wet and paddle, secure shoes for rafting (closed-toe shoes are safer), and a change of clothes.

Is pick-up service included?

Pick-up service is included for hotels located within a 5 km radius of La Fortuna Central Park. For hotels further away or Airbnbs, you can meet at our main office.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is not canceled due to bad weather.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes, you must know how to swim.

What is the cancellation policy?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.05.0(845)

5 stars

826

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.

★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Do Not Recommend - poor communication
apriltB3211GJ, August 2026
I strongly advise against booking with Arenal Rafting. We booked a class III-IV rafting trip for our family and received two emails noting pick-up time of 8:20 am at our hotel. We waited for 40 minutes and contacted the office where the staff informed us that they can come at 7:50 am and left. They considered this a "no show" and charged us $350. They said that they emailed and called us but we had no missed calls, texts or emails with the last minute pick-up time change. See screenshot of the email that we were sent the day prior to the rafting trip with the 8:20 am pick-up time. Arenal Rafting refused to reschedule our trip on another day or give us a refund. We highly anticipated the family rafting adventure and Arenal Rafting's poor communication, last minute pick-up time change and refusal to issue a refund or correct their mistake were upsetting. I do not recommend this company.
Response from the operator · Arenalrafting
Hello April Tritto and Christopher Tritto, We are sorry to hear that your family was disappointed with the experience. However, we believe it is important to clarify the circumstances surrounding this reservation, as several details mentioned in your review do not correspond with the information documented in our reservation system or with the communication received from the booking agency. First and most importantly, Arenal Rafting did not change your pickup time at any point. Our records show that the 7:50 AM pickup at Arenal Manoa was confirmed to the booking agency and communicated in advance, as early as April 26th. This was the pickup time our team was instructed to follow, and it remained unchanged. We would also like to clarify an important point regarding the 8:20 AM time mentioned in the reservation. 8:20 AM was the departure time for the rafting operation, not the pickup time at Arenal Manoa. The transportation and pickup schedule was arranged so that guests could be collected at the confirmed hotel pickup time and transported to the river in time for the scheduled departure. Therefore, arriving at or interpreting 8:20 AM as the hotel pickup time would not have been consistent with the confirmed itinerary. This reservation was made through Viator and a travel agency hired by your family to arrange the trip. Because the reservation and communication were managed through the agency, our direct communication with your family was unfortunately not even possible. On the morning of the tour, our team attempted to contact the phone number provided in the reservation. However, the number connected us to the travel agency rather than directly to your family. The agency informed us that they had also been attempting to contact you but had not been able to reach you. At the same time, our driver/guide followed the information in our system and waited at the confirmed pickup location at Arenal Manoa at the scheduled 7:50 AM pickup time. Our team was therefore present and prepared to provide the transportation and tour according to the confirmed reservation. We did not receive direct communication from you before the scheduled pickup that would have allowed us to clarify any misunderstanding. It was not until approximately 9:00 AM, after the confirmed pickup time had already passed, that we received your message: “I am checking in our pickup time: Tritto family at the Manoa Hot Springs Resort?” By that time, the 7:50 AM pickup had already passed, our driver had already waited at the designated location, and the reservation had to be treated as a no-show according to our operational policies. We want to emphasize that there was no last-minute change, cancellation, or modification of your pickup time by Arenal Rafting. Our records clearly show the 7:50 AM hotel pickup, and our staff acted according to that information. The 8:20 AM time was the scheduled river departure time, not the time at which guests were expected to meet our transportation at the hotel. We fully understand that missing an activity—especially one planned as part of a family vacation—is frustrating and disappointing. We genuinely regret that there was a misunderstanding regarding the schedule. However, it would not be accurate to attribute the missed tour to Arenal Rafting changing the pickup time or failing to provide the agreed transportation. Our team was at the confirmed pickup location, at the confirmed pickup time, and was ready to operate the reservation as scheduled. The situation was further complicated because the reservation was made through a third-party agency, meaning that we did not have a direct and reliable way to communicate with your family before the scheduled pickup. We could only communicate through the contact information and agency associated with the reservation until we were eventually contacted directly after the pickup time had passed. For this reason, we must respectfully disagree with the suggestion that Arenal Rafting changed the pickup time or caused the missed departure. The documentation and operational records available to us do not support that conclusion. For future travelers booking through an agency or third-party platform, we strongly recommend confirming both the hotel pickup time and the activity departure time before the day of the tour, and contacting the tour operator directly whenever there is any uncertainty. We are always happy to confirm these details in advance and assist guests in avoiding exactly this type of misunderstanding. We appreciate the opportunity to clarify what happened and hope this provides a more complete and accurate picture of the circumstances surrounding your reservation.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Rafting with Brian, the best!
J5073LXmathieul, August 2026
Great organization with excellent rafting quality. Pick-up at our hotel and bus transport with the guide and host Carlos, a real pro and very friendly. Afterward, upon arriving at the river, we had the best guide in my opinion, Brian, a REAL crazy guy!!! A great organization and great activity to do father and son!
★★★★★Viator review
Carlos and Alan were...
Sandeep_K, August 2026
Carlos and Alan were absolutely amazing and incredibly helpful throughout our rafting experience. This was our first time rafting, and they made sure it would be an unforgettable experience. Initially, we chose a rafting level that was too challenging for beginners. After understanding our experience level, they wisely suggested that we downgrade to an easier level. It turned out to be an excellent recommendation! After experiencing the easier route, we realized that the original level would have been far too difficult for us as first-time rafters. We really appreciated their professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine concern for our safety and enjoyment. Thanks to Carlos and Alan, we had a fantastic and memorable rafting experience. Highly recommended!
★★★★★Viator review
Don’t hesitate. Just book it. You won’t regret it.
Mitchell_S, August 2026
Worth every penny. We had a blast doing the class 3&4 rafting experience. Definitely recommend. Pura Vida!!
★★★★★Viator review
Adrenaline kick in the jungle
Roel_V, July 2026
Fantastic experience, adrenaline, fun, nature and a super guide that always remains calm and gives one the certainty to be safe. I loved it from the beginning (entertaining busride) to the end (delicious lunch with foto show) i recommend this rafting adventure to beginners and experienced rafters.

34 activities · Costa Rica

La Fortuna, Costa Rica, has 34 activities, tours and experiences to book. Also worth exploring nearby: Monteverde, Puntarenas, Alajuela.

01Activities to book

The best experiences in La Fortuna

34 in the catalogue

-10%

La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views

from €86★ 4.6

Free cancellation

La Fortuna Night Walk at Arenal Volcano: Rainforest Wildlife Tour

from €54★ 4.8

Top pick

Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour

from €50★ 4.9

Top pick

Zipline Tour in La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano Views

from €50★ 5.0

Top pick

Full-Day Arenal Highlights: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall & Volcano

from €145★ 4.9

Top pick

7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall

from €76★ 4.8

Top pick

North Fields Coffee and Chocolate Tour in Spanish

from €42★ 5.0

Top pick

Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano

from €81★ 4.8

Free cancellation

Sky Adventures Park Zipline Course and Aerial Tram in Arenal Park

from €100★ 4.8

Top pick

Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields

from €42★ 5.0

Free cancellation

Arenal Volcano ATV Guided Experience in La Fortuna

from €95★ 4.7

Top pick

Pure Trek Canyoning Adventure: 4 Rappels & Monkey Drop

from €86★ 4.9

All activities · La Fortuna · 34

02Complete your day

More to do in La Fortuna

10 activities

Top pick

Arenal Volcano, Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Combo Tour

from €140★ 4.9

Top pick

La Fortuna Eden Chocolate Tour

from €36★ 4.9

Top pick

Coffee and Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna

from €56★ 4.9

Top pick

Sloth Observation, Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience

from €91★ 4.9

Top pick

Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience: Soar Over La Fortuna Waterfall

from €97★ 4.8

Top pick

Sloth Watching Wildlife Tour in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

from €56★ 4.9

03Categories

Nature & wildlife in La Fortuna

16 activities

-10%

La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views

from €86★ 4.6

Free cancellation

La Fortuna Night Walk at Arenal Volcano: Rainforest Wildlife Tour

from €54★ 4.8

Top pick

Zipline Tour in La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano Views

from €50★ 5.0

Top pick

Full-Day Arenal Highlights: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall & Volcano

from €145★ 4.9

Top pick

Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano

from €81★ 4.8

Free cancellation

Arenal Volcano ATV Guided Experience in La Fortuna

from €95★ 4.7

04Categories

Sports & adventure in La Fortuna

16 activities

Top pick

7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall

from €76★ 4.8

Free cancellation

Sky Adventures Park Zipline Course and Aerial Tram in Arenal Park

from €100★ 4.8

Top pick

Pure Trek Canyoning Adventure: 4 Rappels & Monkey Drop

from €86★ 4.9

Top pick

Canyoning Adventure: Rappelling Waterfalls in Arenal Volcano

from €86★ 5.0

Top pick

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV

from €77★ 5.0

Top pick

Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica

from €77★ 5.0

05Categories

Guided tours in La Fortuna

16 activities

Top pick

Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour

from €50★ 4.9

Top pick

North Fields Coffee and Chocolate Tour in Spanish

from €42★ 5.0

Top pick

Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields

from €42★ 5.0

Top pick

Sloth Watching Tour in La Fortuna - Wildlife Experience

from €57★ 5.0

Top pick

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour

from €95★ 4.8

Top pick

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano Hike & Hot Springs Tour

from €91★ 4.9

06Categories

For families in La Fortuna

12 activities

Top pick

Arenal Volcano Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling from La Fortuna

from €76★ 4.9

Highly rated

La Fortuna: Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Guided Tour

from €49★ 4.7

Free cancellation

Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

from €18★ 4.5

07Categories

Food & Drink in La Fortuna

6 activities

Top pick

Don Olivo Chocolate Tour

from €27★ 4.9

-5%

Farm to Table Cooking Class

from €39★ 4.9

Top pick

La Fortuna Eden Chocolate Tour

from €36★ 4.9

08Categories

Water sports in La Fortuna

5 activities

-5%

White Water Rafting Class II and III

from €56★ 5.0

-10%

White Water Rafting Class III & IV

from €69★ 4.9

Top pick

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

from €73★ 5.0

09Explore nearby

Nearby cities

3 cities

Monteverde

Puntarenas

Alajuela

Frequently asked questions about La Fortuna

What is there to do in La Fortuna?

La Fortuna has 34 activities, tours and day trips you can book online. Among the most booked: « La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views », « La Fortuna Night Walk at Arenal Volcano: Rainforest Wildlife Tour », « Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour ».

What are the top-rated activities in La Fortuna?

According to traveller reviews: « Canyoning Adventure: Rappelling Waterfalls in Arenal Volcano » (5.0/5, 1,410 reviews) ; « Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica » (5.0/5, 1,996 reviews) ; « White Water Rafting Class II and III » (5.0/5, 934 reviews).

Can you cancel an activity in La Fortuna for free?

Usually, yes: 23 of the 24 most popular activities in La Fortuna offer free cancellation. The exact terms are shown on each activity page before you book.

What is there to visit near La Fortuna?

Close to La Fortuna: Monteverde, Puntarenas, Alajuela.