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

Experience the thrill of white water rafting on the Upper Balsa River in Costa Rica. Class 3/4 rapids, swimming stops, and fresh fruit await. Suitable for ages 5+.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Calle Coopezamora - Arenal Rafting’s Class IV adrenaline-packed white water rafting adventure is a thrilling rafting experience within the Costa Rican rainforest. For those in good physical condition, we’ll take you for a 15-kilometer ride down the river you won’t forget anytime soon! Stop along the way to rest a bit, do a little swimming, and…
What's Included
  • Fruits on the river
  • Bottled water
  • Transportation from nearby hotels
  • Lunch provided
  • Towel included
What's Not Included
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase) at the end of the tour.
  • We do extra pickups in some hotels for a charge of $40
  • Pick up service at hotels located over 6 km away from our main office
Meal Options
  • Costa Rican Casado - A casado is a meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken, beef, pork, fish and so on.
Additional Information

The balsa river is the best white water rafting choice in the northern area of Costa Rica this great class 3 &4 on the upper part,
Balsa River for an adventure you won’t forget anytime soon! Stop along the way to rest a bit, do a little swimming, and enjoy some fresh Costa Rica fruit. After white water rafting, you will get a clean towel and a water…

Location
Arenal Rafting
100 METERS NORTH FROM THE POLICE STATION, AVENUE 333 STREET 460. You can find us on WAZE or GOOGLE MAPS as ARENAL RAFTING COMPANY. AT 9:15am.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1756 Ratings)
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Patrick_m
Jan 3, 2025
Best Whitewater Rafting experience I have ever had. - Completely amazing and dwarfed all other whitewater rafting experiences I had before. Been whitewater rafting like this about 3-4 times before in various places in the US. They are usually fun and have some amount of rapids but are for the most part calm. This was nonstop fast water and rapids for 40 minutes. Everyone got completely soaked repeatedly and it was an amazing adventure. Our guide and raft leader was great, very experienced and was constantly in the lookout for local wildlife for us. The experience was broken up by stopping to eat fresh pineapple, mango and watermelons that the guides cut up. Plenty for everyone and delicious. After rafting they end it with a nice meal of rice, beans, plantain and a protein of your choice ( or vegetarian) back at the rafting base camp. Was amazing and I would recommend to anyone looking for a great physical experience in Costa Rica.
Review provided by Viator
Matthias
Jan 3, 2025
Amazing experience - Incredible day with Arenal Rafting, our guide Joseph was brilliant and full of energy. Would thoroughly recommend. The lunch at the end is plentiful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elise_c
Jan 3, 2025
Great experience - The company runs like a well oiled machine! It was great start to finish. Would recommend going if you are here.
Review provided by Viator
Kendra_p
Jan 2, 2025
A must do in La Fortuna - Excellent experience. It was our first time rafting and it did not disappoint. The entire crew was absolutely wonderful and so much fun!
Review provided by Viator
315sumitm
Jan 2, 2025
Awesome experience on the water - It was really fun to get out on the water, and these guys (Johnny as our tour guide and Melvin as the river guide) made it awesome! Lots of fun for our kids too (10 and 15) who were nervous to begin with and then as soon as we ended wanted to go again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S9680npelisec
Jan 2, 2025
Great experience all the way around! - This was a great experience! Everyone who works here was friendly and helpful .They have their business working like a well oil machine. We had a great time and would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davesg72ks
Jan 1, 2025
A blast on the river - An absolutely amazing and exhilarating activity. So much fun. Great guide and a good way to meet new people. Would 100% recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway795873
Dec 31, 2024
Safe Fun and I would book again - The whole experience was really great. My kids who were worried about rafting we asking to do the trip again as soon as it was finished. We had a great time and they even spoiled by daughter by getting her a cake for her birthday. I would highly recommend them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R6275vgjanetr
Dec 31, 2024
100% recommended - We loved this activity as a family, it was great fun. Service was excellent: nod gave safety equipment, fruits Water, towels. Our tour guide, Juan Rosales explained everything very well and is very nice. Our raft guide Jason was very friendly and was watching that we all had a good time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Racheln966
Dec 30, 2024
Great fun BUT.... request an experienced guide - My 5th time ww rafting & 3rd in CR. Guide had 2 yrs experience. Everyone in our boat except my son's girlfriend had ww rafted before. We had requested safe fun and to stay in the boat specifically bc my sons GF was scared. We hit just about every swirl sideways. We had people fall out twice. The 2nd time was a complete dump. My sons girlfriend was pushed under the water for minutes by another rafter. I dislocated my finger. We had to be rescued by other boats. Of the 20 + other boats in our tour that day ours was the only boat where we had multiple dumps. Most boats (including the ones with small children) had none. I have never felt so unsafe rafting. I didn't think our guide really had the experience . I know he had a talking too later. The company seemed very safe and there were a lot of seasoned guides but I do not believe our guide should have been allowed to take us on his own.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
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January 2025
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