Best Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River, Costa Rica, Class II-III
» San Jose » San Jose » San Jose
From $65.00
92 reviews (4.92)
Price varies by group size
Lowest Price GuaranteePricing Info: Per Person
Duration: 3 hours
Departs: San Jose, San Jose
Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Free cancellation
Overview
Experience the adventure of rafting on the beautiful and clean Sarapiqui River in this 4-hour tour.
If you’re new to whitewater rafting or seeking something with moderate thrill, this section of river is perfect for you. Paddle down exciting rapids such as “El Cano,” “Confusion,” “Superman,” and “Air Force.” Plus, jump out of the raft and swim in the natural pools below the rapids.
Our expert guides will provide you with safety information and help you improve your paddling skills. Along the way, the guides will point out all the different flora and fauna around you.
What's Included
Includes: Kayak and safety equipment rental Certified instructor/tour guide Transportation to and from our base sites to the paddling location Tropical fruit and tropical coconut cocktail Sugar cane tour Self-guided botanical tour
What's Not Included
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meals (available for additional $7 for breakfast, $10 for lunch, $15 for dinner per person)
Photos (available for purchase after the tour)
Traveler Information
- ADULT: Age: 8 - 65
Additional Info
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- For your safety, the 7am schedule may change because the river level is low at this time of year.
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Recommend you wear: Swimsuit, Shorts or long pants (for sun protection only - no jeans), tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps (no flip flops), light rain jacket and/or polypropylene, wool shirts for cool or rainy days. Cotton T-shirts for sunny days
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- For your safety, the 7am schedule may change because the river level is low at this time of year.
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Recommend you wear: Swimsuit, Shorts or long pants (for sun protection only - no jeans), tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps (no flip flops), light rain jacket and/or polypropylene, wool shirts for cool or rainy days. Cotton T-shirts for sunny days
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Cancellation Policy
What To Expect
Sarapiqui River
One of the most beautiful Costa Rican River, well know for his rapid and easy accessibility that make the river the perfect spot for nature and white water lovers.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Reviews
Fun white water rafting
Andrea M, 14-08-2022
Great half day rafting Grade 111 river. Guides were brilliant and encouraged swimming and loads of fun through the rapids!
Excellent rafting experience
L2093WEmichelv, 08-08-2022
We had a great experience today! We did a class II-III rafting tour. We had a lot of fun. Plenty of exciting rapids, very good instructions and safety measures and even time to spot some wildlife like a monkey, leguanas and lots of birds. Very suitable of a family trip. The team is very enthousiast and the snack afterwards was very tasty.
Fab
Vacationer379514, 21-07-2022
Fabulous. Rafting was so much fun, really safety conscious. And the tour around the garden and unexpected food was lovely. We learnt so much and think Davide was a great host
Pura Vida
203brigittef, 09-07-2022
We had a georgeous time, though it was raining cats and dogs. Always felt save. Thank you for the wonderful experience!
PURA VIDA on the rio
Cevey3, 30-06-2022
Amazing experience from the beginning to end! We were welcomed in as soon as we arrived, directed to changing stalls and restroom facilities which were clean. About 30 minutes were spent going over safety and rules both off and on the boat. Probably the most time anyone has spent going over safety, which I found very comforting as we are a family of five w/ the oldest 15 and youngest 9. The river was beautiful and extremely scenic w/ plenty of wildlife (sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas) along the quiet parts. The rapids themselves were so much fun and plenty of them!! David, our guide, was so friendly, patient and I felt completely safe w/ him at the helm. Afterwards we cleaned up and were treated to an array of fruit in their beautiful gazebo picnic area near the river. The boys helped them press sugar cane and we all had fresh sugar cane juice. It is a family run business and I loved the intimacy of the smaller outfit compared the larger groups we saw coming down. Would definitely go w/ the group again. Amazing time, amazing guide…PURA VIDA!
Great company
Evan_A, 10-01-2023
Great guides, very attentive and invested in a wonderful experience. Awesome vegan snack afterwards. River is beautiful, saw Monkeys, Sloth, Tucán
Real deal for amateur family both fun and safe.
MMaysha, 29-12-2022
Parents + 3 teenage kids (13-18). Super fun, professional and felt like the real deal: white water rafting rather than just drifting down a river - but not so crazy as to feel dangerous at any time. In the v capable hands of Arturo (sp?) who often does the more extreme tours they offer so this was super easy for him which was great for us. Very charming and easy going personality. Recommended.
It was our first...
Pavan_A, 26-12-2022
It was our first experience white water rafting and it was wonderful . The entire staff was very friendly, the security instructions were detailed and guide Aturo was very knowledgeable. David our photographer and savior along the way was funny, caring and made the best sugarcane juice. Fabian, the front desk person was cordial and took care of us throughout and after the trip. There were 10-12 rapids through our journey which lasted a couple of hours. The kids even got to swim during the journey which was a high point . The guide pointed out many birds and animals and sighting an iguana lazing on the banks made our day! The snacks and coffee at the end was a nice touch. One the best experiences of our Costa Rica trip
Fantastic fun, friendly folks, fresh food
lisacC250EN, 08-12-2022
We received a friendly welcome from the moment we arrived. We had planned a 3-hour rafting tour with class II & III rapids – enough for fun, but we didn’t want anything too extreme. It was perfect! Since we were there during a slower season (the start of December), it was just my husband and I and the guide in the raft, with another guide preceding us in the river on a kayak for extra safety and to take pictures/videos. (And those were given to us for free!)
We arrived in clothing ready to raft, though they do have facilities available for changing and showering. We were given a safety speech in English, which matched other safety information received from rafting trips we’ve taken in the States. There were pictures provided in a booklet to aid the presentation. Sometimes these instructions can increase your stress level since they cover things that could go wrong, but they were given with appropriate humor to lighten the tension. Next, we got on our lifejackets and helmets, which the guides checked to be sure fit properly. Finally, we walked the short distance behind the establishment to the river. Guides brought the raft down, and we boarded. Before taking off, our guide, Otero, took us through practicing a few instructions – paddle forward, paddle backwards, lean in, move to one side, and high five. They obviously take safety very seriously. The guide explained that safety on the river was dependent on these things: the river and the expertise of the guide, but also the ability of passengers to follow directions (i.e. paddle forward when instructed.)
The time on the river was magnificent! Our guide provided clear instructions and positive feedback on our paddling efforts. The rapids were just enough to be fun, get a little cool-down splash and provide some excitement. Then we had short stretches of calmer water where our guide gave information about the river and pointed out the many birds. We saw cormorants, herons, swallows, kingfishers and an osprey. We had the option of swimming during these times but chose not to. The relaxing, tranquil times were followed by another bit of rapids to navigate, which our guide did expertly. I was actually surprised afterwards to see pictures from our trip, because the rapids in the photos look more extreme than they felt. If you are thinking of doing this trip, don’t be nervous about the rapids - you should definitely do it!
After about 2 hours, we disembarked the river. A van was there to meet us, and they loaded up the raft for our short ride (10 min) back to the center. There we were given towels and we changed into dry clothes. We took a short walk back to their outdoor vegan restaurant where we had complimentary juice and fresh fruit. Additionally, we had pre-ordered to have a late lunch and the Costa Rican tacos were delicious! They were served on a bed of fresh greens, with potatoes and two salsas. Excellent food and a very reasonable cost.
The only negative about the trip was our fault – our previous week in Costa Rica we had off and on rain and clouds, and expected more of the same. We neglected to apply sunscreen, and it turned out we had sun the whole time we were on the river, which resulted in a slight sunburn. So come prepared and apply sunscreen before you go rafting! Humorously, it finally rained hard while we were having lunch. They thoughtfully provided umbrellas for us to walk back to the center and our car.
This family-run business works hard to make guests feel welcome, safe, and to provide an enjoyable experience, from when you arrive to when you leave. They might be located a bit more out of the way than more touristy places, but that seems a benefit as they provide a great value for the money. Go visit Sarapiqui Outdoor Center! You will not be disappointed!
We arrived in clothing ready to raft, though they do have facilities available for changing and showering. We were given a safety speech in English, which matched other safety information received from rafting trips we’ve taken in the States. There were pictures provided in a booklet to aid the presentation. Sometimes these instructions can increase your stress level since they cover things that could go wrong, but they were given with appropriate humor to lighten the tension. Next, we got on our lifejackets and helmets, which the guides checked to be sure fit properly. Finally, we walked the short distance behind the establishment to the river. Guides brought the raft down, and we boarded. Before taking off, our guide, Otero, took us through practicing a few instructions – paddle forward, paddle backwards, lean in, move to one side, and high five. They obviously take safety very seriously. The guide explained that safety on the river was dependent on these things: the river and the expertise of the guide, but also the ability of passengers to follow directions (i.e. paddle forward when instructed.)
The time on the river was magnificent! Our guide provided clear instructions and positive feedback on our paddling efforts. The rapids were just enough to be fun, get a little cool-down splash and provide some excitement. Then we had short stretches of calmer water where our guide gave information about the river and pointed out the many birds. We saw cormorants, herons, swallows, kingfishers and an osprey. We had the option of swimming during these times but chose not to. The relaxing, tranquil times were followed by another bit of rapids to navigate, which our guide did expertly. I was actually surprised afterwards to see pictures from our trip, because the rapids in the photos look more extreme than they felt. If you are thinking of doing this trip, don’t be nervous about the rapids - you should definitely do it!
After about 2 hours, we disembarked the river. A van was there to meet us, and they loaded up the raft for our short ride (10 min) back to the center. There we were given towels and we changed into dry clothes. We took a short walk back to their outdoor vegan restaurant where we had complimentary juice and fresh fruit. Additionally, we had pre-ordered to have a late lunch and the Costa Rican tacos were delicious! They were served on a bed of fresh greens, with potatoes and two salsas. Excellent food and a very reasonable cost.
The only negative about the trip was our fault – our previous week in Costa Rica we had off and on rain and clouds, and expected more of the same. We neglected to apply sunscreen, and it turned out we had sun the whole time we were on the river, which resulted in a slight sunburn. So come prepared and apply sunscreen before you go rafting! Humorously, it finally rained hard while we were having lunch. They thoughtfully provided umbrellas for us to walk back to the center and our car.
This family-run business works hard to make guests feel welcome, safe, and to provide an enjoyable experience, from when you arrive to when you leave. They might be located a bit more out of the way than more touristy places, but that seems a benefit as they provide a great value for the money. Go visit Sarapiqui Outdoor Center! You will not be disappointed!
Great trip
JamieNLD, 01-01-2023
Good trip with experienced rafter guide Arturo. It was just myself and my girlfriend and Arturo and the trip has been a blast. Personally I wanted a bit more action but it was my girlfriends first time, so she didn't want a higher class. Fun trip nonetheless, loads of wildlife and beautiful scenery.
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