Costa Rica Rafting Tours and Activities

Costa Rica has  more rivers per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Anywhere you go you will find some kind of float trip to enjoy nature from a very unique point of view.

For many years, the rafting Mecca of Costa Rica was Turrialba, a large town embedded in the mountains near the Reventazon and Pacuare Rivers, on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica. Second in popularity was always the Sarapiqui River shed which pushed the opening of rafting companies near the Arenal Volcano. Then, rivers such as the Penas Blancas (now dammed) and Toro started delighting rafting enthusiasts in the northern slopes of the country.

Nowadays there is a wide variety of exciting river trips offered in Costa Rica. On the Pacific slope is the river with the largest volume, El General. This river is famous for multi-day adventures and for being an incredible playground for kayakers. As part of this watershed is the Coto Brus River. Further north, on the central Pacific coast, are the Savegre and Naranjo Rivers. In this area you have the opportunity to enjoy both half-day trips on the Naranjo River and 1-to-2-day trips on the Savegre River. Near Canas, Guanacaste there is the Corobici River widely known for being an excellent nature float trip, and the Tenorio River, which started running commercially soon after the new millennium.

As for recommendations, the quintessential Pacuare River (Class III-IV) is at the top of the list, and even better if you have time for a 2- or 3-day adventure. If you are interested in similar trips, the Savegre River (Class III-IV) is an excellent alternative for an overnight.

If you want more adrenalin, the Chorro Section (Class IV+) of the Naranjo River, near Manuel Antonio, Quepos is the most exhilarating rafting trip of the country. This section is run from December to May.

As for nature-oriented trips, the Penas Blancas River would be the perfect example of the biodiversity of the country. Most likely, any of these rafting trips will be the highlight of your active vacations, so don’t miss your chance to paddle one.