Balsa River white water rafting Costa Rica: Class 2/3 rapids

Paddle through 2.5 hours of nonstop rapids, then rest and swim between the waves

Balsa River white water rafting in Costa Rica is a 2.5-hour activity where you navigate 10 kilometers of class 2/3 rapids with a professional guide, stopping to swim and rest along the way. The package includes hotel pickup (for hotels within 6 km of the main office), a towel, water, fresh fruit on the river, and a Costa Rican Casado lunch afterward. Departures run daily at 9am. Minimum age is 5 years old, and you'll need to bring water shoes or tennis shoes and clothes you don't mind getting wet.

The experience

What makes this rafting different from a guided tour is that you're in the boat paddling the whole way: your guide leads from the back, but the work of moving through the rapids is yours. The Balsa River's class 2/3 rapids mean you get real action without the extreme danger of higher grades. The waves are big enough to matter, and the current keeps moving you downriver fast. Your guide has more than 18 years of rafting experience and knows where the hardest pushes are and where the river widens out enough to catch your breath.

The day starts with a 9am departure and hotel pickup (the driver may arrive up to 20 minutes earlier or later depending on where you're staying). You'll spend 2.5 hours on the water, paddling through the rapids and stopping a couple of times to rest, float and swim in calmer sections. The river itself is lush (you're moving through Costa Rican jungle the whole way), and the guide brings fresh fruit to eat while you're on the water.

After you get off the river, you'll change into dry clothes and head to a local restaurant for a Costa Rican Casado: the country's standard lunch plate of rice, beans, salad, plantains and a protein. Towels and bottled water are provided. The whole outing, from pickup to lunch, runs about 5 hours. Bring water shoes or tennis shoes that can get soaked, a change of clothes, and clothes you're willing to paddle in. The guide will tell you what else to pack when you book.

What’s included

• Professional guide with 18+ years of rafting experience.
• hotel pickup for hotels within 6 km of the main office.
• towel and bottled water.
• fresh fruit on the river.
• Costa Rican Casado lunch at a local restaurant afterward.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:20

AgesAdult (5 to 65 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “If you do not need to pick up, you can get to our office at 9:15 am. We are located 100 meters north from the police station, avenue 333 street 460. You can find us on Waze or google maps as ARENAL RAFTING COMPANY.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Demanding physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arenal Rafting

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle the whole way instead of watching from a tour boat: the 2.5 hours of nonstop rapids and the work of moving through them yourself is what makes this feel like a real adventure rather than a guided ride. The daily 9am departure and included lunch mean you're back by mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What are class 2/3 rapids like if I've never rafted before?

Class 2/3 rapids on the Balsa River have big waves and a strong current, so you'll paddle hard and get wet, but the water doesn't have the dangerous holes and drops of higher grades. The guide controls the boat's position and tells you when to paddle. Your job is to follow the rhythm and keep your paddle in the water. Most families with kids as young as 5 do this run without trouble.

How far is the Balsa River from where I'm staying?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels within 6 kilometers of the main office. If your hotel is farther away, you can arrange pickup for an additional fee at checkout. The driver may arrive up to 20 minutes earlier or later than your scheduled time depending on traffic and other pickups.

What's included in the lunch after rafting?

A Costa Rican Casado is served at a local restaurant after the river section. That's rice, beans, salad, plantains and a protein, the standard lunch plate in Costa Rica. Water and fresh fruit are also included on the river itself.

Do I need to bring my own water shoes?

Yes, bring water shoes or tennis shoes that can stay on your feet in the river and get soaked. The guide will also tell you to bring a change of clothes and clothes you don't mind getting wet. A towel is provided.

What time does the rafting start and when will I be back?

Departures are every day at 9am. The whole outing (pickup, 2.5 hours on the water, lunch and return) takes about 5 hours, so you'll be back to your hotel by mid-afternoon.

Is there a weight or fitness limit for this rafting?

The maximum weight is 220 pounds. You should have a high level of physical fitness. The rapids require steady paddling and the guide will ask you to work hard for 2.5 hours. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.