Rio Claro floating tour: Waterfall hike and river float

Spot monkeys and sloths gliding past as you drift through Costa Rica’s wild waterways

A floating tour from Drake Bay combines a one-hour hike to a waterfall in the mountains, a one-hour float down Rio Claro, and a coastal walk, finishing with lunch. The tour runs five hours total and requires moderate fitness. Lifejackets, private transport and a guide in English or Spanish are included. Travelers should expect the river to be physically demanding, bruises are possible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Floating tour with hike and lunch

• Car ride to mountain start point
• Hike to waterfall for 1 hour
• Swim and enjoy waterfall
• Float down Rio Claro river for 1 hour
• Walk along the beach coast for 45 minutes
• Car ride to lunch location
• Have lunch and finish tour

The experience

The day starts with a 30-minute drive inland from Drake Bay into the mountains. Once you reach the trailhead, you hike for about an hour through the forest to a waterfall, where you'll have time to swim before the float begins. This opening stretch sets the pace: the terrain is real, the climb is steady, and the waterfall itself is the payoff that justifies the effort.

From the waterfall, you transition straight into the float down Rio Claro. The river carries you for roughly an hour from the mountain down toward the coast, and this is where the tour earns its name. You're moving with the current, navigating the water in a way that feels more active than passive. Wildlife appears along the banks: monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and lizards show up if conditions favor them, though sightings are never guaranteed. The river itself is the main event, and the float demands enough attention and balance that it counts as genuine adventure, not a drift.

Once you reach the beach, a 45-minute coastal walk follows before a car picks you up and takes you to lunch. The whole sequence (mountain, water, shore) covers distinct terrain in a single morning, and the five-hour window holds it all. Lifejackets are provided, and your guide speaks English or Spanish throughout. This tour is built for people in good physical condition. The combination of hiking, floating and walking means you're moving the entire time.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Drake Bay to the trailhead and back to town.
• lifejackets for the river float.
• a guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch after the coastal walk.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (5 to 75 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pacheco Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Drake Bay without a car: included pickup and return transport lets you reach the mountain trailhead and coast in one morning.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided 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 24 h before the start.

What's the actual difficulty level of the Rio Claro float?

The float itself is active rather than leisurely. You're navigating the river with your own balance and effort, and the operator warns that bruises are possible. Combined with the one-hour hike beforehand and the coastal walk after, this is a full-morning workout, not a relaxation float. Moderate fitness is the minimum.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Drake Bay without a car?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation from Drake Bay to the mountain trailhead and back to town after lunch, so you don't need your own vehicle or a separate shuttle arrangement.

What wildlife am I likely to see on Rio Claro?

Monkeys, sloths, lizards and tropical bird species live along the river and in the forest around the waterfall. Sightings depend on timing and conditions, so they're not guaranteed, but the habitat supports all of them.

How much time do I spend actually floating versus hiking and walking?

The float down Rio Claro takes about one hour. The hike to the waterfall is one hour, the coastal walk is 45 minutes, plus 30 minutes of driving each way. The float is the centerpiece, but the day is built around the full sequence of terrain.

Is lunch included, and what time do we eat?

Lunch is included and served after the coastal walk, once you're picked up by car. The tour finishes after that meal, so you'll be back in Drake Bay by early afternoon.

Do I need to bring my own lifejacket?

No. Lifejackets are provided as part of the tour. You'll wear one during the float down Rio Claro.