La Fortuna & Arenal: Rafting Class II-III & Zipline Combo Tour

Summary

Zip through jungle canyons then paddle wild Balsa River rapids

You’ll start high above La Fortuna on zip lines soaring over jungle canyons before paddling down Class II-III rapids on the Balsa River with guides who actually make you laugh. There’s fresh fruit breaks mid-river and a proper Costa Rican lunch at a local farm before heading back—expect adrenaline, muddy shoes, and maybe new friends by the end.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is standing at the bottom of this crazy-tall tower, staring up and thinking, “That’s higher than it looked in the pictures.” The air was thick — that kind of green, humid smell you only get near Arenal. Our guide, Diego, grinned as he checked my harness and said something about “vuelo de pájaro”—bird flight. I laughed but my palms were sweaty. Climbing those steps felt like forever, but then you’re suddenly flying — honestly, I barely heard the zipline whir over my own heartbeat. Below me: La Fortuna Waterfall, all mist and white noise. I tried to spot the city through the trees but mostly just saw flashes of green and sky.

After zipping across what felt like half of Costa Rica (Diego said one cable was almost a kilometer long), we crossed this wobbly hanging bridge — I’m not sure if my legs were shaking from nerves or excitement at that point. You get these quick moments to catch your breath between lines; I remember a little girl ahead of us giggling every time her dad tried to pronounce “Arenal” right. It’s loud up there — birds, wind, people cheering when they land. And then suddenly you’re done with the zipline part and it’s off to rafting.

The Balsa River looks calmer than it really is. Once we got our helmets on (mine was slightly crooked all day), our rafting guide José gave us a crash course in paddling and safety—he kept joking about “Pura Vida” meaning “hold on tight.” The water was colder than I expected when it splashed up; at one point we spun around so fast I lost track of which way was downstream. There’s this sharp smell from the river rocks and wet leaves—hard to describe but totally different from the canopy above. We stopped for pineapple slices on a sandbank; I swear fruit tastes better after you’ve been tossed around by rapids for an hour.

Lunch was at this open-air spot called Vida Campesina — beans, rice, chicken cooked with something sweet-smelling (José called it achiote?). The whole table went quiet for a second when everyone started eating—just that kind of hungry silence where you realize how much energy you’ve burned. I’m still thinking about that view back toward Arenal Volcano while sipping some weirdly good local coffee. So yeah, if you want a day where your heart races for all sorts of reasons… this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zipline and whitewater rafting adventure

• Climb 18-meter tower
• Zipline over 120-meter canyon
• Cross hanging bridge
• Glide 980-meter cable above waterfall
• Zipline at speeds up to 70 km/hr
• Raft Class II-III rapids on Balsa River
• Enjoy Costa Rican lunch at Arenal Vida Campesina

Top questions

How long does the rafting & zipline tour from La Fortuna take?

The tour lasts most of the day including transfers; expect around 2 hours for rafting plus time for ziplining and lunch.

Is hotel pickup included in the La Fortuna rafting & zipline combo?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel in La Fortuna or Arenal area are included.

What class are the rapids on the Balsa River?

The Balsa River features Class II-III rapids on this tour.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

Yes, lunch is included at Arenal Vida Campesina after activities.

Are there age or health restrictions for this tour?

The minimum age is 8 years old; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

Will we get wet during rafting?

Yes, expect to get wet—wear bathing suits and secure shoes suitable for water activities.

Are vegetarian meal options available?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking time.

What should I bring for the rafting & zipline tour?

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring shoes that stay on your feet; leave valuables behind as items may get lost or wet.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, all necessary equipment like helmet and vest for both activities, guidance from multilingual local experts throughout both ziplining and whitewater rafting sessions, refreshing snacks such as fruit along the riverbank, beverages during breaks, plus a traditional Costa Rican lunch served at Arenal Vida Campesina before heading back home tired but happy.