White Water Rafting Class II & III: Balsa River from La Fortuna

Class II-III rapids, calm pools for swimming, lunch with a volcano view, and monkeys in the trees

White water rafting on the Balsa River near La Fortuna combines rolling Class II-III rapids with calmer sections for swimming and wildlife watching. The day runs six hours with a guided descent, an organic lunch at a restaurant overlooking Arenal Volcano, and stops to learn about local chocolate, medicinal plants and sugar cane production. Guides speak English and Spanish. Pickup from La Fortuna is included. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or serious cardiovascular conditions. Minimum age is 6 years old.

The experience

The Balsa River section you'll run has enough whitewater to keep the adrenaline up (Class II-III rapids roll and tumble through the morning), but the day is built so you're not paddling the whole time. Between the rapids are stretches where the water settles and you can jump in for a swim, or stay in the boat and watch for wildlife. Sloths, iguanas, howler monkeys and tropical birds move through the trees along the banks, so the guide will point them out as you float past. This is the part that makes it work for families and beginners: the thrills are real, but there's room to breathe.

Lunch happens at a two-story restaurant with Arenal Volcano in view, and it's a buffet of organic, locally grown food, not a packed sandwich. Before you eat, there are stops along the river where the guide walks you through how chocolate, medicinal plants, fruits and sugar cane are grown, harvested and processed in this part of Costa Rica. It's the kind of detail that turns a half-day into a full picture of where you are.

A driver picks you up from your hotel in La Fortuna in the morning and brings you back after the trip ends. The guides are trained to make the day safe and fun. They know how to read the water and how to keep a group of mixed ages and experience levels moving together. The whole outing takes six hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Rafting on the Balsa River with a guide.
• Class II-III rapids and calm swimming sections.
• organic buffet lunch at a restaurant with Arenal Volcano views.
• stops to learn about local chocolate, medicinal plants, fruits and sugar cane production.
• pickup and drop-off from your La Fortuna hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (7 to 70 years) · Under 7: 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: “Via 702, 500 meter south from the Catholic Church of La Fortuna, next to Supermarket "Super Rosvil", 21007, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Costa Rica Descents

Is this one for you?If your group speaks Spanish fluently or wants to practice it, ask for a Spanish-language guide at checkout: the same river and lunch, just in a different language. The six-hour commitment means you lose most of a day, but the combination of rapids, swimming and a sit-down meal makes it a full outing rather than a quick thrill.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What are Class II and III rapids like if I've never rafted before?

Class II-III rapids on the Balsa River have rolling waves and some turbulence, but they're manageable for beginners and families with children as young as 6. The guide will show you how to paddle and brace before you hit the bigger water, and the calmer sections between rapids give you time to recover and spot wildlife.

Can I swim during the rafting trip?

Yes, the Balsa River has calm pools between the rapids where you can jump in and swim. Bring a change of clothes or a quick-dry shirt, since you'll be wet from paddling either way.

What's included in the lunch stop?

Lunch is a buffet of organic, locally grown food served at a two-story restaurant overlooking Arenal Volcano. The guide also stops earlier in the day to teach you about how chocolate, medicinal plants, fruits and sugar cane are grown and processed in the region.

What time does the trip start and how long does it take?

The full outing is six hours, including the drive from La Fortuna, the rafting, lunch and the educational stops. A driver picks you up from your hotel in the morning and returns you after the trip ends.

What wildlife might we see on the river?

The Balsa River section is home to sloths, iguanas, howler monkeys and a wide variety of tropical birds. The guide will point them out as you float past the banks, especially during the calmer stretches between rapids.