La Fortuna: Balsa River Rafting Tour with Lunch & Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (544 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/19

Duration6h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Paddle wild rapids near Arenal then unwind with homemade Costa Rican lunch

You’ll paddle through lively Balsa River rapids near La Fortuna with a local guide leading the way, pause for tropical fruit surrounded by rainforest sounds, then relax over a home-cooked lunch at Vida Campesina estate. Expect laughter, splashes, and small moments you’ll want to remember long after you dry off.

Step-by-step itinerary

White water rafting and lunch experience

Receive rafting instructions
Practice rafting skills
Paddle along Balsa River
Stop for tropical fruit break
Enjoy river plunge
Continue rafting through rapids
Return to La Fortuna
Have traditional lunch at Vida Campesina

The Experience

Hands gripping the paddle tighter than I’d admit, I glanced over as our guide—Carlos, I think?—grinned and shouted something about “Magnetic Rock” just ahead. The Balsa River looked deceptively calm at first, but then you hear that low roar and your heart does this weird little skip. Water splashed up cold against my arms (definitely woke me up), and suddenly we were weaving through rapids, everyone yelling directions and laughing whenever someone got spun around. There’s this earthy smell from the wet jungle all around, kind of sweet and muddy at once—hard to describe unless you’re there.

We stopped mid-river for a break—juicy pineapple slices, watermelon so ripe it dripped down my chin, and monkeys somewhere in the trees making these funny chattering sounds. Someone tried to spot a toucan; I mostly just tried to catch my breath and let my feet dangle in the cool water. It’s wild how quickly you go from adrenaline to total calm out here. Back in the raft, Carlos told us stories about growing up nearby and pointed out a blue morpho butterfly that honestly looked fake, it was so bright.

The drive back toward La Fortuna was quieter—everyone a bit soggy but smiling. Lunch was at Vida Campesina, this old country house where they cook over a wood stove (the smell alone made me hungry). Rice, beans, some kind of chicken stew—I don’t know what they put in it but I still think about that meal sometimes. If you’re looking for a day trip from La Fortuna or Arenal that’s more than just scenery—something with real people, river spray in your face, and food that tastes like someone actually cares—this rafting tour is it.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for selected hotels), all rafting equipment like paddles and helmets, guidance from certified local guides, snacks of fresh tropical fruit riverside, beverages along the way, souvenir photos available for purchase if you want them, plus a traditional Costa Rican lunch cooked over wood fire before heading back toward town.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Wave Expeditions