Rafting Class II & III La Fortuna: River & Farm Lunch
Six hours of river, wildlife, and a working farm: all from one hotel pickup
Rafting Class II & III rapids on the Rio Balsa near La Fortuna combines a 13 km float through family-friendly whitewater with a cultural afternoon at a local organic farm. A certified bilingual guide leads the paddling and safety briefing. The day includes hotel pickup, showers after the river, a traditional Costa Rican lunch, and a demonstration of sugar cane milling and coffee processing. Children from age 8 can join when accompanied by an adult.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels in La Fortuna).
- professional certified bilingual guide.
- all rafting equipment (raft, paddles, vest, helmet).
- fresh tropical fruit during the riverside break.
- showers and towels after the float.
- cold drink at the takeout.
- traditional Costa Rican lunch at an organic farm.
- cultural demonstration including a sugar cane mill and coffee processing explanation.
- air-conditioned vehicle for transfers.
- bottled water.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Wave Expeditions
Prices and times updated 10 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
You arrive at your hotel in La Fortuna with a free afternoon or morning, and the pickup comes to collect you for the drive to the river. The certified bilingual guide meets you at the private access point on the Rio Balsa, walks through the safety briefing and paddling practice on flat water, then leads the group into 13 km of Class II & III rapids. The pace is built for families and first-timers: exciting enough to feel like real whitewater, not so technical that you need prior experience. Midway through, the raft pulls over for a riverside break with fresh tropical fruit and a chance to spot monkeys and toucans in the canopy above.
After the float, you'll be wet and tired, which is why the next part matters: showers and towels wait at the takeout, along with a cold drink and time to change. Then the air-conditioned vehicle takes you to a nearby organic farm, where lunch is a traditional Costa Rican meal. The cultural demonstration is the real difference here. You watch a sugar cane mill in operation and learn how coffee is grown and processed in the region, not as a lecture but as something the farm actually does. It's the kind of detail that turns a day of activity into something you can talk about when you get home.
The whole thing runs about six hours from pickup to drop-off. Equipment (raft, paddles, vest, helmet) is provided. You'll get wet, so wear a bathing suit and shoes that stay on your feet. Flip-flops aren't allowed. The river can close after heavy rain, in which case you get an alternative date or a full refund. Vegetarian lunch is available if you let them know when you book.
Is this one for you?Book this if you have a half-day free and want rafting plus lunch in one outing: the pickup, river section, farm visit, and meal all run back-to-back so you move straight from one to the next without gaps between stops.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.
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.
How far do you actually paddle on the Rio Balsa?
The rafting section is 13 km (8 miles) of Class II & III rapids, which takes up the middle portion of the six-hour day. The rest of the time covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the safety briefing and practice, the riverside fruit break, showers, and the farm lunch and cultural demonstration.
What happens if the river floods or closes?
The Rio Balsa can close after heavy rain or by government order. If that happens after you've booked, the operator offers an alternative date or a full refund. You won't be charged for a trip that doesn't run.
Can my eight-year-old do this rafting?
Children from age 8 can join the rafting when accompanied by an adult. The Class II & III rapids are family-friendly, and the guide is certified in both English and Spanish, so instruction and safety briefing are clear regardless of language.
What's included in the lunch at the farm?
Lunch is a traditional Costa Rican meal served at the organic farm. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. The meal is part of the package. Drinks and souvenir photos are separate.
Do I need to bring my own rafting gear?
No. The raft, paddles, life vest, and helmet are all provided. You bring a bathing suit, shoes that stay on your feet, and a towel if you prefer your own. Showers and towels are available at the takeout after the float.
What wildlife might I see during the rafting?
Monkeys and toucans are commonly spotted in the canopy above the river during the float, especially during the midway break when the raft is stationary. The Rio Balsa runs through forest habitat, so sightings depend on the time of day and season, but the guide will point out what appears.
Rafting Class II & III La Fortuna: River & Farm Lunch
6h · EN · ES
from US$ 93.79 per person
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