La Fortuna: Canyoning & Rafting Combo with Organic Farm Lunch

Summary

La Fortuna adventure day with waterfalls, rapids and a farm lunch

You’ll start your day canyoning down waterfalls near La Fortuna with local guides, then paddle through two hours of rainforest rapids before sharing a fresh organic lunch at a family-run farm. Expect muddy shoes, laughter, real Costa Rican flavors—and that rare feeling when adventure leaves you hungry in the best way.

What’s the experience like?

I wasn’t sure if my legs were shaking from excitement or nerves when we stood at the top of the first waterfall outside La Fortuna. The guides—Tico guys with easy smiles—helped us into our harnesses. One of them, Andrés, winked and said, “Pura vida means just go for it!” The water was louder than I expected, cold spray on my face before I even started rappelling. My hands fumbled a bit on the rope (I’m not exactly graceful), but once you lean back, there’s no turning around. I could smell earth and moss and something sweet in the air—maybe wild ginger?

After scrambling up muddy jungle trails (my shoes still haven’t forgiven me), we swapped helmets for paddles and headed to the river put-in. The rafting part was wild—two hours of Class III and IV rapids that had us laughing one minute and shouting the next. There was this moment where our raft spun sideways and everyone yelled in Spanish and English at once. Our guide, Diego, just grinned like he’d seen it a thousand times. He handed out pineapple slices during a break; I swear nothing has ever tasted so good as fruit eaten on a riverbank in Costa Rica.

Lunch was at their organic farm—a short drive away, but it felt like another world after all that adrenaline. We ate outside under a tin roof while rain pattered above us. Rice, beans, chicken from their own coop, vegetables so fresh they squeaked when you bit them (okay maybe not literally). They showed us how they press sugarcane juice—Li laughed when I tried to say “guaro” in Spanish—probably butchered it. The whole place smelled like wet earth and woodsmoke. I keep thinking about that meal; maybe because everything tasted earned after the morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Canyoning, rafting, and organic farm visit

• Hotel pickup in Arenal area
• Drive to private canyon Area 360
• Rappel down three waterfalls
• Hike back up through jungle
• Drive to river put-in
• Raft Class III and IV rapids for two hours
• Snack on the river
• Enjoy fresh organic lunch at farm
• Tour organic farm and sugarcane process
• Taste pure sugarcane juice and alcohol
• Return to hotel in La Fortuna

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this La Fortuna canyoning & rafting tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from Arenal area hotels are included.

How long does the canyoning & rafting combo take?

This is a full-day tour including both activities plus lunch at an organic farm.

What level of fitness do I need for this tour?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness; it's not recommended for people over 70 or those with certain health conditions.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Yes, you'll get snacks during rafting and an organic lunch at a local farm.

Is there an age limit for canyoning or rafting?

The minimum age is 7 years old; not recommended for travelers over 70.

Do I need previous experience to join this activity?

No prior experience is needed; professional guides provide all instructions and equipment.

Can photos be purchased from the tour?

Yes, a photographer accompanies you and photos are available for purchase afterward.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from La Fortuna or Arenal area hotels, all safety equipment for canyoning and rafting with professional guides leading each step, snacks along the riverbank during your paddle session, plus an organic lunch served at their family-run farm before heading back in the afternoon.