La Fortuna: Safari Float & Waterfall Swim Half-Day
The raft ride gets you closer to sloths and howler monkeys than the trail ever could
You start with a guided raft float down the Peñas Blancas River spotting sloths, monkeys and birds, then eat a traditional lunch with a local family, and finish with a swim in the natural pool beneath La Fortuna Waterfall. Hotel pickup and park fees are included, and the whole experience runs about four to five hours, so you're back with time left in your day.
Step-by-step itinerary
Rafting, lunch, and waterfall visit
- Drive to Penas Blancas River
- Raft down river spotting wildlife
- Lunch at La Familia Rodriguez ranch
- Walk down to La Fortuna Waterfall
- Swim in waterfall natural pool
- Return to main facilities and rest
What’s included
Your half-day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from La Fortuna, a guided safari float down the Peñas Blancas River with a local expert guide, entry to La Fortuna Waterfall and National Park fees, a traditional family lunch at a local ranch, and time to swim in the natural pool beneath the waterfall. Specialized infant seats are available, and vegetarian meals can be arranged if you note dietary requirements at checkout.
Times
- Every day 07:30
Before you book
Operated by Rainforest Explorers
Prices and times updated 15 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The guide was running ten minutes late picking us up, which meant we'd miss the "best light" on the river, or so I thought. Turns out that delay didn't matter much. The Peñas Blancas River doesn't care about timing. The animals show up when they show up. We climbed into the raft with safety gear already on, and the guide (a local who'd grown up in La Fortuna) pushed us into the current without any fuss. The rainforest closed in around us almost immediately. Howler monkeys were calling from somewhere above, and the guide cut the engine to a drift, pointing out a three-toed sloth hanging maybe fifteen feet up in the canopy. It moved so slowly it barely seemed to move at all.
The float down the Peñas Blancas takes the pressure off. You're not hiking, not rushing between viewpoints. You're just drifting and watching. The guide knows where the birds nest, where the caimans sun themselves on the banks, which trees the monkeys favor at different times of day. Colorful birds kept appearing and disappearing in the understory. After maybe an hour on the water, we pulled the raft ashore and walked back to a family ranch where La Familia Rodriguez had lunch waiting: rice, beans, fresh fish, plantains, salad. The kind of meal that tastes different when you've spent the morning in the rainforest. They sat with us while we ate, no performance, just conversation.
The waterfall comes last, which is the right order. After the river, the 20-minute walk down the canyon stairs to La Fortuna Waterfall feels like a natural ending rather than another task. The water is cold and clear, fed from the mountains above. You can swim in the pool at the base, or just stand on the rocks and let the spray hit your face. The whole thing (raft, lunch, waterfall) takes about four to five hours from pickup. If you don't want to make the full walk down, there's an observatory at the top where you can wait and take photos instead. Either way, you're done by early afternoon.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want wildlife spotting and a waterfall swim without arranging transport, park entry or timing the stops yourself. The half-day format means you're done by early afternoon and the guide's local knowledge is what makes the animal sightings actually happen.
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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 (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.
How long is the hike down to the waterfall?
About 20 minutes down, with stairs through a natural canyon in the rainforest. The walk is paced and not strenuous, though it does involve descending. An observatory at the top lets you skip the full walk if you prefer.
What animals will I actually see on the river float?
Sloths, howler monkeys, and colorful birds are common. Caimans and other wildlife appear depending on the time of day and season. A local guide knows where to look, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Is the raft ride safe for non-swimmers?
Yes. You wear a safety vest and the raft stays on a slow drift down the river. The guide controls the pace and the water is generally calm on this section of the Peñas Blancas.
What's included in the lunch?
A traditional Costa Rican meal served at a family ranch, typically rice, beans, fresh fish, plantains and salad. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.
What should I bring?
Hiking shoes, a swimsuit, a water bottle, a raincoat, comfortable clothes, insect repellent and a camera. The rainforest is wet and the sun is strong, so layers help.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off are included if you're staying in the La Fortuna area.
How long is the whole tour?
About four to five hours from pickup to drop-off, including the raft float, lunch and waterfall visit.
La Fortuna: Safari Float & Waterfall Swim Half-Day
7h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 170.28 per person
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