Quepos: Naranjo River Rafting Half Day & Hotel Pickup

Naranjo River Rafting: 90 Minutes of Class 3 Rapids Without the Long Drive

You get picked up at your hotel, driven 25 minutes to the Naranjo River, and spend 90 minutes rafting class 3 rapids through jungle with a safety kayaker alongside. The tour includes all gear, a safety briefing, snacks and the return drive, so you show up in swim clothes and everything else is handled. Small groups mean you're not competing for the guide's attention.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half day rafting on Naranjo River

• Pick up at hotel
• Drive 25 minutes to river
• Drive through local towns
• Listen to guide about lifestyle
• Get fitted with rafting gear
• Receive safety briefing
• Raft 1.5 hours on river
• Float through palm plantation
• Enjoy snack at take out
• Drive 20 minutes back to hotel

The experience

Most rafting tours in Costa Rica mean a two-hour drive each way. This one doesn't. The Naranjo River sits 25 minutes from Quepos, which means you spend your morning on the water instead of watching the road. Your guide picks you up at the hotel, drives through a couple of local towns on the way (pointing out how people actually live here, not the resort version), and then you're fitted with a helmet, life vest and paddle. The safety briefing is thorough but quick. Then you're in the raft.

The river itself is class 3 and 3+ rapids, which sounds scarier than it is. The water moves fast enough to feel real, but the guide knows every drop and the safety kayaker stays with you the whole way. You're never alone out there. The ride down takes about an hour and a half, and it's not constant adrenaline. There are stretches where the jungle closes in on both sides, the noise of the rapids fades, and you can actually look around. Toward the end you float through a palm plantation, which is an odd moment of calm before the takeout.

Groups stay small to medium, which is the whole point of how this company runs. You're not packed in with thirty people. That matters when you're in a raft and the guide is trying to read the water and keep an eye on everyone. After you get out, there's fresh pineapple, fruit juice, water and cookies waiting. The drive back is about 20 minutes. You're back at your hotel by early afternoon if you took the morning slot, or by evening if you went at noon.

What’s included

Your tour includes hotel, Airbnb or vacation rental pickup and return drive, all rafting equipment (life vest, helmet, paddle and raft), a safety kayaker who stays with the group the entire time, a bilingual transportation driver and guide, a complete safety briefing, fresh fruit and juice snacks at the takeout, a first aid kit, and all taxes and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 12:00

AgesAdult (10 to 75 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costa Rica Tropical Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to raft without losing half the day to driving, and if you prefer smaller groups where the guide actually knows who's in the boat. The 25-minute distance from Quepos is what makes a half-day tour possible instead of a full-day commitment.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 is the Naranjo River from Quepos?

About 25 minutes by car from Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

What class of rapids are on the Naranjo River?

Class 3 and 3+ rapids. The tour is considered safe for families and people with no rafting experience.

How long is the actual rafting time?

About 1.5 hours on the water, plus 25 minutes drive each way and time for gear fitting and safety briefing.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and return, all rafting equipment (life vest, helmet, paddle, raft), safety kayaker, bilingual guide, safety briefing, snacks (fruit, juice, water, cookies) and all taxes and fees.

What's the minimum group size?

3 people for the 7:30 am tour, 4 people for the 12 pm tour. Maximum is 15 people.

What should I bring?

Swimsuit, water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses with straps, extra water, and a camera if you want one.

Is there an age limit?

Minimum age is 10 years old. The tour is not recommended for people with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What if I don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available nearby, though hotel pickup is included in the tour.