Naranjo River Whitewater Rafting Class III-IV from Manuel Antonio

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/12

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Class III-IV rapids drop steeply through a jungle canyon to sea level, not a gentle float.

Whitewater rafting on the Naranjo River near Quepos is a Class III-IV half-day run through a steep jungle canyon with Class III-IV whitewater, canyon walls that meet the water at 90-degree angles, and a bilingual guide leading groups of 2 to 10 paddlers. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Manuel Antonio or Quepos are included, along with lunch, helmet, life jacket and all gear; the actual rafting takes about 1.5 hours. Minimum age is 12, and you need at least moderate fitness—this is not a beginner's float.

4h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Whitewater rafting adventure on Naranjo River

Pick up from hotel in Manuel Antonio or Quepos
Sign in and eat meal at office
Travel to river put in
Get fitted with life jackets, paddles, helmets
Receive safety talk from guides
Raft on Naranjo River for 1.5 hours
Return by van to office
Enjoy lunch after tour (morning tour only)

The Experience

What makes the Naranjo different from easier rivers in the region? The drop. The river falls steeply from the coastal mountains above Quepos through a canyon where the walls meet the water at 90-degree angles, and the whitewater is Class III-IV—bigger waves, stronger hydraulics, steeper sections. If you've paddled before or you're a fit first-timer who wants the excitement instead of the easy ride, this is the one. The jungle overgrows both banks, and you're moving fast enough that you're not sightseeing; you're paddling.

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or house in Manuel Antonio or Quepos. You'll head to the office, eat breakfast or lunch depending on which tour time you choose, then ride to the put-in. Once there, the guides fit you with a life jacket, helmet and paddle, run through a safety talk, and you're on the water for approximately 1.5 hours of actual rafting. A safety kayak stays with the group the whole way. When you finish, you load back into the vans and return to the office, then get driven back to your hotel.

Groups stay small—a minimum of 2 people per booking, maximum of 10—and your guide speaks both English and Spanish. Lunch is included after the tour. If you need a vegetarian option, let them know at booking. The whole outing runs about 4.5 hours from pickup to drop-off. A photographer travels with the group and sells prints if you want them.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Manuel Antonio or Quepos.
lunch after the tour.
bilingual guide.
helmet, life jacket, paddle and all rafting gear.
safety kayak accompanying the group.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Amigos del Rio

Is this one for you?If you've paddled before or you're fit and want the adrenaline instead of the scenic float, the Naranjo's Class III-IV rapids and canyon walls deliver what easier rivers don't—the drop and the speed make it a real challenge, not a warm-up run.