Naranjo River Rafting Class III–IV from Manuel Antonio

Run a series of named rapids, then float the final stretch spotting kingfishers.

Naranjo River rafting from Manuel Antonio is a Class III–IV white-water activity on a river 30 minutes from town, where you paddle through short, punchy rapids with names (Robin Hood, Cara de Indio, El Espavel), and stop halfway for fresh fruit and cold drinks. Hotel pickup and all gear are included in the private and small-group options. The just-rafting option meets at a restaurant in Naranjito at set times. Minimum age is 12. The trip runs May through mid-December.

Step-by-step itinerary

Naranjo River rafting and snack

• Pickup from hotel by minibus
• Drive 35 minutes to river
• Check in and gear up
• Attend safety talk
• Raft down Naranjo River rapids
• Stop for snack on river shore

The experience

The Naranjo River doesn't ease you in. The first rapid comes almost as soon as you push off the bank, then another, then another: short, punchy drops and hard turns that keep you paddling the whole way down. A safety kayaker leads from ahead, and your bilingual guide steers from the back. The whole descent takes about an hour and forty-five minutes, but the day itself runs four hours when you add the drive from Manuel Antonio, the gear check and safety talk, and the walk back out.

Before you get on the water, your guide walks the group through a small spice farm where you see vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cacao growing. Once on the river, you'll run the three main rapids (Robin Hood, Cara de Indio, and El Espavel), with calm pools between them to regroup. Halfway down, the boat pulls to shore for fresh fruit, cookies, juice and water. The last stretch is slower, and that's when you watch for kingfishers and white ibis in the trees along the bank.

You choose how you want to book. Private means your group only (minimum two people). Small group shares the boat with other guests (minimum three). If you'd rather meet at the river, the just-rafting option skips the hotel pickup and starts at Restaurante El Mordisco on Naranjito's main street at 9 am, 11 am or 1 pm (minimum four people). All options include helmets, PFDs, paddles and a professional guide who speaks English and Spanish. Transfers from the Manuel Antonio or Quepos area are included in the private and small-group options.

What’s included

• All specialized gear (helmets, personal flotation devices, paddles).
• snacks (fresh fruit, cookies, juice and water).
• professional bilingual guide.
• hotel pickup and transfers from Manuel Antonio or Quepos (included in private and small-group options).

Options for this experience

3 options

Rafting only, no transportGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed time

Small GroupGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeIncludes pickup

Rafting trip on the Naranjo RiverGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeJust 30 minutes away in the mountains from the Manuel Antonio / Quepos area, the Naranjo River offers an exciting, bursting stretch of whitewater. Includes pickup, a Tico lunch and a river snack

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 15 Dec

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Under 12: 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.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by H2O Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the private option if your group wants to paddle together without sharing the boat. Choose small group to split the cost with other guests and meet people on the water. If you're already in Naranjito or prefer to drive yourself, the just-rafting option meets at a set time and skips the hotel pickup.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How far is the Naranjo River from Manuel Antonio?

The river is about 30 minutes from Manuel Antonio by road. The drive passes through oil palm, melina and teak plantations and a couple of small Costa Rican towns before you reach the put-in point.

What are the rapids like on the Naranjo River?

They're Class III–IV: short and punchy, with quick drops, hard turns and waves, but calm pools between them to catch your breath. The three main rapids have names (Robin Hood, Cara de Indio and El Espavel), and you run them all in the first hour and a half on the water.

Do I need rafting experience to book this trip?

No. The trip is suitable for all physical fitness levels as long as you're at least 12 years old. Your guide gives a full safety talk before you launch, and a safety kayaker leads the way down the river.

What's included in the price?

All specialized gear (helmets, personal flotation devices and paddles) plus a professional bilingual guide, snacks (fresh fruit, cookies, juice and water), and hotel transfers from the Manuel Antonio or Quepos area. The just-rafting option excludes transfers and requires you to meet at the restaurant in Naranjito.

When does the rafting season run?

The Naranjo River trips operate from May 1 through December 14 each year.