Quepos & Manuel Antonio: White Water Rafting Small Group Tour

Summary

White water rafting near Quepos with local guides and snacks

You’ll feel your pulse quicken as you paddle through class 3 rapids on the Upper Naranjo River near Quepos & Manuel Antonio, guided by locals who know every twist of the canyon. Drift quietly in calm waters, try cliff jumping if you’re brave—or just float and listen to jungle sounds before sharing fresh fruit with your group at the end.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you’re not sure if you’re nervous or just excited? That’s exactly how I felt standing by the Upper Naranjo River, helmet a bit crooked, paddle in hand. Our guide, Diego, grinned and told us the Chorro section was his favorite—“more laughs than fear,” he promised. The river looked wild but inviting, all green shadows and flashes of sunlight bouncing off the canyon walls. I could smell wet rock and something sweet from the jungle—maybe guava? Hard to tell with my heart thumping.

The first rapid hit faster than I expected—sudden cold spray in my face, Diego shouting “Adelante!” and everyone paddling like we’d trained for this our whole lives (we hadn’t). There were these quiet pockets between rapids where you could hear birds over the rush of water. At one point Diego pointed out a tiny waterfall trickling down the rocks; he said locals call it “La Novia” because it’s always dressed in white. I tried to say it back in Spanish and got a laugh from him—my accent is hopeless.

Somewhere halfway through, we stopped at a calm spot in the canyon. Diego showed us how to float downstream just wearing our life vests—no raft needed. It felt weirdly peaceful drifting under those high stone walls, sun on my face, river cool against my skin. A couple of folks tried cliff jumping (I chickened out at 10 feet), but honestly just floating there was enough for me. The main keyword here is white water rafting near Quepos—it’s not about being an expert, just showing up and letting yourself get swept along.

Afterwards we sat on smooth rocks eating pineapple slices so fresh they stung my tongue a little. Juice ran down my arm but nobody cared—we were all laughing about who screamed loudest at which rapid. The drive back to Manuel Antonio only took twenty minutes but I kept replaying that moment floating in the canyon. Still can’t believe how close it is to town—you’d never guess from how wild it feels out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rafting on Upper Naranjo River

• Raft through mini canyon
• Float in calm waters
• Cliff jumping optional
• Enjoy fruit snack
• Drive back to base

Top questions

How far is the rafting tour from Quepos or Manuel Antonio?

The starting point is about a 30-minute drive from both Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

What class are the rapids on this tour?

The Upper Naranjo "Chorro" section features class 3 and 3+ rapids.

Is hotel pickup included for this white water rafting tour?

Yes, transportation with hotel or vacation rental pickup is included.

Are snacks provided during the rafting trip?

Yes, you'll get fruit (like pineapple), juice, water, and cookies after rafting.

Is this rafting experience suitable for beginners or families?

Yes, it's suitable for most fitness levels and families; minimum age is 10.

When does this tour operate during the year?

The Chorro section runs during dry season: December 15th to May 15th.

Can I try cliff jumping on this tour?

Yes, there are spots for cliff jumping from 5, 10 or 15 feet if you want.

Do I need to bring any special gear?

You should bring water shoes or sneakers (no flip flops), sunblock, sunglasses with straps, swimsuit, towel, change of clothes and extra bottled water.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Quepos or Manuel Antonio (or your Airbnb), all equipment like life vest and helmet, safety briefing with bilingual local guides plus a safety kayaker alongside your raft. After tackling the river together you'll share fresh fruit snacks—pineapple slices, juice, cookies—and then ride back to town together before you know it.