Rafting & Canyoning Adventure Near San Jose: Balsa River Tour

Summary

White Water Rafting and Waterfall Rappelling Day Trip Costa Rica

You’ll paddle wild rapids, rappel down waterfalls in lush cloud forest, and finish with a Tarzan swing—all close to San Jose. It’s adventure packed into one day: wildlife sightings, expert local guides, and real Costa Rican flavors at lunch.

What’s the experience like?

The air felt thick with mist as we stepped out by the Balsa River—just a short drive from the hotel lobby, maybe seven minutes tops. Our guide, Luis, handed us helmets and paddles, cracking a joke about “pura vida” nerves before we hit the water. The river was alive—frothy rapids mixed with patches of calm where you could spot flashes of blue from kingfishers darting between branches. I remember the smell of wet earth and that faint tang of river stone. We paddled through class III rapids, sometimes laughing, sometimes just hanging on as the raft bounced over hidden rocks. At one bend, a troop of howler monkeys made enough noise to drown out even the rush of water.

Lunch was simple but filling—rice, beans, fried plantains, and fresh pineapple that tasted like sunshine after all that splashing around. Then came canyoning. We hiked ten minutes through cloud forest so thick you could feel droplets settling on your arms. The first rappel started off a hanging bridge; my hands shook a bit as I leaned back over 55 meters of open air but the guides were patient and kept things lighthearted. Each waterfall descent felt different—the spray cold against your face, boots slipping just a little on mossy rock. The last bit? A giant Tarzan swing that had me yelling louder than I’d expected. Afterward, a quick ride back up through the misty trees led us to a final zip-line run—400 meters flying above the canopy, wind in my ears and nothing but green below.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rafting and Canyoning Adventure

• Drive to Balsa river
• White water rafting on Balsa river
• Lunch break
• Hike to rappel start
• Safety instructions and gear fitting
• Rappel down four waterfalls (60 meters total)
• Tarzan swing activity
• Car ride through cloud forest
• 400 meter zip-line cable

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes! The guides explain everything clearly and help you at every step—even if it’s your first time rafting or rappelling.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear quick-dry clothes and closed shoes you don’t mind getting soaked. Bring a change of clothes for after—you’ll want them!

Are meals included?

Breakfast and lunch are both included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available if you let us know ahead of time.

Will I see wildlife during the trip?

There’s a good chance! We saw monkeys and tropical birds along the river—though sightings can vary depending on luck and weather.

What’s included

Your day covers breakfast, lunch (with veggie options), all safety gear for rafting and canyoning, hotel pickup/drop-off from central San Jose, expert bilingual guides who know these rivers inside out—and yes, all taxes and fees are sorted too.