Tenorio River Rafting: 22 Class III & IV Rapids
Eight miles of rapids and a 12-foot waterfall drop that other Tenorio runs don't include
White-water rafting on the Tenorio River in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where you navigate 22 class III and IV rapids over an 8-mile course and descend the Cascabel Falls waterfall. A professional guide leads the full day, which includes transport from your hotel, lunch, and the chance to spot monkeys, iguanas and tropical birds along the canyon walls and surrounding dry tropical forest.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Rafting adventure on Tenorio River
- View Guanacaste mountain landscapes
- Raft on Tenorio River rapids
- Observe tropical wildlife
- Pass through canyons and rock formations
- Experience lush tropical rainforest surroundings
What’s included
- Professional guide in English or Spanish.
- transport by air-conditioned minivan with hotel pickup and drop-off.
- lunch during the day.
Times
- Tuesday to Friday 06:45 07:15
Before you book
Operated by Costa Rica Groups Travel Company
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The Tenorio River cuts through a canyon in the Guanacaste mountains, and this run takes you down 8 miles of it, hitting 22 class III and IV rapids in sequence. The centerpiece is Cascabel Falls, a 12-foot drop that marks the end of the course. A feature you won't find on other Tenorio rafting trips. The guide handles safety and navigation. You operate the paddle and read the water as it changes.
The day starts with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan and ends with drop-off the same way. Lunch is included partway through. Along the river, the landscape shifts between dry tropical forest and lush lowlands, with canyon walls rising on either side. Wildlife sightings (howler monkeys, iguanas, tropical birds) happen often enough that the guide will point them out, though you're moving fast enough that spotting them is never guaranteed.
The full experience runs 9 hours from pickup to return. You'll need a moderate level of fitness and comfort in moving water. The minimum age is 13. A professional guide speaks English or Spanish depending on the option you book.
Is this one for you?Book this run if you want the Cascabel Falls descent and the full sequence of 22 rapids. It's the Tenorio course that includes both, and the 9-hour day is built around fitting them in. If you prefer a shorter time on the water or a gentler pace, other Tenorio options exist. This one is built for the challenge and the waterfall finish.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 15 years). Children under 13 can't be included in the booking.
What are class III and IV rapids like for someone who has never rafted before?
Class III rapids are moderate whitewater with waves and some obstacles that require active paddling to navigate. Class IV rapids are intense, with larger waves and tighter passages that demand quick reactions and coordination with the guide. On this Tenorio run, the 22 rapids build in intensity as you progress downriver, so the early ones give you a feel for the water before the harder sections arrive.
How much time do you actually spend on the water versus in the van?
The 9-hour total includes the minivan ride to and from the river, lunch, and the rafting itself. Most of that time is on the water. The van ride is roughly an hour each way.
What is Cascabel Falls and why is it only on this tour?
Cascabel Falls is a 12-foot waterfall drop at the end of the Tenorio course that marks the finish of this particular run. Other Tenorio rafting trips on the river end at different points and don't include this descent.
Will I see wildlife, or is that just something they mention?
The Tenorio canyon and surrounding dry tropical forest are home to howler monkeys, iguanas, tropical birds and other species, and sightings are common enough that the guide watches for them. You're moving downriver at a steady pace, so spotting depends partly on timing and how alert you are, but the guide will call them out when they appear.
Is this rafting trip suitable for someone with some paddling experience but not expert level?
Yes. The course is designed for adventurers with at least moderate fitness. The guide leads you through each rapid and handles the overall strategy. The rapids build in intensity as you go, so you gain confidence before the toughest sections.
Tenorio River Rafting: 22 Class III & IV Rapids
9h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 165 per person
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