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Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River, Costa Rica: Class II-III Rapids and Natural Wonders
4.9
189 Ratings
La Virgen
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on Costa Rica’s Sarapiqui River. Navigate Class II-III rapids, swim in natural pools, and learn about the local flora and fauna from expert guides.
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on Costa Rica’s Sarapiqui River. Navigate Class II-III rapids, swim in natural pools, and learn about the local flora and fauna from expert guides.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Sarapiqui River - Renowned as one of Costa Rica’s most stunning rivers, the Sarapiqui is famous for its swift currents and convenient access, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and white-water adventurers.
- Sarapiqui River - Renowned as one of Costa Rica’s most stunning rivers, the Sarapiqui is famous for its swift currents and convenient access, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and white-water adventurers.
What's Included
- Round-trip river transportation
- Insurance coverage
- Private parking
- Lunch included
- Certified international guides
- Safety equipment provided
- WiFi access
- Pre-river safety instructions
- Tropical fruits and cassava snack
- Safety box available
- Dressing rooms
- Lockers
- Round-trip river transportation
- Insurance coverage
- Private parking
- Lunch included
- Certified international guides
- Safety equipment provided
- WiFi access
- Pre-river safety instructions
- Tropical fruits and cassava snack
- Safety box available
- Dressing rooms
- Lockers
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Photos and videos
- Tips
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Photos and videos
- Tips
Additional Information
This Class III rafting adventure on the Sarapiquà River is perfect for families, beginners, and thrill-seekers who want to enjoy exciting rapids along with peaceful moments to appreciate nature.
Navigate through exhilarating yet manageable rapids like Superman, Codo del Diablo, and Mónica, while drifting through serene jungle areas where you can swim,…
This Class III rafting adventure on the Sarapiquà River is perfect for families, beginners, and thrill-seekers who want to enjoy exciting rapids along with peaceful moments to appreciate nature.
Navigate through exhilarating yet manageable rapids like Superman, Codo del Diablo, and Mónica, while drifting through serene jungle areas where you can swim, refresh, and admire the stunning rainforest scenery.
Our internationally certified guides offer clear safety instructions and paddling techniques, ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey for all. Throughout the trip, they will highlight wildlife, tropical birds, and native plants, enhancing your connection with the unique natural environment of SarapiquÃ.
This adventure embodies the Sarapiquà Outdoor Center’s philosophy of Healing with Nature — blending excitement, relaxation, and cultural engagement, and concluding with tropical snacks and a delightful local meal.
- Minimum age is 6 years
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- You will be required to sign a waiver upon tour check-in
- Recommend you bring: Sunscreen, string or strap to secure your glasses, clothes to change into after the tour
- Recommend you wear: Swimsuit, Shorts or long pants (for sun protection only - no jeans), tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps (no flip flops), light rain jacket and/or polypropylene, wool shirts for cool or rainy days. Cotton T-shirts for sunny days only (they make you colder when wet)
- A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
- For your safety, the 8.30 am schedule may change because the river level.
Location
Sarapiqui Outdoor Center - Costa Rica
We are approximately ***2 hours*** away from the city of San José.
Take travel time into account, verifying that access routes do not present interruptions to avoid delays in tour departures.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(189 Ratings)
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1 star
Jason
Mar 8, 2026
Rafting in Sarapiquà - David and Carlos were awesome tour guides. Primarily concerned with safety, but loved conversation. Lunch was very tasty and portions very generous. The sugar cane juicing demonstration and tasting was a neat added touch! Thank you so much for a wonderful day! Pura vida!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jared
Mar 6, 2026
Simply the best - I can’t say enough about how special Stephen and David made our experience. We will be recommending this tour to EVERYONE we know! Don’t bother trying to find another group, this is as good as it will get
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Uwe
Feb 22, 2026
Super fun rafting tour - It was just awesome. For our first rafting tour it was the perfect level of difficulty. Stephen and David made the tour unforgettable and really fun! You can tell that they love their job and really try to give you the best experience. We were laughing all the time and had so much fun together. They showed us all the animals, like all kinds of birds and monkeys. Before we went on the boat we had lunch, which was included and super delicious. Afterwards we got fruits, yuca, coffee and we pressed our own sugar cane. We highly recommend it!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yahil_l
Jan 16, 2026
Pure adrenaline - A nice experience, ideal adventure for teenagers and adults, pure adrenaline. We had a great time. I'll be back for the 7-hour tour next time. Our tour guide Steaving and his very friendly companions, a very personalized tour with many attentions. 🫶
Review provided by Viator
Jonas
Jan 10, 2026
Great family outing on the Sarapiqui River! - We had a very nice experience with Sarapiqui Outdoor Center when we did a half day tour during the afternoon. We were there as a family and even though our young people had never tried rafting before, there was no problem whatsoever.
Some of us in the party had hoped to run class 3–4, but unfortunately that tour was cancelled. Of course, it was a bit sad as we were looking forward to a bigger challenge, but we really appreciate that the centre puts safety first. It feels safe and serious that they make such decisions when conditions require it.
What really lifted the experience was the nice atmosphere that all the leaders created. They were incredibly inspiring and happy, which rubbed off on the whole group. We also appreciated the good coffee afterwards – it was a perfect end to an active day.
Although it was a calmer tour than planned, we had a great time on the river in an incredibly beautiful environment. A perfect activity for families!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pierrerk7168rd
Jan 6, 2026
A fantastic experience - Fantastic experience. The skipper is super pro and explains very clearly the positions to take and the safety rules. Chef David was also accompanied by kayakers to ensure a draft in case of a fall in the water. On the shores quantities of exotic birds! In short, we will start rafting again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
199stacyc
Jan 5, 2026
First time Whitewater Rafting - Amazing experience for our family's first time whitewater rafting. David was an outstanding guide, as were his two colleagues in the neighbouring rafts. He was very concerned for our safety, and when I fell in (just once), he immediately grabbed me and dragged me back in. David called out instructions so we knew whether to paddle forward or backward, lean in, get down, and so forth. It was obvious he knew the river well. Our young adult kids loved it and plan to do whitewater rafting again. In the river's quieter stretches, David pointed out birds and wildlife, including a sloth. Afterwards, we ate a typical Costa Rican meal--it was probably my favourite meal from the whole week. It was inexpensive and very delicious. It was also fun to learn how sugarcane juice is made--and to taste it!
Note for first-timers: Whitewater rafting is pretty physical. I knew I would be paddling, but didn't realize how much of my whole body I'd be using (core, legs, etc.). Just something to be aware of if you haven't done it before, but don't let it stop you. David and the guys will keep you safe and it was really fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charlotte
Dec 30, 2025
Amazing - Our family of five had an amazing time rafting. Steven made the experience both fun and safe. We also enjoyed a lovely homemade lunch, great coffee, and fresh fruit. The kids also enjoyed making sugar by putting the sugarcane through the machine—it was such a fun and unique experience. A fantastic day all around!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hayder_a
Dec 29, 2025
First time rafting , with 3 kids - Awesome experience. It’s our first time whiteriver rafting. We are a family of 5. 3 kids (8,11, and 15). Everybody had a blast.
Steven and Marcos and David were all amazing and made everything very easy.
We didn’t bring water shoes so we used on regular shoes (no big deal). I would do it again.
Best excursion so far in Costa Rica
Review provided by Viator
763c_cilea
Dec 29, 2025
Exceptional - First rafting experience with Marco
Clearly one of the highlights of our three-week trip: perfect for both adrenaline and animal watching around the river
Thanks for everything Marco, it was great
Review provided by Tripadvisor
