White Water Rafting Costa Rica – Arenal Tours Guided by Locals

4×3
Travel in 4, Pay for 3
Valid on rafting tours Class IV & III and Rafting Class III & II
Valid for website bookings only. Travel dates must be between 20 April 2025 and 15 November 2025. Offer applies to groups of 4. This promo cannot be stacked with other promos.
BOOK NOW
10% OFFValid on rafting tours Class III & II
Using the coupon code RAFT-10
Valid for website bookings only. Travel dates must be between 20 April 2025 and 15 November 2025. A minimum of 2 participants is required.
BOOK NOW
10% OFFValid on rafting tours Class IV & III
Using the coupon code RAFT-10
Valid for website bookings only. Travel dates must be between 20 April 2025 and 15 November 2025. A minimum of 2 participants is required.
BOOK NOWMore than Just a Tour: It’s a WAVE Thing
With WAVE, you’re not just signing up for a tour—you’re stepping into a story guided by people who genuinely love what they do.
Every paddle stroke, every laugh, every shared moment on the river is led by a team that knows these waters by heart and cares deeply about your experience. This isn’t a cookie-cutter experience—it’s a handcrafted adventure, shaped by people who know these waters and love what they do. WAVE Rafting has over 20 years of exploring and sharing Costa Rica—one paddle at a time. We love rafting.
River Stories: See What Travelers Say About Wave!
From first-timers to thrill-seekers, explore real reviews from travelers who turned their Costa Rica vacation into epic river stories with Wave — the rafting leaders in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
Rachel Canning We had an amazing trip and can’t recommend WAVE and their team enough. They made everything so easy and were so communicative over WhatsApp about any questions. We had the best day with Daniel (aka Danny Boy) and it was clear how knowledgeable he was of the Sarapiqui and which lines to take through each section while giving us great coaching. We hope to be back again soon! Liz B Lovely rafting trip! Moises was an incredible, kind and professional guide! We had fun, got wet, worked a bit, played a lot, and did some floating looking for wildlife. Jairo and Javi took great care of us too. It was a great little piece of Costa Rican paradise. Gracias por todo, pura vida! vanessa Cristofer was the best rafting guide we could’ve asked for! He was so sweet, had the nicest smile, and was extremely caring. Moises & Romin were very informative and safely took us from the office to the river and back. Would definitely recommend to everyone! Mikel R. Si quieres una aventura emocionante pero sin arriesgar demasiado, el rafting en el río Sarapiquí (nivel 2/3) es perfecto. Tiene la dosis justa de adrenalina, con rápidos divertidos pero sin ser extremos. Lo más normal es que nadie se caiga de la balsa, así que si nunca has hecho rafting, ¡no hay de qué preocuparse! Nuestro guía, Erik, fue increíble. Explicó todo súper bien, nos hizo sentir seguros y además es un crack haciendo que el recorrido sea aún más entretenido. Se nota que conoce el río como la palma de su mano. El paisaje es impresionante: selva por todos lados, montones de aves y hasta vimos una iguana en el camino. Es una experiencia que vale totalmente la pena, 100% recomendable. ¡Yo repetiría sin dudarlo! Marilyn Cox This was our second time rafting in Costa Rica and we had a fantastic time. We rafted the class IV and III rapids. Our guide, Justin, was excellent and did an outstanding job navigating us through some narrow areas. From the booking experience, to check-in, to the safety briefing, to our time on the water, we had nothing but a positive experience with everyone at Wave Rafting. We would absolutely recommend them. Adele Aragnouet Magnifique expérience, vraiment ça vaut le coup ! La journée a été parfaite, les encadrants sont vraiment cool :) Prenez des affaires de rechange et des chaussures fermées (obligatoire pour faire l’activité) Claire Robinson Really enjoyed rafting Balsa River II & III today with our guide Diego. Very well organised, transport from hotel, fruit stop en route, towel and changing facilities at end (just remember a bag to put your wet clothes in). Can leave clothes/phones on bus while rafting. Rapids fun, but suitable for beginners. Diego was brilliant, as well as being a great rafting guide, his knowledge and passion for Costa Rican wildlife, nature and culture was inspiring. We saw sloths, iguanas, and numerous birds. Eleanor Newton My husband and I had such a great morning with Wave Expeditions for the Sarapiqui Rafting (grades III & IV) trip. We were picked up from our hotel in La Fortuna and everything was so professional from start to finish. Our instructor, Cris, had such a zest for life and made it a truly enjoyable and exciting experience for both of our first time. Topped off with and beer and delicious lunch, we can highly recommend. Pura vida! Lia Sprague, O.D. Wow! What an adventure! For the majority of us, this was our first time white water rafting. From pick up, instructions from Daniel, guidance from our boat captain, Mariano, lunch, and return to our resort, everything was well taken care of. Lots of excitement yet we all remained safe! Loved that we now have an album of pictures from our trip (cost for photos was great too). Lots of memories created! Highly recommend this group! alberto banuelos Momo, was the best ! Great rafting guide, highly recommend choosing him for the guide! Thanks Momo, he hit us with 3s and 2s
One Destination, Many Adventures – Your WAVE Tour Guide
Every WAVE tour is led by people who know these places by heart. We don’t just guide adventures—we share what we love. Get ready to explore Costa Rica, the WAVE way.
Top White Water Rafting Tours in Arenal
La Fortuna is the ultimate destination for white water rafting in Costa Rica—where lush rainforest meets thrilling rapids. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly Class II & III adventure, ready to take it up a notch with our Class III & IV challenge, or want to make the most of your travel time with a scenic shuttle tour from San José or Manuel Antonio to Arenal, Wave Rafting has the perfect river journey for you. Join us and turn your vacation into unforgettable river stories.

From: $99
Rafting Class IV & III on Sarapiquí River – Ultimate Adventure
Wild, scenic, and made to thrill. Paddle through intense rapids in lush rainforest with our most adrenaline-filled tour.

From: $80
Rafting Class III & II on Balsa River – Most Popular Tour
Fun, splashy, and family-friendly. The perfect mix of adventure and nature—great for first-timers and wildlife lovers.

From: $105
Shuttle from Arenal to
San Jose with Rafting Class II-III
Travel and adventure in one ride. Break up your transfer with a rafting detour on the Balsa River. No time wasted.

From: $140
Shuttle from Arenal to Manuel Antonio with Rafting Class II-III
Raft, relax, and ride to the beach. Add jungle rapids to your journey and make your way to the coast with a smile.
White Water Rafting
in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Our expert guides will take you down the Balsa River or Sarapiqui River, both of which offer a thrilling and unforgettable experience near the Arenal Volcano. As you navigate the rapids and take in the lush rainforest surroundings, you’ll be creating memories that will last a lifetime with your friends and family. With our focus on safety, sustainability, and personalized service, WAVE Rafting is the perfect choice for anyone looking to experience the thrill of white water rafting in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Rafting Adventure Combos
Mix & Match your day in Arenal: combine tours, save time, and unlock up to 10% off. Book your combo today.

Zipline Adventure
Fly over the forest canopy on a safe and scenic zipline tour. A perfect way to keep the adrenaline going.

Canyoning Experience
Two adventures, one epic day. Rappel waterfalls and raft wild rapids in Costa Rica’s rainforest. Pure thrill from start to finish.

ATV Jungle Ride
Trade paddles for wheels and ride muddy jungle trails. A guided ATV tour to explore the real countryside.

Sloth Watching Tour
Slow the pace after rafting and search for sloths, monkeys, and birds on an easy, family-friendly nature walk.

Hanging Bridges Walk
Unwind with a walk across rainforest bridges. Peaceful, scenic, and a great way to connect with nature.

Chocolate & Culture Tour
Make your own chocolate and learn the cacao’s story. A sweet and cultural way to wrap up your Arenal adventure.

Looking for a calmer experience?
Some days aren’t about adrenaline—they’re about slowing down and letting nature speak. Perfect for families, bird lovers, or anyone who just wants to breathe and feel present. Discover the Safari Float!

From: $67
Nature Safari
Float Tour
Slow down and reconnect with nature on a peaceful float along the Peñas Blancas River. Spot monkeys, birds, caimans, and more with a local naturalist guide.

From: $102
Nature Safari Float and Chocolate Tour
Float through the rainforest, then dive into the sweet world of Costa Rican chocolate. Nature, culture, and flavor in one unforgettable experience.

From: $108
Safari Float and
Tortilla Making
After a serene river float, enjoy a hands-on cooking class with a local family. Learn to make tortillas and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

From: $75
Nocturnal Nature
Safari Float
Discover the magic of the rainforest at night. Float quietly under the stars while listening to the sounds of wildlife and spotting nocturnal creatures.
Find us on Google Maps – Your Adventure Starts Here!
Leading Rafting Experiences, Backed by Trusted Certifications
Every WAVE tour is guided by passion and backed by the most respected entities in tourism. Our certifications aren’t just logos—they’re your peace of mind.





