Family Friendly River Rafting from San Jose to Arenal: A Scenic Adventure on Balsa River

Embark on a family-friendly river rafting adventure from San Jose to Arenal. Paddle along the scenic Balsa River, enjoy fresh fruits and beverages, and take a refreshing plunge. Book now!

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Wave Expeditions - This exciting Class II-III white water rafting tour begins with your pickup at your hotel in San Jose. The bus may stop at other hotels to pickup fellow rafters. Storage above your seat is available for your backpack, change of clothing and toiletry items you might need at the end of the tour.

Along the route to the river bank you’ll pass through fields of yucca, papaya and other plants. Have your camera ready, because your bathroom break is an awesome spot to get amazing photos of nature and iguanas. Once you arrive at the put in spot on the river bank, your guides and safety kayakers will instruct you on how to raft, teaching you the basic moves and rafting commands you and your rafting team will need to know before you begin the tour. Enjoy a wet and wild ride as you guide your raft down rapids such as “Magnetic Rock” and “Dredges” on your 2-hour trek down the beautiful and tropical Balsa River. Drink in the majestic foliage of the rain-forest as you watch for monkeys, sloths and toucans while you raft. Enjoy a swim, tropical fruits and cold drinks during your break from the action.

A delicious, typical lunch is served at a traditional country estate designed for guests to truly experience Costa Rica’s peaceful country life. Come to understand the meaning of Costa Rica’s favorite saying, “Pura Vida!” The rafting bus will take you to your Arenal hotel between 4 and 4:30pm.

What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
  • Driver and professional guide
  • Lunch and snacks provided
  • Beverages included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • All rafting equipment provided
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience the thrill of our child-friendly river rafting adventure while travelling from San Jose to Arenal. Our qualified guides will guide you through a practice session before you begin the excursion. Traverse the breathtaking Balsa River using your paddles, pausing occasionally for fresh fruits, drinks, a chance for a brisk swim in the Balsa River, and a delightful lunchtime meal.

  • Minimum Age 8
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Weather dependent. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is flooding or other government river closure. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
  • Participants will get wet, please dress ready to raft in bathing suit and shoes that will stay on feet. No flipflops allowed
  • Not responsible for items lost or damaged on river, please do not take anything on the river that you are not willing to lose.
  • Not responsible for items left on bus from San Jose, please check carefully before getting off bus
  • Tour requires a 2 person minimum to book
Location
WAVE Rafting Costa Rica
Avenida 331
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(8 Ratings)
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Et_from_dc
Dec 23, 2021
The entire family loved Waves rafting! - Our family of four included an 8 and 12 year old and all of us had an amazing time, including my thrill seeking husband. The rafting experience exceeded my expectations and the team was extremely professional from start to finish. Waves’ boats, helmets and other gear was the highest quality compared to the rafting companies that were on the river with us at the same time. They even had a changing rooms at the end before we headed to lunch. Our guide Mario was excellent with our kids and it was clear that safety was his top priority. I would use Waves for other tours without any hesitation. A 5 star experience all around.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nathaliev714
Nov 25, 2020
Great experience!!! - We did a combo tour of rappelling and rafting! The experience was amazing! We fortunately, we’re the only ones that had booked for the afternoon, it was during their slow season, as well as COVID. The tour guides were very friendly, took great pictures, and knew a lot about Costa Rica as well as the wildlife. While we were rafting we saw monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and toucans. We also stopped and ate a fresh pineapple that they cut open for us on the river. After we stopped at a restaurant for an authentic lunch, they gave us a shot of moon shine, and we crushed up some sugar cane. It was both a fun experience and we didn’t expect the additional stops! Would highly recommend this place!! Nathalie
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rps5022
Mar 10, 2020
What a ride! - Our entire experience was amazing! My wife and I did the class II-III rapids tour with Mario and we could not have had more fun. He was an expert in the raft, of course, but also about the river and surrounding wildlife. If you do ONE excursions while you are in the Arenal area then do yourself a favor and make it with Wave Expeditions. (Ask for Super Mario!)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gild505
Feb 11, 2020
Super Mario - We did it with our 2 kids 9 and 11 years old. Our guide was Super Mario great guy with excellent attitude. Thanks Mario
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pkapu
Aug 27, 2018
Must to - Our Balsa river adventure coupled with lunch at the organic farm was easily the highlight of our adventure filled vacation in Costa Rica!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joanne
Feb 26, 2018
Fantastic! - What a way to do our transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna! We were picked up at our San Jose hotel by the lovely Carlos. On arrival at the river our luggage was transferred to the bus that would take us to La Fortuna. Great white water rafting experience! The guides were brilliant and at slower parts of the river pointed out wildlife. Rapids were exhilarating but not too scary. My tip would be to try and sit at the front of the boat for the most fun and best photos - which they send you via Dropbox afterwards for $30. Towels were provided as well as somewhere to change (bring dry clothes). Then to a traditional farm restaurant for a delicious lunch before being dropped at our accommodation in La Fortuna. My boyfriend left his trainers on the bus and the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating in finding them. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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