Afternoon La Fortuna Rafting, No Meal

Rafting in Sarapiqui River from La Fortuna: Afternoon tour

from $70 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 5 hours
Meeting point: La Fortuna
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Arenal Rafting Company

Overview

This afternoon trip from La Fortuna puts you on the Rio Sarapiqui for two hours of white water, working through roughly 25 rapids over a 10 kilometer stretch. The whole outing runs about five hours, so the morning stays free for something else, which is exactly how the operator pitches it. A bus with air conditioning takes you from town to the river in about an hour.

At the put-in you get a lifejacket, helmet and paddle, then a full safety talk and a bit of practice before the descent. Along the way the raft pauses for seasonal fruit such as pineapple, watermelon or mango on the riverbank, and there is an optional cliff jump the guides supervise. Water along this section is clear and warm enough for swimming. At the take-out the driver waits with water, towels, Costa Rican snacks and coffee, and you can look at the photos taken on the rapids before riding back to your hotel.

Families fit well here. One reviewer ran it with children aged 10, 13 and 16 and found the activity safe and genuinely fun, suggesting higher difficulty sections only for travellers chasing more adrenaline. Hotel pickup around La Fortuna and Arenal is offered on this afternoon departure.

What's Included

Included

2 hours white water rafting
Safety equipment (lifejacket, helmet, paddle)
Bilingual guide
Seasonal fruit and snacks
Coffee
Water and towels at the end of the tour
Transportation
Afternoon trip with hotel pickup offered around La Fortuna and Arenal

Not Included

Photography Service, (available to purshase)

Itinerary

Hotel pickupAfternoon pickup from hotels around La Fortuna and Arenal, or meet at the operator's office in La Fortuna. Call ahead to arrange the pickup time.
Drive to the riverRoughly one hour by bus with air conditioning to reach the Rio Sarapiqui.
Gearing upPut on lifejacket, helmet and paddle, then listen to a full safety talk and do a short practice before launching.
Rafting the rapidsTwo hours descending a 10 kilometer section with an average of 25 rapids, with stops during the run for seasonal fruit such as pineapple, watermelon or mango, riverside rest and swimming. There is also an optional cliff jump the guides supervise with tips and safety measures.
Take-out and snacksThe driver waits at the take-out with water, towels, tropical fruit, Costa Rican snacks and coffee, plus the trip photos to view.
Return to La FortunaTransport back to your hotel in La Fortuna.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this afternoon departure.

Timing and pickup. The tour lasts about five hours and leaves in the afternoon, keeping your morning open. Pickup covers hotels around La Fortuna and Arenal, but only within 6 km of La Fortuna Central Park, and not Airbnb or rental houses. Call the operator to set your pickup time.
What to wear. Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, water and closed-toe shoes.
Fitness and pace. The pace suits mixed groups. A reviewer who rafted with children aged 10, 13 and 16 called the activity safe and suitable for kids, noting that harder sections exist for those wanting more adrenaline.
Guides and safety. Guides are bilingual and certified, with a stated minimum of five years of experience, and reviewers describe them as friendly, funny and professional. The safety talk and practice run come before the first rapid.
Food and drink. Seasonal fruit, Costa Rican snacks and coffee are included, plus water and towels at the end. Reviewers have described the food as very tasty.
Photos. There is no photography included, and the service is available to purchase separately if you want pictures of the rapids. One reviewer also noted there is little chance to use your own phone on the river, so budget for the photo package if shots matter to you.

Common issues. Photography costs extra, and reviewers mention it is hard to take your own pictures on the river, with one complaining about the photo stop timing. One reviewer also reported that their run was moved to a different river, which they found less fun. Pickup is limited to hotels within 6 km of La Fortuna Central Park and is not offered at Airbnb or rental houses, so independent travellers must use the office meeting point. Alcohol is not allowed in the vehicle and bare feet are not permitted.

Common Questions

How long is the tour and when does it start?

The full experience lasts about 5 hours, with an afternoon departure so your morning stays free. Of that, about 2 hours are spent rafting a 10 kilometer section of the Rio Sarapiqui with an average of 25 rapids. Call the operator to confirm your exact pickup time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included for this afternoon trip and is offered around La Fortuna and Arenal. It applies to hotels within 6 km of La Fortuna Central Park, and Airbnb or rental houses are not covered. Safe parking is available at the main office if you prefer to meet there.

Is food included?

Seasonal fruit, Costa Rican snacks, coffee, and water and towels at the end are all included. Photography is the only service listed as not included and must be purchased separately.

Can children do this rafting trip?

Yes. A reviewer rafted with children aged 10, 13 and 16 and reported they had fun and that the activity is not dangerous, with the guide described as professional. Anyone wanting more adrenaline can look at the higher difficulty sections instead.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, water, comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Bare feet are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks are not permitted in the vehicle. Towels are provided at the end, so a spare set of dry clothes is the main thing to carry.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If your plans change, the listing spells out the same terms on the booking page.