Class 3-4 From San Jose, Connection

San Jose Rafting Class 3-4 with Connection to La Fortuna

from $122 per person

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

Duration: 8 hours
Meeting point: San José
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Desafio Adventure Company

Overview

This tour turns the travel day between San Jose and La Fortuna into a full whitewater run on the Sarapiqui River, run by Desafio Adventure Company. The idea is simple: instead of sitting in a shuttle for the whole transfer, you get picked up in San Jose in the morning, drive through small villages to San Miguel, and paddle the so-called Jungle Run. Guides give a safety and paddling briefing first, then the group spends about 3.5 hours on the water covering nearly 22 kilometers, with over 40 rapids along the way, including ones named The Pipeline, The Terminator, and Dos Locos.

About halfway down the river the group pulls over to watch rapids from the shore and eat tropical fruit. The run finishes at the Red-Eyed Frog Restaurant on the riverbank, where lunch is a typical casado of rice, beans, plantain and meat, plus coffee. There are showers and changing rooms on site, and from there you continue to La Fortuna, since this is the connection version: pickup in San Jose, drop-off in La Fortuna.

It suits adventurous paddlers in good physical condition who want class 3 and 4 water without booking a separate rafting day. Helmets, paddles, life jackets and the raft are all provided. Reviews consistently praise the guides, the food, and how safe the whole operation feels.

What's Included

Included

Pickup from select locations in San Jose and La Fortuna
Drop-off at select locations in San Jose and La Fortuna
Air-conditioned transfers
WiFi on board
Tropical fruit snack
Lunch
Helmet, paddle, rafting boat, life jacket

Not Included

Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
Breakfast
Pictures (available for purchase)

Itinerary

Morning pickup in San JosePickup from select locations in San Jose, with air-conditioned transfers and WiFi on board.
Drive to San MiguelTravel through small Costa Rican villages, passing La Virgen, to the put-in near the town of San Miguel.
Safety briefingA professional guide covers safety tips and technical paddling instructions before you launch.
Raft the SarapiquiAbout 3.5 hours on the river over nearly 22 kilometers, with over 40 class 3 and 4 rapids.
Fruit stop on shoreAbout halfway down, the group stops to watch the rapids from the shore and share a tropical fruit snack.
Lunch at Red-Eyed FrogTake out at the restaurant on the river for a casado lunch with gourmet coffee, plus showers and changing rooms.
Drop-off in La FortunaContinue on to drop-off at select locations in La Fortuna, completing the connection.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what helps to know before booking this particular run.

What to wear. Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, comfortable clothes and shoes, and water shoes if you have them. The listing also suggests biodegradable sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and some cash.
Fitness required. The listing is explicit that rafting involves inherent risk and physical exertion. You must be in good physical condition, with no recent surgery, heart condition, pregnancy, or injury, and you should tell your guide if you need medication such as allergy pills during the day.
Guides and safety. Multiple reviewers describe the guides as skilled, enthusiastic and safety-conscious, from the paddling to the driving to the restaurant service. One reviewer also noted the timing ran exactly as promised.
Food and drink. A tropical fruit snack on the riverbank and a casado lunch with coffee are included, and multiple reviewers call the food delicious or fantastic. Breakfast and alcoholic drinks are not included, though alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
Photos cost extra. Photos are available for purchase and are not part of the tour price. One reviewer called the high-quality photos well worth the price, so budget for them if you want shots of the rapids.
Wildlife on the banks. The listing highlights monkeys and iguanas among the rainforest wildlife to watch for. It also warns that the natural environment includes insects, snakes, crocodiles and other animals, so repellent and attention to the guide both matter.

Common issues. The tour runs rain or shine, but the operator may substitute a river with an equal or similar difficulty rating if conditions demand it; you can accept the alternative or decline and take a full refund, and full refunds also apply if the operator cancels for unsafe conditions. Breakfast is not included, and photos and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase rather than included. Pets are not allowed. One reviewer noted that a return trip to the pick-up location is possible, so confirm your drop-off point with the operator if the one-way connection does not suit your plans.

Common Questions

Is pickup included?

Yes. This version of the tour includes morning pickup from select locations in San Jose, with drop-off at select locations in La Fortuna. Transfers are air-conditioned with WiFi on board. A return to the pick-up location is possible according to one reviewer, but the connection product is set up as San Jose to La Fortuna.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off at select locations, air-conditioned transfers with WiFi, a tropical fruit snack, lunch, and all rafting gear: helmet, paddle, raft and life jacket. Photos, breakfast and alcoholic drinks are not included, though pictures and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

How long is the rafting?

The full tour runs about 8 hours door to door, of which around 3.5 hours are spent on the river. You cover nearly 22 kilometers and over 40 rapids on the Sarapiqui.

Can children or people with health conditions join?

The listing does not state a minimum age, so ask the operator before booking if travelling with children. It does state that participants must be in good physical condition, without recent surgery, heart conditions, pregnancy or injury, and that any medication needed during the tour should be declared to the guide.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates rain or shine. If river or weather conditions require it, guides may offer a run on a river of equal or similar difficulty, and you can decline the alternative for a full refund. The operator also reserves the right to cancel for unsafe conditions, with full refunds in that case.

Can I cancel?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellations by the operator, for example due to unsafe conditions, also carry a full refund.