Family Rafting Class II-III, Meal
3 hours
from $85per personShared boat trip with lunch.
Check availability →
Chilamate Meet Point, Traditional Lunch
Sarapiqui River Rafting
from $70 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Meeting point
- Chilamate
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Meal
- Meal included
- Run by
- Aguas Bravas Rafting Adventures
Overview
The Sarapiqui River trip with Aguas Bravas Rafting Adventures packs a class II-III whitewater run through rainforest into roughly three hours door to river and back. You can also meet the crew at the riverside Operation Center in Chilamate, Sarapiqui, where there is parking, and ride the van for a short 10 minute hop to the river itself.
Before anyone touches water, the certified guides hand out professional gear and run a safety briefing covering commands and paddling technique. Then comes the fun part: a stretch of rapids with names like Roller Coaster, Superman and Air Force, broken up by calm pools where you can swim or leap off the banks.
Back on dry land, a hot traditional lunch waits at the riverside facilities, along with a buffet of fresh tropical fruit and drinks. The pace suits beginners and intermediate rafters, and multiple families with children wrote that everyone managed the descent and had a great time. Across recent reviews, guests describe the guides as funny, professional and reliable.
What's Included
Included
- Certified guides
- Professional gear
- Internal transportation
- Fresh fruit buffet
- Lunch and drinks
Not Included
- CD with pictures
- Tips
Itinerary
- Meet at Aguas BravasStart at the Aguas Bravas base in Chilamate, Sarapiqui, or arrange hotel pickup where offered.
- Transfer to the riverA van takes the group from the Operation Center to the river, a ride of about 10 minutes.
- Safety briefingCertified guides fit everyone with professional gear and explain safety commands and paddling instructions before launch.
- Raft the SarapiquiAround two and a half hours on the water, running class II-III rapids, with calm pools for swimming and stops for wildlife.
- Lunch by the riverA hot traditional lunch, drinks and a fresh fruit buffet are served at the riverside facilities back at base.
- ReturnHead back to the base or your hotel to carry on with the day.
What To Expect From The Tour
Here is what to sort out before you go, based on the listing and what recent guests reported.
- Shoes and dry clothes. Wear secure, comfortable clothes and water shoes, and bring a full change of dry clothing.
- You will get soaked. Multiple reviewers described getting drenched and loving it. A swimsuit or quick drying layers under the provided gear make the day far more comfortable.
- Family friendly pace. Several families with children aged 9 to 12 took this tour and recommended it. The rapids sit in the class II-III range and the full briefing makes the run manageable for beginners and intermediates.
- Rain raises the river. A few reviewers ran the river after heavy rain and found the current stronger and the ride more spectacular. One of them noted everyone stayed on board with some effort.
- Wildlife on the water. Guests reported seeing macaws, toucans, monkeys and plenty of birds, with guides stopping to point them out on the calmer stretches.
- Photos are extra. Waterproof cameras are not allowed on the raft, but photos of the run are taken along the way and can be bought afterward. One reviewer called them a worthwhile souvenir, and the listing lists the photo CD as a paid extra.
Common issues. Waterproof cameras are not permitted, so the only photos of your run are the ones sold afterward, and tips are also excluded from the price. One family reported their boat flipping in high water after heavy rain; they praised the guides' response, but it shows the river's difficulty varies with conditions, and some travellers say clearer information on rapid levels across seasons would help. The photo CD is an optional purchase rather than an inclusion. The listing offers a scheduled pickup from Sarapiqui hotels, so confirm your option on the booking page.
Common Questions
Is hotel pickup included?
The listing offers a scheduled pickup from Sarapiqui hotels. You can also drive to the Aguas Bravas base in Chilamate and use the safe parking lot there. Check your specific departure on the booking page before assuming pickup applies.
What is included in the price?
Certified guides, professional rafting gear, internal transport to the river, a fresh fruit buffet, and lunch with drinks. Photos and tips are not included.
How long is the tour?
The full experience runs about three hours, with roughly two and a half hours of that on the water. Add transfer time from your hotel if you use pickup. Lunch follows the run, back at the base.
Is it suitable for children and beginners?
Yes. The listing describes the tour as ideal for beginners and intermediate rafters, and several families with children between 9 and 12 reported a fun, safe day. After heavy rain the current strengthens, so conditions vary, and the guides give a full safety briefing beforehand.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, water shoes, and a change of dry clothing for afterward. Waterproof cameras are not allowed on the raft.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Book Chilamate Meet Point, Traditional Lunch
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
Check Price & Availability →Other Class II-III Family Rafting Worth Comparing
