Class IV From La Fortuna

Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV

★ 5.0 845 verified reviews

from $85 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
Meal: Meal included

Overview

This is a five-hour Class IV whitewater run on the Sarapiqui River, operated out of La Fortuna by Arenal Rafting. Hotel pickups run between seven and eight-thirty in the morning for properties within 6 km of the main office, with the exact time confirmed on the listing. Travellers staying further out, or preferring to make their own way, can meet at the office on Avenida 333 y Calle 460 by a quarter past eight in the morning; the trip ends back at the same point.

Once on the water, the day is built around continuous Class IV rapids, though several reviewers who have rafted elsewhere describe the run as fun and manageable even for some first-timers, and one experienced rafter felt it did not ride as hard as advertised. Boats do flip, and at least a few travellers end up swimming, which most frame as part of the fun rather than a problem. A fruit stop partway down and a lunch at the end break up the paddling.

It suits reasonably fit swimmers aged 12 and over who want a full adrenaline morning out of La Fortuna. It is not a fit for pregnant travellers, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone over 120 kilos.

What's Included

Included

Lunch
Professional guide
Fresh Fruits
Towels
Bottled water
Pick up time may vary up to 20 min depending on hotel's location
Hotel pickups usually run between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. confirm your exact pickup point on the listing.

Not Included

Pick up service to hotels over 6 km away from main office

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickups usually run between seven and eight-thirty in the morning from hotels within 6 km of the office, and may vary by up to 20 minutes depending on location. Confirm the exact pickup point on the listing.
Meet at the officeTravellers making their own way arrive at Arenal Rafting, Avenida 333 y Calle 460 in La Fortuna, 100 meters north of the police station, by a quarter past eight in the morning. The tour starts at 8:20.
Safety briefing and raftingGuides give instructions and organize the group into rafts before the Class IV run on the Sarapiqui River. Fresh fruit is served partway down the river.
LunchA lunch is served at the end of the rafting, with a vegetarian option available if requested at booking. Souvenir photos are shown and available to purchase at this point, for an extra fee.
ReturnThe activity ends back at the meeting point in La Fortuna.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, drawn from the listing and from what repeated reviewers describe.

Getting wet. Plan on getting soaked. Several reviewers report boats flipping or ending up in the river, and say it is part of the fun. Expect the possibility of mild bruises, as one traveller put it.
Fitness and swimming. The listing requires strong physical fitness and the ability to swim, with a minimum age of 12.
Food and drink. Lunch, fresh fruit on the river, bottled water and towels are all included. Reviewers repeatedly praise both the fruit stop and the post-rafting lunch, and a vegetarian option exists if requested at booking.
Photos. Souvenir photos are not included but are shown at the end and can be purchased.
First-timers. Nervous paddlers are in common company here.
Organization. One traveller specifically praised the transport back and forth from La Fortuna as hassle free.

Common issues. Pickup is only included from hotels within 6 km of the office, so travellers staying further out must arrange their own transport, and pickup times can slip by up to 20 minutes. One experienced rafter felt the run did not ride as hard as its class 4 or 5 billing suggests, so anyone chasing maximum difficulty should temper expectations. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers, people with back problems, or anyone over 120 kilos. Photos cost extra, and up to 50 travellers can be on the trip.

Common Questions

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, from hotels located less than 6 km from the main office in La Fortuna. Pickups usually run between seven and eight-thirty in the morning and may vary by up to 20 minutes depending on your hotel's location. Hotels beyond 6 km are not covered, and you confirm your exact pickup point on the listing.

Where is the meeting point if I skip pickup?

The office is at Arenal Rafting, Avenida 333 y Calle 460 in La Fortuna, 100 meters north of the police station, findable on mapping apps under the company name. Arrive by a quarter past eight in the morning if you do not need pickup. The tour starts at 8:20 and ends back at the same point.

What is included in the price?

A professional guide, lunch, fresh fruit on the river, towels, bottled water and transport from qualifying hotels. Souvenir photos are not included and can be purchased at the end of the tour when the pictures are shown.

Can children or beginners join?

The minimum age is 12 and children must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone must know how to swim and have a strong fitness level. First-timers have enjoyed the trip according to several reviews, and the crew can place people in rafts suited to their comfort level.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the experience's start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before start time are not refunded or accepted. Cut-off times are based on local time.

Who should not book this tour?

It is not recommended for pregnant travellers, people with back problems, anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions, or people over 120 kilos (260 pounds). It is not wheelchair accessible. A vegetarian lunch is available if you advise at booking.