La Fortuna Class IV, Full Day

Sarapiqui White Water Rafting from La Fortuna

from $99 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: La Fortuna
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included

Overview

A minivan collects you at your La Fortuna hotel and drives you out to the Sarapiqui River, where a professional guide runs through the paddle commands before the rafts push off. The river section itself covers roughly two hours on the water, with rapids that keep the paddling busy. A safety kayak traveled with the group on at least one run, as one reviewer described after a swimmer was quickly recovered on the first rapid.

Even while moving fast down the river, the group got to see animals in the trees, which the guides pointed out along the way, as one reviewer described. After the run, the group stops for a local lunch, and there are showers and a place to change before the ride back to La Fortuna.

This trip suits reasonably fit travellers aged 13 and up. The minimum booking is two people, groups run up to 24 travellers, and the whole experience lasts about eight hours door to door. It is not recommended for anyone with back problems or serious heart conditions, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

What's Included

Included

Lunch
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Not Included

Gratuities
Breakfast
Alcoholic beverages
Private transportation
WiFi on board

Itinerary

Hotel pickup in La FortunaRound-trip pickup and drop-off from selected La Fortuna hotels in an air-conditioned minivan.
Transfer to the Sarapiqui RiverThe drive out to the river is made in the same air-conditioned minivan.
Safety briefingBefore launching, the guides explain all paddle commands and when to move positions in the boat, as reviewers describe.
Rafting the Sarapiqui RiverTwo hours on the water, with admission included. The boats also pass by additional stretches of the Sarapiqui.
Lunch and shower stopA local lunch is served after the run, with showers and changing facilities available, according to reviewers.
Return to La FortunaThe minivan brings the group back to their La Fortuna hotels, ending the roughly eight-hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what the listing and past travellers say the day actually involves, so you can arrive prepared.

Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and it is not recommended for travellers with back problems or serious heart conditions. Rafting requires active paddling, so come ready to participate rather than sit back.
Who can come. The minimum age is 13, and at least two people are needed per booking. Groups run to a maximum of 24 travellers, so expect a shared trip rather than a small private raft.
Getting wet. One reviewer described a traveller falling out on the first rapid and being recovered immediately by the security kayak. Wear clothes you do not mind soaking, and plan on using the shower and changing facilities after the run.
Food and drink. Lunch is included and reviewers called it a delicious local meal. Breakfast is not included, so eat before pickup, and alcoholic drinks are also excluded.
Bring cash. Gratuities are not included in the price. Bring some cash if you want to tip at the end of the day.
Watching for wildlife. One reviewer noted that guides pointed out animals in the trees even while the rafts moved quickly downstream. Keep an eye on the trees when the guides call something out.

Common issues. The listing states the trip is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with back problems or serious heart conditions. Anyone traveling solo cannot book alone, since a minimum of two people per booking is required. Breakfast, alcoholic drinks and gratuities are all excluded, so budget for those separately. Private transportation and WiFi on board are also not provided. One reviewer mentioned a fall into the river on the first rapid, though the safety kayak recovered the swimmer immediately.

Common Questions

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, round-trip pickup and drop-off from selected hotels in La Fortuna is included. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan. Check the booking page to confirm your hotel is on the pickup list.

What is included in the price?

The price covers lunch, a professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels, and transport by air-conditioned minivan. River admission is also included. Not included are gratuities, breakfast, alcoholic beverages, private transportation and WiFi on board.

How long is the tour and how much time is on the river?

The full experience lasts about eight hours from pickup to drop-off. Of that, roughly two hours are spent rafting the Sarapiqui River, plus additional stretches passed along the way.

Can children or travelers with limited mobility join?

The minimum age is 13 years. The listing says the tour is not recommended for travelers with back problems or serious heart conditions, states it is not wheelchair accessible, and asks for moderate physical fitness.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancel or request changes within 24 hours of the start time and no refund or changes are accepted. Cut-off times are based on the experience's local time.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring a change of clothes and a towel for after the run, since showers and changing facilities are available before the ride back. Eat breakfast beforehand because it is not included. Cash for gratuities is also a good idea.