White Water Rafting Costa Rica – Arenal Tours Guided by Locals
#1 Rafting Class II & III
in Arenal
Family-Friendly rafting in Arenal. Ride 22 fun rapids, spot monkeys and toucans, and explore the rainforest with expert guides on Costa Rica’s top-rated river adventure.
BOOK NOW
Rafting Class III & IV on
Sarapiqui River
Big waves. Bigger memories. Rally your crew for an epic ride through Sarapiquí’s wild rapids — the perfect group challenge with pro safety and Rainforest views
BOOK NOW
Wave Rafting
Special Deals
Save up to 10% on Whitewater Rafting and Nature Safari Floats near La Fortuna — on selected days only!
Take Your DiscountMore than Just a Tour:
It’s a WAVE Thing
With WAVE, you’re not just signing up for a tour—you’re stepping into an adventure guided by people who genuinely love what they do.
Every paddle stroke, every laugh, every shared moment on the river is led by a team that knows these waters by heart and cares deeply about your experience. This isn’t a cookie-cutter experience—it’s a handcrafted adventure, shaped by people who know these waters and love what they do. WAVE Rafting has over 20 years of exploring and sharing Costa Rica—one paddle at a time. We love rafting.
The #1 White Water Rafting Tours in Arenal Guaranteed
Looking for the best rafting in La Fortuna? Our guided White Water Rafting Tours in Arenal offer safe fun for families and exciting Class III and IV runs for adventure seekers. Certified guides, quality equipment, and transportation are included. Optional shuttle service from San José, Manuel Antonio, and Guanacaste for a smooth travel day. Book today and make the river the highlight of your trip.

From: $99
Rafting Class IV & III on Sarapiquí River – Ultimate Adventure
Wild, scenic, and made to thrill. Paddle through intense rapids in lush rainforest with our most adrenaline-filled tour.

From: $80
Rafting Class III & II on Balsa River – Most Popular Tour
Fun, splashy, and family-friendly. The perfect mix of adventure and nature—great for first-timers and wildlife lovers.

From: $105
Shuttle from Arenal to
San Jose with Rafting Class II-III
Travel and adventure in one ride. Break up your transfer with a rafting detour on the Balsa River. No time wasted.

From: $140
Shuttle from Arenal to Manuel Antonio with Rafting Class II-III
Raft, relax, and ride to the beach. Add jungle rapids to your journey and make your way to the coast with a smile.
White Water Rafting
in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Our expert guides will take you down the Balsa River or Sarapiqui River, both of which offer a thrilling and unforgettable experience near the Arenal Volcano. As you navigate the rapids and take in the lush rainforest surroundings, you’ll be creating memories that will last a lifetime with your friends and family. With our focus on safety, sustainability, and personalized service, WAVE Rafting is the perfect choice for anyone looking to experience the thrill of white water rafting in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Rafting Adventure Combos
Mix & Match your day in Arenal: combine tours, save time, and unlock up to 10% off. Book your combo today.

Zipline Adventure
Fly over the forest canopy on a safe and scenic zipline tour. A perfect way to keep the adrenaline going.

Canyoning Experience
Two adventures, one epic day. Rappel waterfalls and raft wild rapids in Costa Rica’s rainforest. Pure thrill from start to finish.

ATV Jungle Ride
Trade paddles for wheels and ride muddy jungle trails. A guided ATV tour to explore the real countryside.

Sloth Watching Tour
Slow the pace after rafting and search for sloths, monkeys, and birds on an easy, family-friendly nature walk.

Hanging Bridges Walk
Unwind with a walk across rainforest bridges. Peaceful, scenic, and a great way to connect with nature.

Chocolate & Culture Tour
Make your own chocolate and learn the cacao’s story. A sweet and cultural way to wrap up your Arenal adventure.

Last-minute Rafting & Safari Float deals in Arenal, Costa Rica
On select dates, save up to 10% on family-friendly whitewater rafting and peaceful jungle foats near La Fortuna. Hurry-your wild escape is just a click away.

Looking for a calmer experience?
Some days aren’t about adrenaline—they’re about slowing down and letting nature speak. Perfect for families, bird lovers, or anyone who just wants to breathe and feel present. Discover the Safari Float!

From: $67
Nature Safari
Float Tour
Slow down and reconnect with nature on a peaceful float along the Peñas Blancas River. Spot monkeys, birds, caimans, and more with a local naturalist guide.

From: $102
Nature Safari Float and Chocolate Tour
Float through the rainforest, then dive into the sweet world of Costa Rican chocolate. Nature, culture, and flavor in one unforgettable experience.

From: $108
Safari Float and
Tortilla Making
After a serene river float, enjoy a hands-on cooking class with a local family. Learn to make tortillas and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

From: $75
Nocturnal Nature
Safari Float
Discover the magic of the rainforest at night. Float quietly under the stars while listening to the sounds of wildlife and spotting nocturnal creatures.
One Destination, Many Adventures – Your WAVE Tour Guide
Every WAVE tour is led by people who know these places by heart. We don’t just guide adventures—we share what we love. Get ready to explore Costa Rica, the WAVE way.
River Stories: See What Travelers Say About Wave!
From first-timers to thrill-seekers, explore real reviews from travelers who turned their Costa Rica vacation into epic river stories with Wave — the rafting leaders in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
Posted on Curtis Miller We did the Whitewater Rafting Rio Sarapiqui Class II and III and we had a blast! The rafting trip was quite an adventure but we felt safe the entire time thanks to our experienced guide.,We saw wildlife such as sloths and monkeys during our trip. We stopped for a delicious snack of watermelon and pineapple along the way, then finished our tour with a delicious Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurants. Five star service from our guide and driver.Posted on Eve Brouillard C’était ma première expérience en rafting et notre guide Christopher a su me mettre en confiance à 100%. Il était de très bonne compagnie et nous rassurait. La vue était magnifique et l’expérience nous a donné envie d’y retourner ! Merci pour la belle organisationPosted on Jujube Brass Christopher really made our experience unforgetable. We felt safe and had so much fun!! I highly recommend to try, even if its your first time :)Posted on Delfina Miro Muy buena experiencia! Kervin nos guió todo el día, muy atento!Posted on Eric Savini We had a great time floating on the river at twilight. Our guide - Gustavo - was very friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. We got great pictures of the landscape, alligators, and howling monkeys. I would recommend this trip to anyone!Posted on sheena patel Fantastic tour from start to finish. My family and I went white water rafting on the Balsa river. We had an amazing experience with our guide Gustava who made the trip thrilling and memorable. We were collected from our hotel by our guide Andy who was friendly and explained the day to us. The tour lasted from 10h - 16h. It included fruit, water and a delicious Costa Rican lunchPosted on Kelly Engert This is the best white water rafting experience we have ever had. It started with a very comfortable tour bus drive, with a a very knowledgeable guide, Enzo (that turned out to be one of the rafting guides). There were approximately 64 people, which seems like a large group, but we were all in efficiently put into smaller raft groups with our own raft guide. All of the guides were great, but we hit the jackpot with Alex. He was so much fun. We laughed the entire time down the river. In fact time went by too fast. The meal afterwards was delicious. We would sign up for this again! (And Alex - we would love to find you again for next rafting adventure...maybe in TN?)Posted on Lori Rust White water rafting Level II/III: we joined up with Wave Rafting to float the Balsa River. I knew we would enjoy it, but didn’t realize our kids would have smiles on their faces the entire time. Get the photos! Those memories are priceless. Rafting, like any sport, can be dangerous, and our guide gave us well thought out and explicit instructions on what to do if we should fall off the raft. Thankfully we never had to use those instructions. The trip down the river was beautiful and filled with adrenaline rushes as we coasted through the rapids. We stopped midway for delicious fruit and then finished rafting and hopped back on the bus where we drove to a soda which served a delicious Costa Rican meal. What a day!Posted on Connie Wu We did the combo tour of ziplining and white water rafting. Both were so fun! Our guide on the raft was named Kervin and he was fantastic. Made us feel totally safe and when a raft next to us tipped, he was SO quick to help them. Would definitely recommend doing the combo tour!
Find us on Google Maps – Your Adventure Starts Here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wave Expeditions in Costa Rica?
Wave Expeditions is your go-to crew for unforgettable adventure tours in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. We specialize in white water rafting and combo experiences around the Arenal Volcano, all led by certified bilingual guides who are big on fun and even bigger on safety.
Is white water rafting safe for kids and beginners?
Totally. Our Balsa River tour (Class II–III) is built for families, first-timers, and anyone who wants fun without fear. Age 8 and up, led by expert guides, with rainforest views and wildlife surprises along the way.
How long are the rafting tours with Wave Expeditions?
Plan for about 6 hours total, including hotel pickup, gear-up, river time, a fruit break, and lunch. You’ll spend 1.5 to 2 hours on the water, riding rapids and soaking in the jungle.
What safety measures does Wave Expeditions use?
Your safety is our top priority. All tours are led by certified bilingual guides, supported by safety kayakers, and start with a full safety briefing, paddle practice, and certified equipment like helmets and life jackets.
Do I need rafting experience to join the tours?
Not necessarily. Wave offers options for first-timers on the Balsa River and higher-intensity trips on Sarapiquí, so you can choose based on comfort level and adventure goals.
Leading Rafting Experiences, Backed by Trusted Certifications
Every WAVE tour is guided by passion and backed by the most respected entities in tourism. Our certifications aren’t just logos—they’re your peace of mind.






