White water rafting

Costa Rica’s high elevation combined with a 14-river system that drains in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea makes it one of the world’s best places for river rafting. Costa Rica’s White water rafting offers all levels available according to the International Scale of River Difficulty, from the floating level of 1 up to the extreme rafting level of 6. Commercially Costa Rica only offers rafting up to level number 4, which is adrenaline pumping.

The best period of the year to enjoy White water rafting is between May and November or as we say the Green season (also known as the rainy season). The more elevated the rivers are the higher the difficulty level is. But don’t be alarmed! This is also a great excursion to do with children at lower elevations and at lower difficult levels such as 1-2 where you get a nice float with beautiful scenery. All rafting tours are also available during the dry season, which is considered December until April.

A great White water rafting experience with your children and family is the Peñas Blancas River, which is classified as a level 2. This rafting will take you slowly with low-current through beautiful sceneries and you´ll have the chance to see different species of birds as well as mammals such as monkeys and sloths. This is a perfect tour for your family when you are staying at cozy mountain town La Fortuna at the foot of the mighty volcano Arenal.

If you are interested in more adrenaline-pumping White water rafting Sarapiqui river rafting is a great option for you! It’s classified as a level 3/4 and has famous rapids like “morning coffee”, “the terminator”, and “dos locos”. You´ll be rafting through the jungle and will also have the chance to enjoy nature and wildlife. This tour is available from Arenal, San Jose, and Sarapiqui.

When you are visiting the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica you will have the opportunity to enjoy rafting on Rio Savegre. It’s a family-friendly trip for children 5 years and older and is classified as 2/3. The Savegre River has some of the cleanest river water in Central America and this is a great tour if you´re staying in Manuel Antonio, Dominical, or Uvita.

One of Costa Rica’s most famous rafting destinations is the Paquare River. National Geographic has named this river one of the world’s top ten river trips. The river is 67 miles long and begins in the Talamanca mountains in the southwest of the country and runs through the Caribbean side. It’s classified as level 3/4 but also has calmer parts of it where you really can enjoy the beautiful rainforest, birds, monkeys, ocelots, and if you are really lucky, jaguars.