Class III Whitewater Tour
Rafting La Fortuna – Balsa River Class III
15 kilometers of Class III whitewater near La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. Full gear, certified bilingual guides, a photo package and lunch included — $95 per person, no previous experience needed.
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$95 · 5 Hours
Rafting La Fortuna – Balsa River Class III — Tour Overview
Rafting La Fortuna – Balsa River Class III
Balsa River, near La Fortuna, Alajuela
Fifteen kilometres of class III whitewater on the Balsa River near La Fortuna, followed by lunch after the river experience. No previous rafting experience required.
- Duration5 hours
- Minimum age8+
- LevelClass III
- Highlights15 km of river
Included Rafting equipment, guides, snack, photo package, lunch after the tour.
$95 per person
Explore All Rafting ToursWhat to Expect
Your Day on the Balsa River
From check-in to lunch, here is exactly how the five hours unfold.
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Meet at Terraza 86
Arrive at Terraza 86 Restaurante on the Balsa River, near La Fortuna. Check in with your guides and get fitted with your gear — life jacket, helmet and paddle.
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Safety Briefing & Paddle Practice
Before anyone touches the water, your certified bilingual guides walk through paddle commands, safety signals and what to do in the rapids. Everyone practices on land first.
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15 Kilometers of Class III Whitewater
Launch onto the Balsa River for the main event — 15 kilometers of Class II–III rapids through rainforest, with Arenal Volcano visible along the way.
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Trail Snack Break
Partway down the river, pull over for a snack break on the bank — a chance to catch your breath, refuel and look for wildlife along the shore.
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Finish & Photo Package
Paddle the final stretch to the take-out point. Your photo package captures the descent — no need to bring your own camera into the rapids.
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Lunch
Wrap up the day with lunch included in your tour price, before heading back to your accommodation.
What’s Included
Everything in Your $95
- Full rafting gear (life jacket, helmet, paddle)
- Certified bilingual guides
- 15 km of Class III whitewater
- Trail snacks
- Photo package
- Lunch at the end of the tour
Before You Arrive
What to Bring
- Quick-dry clothing you don’t mind getting wet
- A swimsuit worn underneath
- Closed-toe shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops or sandals)
- A change of clothes for after the tour
- Sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
Safety First
Who This Tour Is For
Beginners Welcome
No previous rafting experience is required. Class II–III rapids are exciting without being overwhelming for first-timers.
Families & Groups
Minimum age is 8. The Balsa River is a regular choice for families and groups looking for a shared adventure.
Certified Guides
Every departure is led by certified bilingual guides, with a mandatory safety briefing and full gear before anyone enters the water.
Before You Book
Rafting La Fortuna FAQs
Experience, age requirements, safety, pricing and what to bring — everything before you book.
No. The Balsa River is considered one of Costa Rica's best rivers for first-time rafters. Our guides handle the technical reading of the rapids — you just need to paddle and follow instructions.
Participants must be at least 8 years old. The Class III rapids on this section of the Balsa River are sized to be exciting without being overwhelming for younger paddlers.
Yes. Upstream hydroelectric dams keep the Balsa River's flow steady through both the dry and green seasons, so the tour operates reliably year-round.
Closed-toe shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops or sandals), quick-dry clothing, a swimsuit underneath, and a change of clothes for after the tour. Sunscreen and a reusable water bottle are also a good idea.
The rafting itself covers 15 kilometers of the Balsa River. Including gear-up, the safety briefing, the descent and lunch afterward, plan for approximately five hours.
The tour meets directly at the Balsa River, near La Fortuna. Message us on WhatsApp with the location of your accommodation and we can help you plan the drive or arrange pickup.
Yes. Every departure uses certified bilingual guides, full safety gear, and a mandatory safety briefing before entering the water. River and weather conditions are checked before every departure, and the tour only runs when they meet our safety criteria.
The Rafting La Fortuna – Balsa River Class III tour is $95 per person, including gear, guides, snacks, a photo package and lunch.
Rain rarely cancels the tour, since the Balsa River's dam-regulated flow stays within a safe range in both seasons. If conditions genuinely are not safe on a given day, we contact you directly to reschedule or refund.
Ready for the Balsa River?
$95 per person, gear, guides, snacks, photos and lunch included. Message us to check availability for your dates.