White Water Rafting and Kayaking
Scroll down for a bit of Costa Rica rafting history, white water river outfitters and rafting adventure companies, contacts, and approximate pricing
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White Water Rafting and Kayaking have become an eco-friendly activity all over the world and in because of Costa Rica's incredible rivers and breathtaking natural beauty, has become one of it's major tourist activities. The native american "Eskimos" of North America traveled North American waters in wood-framed, skin covered kayaks and took on white-water long before Columbus, and Europeans, "discovered" the North American continent.
Rafts made of several logs, planks, or reeds tied together were one of the earliest important forms of transportation. It gave people a way to travel, transport goods for trade, and to explore. The U.S. Army's John Fremont , in 1842, recorded his adventures rafting on one of the earliest modern rafts while exploring the Platt River utilizing a raft. In all probability he used a raft that was designed by Horace. H. Day. Day was a producer of rubber goods (He competed with Charles Goodyear , the inventor of vulcanized rubber, with whom he was embroiled in a patent battle during the 1840's) and his rafts were constructed from four separate rubber cloth tubes, joined by a wrap around floor. Inflatable rafts soon became important as life boats, and were used by the armed forces for beach assaults.
Inflatable rafts became firmly established as a means of water transport during the 1960's during which time places like the Grand Canyon were navigated and explored and the sport, and business model was born. The 1970's brought major improvements to the sport in equipment, tools, techniques, and safety and was included in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. As the sport of White Water Rafting became more and more sophisticated rivers all over the world were being run and conquered. In 1992 and 1996 White Water Rafting was again included in the Olympic Games and in 1997 the International Federation of Rafting was founded. The first international championships were held in 1999.
The beginnings of rafting in Costa Rica goes back to 1979 when a Polish expedition made a run down the Reventazon and Paquare with kayaks and rafts. Their reports of the excellent rafting and incredible beauty of Costa Rica sparked the interest of paddlers from around the world in Costa Rica.
In 1980 Costa Rica Expeditions was founded by Michael Kaye from the United States and Costa rica saw the birth of a new eco-friendly tourist activity. A short time later Rios Tropicales was founded by Fernando Esquivel and Rafael Gallo. Rios Tropicales is the largest of the San Jose based river outfitters. The third outfitter to join the team of Costa Rica's rafting companies was Adventures Naturales in 1988 and since various new river outfitters have put their rafts and kayaks in the water to give visitors to Costa Rica a thrill of a lifetime and a way to see the fantastic natural splendor that is Costa Rica.
In 1996 the Atlanta Olympics saw a Costa Rican competing for the first time in kayaking events. Roger Madrigal, from Turrialba, had worked as a river guide and training himself, qualified for and competed in the Olympic events. His achievements have influenced Costa Rica's government to recognize White Water Kayaking and Rafting as a sport and Roger trains young people in the sport (he requires that they maintain a B or better average in school). Roger and his parents are also responsible for forming a kayak association in Costa Rica.
Rafts made of several logs, planks, or reeds tied together were one of the earliest important forms of transportation. It gave people a way to travel, transport goods for trade, and to explore. The U.S. Army's John Fremont , in 1842, recorded his adventures rafting on one of the earliest modern rafts while exploring the Platt River utilizing a raft. In all probability he used a raft that was designed by Horace. H. Day. Day was a producer of rubber goods (He competed with Charles Goodyear , the inventor of vulcanized rubber, with whom he was embroiled in a patent battle during the 1840's) and his rafts were constructed from four separate rubber cloth tubes, joined by a wrap around floor. Inflatable rafts soon became important as life boats, and were used by the armed forces for beach assaults.
Inflatable rafts became firmly established as a means of water transport during the 1960's during which time places like the Grand Canyon were navigated and explored and the sport, and business model was born. The 1970's brought major improvements to the sport in equipment, tools, techniques, and safety and was included in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. As the sport of White Water Rafting became more and more sophisticated rivers all over the world were being run and conquered. In 1992 and 1996 White Water Rafting was again included in the Olympic Games and in 1997 the International Federation of Rafting was founded. The first international championships were held in 1999.
The beginnings of rafting in Costa Rica goes back to 1979 when a Polish expedition made a run down the Reventazon and Paquare with kayaks and rafts. Their reports of the excellent rafting and incredible beauty of Costa Rica sparked the interest of paddlers from around the world in Costa Rica.
In 1980 Costa Rica Expeditions was founded by Michael Kaye from the United States and Costa rica saw the birth of a new eco-friendly tourist activity. A short time later Rios Tropicales was founded by Fernando Esquivel and Rafael Gallo. Rios Tropicales is the largest of the San Jose based river outfitters. The third outfitter to join the team of Costa Rica's rafting companies was Adventures Naturales in 1988 and since various new river outfitters have put their rafts and kayaks in the water to give visitors to Costa Rica a thrill of a lifetime and a way to see the fantastic natural splendor that is Costa Rica.
In 1996 the Atlanta Olympics saw a Costa Rican competing for the first time in kayaking events. Roger Madrigal, from Turrialba, had worked as a river guide and training himself, qualified for and competed in the Olympic events. His achievements have influenced Costa Rica's government to recognize White Water Kayaking and Rafting as a sport and Roger trains young people in the sport (he requires that they maintain a B or better average in school). Roger and his parents are also responsible for forming a kayak association in Costa Rica.
Typical Pricing Overview (approximate) Trip TypeTypical Price Range (USD)Sarapiquí half-day rafting~$60-$90 pp
Sarapiquí full-day rafting~$90-$110 pp
Balsa River (Arenal) rafting~$90-$130 pp
Pacuare 1-day rafting~$120-$160+ pp
Pacuare multi-day (2–3 days)$365-$635+ pp
Manuel Antonio rivers (Savegre/Naranjo)~$80-$130 pp Prices are indicative and vary by season, transport inclusion, meal plans, and group size.
Sarapiquí full-day rafting~$90-$110 pp
Balsa River (Arenal) rafting~$90-$130 pp
Pacuare 1-day rafting~$120-$160+ pp
Pacuare multi-day (2–3 days)$365-$635+ pp
Manuel Antonio rivers (Savegre/Naranjo)~$80-$130 pp Prices are indicative and vary by season, transport inclusion, meal plans, and group size.
Tips for Booking
- Safety first: Choose companies with bilingual certified guides and proper gear.
- Transport & timing: Some outfitters provide hotel pickup/drop-off; others don’t — ask ahead.
- Minimum ages: Rivers differ in difficulty; Pacuare multi-day trips may have age minimums (~12+).
- Seasonal flows: Rainy season increases rapid intensity — good for adventure but check safety.
White Water River Outfitters and Rafting Adventure Companies
Sarapiquí & Northern Costa Rica (near La Virgen, Heredia) ⭐️ Costa Rica Pura Vida Rafting Heredia / La Virgen, Costa Rica
📞 +506 8828-9796
🌐 crpuravidarafting.com
• Offers classic white-water rafting trips on the Sarapiquí River. Price varies by length and season — commonly around ~$70-$100 USD for a half- to full-day experience depending on operator and inclusions. Price examples from similar tours around Sarapiquí are ~$70 USD per person for rafting trips.
⭐️ Sarapiquí Outdoor Center - Costa Rica. Tour operator Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Heredia Province
📞 +506 2761-11
🌐 costaricaraft.com
• Well-reviewed operator offering full-day rafting on Sarapiquí River with equipment, lunch & guides included.
• Typical prices in the region range from ~$70-$95 USD per adult for a full-day rafting tour (often with safety gear and lunch).
⭐️ Selva Adventures, Rafting Sarapiqui Rafting La Virgen, Heredia
☎️ Available via website contact form (booking & email)
🌐 selvawhitewater.com
• Offers rafting and kayaking tours on the Sarapiquí River with experienced guides and gear included. General contact numbers from their site: +506 8805-1100 / +506 8729-8739 / [email protected].
⭐️ Sarapiquí Tubing | Outdoors Activities Costa Rica. Tour operator. Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
📞 +506 8627-5415
🌐 sarapiquitours.com
• Offers rafting and tubing experiences, usually family-friendly trips on Sarapiquí River — pricing often around ~$70 USD per person for rafting tours.
⭐️ Aventuras del Sarapiquí Tour operator Sarapiquí, Heredia
📞 +506 8566-6768
🌐 aventurasdelsarapiqui.com
• Local outfitter with rafting and adventure tours on Sarapiquí River, often including transport and lunch options.
⭐️ Green Rivers, Sarapiquí Tropical Rafting, Aguas Bravas Rafting, Epic Adventure Rafting & Kayaking Sarapiquí Alajuela, Rios Pura Vida Adventure Company Sarapiquí / La Virgen area
📞 Various local contacts (Green Rivers: +506 2766-5274; Tropical Rafting: +506 7031-1445; Aguas Bravas: +506 2292-2072; Rios Pura Vida: +506 8307-9020)
• These are other reputable Sarapiquí region rafting outfitters offering half-day to full-day white-water trips with guides and gear.
⭐️ Pacuare River & Multi-Day AdventuresPacuare Outdoor Center (Río Pacuare specialist). 📞 +506 8922-4570 (WhatsApp & phone)
📧 [email protected]
🌐 pacuareoutdoorcenter.com
• One of Costa Rica’s most established Pacuare rafting companies with multi-day rafting packages and lodges.
⭐️ Tropical Rivers & Adventure Tours 📞 +506-8399-1213
📧 [email protected]
🌐 tropicalrivers.com
• Offers Pacuare River rafting trips (1-day and multi-day), Reventazón rafting and other river adventures.
• Typical trips include:
Other Regions & Rivers Arenal Rafting Rafting La Fortuna (Arenal/Balsa)
📞 +506 2479-7215
🌐 arenalrafting.com
• Very popular choice for Balsa River rafting (half-day & full-day trips). Typical prices around ~$90-$130 USD per person for half-day Balsa rafting.
Costa Rica Descents Adventure Company Raft trip outfitter La Fortuna
📞 +506 2479-9419
🌐 costaricadescents.com
• Offers rafting on Balsa River and other adventures around Fortuna (gear, guides, meals included). Typical pricing ~similar to Arenal Rafting.
Rafting y Aventuras 360 Rafting Siquirres / Limón
📞 +506 8764-0727
• Caribbean-slope rafting and adventure outfitter often running Pacuare or other local rivers.
H2O Adventures Rafting Costa Rica Raft trip outfitter Quepos / Manuel Antonio
📞 +506 8959-8989
🌐 h2ocr.com
• Offers white-water rafting trips near Manuel Antonio (Savegre & Naranjo rivers). Pricing for these coastal rafting experiences is typically in the ~$85-$130 USD range.
📞 +506 8828-9796
🌐 crpuravidarafting.com
• Offers classic white-water rafting trips on the Sarapiquí River. Price varies by length and season — commonly around ~$70-$100 USD for a half- to full-day experience depending on operator and inclusions. Price examples from similar tours around Sarapiquí are ~$70 USD per person for rafting trips.
⭐️ Sarapiquí Outdoor Center - Costa Rica. Tour operator Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Heredia Province
📞 +506 2761-11
🌐 costaricaraft.com
• Well-reviewed operator offering full-day rafting on Sarapiquí River with equipment, lunch & guides included.
• Typical prices in the region range from ~$70-$95 USD per adult for a full-day rafting tour (often with safety gear and lunch).
⭐️ Selva Adventures, Rafting Sarapiqui Rafting La Virgen, Heredia
☎️ Available via website contact form (booking & email)
🌐 selvawhitewater.com
• Offers rafting and kayaking tours on the Sarapiquí River with experienced guides and gear included. General contact numbers from their site: +506 8805-1100 / +506 8729-8739 / [email protected].
⭐️ Sarapiquí Tubing | Outdoors Activities Costa Rica. Tour operator. Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
📞 +506 8627-5415
🌐 sarapiquitours.com
• Offers rafting and tubing experiences, usually family-friendly trips on Sarapiquí River — pricing often around ~$70 USD per person for rafting tours.
⭐️ Aventuras del Sarapiquí Tour operator Sarapiquí, Heredia
📞 +506 8566-6768
🌐 aventurasdelsarapiqui.com
• Local outfitter with rafting and adventure tours on Sarapiquí River, often including transport and lunch options.
⭐️ Green Rivers, Sarapiquí Tropical Rafting, Aguas Bravas Rafting, Epic Adventure Rafting & Kayaking Sarapiquí Alajuela, Rios Pura Vida Adventure Company Sarapiquí / La Virgen area
📞 Various local contacts (Green Rivers: +506 2766-5274; Tropical Rafting: +506 7031-1445; Aguas Bravas: +506 2292-2072; Rios Pura Vida: +506 8307-9020)
• These are other reputable Sarapiquí region rafting outfitters offering half-day to full-day white-water trips with guides and gear.
⭐️ Pacuare River & Multi-Day AdventuresPacuare Outdoor Center (Río Pacuare specialist). 📞 +506 8922-4570 (WhatsApp & phone)
📧 [email protected]
🌐 pacuareoutdoorcenter.com
• One of Costa Rica’s most established Pacuare rafting companies with multi-day rafting packages and lodges.
⭐️ Tropical Rivers & Adventure Tours 📞 +506-8399-1213
📧 [email protected]
🌐 tropicalrivers.com
• Offers Pacuare River rafting trips (1-day and multi-day), Reventazón rafting and other river adventures.
• Typical trips include:
- 1-day Pacuare rafting (Class III-IV): roughly ~$120-$160+ USD (varies by outfitter & services).
- 2-day & 3-day Pacuare trips with lodge stays (2-day: ~$365-$399 USD for foreigners; multi-day eco-lodge packages available — contact operator for current rates)
- 1-day Pacuare rafting (Class III-IV): roughly ~$120-$160+ USD (varies by outfitter & services).
- 2-day & 3-day Pacuare trips with lodge stays (2-day: ~$365-$399 USD for foreigners; multi-day eco-lodge packages available — contact operator for current rates).
Other Regions & Rivers Arenal Rafting Rafting La Fortuna (Arenal/Balsa)
📞 +506 2479-7215
🌐 arenalrafting.com
• Very popular choice for Balsa River rafting (half-day & full-day trips). Typical prices around ~$90-$130 USD per person for half-day Balsa rafting.
Costa Rica Descents Adventure Company Raft trip outfitter La Fortuna
📞 +506 2479-9419
🌐 costaricadescents.com
• Offers rafting on Balsa River and other adventures around Fortuna (gear, guides, meals included). Typical pricing ~similar to Arenal Rafting.
Rafting y Aventuras 360 Rafting Siquirres / Limón
📞 +506 8764-0727
• Caribbean-slope rafting and adventure outfitter often running Pacuare or other local rivers.
H2O Adventures Rafting Costa Rica Raft trip outfitter Quepos / Manuel Antonio
📞 +506 8959-8989
🌐 h2ocr.com
• Offers white-water rafting trips near Manuel Antonio (Savegre & Naranjo rivers). Pricing for these coastal rafting experiences is typically in the ~$85-$130 USD range.