Waterfall Rapelling and Rafting Tour
Combining two of the country’s most adrenalin-packed activities, this tour will have you rappelling down waterfalls and surging over white-water rapids! Set in Costa Rica’s Northern Lowlands near the base of the Arenal Volcano, the scenery for this tour couldn’t be any more beautiful.
- Duration:
- 9 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 7:30 AM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
Departing from the town of La Fortuna, this tour begins with a 30-minute 4x4 ride into the lush tropical rainforest surrounding the Arenal Volcano.
A short jaunt along a forested trail leads to the first waterfall, where, after learning the proper techniques, you’ll repel down the waterfall into the gorgeous canyon below. In total, you’ll descend five rappels. Four are alongside or directly in the waterfall, and one is along a dry rock face.
Then you'll trek out of the canyon and hop back into the 4x4s, which will take you to the Balsa River which offers class II/III rapids. Here you will meet your guides, who will explain the proper safety procedures and provide you with rafting equipment. You’ll then launch off into the water and embark upon a 2-hour wet and wild ride down the river.
After surging through the rapids known as “Magnetic Rock” and “Dredges,” you will reach the San Carlos Bridge, which marks the end of the journey. Here, you can swim, sip cold drinks, and snack on tropical fruit. A hearty Costa Rican lunch will follow, after which you will be transported back to your hotel.
This tour departs daily at 7:30 AM and returns at 4:00 PM.
Please note that you will need to wear shoes besides flip flops. You will want to wear either adventure sandals or light hiking boots.
What to Bring
Quick-dry clothing, swimsuit, insect repellent, adventure sandals or light hiking boots, camera or video (dry bags are provided), towel and sunscreen. We recommend bringing a change of clothes because you will get wet on both activities, the swimsuit should be worn since the beginning of this tour. Changing rooms are available after the tour.
What's included
Transportation to and from most La Fortuna hotels, bilingual certified guides, fruit, snacks, cold drinks, lunch and towels. For hotels in the El Castillo area and near Lake Arenal there is an extra fee for transportation service.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Traveler Comments
Waterfalls were amazing! We wished we would have signed up for the class 3-4 raft trip instead of 2-3
Everything was perfect for this adventure. Our guides were great and funny for both. The best was Goosey who was the bus guide for the rafting and ended up being our personal guide for the rafting itself. He was very knowledgeable on the plants, animals and the rafting itself. Super engaging and made the excursion very fun! I’d do both of these again for suuuure!
Incredible combination!
Similar things to do
You can reach the Balsa River after just a 50-minute drive from La Fortuna. During this tour you’ll cover Class II and Class III rivers.
Why not experience one of the most gorgeous river rafting trips in the world on the Pacuare River. It lives in the lush valley of Turrialba in the Central Valley of Costa Rica known for its exuberant beauty, wildlife and great rapids. This trip is excellent for those 14 years and up and for the adventurous beginner to the experienced rafter.
On this tour, buckle up for the 7 most intense zip lines in Arenal. From the zip lines, you’ll have an incredible view of the Arenal Volcano’s jungle surroundings.