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Whitewater rafting on the Sarapiquí River
YES COSTA RICA · SAY YES TO THE ADVENTURE

Say yes to Costa Rica's rivers, canyons and canopy.

Eight adventure tours we'd book ourselves, from class IV rafting to waterfall rappels and the original Monteverde canopy tour, each with age limits, meeting points and a live 'From' price.

See Top Tours ↓ View Live Options · #1 Pick ↗ Free Yes Costa Rica Insider Guide (2026)
✓ 8 Vetted Local Operators · Named Meeting Points ✓ Free 24h cancellation & instant confirmation on all 8 ✓ Secure checkout with trusted booking partners
SECTION 01 · HANDPICKED & VERIFIED EXPERIENCES

Adventure Tours, With the Limits Spelled Out

Rafting, canyoning, ziplines and ATVs, with age limits and meeting points on every card. Prices are live 'From' fares. Filter by type:

The Sarapiquí River
02 · EXTREME
Verified · Viator
SARAPIQUÍ · 5 HRS From $85

Sarapiquí River Extreme Rafting, Class IV

More than two hours of continuous class III and IV rapids on the Sarapiquí, with sloths and toucans on the banks. Lunch included.

Departs: Arenal Rafting Company office, La Fortuna, at 8:15 am (100 m north of the police station); pickup within 6 km
Check: Ages 14 and up; you must be able to swim.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
View Live Options ↗
A rainforest cascade in the Pacific hills (representative). Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com
07 · WATERFALL PARK
Verified · Viator
MANUEL ANTONIO · 6 HRS From $168.37

Waterfall Ziplining & Canyoning near Manuel Antonio

More than ten elements in one day: dry rappel, waterfall zip-rappel, free-fall rappel and a jump into a waterfall pool, with snacks and lunch.

Departs: Office at Km 2 on the Quepos–Manuel Antonio road; pickup in Quepos and Manuel Antonio
Check: Ages 8 and up. Moderate fitness needed. Transport from outside Quepos/MA costs extra.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
View Live Options ↗
Blue water on the Río Celeste (representative of the Tenorio area)
08 · GUANACASTE RIVER
Verified · Viator
TENORIO · 10 HRS From $119

Tenorio River Rafting, Class III & IV

12 km of the Tenorio River with more than 22 class III–IV rapids, from the Guanacaste beaches. Lunch and air-conditioned transport included.

Departs: Hotel pickup from Tamarindo, Langosta, Pinilla and other Guanacaste beaches (from 6:45 am), or meet at Tenorio Adventure Zone at 9 am
Check: Ages 8 and up. Minimum 2 people per booking. About 10 hours.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
View Live Options ↗

More adventures

Other canyoning, zipline and rafting options. Each opens live dates.

ARENAL · CANYONING

Canyoning Adventure Rappelling Waterfalls in Arenal Volcano

From $95 · Waterfall rappelling near the volcano.

See Availability ↗
ARENAL · CANYONING

Arenal Volcano Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling from La Fortuna

From $105 · A second canyoning option from La Fortuna.

See Availability ↗
ARENAL · ZIPLINE

Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience Fly over La Fortuna Waterfall

From $107.18 · 12 cables over La Fortuna waterfall.

See Availability ↗
ARENAL · RAFT + ZIP

Rafting Class II-III and Zipline Tour from La Fortuna and Arenal

From $148.88 · Class II–III rafting and ziplines.

See Availability ↗
MONTEVERDE · FULL DAY

Full Monteverde Cloud Forest Experience With Ziplining.

From $215 · Cloud forest walk plus ziplines.

See Availability ↗
ARENAL · FULL DAY

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour

From $89.25 · Waterfall, volcano and hot springs.

See Availability ↗
GEAR UP

From our travel essentials page: what to bring for wet, muddy adventure days.

Daypack & rain jacketSee details on Amazon ↗Dry bag & sun hatSee details on Amazon ↗Wildlife binocularsSee details on Amazon ↗Costa Rica coffeeSee details on Amazon ↗
MORE LIVE OPTIONS

Want to compare more options? These are live GetYourGuide results for Costa Rica day tours.

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FULL CATALOG & LIVE CALENDAR

Want more ideas? See our experiences and travel-style pages.

Experiences → Nature & Wildlife
SECTION 02 · DAY-BY-DAY FIELD PLANS

Curated Costa Rica Itineraries That Actually Work

Switch between our 1-Day, Weekend, 3-Day, Family, and Couples blueprints. Each block is sequenced around real transfer times and links directly to the bookable experience.

One Big Day in Arenal

Canyon in the morning, tram and zip after lunch.

01 · MORNING

Pure Trek canyoning

Four rappels, lunch included.

Verified on Viator · From $95 Book Canyoning ↗
02 · AFTERNOON

Sky Adventures tram & zip

Volcano views.

Verified on Viator · From $110.60 Book Sky Adventures ↗
03 · EVENING

Hot springs

Rest in La Fortuna.

Verified on Viator · From $110.60 See Sky Adventures ↗
SECTION 03 · NEIGHBORHOODS, PORTS & STARTING HUBS

Six Adventure Bases

Knowing which neighborhood, pier, or region your tour departs from saves hours in transit. Click any area below for our dedicated sub-guide:

Arenal Volcano. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com AREA 01
Best for: canyoning & ziplines

Arenal & La Fortuna

The country's busiest adventure hub.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
A waterfall on the Sarapiquí River AREA 02
Best for: class IV rafting

Sarapiquí

Continuous rapids, reached from La Fortuna.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
Turrialba Volcano above the Pacuare valley AREA 03
Best for: multi-day rafting

Turrialba & Pacuare

Deep rainforest gorges on the Pacuare.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
A zipline over the rainforest canopy (representative of Monteverde) AREA 04
Best for: canopy tours

Monteverde

Cloud-forest ziplines, home of the Original Canopy Tour.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
Nauyaca Waterfalls in the Pacific hills. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com AREA 05
Best for: waterfall jumps

Manuel Antonio & South Pacific

Waterfall parks near Quepos and Nauyaca.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
A hot spring in Rincón de la Vieja AREA 06
Best for: volcano combos

Rincón de la Vieja & Tenorio

Rafting and hot springs from the Guanacaste beaches.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
SECTION 04 · SEASONALITY & TIMING

When to Visit Costa Rica: Month-by-Month Guide

Rivers are fullest and fastest from June to November; some rafting sections may close after very heavy rain. December to April brings drier trails and clearer zipline views. Book adventure tours for the morning, when weather is usually more stable.

BOOKING URGENCY RULE

Small-group rafting and canyoning departures fill first in high season. All eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before and confirm instantly.

Check Live Dates & Availability ↗
Month Typical Weather Crowd & Demand Level Best Experiences & Seasonal Events
Jan Dry (Pacific) High Clear zipline views
Feb Dry High Lower river levels
Mar Dry, hot High (Holy Week some years) Easter week is busy
Apr Transition Medium-High Lowest rivers
May Rains begin Medium Rivers start to rise
Jun Rainy afternoons Low-Medium Good rafting levels
Jul Short dry spell (Pacific) Medium-High Rafting and canyoning both good
Aug Rainy Medium Strong rapids
Sep Very wet (Pacific) Low Some sections may close
Oct Wettest (Pacific) Low Check with the operator
Nov Rains easing Medium Big water, fewer crowds
Dec Dry season returns High (holiday peak) Holiday weeks book out
SECTION 05 · SLEEP NEAR YOUR MORNING DEPARTURE

Where to Stay in Costa Rica (3 Vetted Tiers)

Three bases for adventure trips. These are Agoda partner properties; rates change daily, so check today's price.

Where to Stay →
Catarata del Toro near Bajos del Toro (area view, not the lodge)
TIER 01 · LUXURY LODGE Live rates on Agoda

El Silencio Lodge & Spa

📍 Bajos del Toro

Listed on Agoda as a lodge and spa in Bajos del Toro, a cloud-forest valley of waterfalls.

Recommended Stays: El Silencio Lodge & Spa (Agoda partner property)
Check Rates at El Silencio →
The Pacuare River valley below Turrialba Volcano (area view, not the hotel)
TIER 02 · RAFTING BASE Live rates on Agoda

Casa Turire

📍 Turrialba

Listed on Agoda as a hotel near Turrialba, the gateway to Pacuare rafting.

Recommended Stays: Casa Turire (Agoda partner property)
Check Rates at Casa Turire →
The Peñas Blancas river near La Fortuna (area view, not the hostel)
TIER 03 · BUDGET Live rates on Agoda

Río Danta Hostel

📍 La Fortuna

Listed on Agoda as a hostel in La Fortuna, about 1 km from the town centre.

Recommended Stays: Río Danta Hostel (Agoda partner property)
Check Rates at Río Danta →
SECTION 06 · E-E-A-T EDITORIAL METHODOLOGY & VERIFICATION

Adventure, with the limits up front.

Adventure tours have real rules: age limits, weight limits, licences and swimming ability. We list them on every card using each operator's live listing, and we never invent ratings or safety claims.

VERIFIED EDITORIAL RECORD
EasyCostaRica Travel Editorial Desk
Last updated & link-audited: Oct 31, 2026
About This Guide Entry Requirements Disclosure

✓ Limits stated

Pacuare 12+, Sarapiquí 14+ (must swim), Tenorio 8+, waterfall park 8+, canyoning and canopy 5+.

✓ Requirements flagged

Driver's licence for the ATV; weight limits on Sky Adventures and the Original Canopy.

✓ Cancellation stated

All eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before and confirm instantly.

✓ Verified links only

Every Book Now and gear link opens a live listing.

Photography & License Attribution: Original Costa Rica photography © Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com; additional destination imagery sourced via Wikimedia Commons contributors under CC BY / CC BY-SA licenses (see full image credits & source files).

SECTION 07 · FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Costa Rica Tours & Travel FAQ

Direct, practical answers to the questions travelers ask most before booking Costa Rica tours, day trips, and transfers.

Plan Your Trip →

What is the best adventure tour in Costa Rica?

+

It depends on your thrill level. Pacuare rafting is a classic full day, Arenal canyoning gives the most variety in half a day, and the Original Canopy Tour in Monteverde adds a rappel, a Tarzan swing and a climb inside a hollow tree.

Do I need rafting experience?

+

Not for our picks, but you need to be fit. The Sarapiquí Class IV trip is for ages 14+ who can swim; Pacuare is 12+ and Tenorio is 8+.

What are the age limits for ziplining and canyoning?

+

Our canyoning pick and the Original Canopy Tour start at age 5. The waterfall park near Manuel Antonio starts at 8.

Is there a weight limit for ziplines?

+

Yes. Sky Adventures lists 136 kg and the Original Canopy Tour 250 lb (about 113 kg).

Do I need a licence for the ATV tour?

+

Yes, a valid driver's licence is required to drive. Children can ride as passengers.

When are rivers best for rafting?

+

From June to November rivers run fuller and faster. Very heavy rain can close some sections, so the operator may reschedule.

Do tours include pickup?

+

Most do within set zones: La Fortuna for the Arenal picks, Monteverde for the canopy tour, Quepos/Manuel Antonio for the waterfall park, and the Guanacaste beaches for Tenorio. Sky Adventures pickup costs extra.

Can we cancel?

+

All eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, per their live listings.

What should I wear?

+

Quick-dry clothes, closed shoes or sandals with straps, sunscreen and insect repellent. Bring a change of clothes for rafting and canyoning.

SECTION 08 · FREE 2026 INSIDER FIELD GUIDE

The Yes Costa Rica Insider Guide (2026)

A printable adventure planner: eight tours with age and weight limits, five ready-made itineraries and the best months for rivers and ziplines.

  • ✓Eight adventure tours with limits and meeting points
  • ✓1-day, weekend, 3-day, family and couples plans
  • ✓River levels and zipline weather by month
INSTANT PDF / HTML ACCESS

Send me the Costa Rica Insider Guide

Or open the printable guide directly right now →
Costa Rica Top Vetted Tours
Pure Trek Canyoning, Arenal · From $95
Top 8 Book #1 Pick ↗