Costa Rica is a mecca for whitewater rafting. The steep terrain, rainfall, and year-long warm weather make Costa Rica one of the top destinations on the planet for whitewater rafting. You can visit Costa Rica anytime during the year to enjoy whitewater rafting on the many different rivers in Costa Rica.
Types of Rivers in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small country about the size of Vermont but due to its rugged terrain the country is filled with endless amounts of diversity in its topography. You will soon realize after driving around Costa Rica that you are always crossing a bridge as rivers are everywhere.
Costa Rican rivers flow in one of two directions. The river will either be a Pacific flowing river that dumps out into the Pacific Ocean or a Caribbean flowing river that dumps into the Caribbean.
If you look at Costa Rica from a topographic map you will notice that it has a spine that divides the country down the center. This is the central mountain range and it is home to many of Costa Rica’s most beautiful rivers on both the Pacific and Caribbean slopes.
The central mountain range is known for being very steep. Costa Rica on average is only 70 miles wide but the central mountain range gets up to 13,000 feet in elevation. This means that water running down the mountain range is moving fast! If you have fast running water for millions of years you end up having some very deep canyons offering some of the most spectacular scenery you will find in the tropics.
The fast water flow over the years also forms what we refer to as a pool and drop river. Most rivers in Costa Rica are pool and drop rivers. You can paddle through a rapid and end up in a pool. After a short float in the pool you are back in a rapid which is followed by another pool. This type of river in Costa Rica is your most scenic, remote, and bigger rapids with a nice chance to rest in a pool before the next rapid.
Some rivers in Costa Rica have sections that are continuous rapids. These types of rivers have more consistent action but are usually located on lower areas that are more wide open offering slightly less of a view as being in a canyon.
Best time to Raft in Costa Rica
If you are wondering when the best time to raft in Costa Rica is it really depends on what you are looking for. The main condition that affects rafting in Costa Rica is the waterlevel. Unlike other areas of the world where whitewater rafting is popular Costa Rica has the same water temperature all year. The water tempature is in the low 80’s and you never need special gear to keep you warm. This is probably one of the best parts for the rafting industry in Costa Rica. We have year-long rafting in nothing more than shorts and a tshirt (helmet and lifevest of course also).
The water levels depend on the rainy months in Costa Rica. Most of the country has their rainy months from September to December. This is when your rivers are running high and at their level to maximize adrenaline and adventure. The one downside to this is that the rivers are a light brown color. The top soil in the rainforest slides down and gives the rivers this color.
The more common time to raft is during January to August. During these months the rivers are running lower but they are more picturesque. On low water days you will have crystal clear water. A slightly higher water level will turn the rivers a beautiful green color. If there is more rain it will just gradually turn from green to light brown.
We like both times of the year. We love seeing the river with it’s majestic crystal clear look but we also love some adrenaline in the rainy months. It’s a win-win!
Rafting in Caribbean Costa Rica
The Caribbean slope is home to Costa Rica’s most famous river and one of the most sought-after on the planet. According to National Geographic, they listed the Pacuare River as one of their 3 most scenic rivers on the planet.
The whitewater rafting trips on the Caribbean are slightly more remote as the Pacific side of Costa Rica is where you see more development. The Caribbean and Pacuare River are also home to your overnight rafting trips in Costa Rica. These trips are one or two night adventures staying at different campsites or eco-lodges along the river.
Anybody looking for the best of the best makes sure they include the Pacuare River in their itinerary to Costa Rica. Not only is it the best whitewater trip in Costa Rica but it really is arguably the most beautiful and remote area you can visit in Costa Rica.
Pacuare
As they say in Costa Rica here in the river community…Pacuare es Pacuare. Basically this just means that it is first place by a long shot for anyone looking for the best rafting experience in Costa Rica. The scenery is mind-blowing and the chance to stay at one of the lodges on the river for an overnight trip and live Pacuare’s magic at dusk and dawn makes for an unforgettable moment. Another great thing about Pacuare is that it takes out at an ideal spot on the Caribbean. The town of Siquirres isnt worth spending much time in but its a strategic point to continue on to Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero Canals, or our favorite the southern Caribbean beaches.
Pejibaye
This is a small river located near the town of Turrialba which is the base town for all Pacuare trips. The nice thing about Pejibaye is that it is almost running with crystal clear water unless it gets really hike. It is a great river for families and very close to town if you are looking for a half day trip.
Orosi
This is the whitewater rafting trip that is the closest option to San Jose. Orosi is a small river with easy access that starts at a natural hotspring. This is a continuous river with plenty of action. You have views of some volcanos at the end of the trip but not very remote.
Rafting in Manuel Antonio
The Central Pacific is where you will find one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Not only do they have beaches but they also have some excellent options of whitewater rafting. The idea of taking a whitewater rafting trip and being back at the beach in the afternoon for some surf lessons is something you can’t do many places on the planet.
Whitewater rafting in this area is more of a commercial operation and great for those just looking to have a shorter day on the river but still enjoy some nice scenery and a few hours away from the hot sun of the beach.
Savegre
This is probably the closest Pacific side version to Pacuare you can get with commercial rafting in Costa Rica. This is a great run that guests love especially since it is only just over an hour from your hotel at the beach.
Naranjo
This river is slightly closer to the area of Manuel Antonio and can be done with less time if you want to spend more time at the beach. The scenery is nicer on the Savegre but the action on the Naranjo is pretty steady as its more of a continuous run.
Chorro
One of the more unique river runs in Costa Rica. Chorro is a section that can be run only during the dry season and with mini-rafts. The reason is that it is a very narrow canyon but one of the best experiences you will find rafting in Costa Rica.
Rafting in Dominical
If you travel 45 minutes south of Manuel Antonio you will come to the town of Dominical. Once you arrive to Dominical you will notice the terrain has changed a bit. Dominical is where the mountain meets the see. With the mountains so close to the ocean you can literally take a rafting trip and end your trip on the beach.
Dominical is much less commercial and chances are you will be the only raft on the rivers if you run the Guabo or Coto Brus. We love a good rafting trip in Dominical. No overnight trips but still a very unique experience for those looking to mix mountain and beach.
Savegre
This river is accessible from Dominical or Manuel Antonio. There are many more companies coming from the Manuel Antonio area so if you travel from Dominical it might be slightly more expensive but a much more personalized experience.
Coto Brus
This is a fun river that is heading down south towards Panama. The Coto Brus is run by only one company so you can pretty much guarantee you will be on the only people on the river which is always fun.
Guabo
We like to call this river “Baby Pacuare”. One of our favorite rivers in Costa Rica but you need the perfect water-level to run the Guabo River. This river you can raft and float right out to the Domincal beach. It also is home to a class V rapid which most trips just choose to walk the rapid instead of running it with clients.
Rafting in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is home to the famous Arenal Volcano. Here you can find a few different rafting trips and plenty of providers in the area. If you think the rafting in La Fortuna is going to steal the thunder of the volcano…it’s not.
This is a great option for rafting if you are headed to the beach after you visit to the volcano and you don’t want use a day at the beach rafting. La Fortuna also offers very easy trips for families or those just looking to do a short rafting trip.
Sarapiqui
Probably the easiest river to access in all of Costa Rica. The Sarapiqui is a flat area but with just enough mountains on it’s adge to have the Sarapiqui river and some nice rapids. This is our favorite river for companies in the Arenal area but it is also the farthest but there is a new road so it is slightly less far which is nice.
Balsa River
Easy river located near La Fortuna which is great for families and those looking for a day on the water. The guides in the area are great and will make the trip fun even if you don’t get the big rapids you were hoping for.
Toro River
The name “toro” means “bull” and rightfully so as this is the most action packed river in the La Fortuna area and also the most scenic as it floats through a more narrow canyon.
Rafting in Guanacaste
The one area of Costa Rica that was not blessed with perfect topography for whitewater rafting is the province of Guanacaste located in the northern pacific. While it is not perfect it is still surprisingly good with a few hidden gems that can certainly fill the void of wanting to include some rafting in your trip to Costa Rica.
There are some very easy rafting options and some more remote areas that are just recently getting discovered and are becoming more and more popular. The only downside is that Guanacaste is large and flat so nothing is really close and convenient.
Corobici
This is a river that you will find heading to Liberia from San Jose. The access is easy and it can be run by rafters of all levels. The river is easy and usually running low as Guanacaste has much less rain than the rest of the country.
Cucaracha
One of the more recent discovered rivers in Costa Rica the Cucaracha which means cock-roach (don’t ask us why) is a very remote river that will take up most of your day but is certainly worth the visit if you want to get a real rafting experience.
Tenorio
This is another river that is often running low but if you catch it on a good water-level you will be very happy with your adventure. That is if you are looking for some adrenaline.
Rafting San Isidro
Many people forget or don’t even know about a little rafting gem in Costa Rica called San Isidro or known among the locals as Perez Zeledon. This area is around 50 minutes from Dominical heading inland. There are a number of different rafting options where we can promise you that you will be the only ones on the river. Here there are some local companies that can offer expedition style trips or day trips depending on what you are looking for.
General River
One of the few rivers we have for rafting in Costa Rica that we refer to as “big-water”. This just means more volume and still not as big as some “big-water” rivers in other countries. This is a great run and a few local companies can give you a very personalized expedition experience.