Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

CAN I RAFT WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
The majority of our clients have never rafted before! You can choose the Class 3 Basla half-day trip or the more intense Class 4 Sarapiqui day trip based on your sense of adventure. For everyone’s safety, each of our trips has a minimum age for participation. Our minimum age is not based on one’s swimming ability or previous experience; it’s more based on mental maturity in the event of self-rescue and physical ability to paddle. Your trip leader and raft guide will provide you with all the necessary information, safety briefings, paddle briefings, and hands-on training. Rafting is a fun team activity that is great for all experience levels.
Like all adventure sports, rafting does have an inherent risk. Unfortunately, rafting has long been plagued by the myth that it is dangerous, extreme, and only for adrenaline junkies. Your safety is our number one priority both on and off the river. Without exception, we believe in safety in every aspect of your trips, from requiring helmets on every trip to our drug and alcohol policy, from our shuttle vans and drivers to our guides and equipment. Rafting Costa Rica sets the standard for safety in Costa Rica! We do our best to minimize the risk to you – be it falling out of a raft or getting your knees sunburned! In addition, on our more challenging trips, we utilize one or several safety kayaks. Our most significant safety feature is our world-class, certified, professional raft guides – you will appreciate the difference that they make. Between our company in California and Costa Rica, we have had a 100% safety record for the past 42 years, and this enviable safety record is one of the reasons why we are at the safety forefront of the whitewater industry.
If you go rafting, you will get wet. Whether you fall out of the raft is another story. We prefer to run the fun and challenging lines of a rapid but keep you inside the raft. That’s not to say you will not have the occasional out-of-boat experience. However, it remains the exception rather than the rule. If you do fall out, 99% of the time, you’ll be holding onto the outside safety (OS) line around the raft and pulled in by a fellow paddler or guide. On Class 4 high adventure trips, we have safety kayakers who act like swim coaches and will “rescue” you in the event you may have a not-so-fun swimming experience!
The answer is the same as the one above; however, kids tend to actually enjoy falling out a lot more than their parents! We take kids rafting as young as 8 years daily, and our highly experienced guides understand the responsibility of having kids on their raft. We have seats in the middle of all our rafts where a child can sit through the rapids and hold on instead of paddling – just in case they are unsure of themselves. All of our guides know it can be a scary rafting experience for a child, and that is the last thing anyone wants. Therefore, parents must choose the classification of the river they are comfortable with and do their research to know what to expect on a rafting trip. Armed with that information, each individual and parent needs to decide for themselves. Our guides make rafting heaps of fun for kids – they do not have to try hard because, deep down, they are all big kids themselves!
Forget about the gym membership and leave the muscle supplements at home! There are no Schwarzenegger-like fitness requirements to go rafting! Anyone can raft, and it’s more a sense of adventure than being physically fit.
Although knowing how to swim is optional for our Balsa and Blancas trips, we recommend you have good comfort with moving water for the Sarapiqui. You’ll be wearing a high-float life jacket, so if you make a premature exit from the raft, you’ll float and be pulled back in by a fellow paddler or your guide. If you fall out, your hair will get wet, and yes, you will get laughed at by your fellow rafters, especially if you fall out in a small rapid! All of our guests are outfitted with the very best life jackets at all times on the water. Before anyone gets on the river, our guides check everyone’s personal flotation devices (PFDs) to ensure they fit correctly, are appropriate for their body weight, and are adjusted correctly.
We are one of the only companies owned by professional guides still guiding at the highest level in the rafting industry, and our least experienced guides have 10+ years of experience! Our guides are highly skilled professionals who guide in Costa Rica and travel to the US, Canada, and Europe during the summer months. We are well above the minimum standards set by Costa Rica that most others follow. They are all certified in Advanced First Aid, CPR, and Advanced Swiftwater Rescue at a minimum! When you raft with us, you know you are in good hands.
Please leave your wallets, passports, and valuables behind in the hotel. It is not safe to bring valuables on the shuttle or raft! Change of clothes for after the trip, hotel room keys, or bits of cash can be kept in a small bag and left on the shuttle vehicle.
We can advise you on which trip best suits your needs; however, we prefer to leave this decision up to you as only you know what you are comfortable with. Our knowledgeable office staff are available to help if you need help deciding.
If this is your first raft trip, we recommend the Balsa River, a Class III trip with plenty of excitement even for experienced rafters. We suggest the Sarapiqui River with Class 3/4 rapids for those who want more thrills.
We are confident our guides will give you the best rafting experience you have ever had! These river professionals are energetic individuals driven by their love of rafting. Our guides are exceptional people handpicked for their unique personalities and river skills.
Dressing appropriately is critical to your comfort. Regardless of whether you run hot or cold, we suggest you leave the cotton off the river when possible, but on Costa Rican rivers, cotton is acceptable.
Swim attire or shorts is highly recommended. Secure footwear is highly advised; crocs or flip-flops are not recommended because they will break or fall off. Please pack a change of clothes for after the trip, which can be left on the shuttle.
No. There is no need for a change of clothes or a towel on the raft; however, please bring a small bag with a change of clothes for after the trip. This small bag can be left on the shuttle. There are changing rooms after the end of each of our trips. We will provide you with a clean microfiber towel to dry off.
All you need on your raft in addition to the clothes you are wearing:
  • Water Bottle
  • 1 tube or can of sunscreen to share amongst the raft if you all know each other.
  • Any medications, inhalers, etc. that you require.
  • For the Safari Float, bring your camera.
We do not recommend a camera or cell phone. Remember that in rapids, you will be paddling and not taking pictures! We provide a kayaker on almost all our trips, which will capture all the action on and off the river. These will be available for you to purchase after the trip. If you have a GoPro, bring it at your own risk.
For safety reasons, leaving valuable items and personal belongings behind is recommended.
Unfortunately, we do not allow you to wear your own PFD or helmet on our guided adventures. Our rafting safety equipment is specific to commercial use, and our liability does not cover personal safety gear.
We all hate hidden costs with a passion!
The trip includes a shuttle pick-up and drop-off from your La Fortuna hotel, Safety orientation, top-of-the-line rafting equipment, a US Coast Guard Approved Commercial Type 5 Lifejacket, a MIPS CE Approved Helmet, and a Whitewater Paddle. Every one of our trips comes with a bilingual, good-looking, outrageously fun, experienced, entertaining, and professional raft guide. However, we cannot always guarantee the good-looking part!
Due to the nature of a river trip, you are often in remote, hard-to-reach locations, and we want you to feel comfortable in your new environment. Our river guides are highly qualified professionals trained in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Swift-water Rescue Techniques. In the improbable event of an accident, your guides will have the experience to deal with various ailments and medical situations. Everything from a broken fingernail to an injured back or neck injury. We carry comprehensive First Aid kits and AEDs on all of our trips, we take a satellite telephone or cell phone on all of our travels, and we can evacuate you if we feel it’s necessary.
Lunch is a traditional Costa Rican meal with hearty vegetarian or chicken options, including rice, beans, salads, curried vegetables, and plantains. Fresh fruits such as pineapples, watermelon, and coffee are also available.
Our rafts can hold between 2 and 6 paddlers plus a guide. Depending on the river flow and composition of the various families or groups, the Trip Leader will assign rafts. Ideally, we like to keep groups or families together.
All rafting trips go regardless of weather unless we deem the conditions unsafe, and we always keep cautious. For example, we will cancel a trip if there is flooding due to excessive rain or if there is a risk of flooding. It rains in Costa Rica, and it’s very common to raft in the rain.
Safety is paramount. In the rare instance of adverse weather or unsafe river conditions, the trip may be rescheduled, and participants will be informed accordingly.
We provide all shuttles to and from your hotels in La Fortuna and the rivers we raft.
All our drivers have commercial driver’s licenses in Costa Rica. We operate our shuttle fleet and drivers following the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration policies. Vehicles are inspected daily using FMCSA inspection sheets.
If you have a group of 12 or more people, we can customize trips and shuttles. We must remember that the rivers are dam-controlled, so we have to work within water release parameters.
Not on the river. Leave your wallet at home but stick a bit of cash in your change of clothes for any incidentals.
We are often asked if it is appropriate to tip the guide. Though our staff is well compensated, a gratuity is most appreciated. It is an excellent way to say thanks, especially if you received outstanding service. Tipping is entirely at your discretion.
Alcohol or illegal substances cannot be consumed prior to the trip. If you have finished one or both, you will not be allowed to participate in the journey and will forfeit your payment.
Yes. Rafting Costa Rica requires everyone joining us on the river to sign a standard adventure travel industry waiver. If you are under 18, your Waiver must be signed by a Parent or Legal Guardian.
Please check with your hotel or booking agent for their cancellation policy. Travel Insurance is always advised.
There are restrooms and changing rooms at all of our river put-ins, take-outs, and portable toilets at all our lunch stops along the river.
If you are pregnant, you will not be permitted to go rafting unless your doctor clears you during the early weeks. But consider that you won’t always be pregnant, but the river will always be here. We do not think it is worth the chance of risking it, no matter how early you are in your pregnancy. We believe moms are unique – we know you agree and appreciate your cooperation!
We love to share the beauty and excitement of our rivers with everyone, regardless of their disabilities. In decades of rafting, we have yet to turn down someone with a disability! Our staff is patient, compassionate, and open to sharing new experiences with all of our guests. While we can accommodate most conditions, knowing this information in advance is always best. Please give us details when making your reservations, and our operations manager will reach out to get more information and better understand your comfort level.
  • Class 1 - Moving water with a few riffles and small waves. There are few or no obstructions.
  • Class 2 - Easy rapids with smaller waves and clear, apparent channels without scouting. Some maneuvering might be required.
  • Class 3 - Rapids with high, irregular waves and narrow passages often require precise maneuvering.
  • Class 4 - Long, challenging rapids with constricted passages often require complex maneuvering in turbulent water. The course may take a lot of work to determine, and scouting is often necessary.
  • Class 5 - Challenging, long, and violent rapids with highly congested routes should be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions are complex, and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Class V is the upper limit of what is possible in a commercial raft.
  • Class 6 - The difficulties of Class V carried to the extreme. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For teams of experts only. Involves risk of life. Class VI rapids are not commercially craftable.
First, the class designation may vary with fluctuating water levels. Typically, high water levels increase the difficulty of rapids. However, this is only sometimes the case. Some rapids become more technical and more complex at lower water levels. Second, the classification system does not consider the type of boat being paddled. Some rapids may present particular challenges for rafts. In contrast, others may be more difficult for a whitewater paddler in a kayak. Finally, significant events like landslides, ice storms, or floods can change the shape of rapids, thus altering their classification.
The bottom line is that assigning numbers to rivers is inherently subjective. Rivers are a natural force subject to change at any time. Luckily, that change only happens sometimes, allowing us to enjoy their whitewater more!
Our guides often capture memorable moments. Photo packages may be available for purchase, allowing participants to relive their rafting adventure.
Yes, our shuttle driver will collect participants from their La Fortuna lodging and provide transportation to the starting point of the adventure.
Our guides are fluent in English and highly knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. They aim to provide an educational and interpretive experience, sharing insights into Costa Rican culture and the natural surroundings.
The guides will explain and demonstrate a “self-rescue” protocol, ensuring participants know how to grab onto the Outside Safety Rope, extend their paddle, or use a throw bag in the rare event of being unable to swim back to the raft.
Guides will explain and demonstrate commands such as “forward paddle,” “back paddle,” “left turn,” “right turn,” “stop,” “hold on,” “lean in,” “get down,” “jump left,” and “jump right.” Participants must follow these commands for their safety.
To reduce environmental impact, plastic bottles and plastic-wrapped snacks are not allowed on the raft. We want participants to bring a water bottle, and portable drinking water will be available to refill bottles. A rest break with fruit will be provided. A portable toilet and biodegradable bags will be carried for waste disposal on full-day trips.

For further inquiries or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us using the provided phone numbers.

Rafting Costa Rica

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