Costa Rica Rafting Trips & Itineraries

Explore 8 rafting trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to Costa Rica.

If you’re looking for an active adventure in a diverse tropical paradise, then a rafting trip in Costa Rica is the perfect holiday for you. Plan a romantic, active getaway that combines rafting over class II and III rapids of the famous Río Pacuare with a zip-line adventure and overnight stays in a luxury eco-lodge. Or combine rafting on the Pacuare with Arenal Volcano and sea kayaking in Manuel Antonio National Park. Yet another option is to add a surf excursion at the world-class breaks of Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean Coast.

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Pacuare river rafting trip
Map of Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater Rafting and Surfing - 5 Days
Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater Rafting and Surfing - 5 Days

Make your trip to Costa Rica one to remember! From a whitewater rafting adventure along miles of tropical scenery on the Pacuare River to an excursion to one of the country's top surf spots, this short and sweet itinerary is jam-packed with thrilling aquatic experiences.

Whitewater rafting in Costa Rica
Map of Costa Rica's Whitewater, Beaches & Volcanoes - 7 Days
Costa Rica's Whitewater, Beaches & Volcanoes - 7 Days

This fun weeklong itinerary highlights Costa Rica's incredible natural scenery through a thrilling series of adventurous activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, ziplining, and more. Starting in the nation's capital, you'll make your way to rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and cone-shaped volcanoes, culminating on the Pacific coast with time to relax on Manuel Antonio's four white-sand beaches—each one accessed by a hiking trail.

Playa Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula
Map of Explore the Jungles & Beaches of Costa Rica - 14 Days
Explore the Jungles & Beaches of Costa Rica - 14 Days

This two-week itinerary is perfect for eco-minded travelers thirsting for a comprehensive Costa Rican adventure. Kick off the journey in metropolitan San José before braving the whitewater rapids of jungle rivers, hiking the base of Costa Rica's most famous volcano, exploring rare cloud-forest eco-systems, and learning to surf (or polish your skills) and Pacific beaches. Enjoy spotting many of Costa Rica's wildlife species along the way.

Sensoria, in Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Map of Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater, Volcanoes & Surfing - 9 Days
Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater, Volcanoes & Surfing - 9 Days

This fun 9-day itinerary highlights Costa Rica's amazing natural scenery through a thrilling series of adventurous activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, and more. Starting in the nation's capital, you'll make your way to rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and cone-shaped volcanoes, culminating on the Pacific coast with time to do some surfing in Tamarindo's famous beaches.

The Guanacaste region on the Pacific Coast is known for its arid landscape and beautiful beaches
Map of Costa Rica's Whitewater, Jungle and Beach Adventure  - 14 Days
Costa Rica's Whitewater, Jungle and Beach Adventure - 14 Days

Experience Costa Rica's many ecosystems on this two-week trip. You'll visit San José, the towering Arenal Volcano, Monteverde's cloud forest, and the remote beaches of Gulf de Papagayo. There will be plenty of activities to choose from along the way: raft on the world-class rapids of Río Pacuare, sample locally produced chocolate, and take a surf lesson in the glittering Pacific.

You'll together brave the rapids on Río Pacuare, one of the best rafting rivers on earth
Map of Rafting & Romance in the Jungle - 5 Days
Rafting & Romance in the Jungle - 5 Days

This 5-day itinerary is ideal for adventure-loving couples. Starting and ending in San José, you'll brave the rapids of the scenic Río Pacuare on a guided whitewater excursion, zip line and hike the coastal jungle, and enjoy downtime together in a luxury eco-lodge. With plenty of free time to choose your own activities, it's bound to be a trip you'll always remember.

Thrill to a rappelling adventure in Costa Rica
Map of Rafting, Rappelling & Hiking in Costa Rica - 16 days
Rafting, Rappelling & Hiking in Costa Rica - 16 days

Over an immersive 16 days, you'll alternate between adventure and leisure in Costa Rica. Some days will be filled with culture in the capital of San José, others you'll spend whitewater rafting, and others will involve zipline excursions over the jungle canopy. If that's not enough, you'll also visit Costa Rica's largest active volcano and even make time for surf lessons.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Costa Rica Luxury Adventure: Rafting, Hiking, and Wildlife - 13 Days
Costa Rica Luxury Adventure: Rafting, Hiking, and Wildlife - 13 Days

On this 13-day Costa Rican adventure, you'll get the adrenaline pumping by day and relax in luxury accommodations at night. You'll visit three distinct areas of the country—the central highlands, Pacific coast, and the southern Osa Peninsula—each offering its own unique excursions. Whether it's horseback riding to a waterfall, braving whitewater rapids, or marveling at exotic animals on a rainforest hike, the opportunities for adventure are almost limitless.