Balsa River wildwaterraften klasse 2/3 in Costa Rica

Balsa River White Water Rafting with Arenal Rafting. This was our favorite activity but we would maybe try a different company. The beginning and end were quite chaotic. We were on a small packed bus where myself and my 6ft son had to sit on top of a wheel well so we had our knees in our chest for over an hour which wasn’t very fun or comfortable. We did get to stop halfway for a restroom and snack break so at least we could stretch our legs. Our guide Carlos wasn’t the best, he spent the trip scaring our kids about not being “princess paddlers” and was supposed to tell us who are guides at the river would be but didn’t. Instead we were dropped at the river into a mass of people with guides tossing life jackets and herding us down to the boats. I lost sight of my kids and since I had no idea who our guide was or where to go it was a bit unnerving. Finally found my family and met our river guide Edwin who was AWESOME. He put my daughter and I in the back near him and honestly made the experience a perfect 10. We saw tons of wildlife and the fruit break was great. After the rafting they took us back to the main office and fed us lunch. My husband and I got the beef option and it was good, our kids got the pork chop and it was terrible-dry, over cooked hockey puck. While it wasn’t a 5 star experience, it’s one my kids are still talking about a week later.

Definitely a must do when you're in the area! It was a great experience. William and Wilbert picked us up at our hotel and took us to their main building where we got the rest of our group. We headed to the Balsa River and the staff quickly got us set up with lifejackets, helmets and paddles. The staff was efficient and very friendly. William ended up being our guide and we had a blast. We were up for a challenge and he didn't disappoint. He was so knowledgeable about the area, animals, plants, and history. Pineapple will never taste as good as Costa Rican pineapple. We were sad to have the trip come to an end but we were met by a crew with water and just as quickly as we got ready, they were able to get us set to head back. The towels were perfect to keep us dry. We also made a stop at a small market to buy snacks and souvenirs. Once we returned to the main building the staff served us lunch which was delicious. While eating we talked with others and looked at our pictures. Then it was time to head back to our hotel. We would recommend You William, Wilbert and all the staff to anyone looking for a great experience rafting.

Guides are very skilled and make the experience very fun and enjoyable. Would definitely recommend, very easy to learn. You could even be lucky to see some wild animals.

Really fun with just the right amount of rapids. Victor and Axel provided a great time for everyone. Some things to know - ride out is 35+ minutes. We went in June so expected some rain and got some - but the temps were great and you don't mind. Time on the water is awesome and the guides tailor the experience. Fruit stop is delicious. Lunch on return is quality and generous. Highly recommend and would return!

Everything about this experience was amazing. From the moment we were picked up at our hotel when we were dropped back off, everything ran smoothly and there was great communication. Our guide, Carlos R, went over and above to make the experience exceptional for my family. We loved eating fruit on the banks of the river halfway through the trip, and the lunch at the end was delicious. After 10 days in Costa Rica and several different experiences in excursion, we all agree that the river rafting was our favorite. The photos that we were able to purchase at the end were an added bonus.

Absolutely amazing and so much fun! I have to admit I was a little nervous about this excursion as it looked a little more thrilling than I was up for. It was indeed thrilling but not scary! It's not easy but also not too difficult and the guides make it so much fun for everyone, regardless of skill and fitness level. Huge shout out to Braulio who was so good and accomodating with my daughter who did not like the rough parts. He also pulled over a few times to show us sloths and other wildlife. The entire crew was incredible. Our friends had Victor for their guide and loved him as well. Definitely a must-do while in La Fortuna!

Absolutely amazing and so much fun! I have to admit I was a little nervous about this excursion as it looked a little more thrilling than I was up for. It was indeed thrilling but not scary! It's not easy but also not too difficult and the guides make it so much fun for everyone, regardless of skill and fitness level. Huge shout out to Braulio who was so good and accomodating with my daughter who did not like the rough parts. The entire crew was incredible. Our friends had Victor for their guide and loved him as well. Definitely a must-do while in La Fortuna!

Tom was the ultimate raft guide for our family (including daughters 13, 11, 6). We felt safe and had an absolute blast. Lunch was delicious and the photo service was well worth it. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Our family had a fantastic time on the Balsa River White Water Rafting tour! From start to finish, we were impressed by the professionalism, hospitality, and genuine care shown by the entire team. Carlos, who picked us up from our hotel, immediately set the tone for a fun day. He had a great sense of humor, kept everyone entertained, and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. As parents traveling with a 6-year-old, we especially appreciated how attentive and caring he was toward our son throughout the experience. Our rafting guide, Colon, was equally outstanding. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the rafting adventure both exciting and safe. Along the way, he helped us spot an incredible variety of wildlife that we would have otherwise missed, adding an extra dimension to the experience. The delicious lunch at the end was the perfect way to wrap up the day. Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with the hospitality, organization, and quality of the tour. This was one of the highlights of our Costa Rica trip, and we would highly recommend it to families and adventure seekers alike!

This was the BEST excursion and SO MUCH FUN! From the beginning, when our main tour guide Moses picked us up, to the drip off. He was funny, engaging, caring, and informative. We had children within our tour (not mine) and he was so thoughtful and made sure they would be under HIS care and raft. The other tour guides were also knowledgeable and made sure our experience was as fun as possible and I always felt safe! GREAT TOUR AND WOULD RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE! Oh… the pineapple… SO GOOD! Lunch was a bit hectic but still incredible considering the amount of people. THANK YOU!!!!!!!