Maquique Balsa River Rafting – Class II & III
Price
Overview
Balsa River Rafting: Our Favorite Pick for Real Fun and Team Adventure
There are adventure tours out there that promise Hollywood-level catastrophes, and others that put you to sleep. When our guests ask us for a solid rafting recommendation, we always point them to the Balsa River with the team at Maquique. Why? Because it hits the absolute sweet spot: 10 kilometers of fun Class II and III whitewater rapids that give you a real rush and plenty of laughs, paired with local river guides who know every single rock and put your safety first.
You don't need to be an Olympic athlete or have previous experience; you just need to show up ready to work as a team and get soaked from head to toe.
What to Know Before You Go
- Who is it for?: Perfect for families (kids 6 and up are welcome) and anyone wanting a classic Costa Rican river adventure without stepping into extreme, high-risk waters.
- The main highlight: The layout of the trip itself. You start out with the highest energy and biggest rapids of the run, and finish off floating down calm stretches where you can jump in, swim around, and take in the lush rainforest flora and fauna.
- What others won't tell you: You actually have to paddle (this isn't a lazy boat ride) and you will get completely soaked. If you come ready to team up and stroke when the guide yells "Forward!", you're going to have an unforgettable time.
Tour Details
- Duration: Half-day (approx. 5 hours total including transfers), capped off with a hearty traditional casado lunch back at their base.
- What's included: Certified guides, safety gear (helmet and life jacket), fresh tropical fruit and drinks along the way, lunch, round-trip transportation from La Fortuna and nearby areas, and free secure parking if you prefer to drive yourself.
- What we suggest bringing: Quick-dry athletic clothing, secure water shoes or sneakers that can get wet (leave the loose flip-flops behind), and a dry change of clothes for the trip back.
How to Fit This Into Your Day (The Ultimate Full-Day Adventure)
Since this is a half-day activity, you'll have plenty of time left over. For our more adventurous guests who want to maximize their trip, you can easily combine this with our Maquique Canyoning adventure for an epic, high-energy full-day combo of waterfalls and whitewater!
Ready to Book?
If this sounds like the right adventure for your trip and you want us to help lock it down or coordinate your pickup, just let us know.
Included/Excluded
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Bilingual certified guides
- Equipment
- Water bottle, cerveza or juice
- Costa Rica Lunch
What to Bring?
- Swimsuit & quick-dry clothing
- Water shoes or sandals with straps
- Towel
- Dry bag for valuables
- Change of clothes
- Sunscreen (reef-safe for natural springs)
Booking Information
- Price: Price is per person.
- Sales Tax: A 13% sales tax will be added upon booking.
- Tour Availability: All tours are subject to availability.
- Minimum Booking Requirement: A minimum of two (2) people per booking is required. If you are a solo traveler, please contact us directly by email or WhatsApp for availability.
- Children: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Transportation: Transportation from most hotels or vacation rentals is included in the price. However, if your hotel or vacation rental is located far from downtown La Fortuna or the route to Arenal Volcano, extra pick-up fees may be charged. Please confirm this during booking.
- Departure Times: Departure times are approximate. The precise pick-up time will be provided on your travel voucher.
Cancellation Policy
Standard Cancellations: Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled service by emailing to receive a full refund, minus any applicable credit card processing fee (typically 5%).
Holiday Cancellations (December 20 – January 4): Cancellations during this peak season must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance to qualify for a full refund, minus payment processing fees.
Late Cancellations: Cancellations made after the required notice period are subject to a 100% cancellation fee and are non-refundable.
No-Show Policy: Guests must be present at the agreed pickup time and location. Our guide or driver will wait up to 10 minutes. Failure to appear will be considered a no-show and charged in full.
Late Arrival: If you arrive late but the service can still be operated, the tour will proceed on an adjusted schedule. Activities may be shortened, and no partial refunds will be provided.
Illness or Medical Emergencies: Our preferred solution is to reschedule your experience. If rescheduling is not possible, refund requests will be reviewed individually and may require a medical certificate.
Weather & Force Majeure: If Tours in Arenal cancels a service due to severe weather or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, guests may choose between rescheduling or receiving a full refund.
Company Cancellations: We reserve the right to cancel or modify any service for operational or safety reasons. In such cases, we will offer an alternative, reschedule the service, or provide a full refund.
Unused Services: Once a tour or transfer has started, any unused portion of the service is non-refundable.
Personal Belongings: Tours in Arenal is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items during transportation or activities.
Liability: By confirming your reservation, you acknowledge that participation is voluntary and at your own risk, and you release Tours in Arenal and its operating partners from liability for events beyond their direct control.
Payments
- Currency: Payments will be processed in US dollars.
- Payment Process: Your credit card will be charged using a secure payment link once the service is confirmed.
- Booking Confirmation: Prices, transportation, attractions, services, and travel dates are not confirmed until we receive the required payment.
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