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Costa Rica · Your next adventure

Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Rio Tenorio

Playa Hermosa, Coco, Southern Papagayo ・ Central Guanacaste ・ Tamarindo ・ Papagayo Peninsula ・ Jobo

Your experience

Good to Know

Embark on a heart-pounding whitewater rafting adventure on Costa Rica's Rio Tenorio, renowned for its exhilarating Class III and IV rapids amidst wild tropical beauty. This intense journey is best suited for those in strong physical condition or with prior rafting experience. The all-inclusive tour provides certified guides, safety kayakers, equipment, snacks, and a rewarding lunch. Round-trip transportation is included from various Guanacaste locations, making for a 6.5 to 8-hour total adventure.


About the tour

Whitewater rafting Rio Tenorio is an exciting, adrenaline-pumping river adventure that is not for the faint of heart. The Tenorio River has Class lll and Class lV rapids that will keep you busy paddling your oars as you splash your way downstream. Whitewater rafting in Guanacaste’s beautiful tropical forest terrain is an exquisite opportunity to explore the wild rivers and jungles of Costa Rica.

The tour will start after you are picked up from your hotel and driven on country roads through farm lands and small villages to get to the rafting headquarters. You’ll sign in and meet the others joining this tour before going down to the Tenorio River.

Your certified safety kayaker guide will provide high quality gear including helmets, paddles and inflatable rafts suitable for 7 people including one guide per raft. Your guides will go over paddling instructions and safety rules before plunking your raft into a calm entry point then pushing off into the river to start your journey.

You’ll work as a team paddling your way around the twists and turns you’ll encounter in the river while your guide steers the boat and yells out important instructions. About half-way through the rafting trip, your group will pull over to the river’s edge to enjoy a refreshing snack of tropical fruit and bottled water. You’ll also have a chance to go for a swim or stretch your legs.

After the break, your group will hop back into the boat as you continue on your way paddling down the river. Towards the end you will reach a 10 foot waterfall drop which is a sure bet to be the most memorable part of this exciting rafting adventure.

Once you leave the river, you’ll be taken to a place where you can change into dry clothes before being treated to a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Served fresh will be a Costa Rican style “casado” which is the traditional lunch combination of rice, beans, salad, and your choice of fish, chicken, meat or veggies.

When you’ve finished lunch you’ll have a chance to choose whether you want to purchase photos that your guide took of your rafting trip, before being driven back to your hotel in air-conditioned vans.

This tour provides transportation from Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Jobo, Riu and the Flamingo and Papagayo areas. Also included are your safety kayaker, guides, rafting equipment, snack, bottled water and lunch. One way transport can take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours to get to the river depending on your hotel location. The total time it takes to complete the rafting tour including round trip transportation can be between 6.5 to 8 hours. Please bring secure water shoes, clothes to get wet in, bathing suit and extra dry clothes to change into.

What to Bring

Clothes that can get wet, secure water shoes, sun block, dry clothes to change into.

Includes

Guides, safety kayaker, transportation, snack, bottled water, lunch

Location and Availability

Available in: Playa Hermosa, Coco, Southern Papagayo, Central Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Papagayo Peninsula, Jobo

Tour space is generally available when requested more than two days in advance and remains subject to confirmation.

Tour Times

07:00

Tour Type

  • Adventure
  • Extreme
  • Rafting
Explore the location on the map

Location

Latitude: N 10° 39' 27.26" (10.657571)
Longitude: W 85° 5' 38.1" (-85.093918)

Recent Reviews

Overall
98%
Expectations
98%
Experience
98%
Guides
99%
Logistics
98%
Value
98%

Dianne H.

Guides were amazing! Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Danielle B.

The guides were very skilled. All logistics of the trip were well executed.

Corby D.

Long dirt road but good driver and nice van to ride in

Before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the intensity level of whitewater rafting on the Rio Tenorio?

The Rio Tenorio features challenging Class III and IV rapids, making it an adrenaline-pumping adventure ideal for those in strong physical condition or with prior rafting experience.


What is included in the Rio Tenorio whitewater rafting tour?

The tour includes certified guides, safety kayakers, all necessary rafting equipment, tropical fruit snacks, bottled water, and a traditional Costa Rican 'casado' lunch. Round-trip transportation from select Guanacaste areas is also provided.


What should I bring for the Rio Tenorio rafting adventure?

Participants should bring secure water shoes (no flip-flops), a swimsuit or clothes that can get wet, sunblock, and a dry set of clothes for changing after the trip.


How long does the Rio Tenorio whitewater rafting tour last?

The total adventure, including round-trip transportation from areas like Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and Papagayo, typically ranges from 6.5 to 8 hours, with travel time to the river taking 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way.


The people behind your vacation

Personal service from Pacific Trade Winds

Make this tour part of your Costa Rica vacation

Request a vacation package including Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Rio Tenorio.