We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
You spend the day rafting the Tenorio River, a class 3 to 4 run in the hills inland from Playas del Coco. A guide sits in the raft with you, calls the strokes, and puts children where they can hear the instructions. There are lively rapids and quieter pools in between, and you will get wet.
A driver collects you from your hotel and takes you to the river. At the put-in you get a helmet and life jacket, then a short briefing on how to sit, brace, and paddle. After that you are on the water for the main part of the day, working as a crew through the rapids and resting in the calmer stretches.
The guide chooses the line based on the water level that morning, so the same rapid can feel different from one week to the next. When you finish, you change if you brought dry clothes and ride back to your hotel. Most groups are back in the late afternoon, depending on traffic and how long you spend at the river.
Pickup is from hotels around Playas del Coco and the wider Guanacaste coast. The rafting is on the Tenorio River, below the volcano, so the drive takes you off the beach and into farmland and forest before you reach the water.
Your pickup time depends on where you are staying. If your hotel sits outside the usual zone, say so when you book and the team will tell you whether they can still collect you or whether you need to meet at another point.
You need to be happy sitting in a raft for a few hours and following instructions. You do not need rafting experience. Children from age 3 can come with an adult who is responsible for them. You should be able to climb in and out of the raft on a riverbank.
There is no swim test, but you wear a life jacket the whole time and you might end up in the water for a moment if you come out of the raft. Wear shoes that stay on when they are wet. Flip-flops tend to disappear.
The company has been running Guanacaste day trips since 2015, and a family team has owned it since 2023. They have worked in hotels and tours, and they still travel a lot themselves, so the days are set up around practical things: a clear pickup time, a guide who explains what is happening, and a group small enough to slow down when someone needs a break.
Guides are trained in first aid. Vehicles are checked, insured, and approved for public tourism use in Costa Rica, with GPS tracking. Tours can be given in English, French, or Spanish. One team handles the drive, any park paperwork, and the activity, so you are not booking separate transfers and tickets yourself.
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Playas del Coco or another agreed Guanacaste address, then heads inland on winding roads toward the Tenorio River valley. The journey is a chance to see how quickly the dry Pacific lowlands give way to greener foothills, and your guide team may outline the day’s rapids and safety rules while you travel.
At the river base you receive a helmet and life jacket sized for each guest, then walk through paddle commands and how to brace in the boat. The lead guide explains which sections are class 3 to 4 and how the crew will read water levels on the day, so everyone knows what to expect before stepping into the raft.
You paddle the main whitewater stretches with the guide calling lines through drops and holes, mixing active sections with calmer pools for photos and drinks of water. The canyon walls and volcanic scenery frame the run, and the team keeps a steady pace that suits mixed ability groups while still delivering a wet, energetic ride.
After the final rapid you exit at the take-out point, help load gear, and change into dry clothes if you brought them along. The same transport returns you to your hotel along the coast, typically arriving in the late afternoon depending on traffic and how long you spent on the water.
Pickup is from hotels in the Guanacaste area around Playas del Coco and nearby beach towns. Confirm your hotel name and room number when you book so the driver can find you at the agreed time.
If you are staying outside the standard pickup zone, contact the operator after booking to arrange an alternative meeting point or supplementary transfer.
The run is rated class 3 to 4, which means lively whitewater with waves and drops that need teamwork on the paddles. Your guide chooses the line and gives clear commands so beginners can take part without prior rafting experience.
Water levels change after rain, so the character of some rapids can feel stronger or softer on different days. The crew adjusts pacing and may skip or walk certain features if safety requires it.
Yes, the minimum age is 3 years when travelling with a parent or guardian. Kids wear the same life jackets and helmets as adults and usually sit where the guide can see them clearly.
Parents should judge whether their child is comfortable with splashes, loud water, and sitting still between rapids. If you are unsure, mention ages when booking so the team can advise on seating and departure choice.
Pickup and drop-off from hotels in the Guanacaste zone around Playas del Coco are part of the day. You confirm your hotel details after booking so the driver knows where to meet you.
Pickup times vary with hotel location and daily routing. The operator sends the window closer to your tour date through the booking channel.
Wear swimwear or synthetic clothes that dry quickly, plus secure shoes that will not fall off in the water. Cotton t-shirts are fine but feel heavy when wet; many guests prefer rash guards or light athletic tops.
Leave valuables in your hotel safe when possible. If you bring a phone, use a waterproof pouch and keep it zipped inside the boat bag the crew provides where available.
You wear a life jacket for the entire time on the water, and guides are trained to recover guests if someone falls out in an appropriate section. Swimming ability helps with confidence but is not listed as a strict requirement.
Tell your guide about any concerns before you launch so they can place you in the most stable part of the raft and explain what to do if you enter the water.
Plan for roughly 8 hours from hotel pickup to return, including road transfers and time at the river. Actual timing depends on traffic, group size, and how long you spend at the put-in and take-out.
The on-river portion is the centrepiece, but the scenic drive inland is part of the experience, so eat a solid breakfast before pickup.
Departures need at least 2 participants to run, with a maximum of 12 on the water. If you are a solo traveller, the operator may combine you with another booking or suggest another date.
Small groups mean more attention from the guide, which helps first-time rafters learn paddle technique quickly.
Rafting often continues in rain because you are already wet on the river. Only severe weather or unsafe river levels would lead to cancellation or rescheduling.
Bring a light rain layer for the bus ride if showers are forecast. The operator monitors conditions locally and will contact you if the river is closed.
Meals are not listed as included on this product unless your voucher states otherwise. Pack snacks or ask the operator after booking whether a lunch stop is scheduled on your date.
Bring a reusable water bottle as recommended for tours in Costa Rica. There may be opportunities to buy drinks near the river, but cash availability varies.
The from price shown reflects the operator rate in US dollars for this Bokun product, before any platform fees or taxes displayed at checkout. Final price depends on date, party size, and age categories in Bokun.
You complete payment through the connected booking flow, and your confirmation voucher lists meeting time, pickup details, and any last-minute contact numbers.
About the centre
Playas del Coco
From our base in Guanacaste we run guided day trips along Costa Rica's northwest Pacific coast, from rainforest waterfalls and volcano trails to river adventures and sunset sails. Small groups travel with local guides who know the roads, the parks, and the best times to be on the water. We handle the logistics so you can focus on swimming, hiking, rafting, or learning to surf with equipment ready when you arrive.
Whether you are staying near Playa del Coco, Tamarindo, or flying into Liberia, we pick you up and return you after the experience. Families are welcome on many of our tours, and we keep groups personal enough that your guide can answer questions and adapt the pace on the day. Reusable water bottles are encouraged, and we aim to show you the region responsibly while you enjoy some of its most memorable landscapes.
Operated by Costour Tours & Transfers, a partner of adventuro.
