Arenal River Tubing & Hiking
Arenal River Tubing & Hiking
5
River Rafting & TubingHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Don't miss Costa Rica's BEST River Tubing Adventure. Our guides, who are experts in River Tubing, will take you down rainforest rapids over big waves, along fast runs, and even get in some relaxing float time. We'll also do our best to show you local wildlife throughout the tour, like exotic frogs, sloths, and toucans, which are common to the area. Great fun for adults, as well as children 5 years and older.
La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Arenal River Tubing & Hiking
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
181 reviews
Excellent
174
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
NHLorraine
27 contributions
Jul 2021
We had a great time with 2 guides river tubing. It was a bit tricky to find but we found it after Nicky was waving us down in the street! 2 adults and 3 teens. The guides will allow you to clip in with them or go on your own. It was a lot of fun. We stopped about half way through for a pineapple and mango snack. The guide showed us a fish he caught and also a dart frog. It was great listening to him tell us how his family catches dart frog and puts them in a container with darts overnight. Then they shake the container in am and the dart frogs release their poison onto the darts. They use the darts to throw at animals to catch for food. Interesting! It was a fun tour down the river and we would do this again.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much Lorraine!!
Written July 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jon M
10 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We are a family of 5 with kids 15, 14 and 11. We went tubing in July 2021 and had a blast. Nicki made everything so easy for us to book and meet at the river. Jose and Rocky were our guides and they were awesome. They could move around in their kayaks so fast while we were tubing that there was never a time that we didn’t feel safe but yet we were in some fun rapids most of the time on this dam-fed river. Nice stop with some fruit and Jose showing us some local plants and wildlife too. Great value and great time. Highly recommend. Pura Vida!!
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for joining us, Jon!!! We really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review : )))
Written July 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
amandastl
Ballwin, MO1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
Our family of five (kids ages 13,11,9) very much enjoyed this to be experience with Orlando and Jose! Great communication from start to finish, took time to show us plants and animals along the way and we even fed a cow that came up to us when we stopped for our fruit break mid way. Jose looked for fish with my son. We had engaging, interesting and fun conversation throughout the day with these guys in both English and Spanish. Only mom and dad fell off their tubes when running into rocks and it was no fault of Orlando or Jose. Both showed genuine concern for us when we fell and came to our aid immediately. Then we all had a good laugh about it. For me, it was just enough adventure as I am not quite brave enough for the “Big Rapids”. Loved this experience, Orlando and Jose and would highly recommend it! Pura Vida!
Written July 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HCEdin
Edinburgh, UK93 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We spent a great morning with Christian and thoroughly enjoying tubing down the river. There were a few rapids to give us the excitement factor and he was great with our children. He stopped to show us some wildlife along the way.
I'd thoroughly recommend tubing as a great alternative to rafting - better to float along the river and take in your surroundings!
I'd thoroughly recommend tubing as a great alternative to rafting - better to float along the river and take in your surroundings!
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eabindy
Fishers, IN52 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Our family of five (kids age 10, 15, and 19) had an amazing time tubing rapids with Arenal River and Tubing. Our guides José and Orlando were safety conscious and shared an immense amount about our surroundings. It was obvious they cared deeply about their country and the environment. It was a great combination of thrill and informational. Our youngest was a little apprehensive, but they made her feel comfortable and kept a close eye on her. We would definitely recommend!
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherpa56770108910
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Couples
We had a great time tubing with Julio. It ended up just the two of us, plus guide. The whole tour was very efficient and well planned, and I really appreciated that he pointed out not just the wildlife and other interesting info while on the river but also on the drive there about the various crops, small towns, places to eat, fruits, fauna, etc.
Our guide was clearly very skilled at what he does, which made us feel relaxed and allowed us to sit back and enjoy the ride— just be sure to follow instructions. Definitely one of my favorite activities we’ve done so far in Costa Rica.
-Janet y David
Our guide was clearly very skilled at what he does, which made us feel relaxed and allowed us to sit back and enjoy the ride— just be sure to follow instructions. Definitely one of my favorite activities we’ve done so far in Costa Rica.
-Janet y David
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anvita Shukla
Toronto, Canada370 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
The tour is 3.5hrs long starting 8.30am in the morning with hotel pickup. The organizer Nicole took us to the Balsa river entry point for the rapids. The time on water is 1.5hrs with a break in between with fresh fruits and snacks. We went through class 1 and 2 river rapids and our guides Jose and Orlando were extremely fun and ensured everyone's safety at all time. Overall, really refreshing , safe and adventurous experience in La Fortuna, loved it!
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James S
Hudson, OH14 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We booked this 3 weeks out not knowing quite what to expect. You can drive to the start point which is about 45 minutes east of La Fortuna but we were offered and selected the option to be collected from our hotel which we were pleased about as it would be quite difficult to find. We were greeted by Jose and Orlando, who were our river guides. They were very friendly and knowledgeable about everything on the way to and on the river.
The river was a combination of slow drifting watching for wildlife and class 2/3 rapids. For the rapids we linked together in a chain and were guided through by either Jose or Orlando. We stopped half way where we were treated to some fresh fruits and snacks. We also got to see some wildlife and unique trees.
We found the whole experience extremely enjoyable and would highly recommend the excursion.
The river was a combination of slow drifting watching for wildlife and class 2/3 rapids. For the rapids we linked together in a chain and were guided through by either Jose or Orlando. We stopped half way where we were treated to some fresh fruits and snacks. We also got to see some wildlife and unique trees.
We found the whole experience extremely enjoyable and would highly recommend the excursion.
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James!!! Thanks so much for leaving a comment. It was so wonderful to share the time with you and your family : ))) Cherio, Nicki
Written April 21, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ayalasibanda
Greater London, UK600 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We ended up as a group of 2 families, similar aged kids 7-11 . Jose and Orlando helped and made this trip amazing. You're given life jackets and helmets, then Orlando took the kids and jose the adults. I liked this as the kids had some independence and we were able to observe. We went down some rapids, and jose and Orlando helped if we got stuck - they made it look effortless.
We then made a pit stop and they gave us pineapple, mango and melon, and biscuits. There was no waste as the kids fed the skins to the cows.
We then continued as families.
There was another stop on the drive back for a drink, toilets..
Kids and us loved it!! Would highly recommend. We were picked up at 10.15 and dropped off 4 hours later.
Thank you jose and Orlando, and thank you to everyone else behind the scenes (bookers, driver..)
We then made a pit stop and they gave us pineapple, mango and melon, and biscuits. There was no waste as the kids fed the skins to the cows.
We then continued as families.
There was another stop on the drive back for a drink, toilets..
Kids and us loved it!! Would highly recommend. We were picked up at 10.15 and dropped off 4 hours later.
Thank you jose and Orlando, and thank you to everyone else behind the scenes (bookers, driver..)
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy F
Indiana46 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
We had a great tubing trip! Picked up at our hotel and nice drive out to the river knowledgeable guide about wild life and towns. We had decent rapids because of recent rain and he took good care of us! My husband did not want to flip out of tube and he made sure that did not happen! 2 teens on the trip loved it and learned a lot along the way. It was a good half day trip and we even stopped for some delicious empanadas on the way back to hotel! I recommend wearing water shoes, swimsuit, and water proof bag if taking anything along - you will get wet! Great trip if in the area go for it!
Written October 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this a slow paced casual float or heavy rapids. I am disabled and don't want a real rough ride. Just a casual float. Is this available from the Arenal Springs resort and what is the cost.
Written February 11, 2019
I think it depends on time of year and rainfall - we had full on rapids but other times of year it is apparently much more gentle
Written April 11, 2019
Hi... I'm planning on doing this adventure in the morning and then transfer to Monteverde to a canopy tour. Do you know if it ends early enough so you can transfer to Monteverde by car (I know it's three hours) and then take the last canopy tour at 2:30?
Written July 27, 2015
I'm not sure if you'll make it. Bookings are done by email so the best thing would be to email and ask. The website says tours go out at 8:30am but that's not accurate. We got picked up at 11am for ours, for example.
Written July 27, 2015
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