10 Canyoning Trips in Costa Rica to Build a Day Around

1.White Water Rafting Canyoning Combo Maquique Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $170Our pick

Maquique Adventure combines five canyon rappels, three through waterfalls, with a zip line, creek hike, rainforest walk, and white water rafting. You also get fruit, drinks, and a Costa Rican lunch of rice, beans, and chicken or fish. Expect an active eight-hour day near Alajuela.

“This was hands down the highlight of my trip to Costa Rica! The entire experience was thrilling and unforgettable, from rappelling down waterfalls to canyoning through stunning gorges and rafting in the rushing rivers. Each activity was increRead more”

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2.5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend about five hours at The Park at Ocean Ranch near Jaco, combining muddy ATV trails, a tractor ride, waterfall rappelling, and more than 2,000 meters of zipline. Guides such as Jesus and Carlos lead the activities in English and Spanish. Expect wet clothes, short steep hikes, and an optional lunch at extra cost.

“Rappelling from the waterfall was so much fun!! Wish there was more of it. Our teenager really enjoyed the ATV tour. You'll have the option to order a lunch with this activity. Guides were excellent and you can tell they love their jobs. 100% would book this again. Great communication prior to the activity. Guides speak English and Spanish.”

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3.Pure Trek Canyoning & White Water Rafting in La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $204

Start with Pure Trek’s waterfall canyoning near La Fortuna, including rappelling, rock climbing, and a forest zipline. Then ride to the Balsa River for Class 2 to 3 white-water rafting, a swimming stop, snacks, drinks, and lunch. Guides such as Byran, Myron, Augusto, and Mario have earned praise for calm safety briefings and good humor.

“Best tour!! Rappelling was A. M. A. Z. I. N. G!!!!!!!! I could have done it all day. So fun! Rafting was exciting, jumping off the cliff was fun and the pineapple and beer was a treat!”

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4.Pure Trek Canyoning & Sky Trek Zip Line Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $259

Start with Sky Trek zip lines above La Fortuna’s rainforest, reaching 600 feet high and 2,600 feet long. After lunch, Pure Trek takes you into an Arenal mountain canyon for waterfall rappelling, a rock climb, and the Monkey Drop. Guides handle the safety systems, and hotel transfers are included from selected hotels.

“This was the most fun, adventurous day! The tour companies were super organized, efficient and fun to chat with. They made a very safe but adventurous day for us!! We want to do it again!”

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5.Canyoning Area 360

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99Best value

Canyoning Area 360 takes you from La Fortuna to three waterfalls, with rappels of 90, 82, and 160 feet. Certified guides such as Pablo, Orlando, Warner, and Chamo provide the gear and safety briefing. After the canyon, you soak in hot river water, walk through primary rainforest, and finish with an organic lunch.

“Orlando & Pablo were excellent guides! We appreciated the friendly and safe environment they created. We had a wonderful time! Highly recommend. The gear was in excellent condition and met industry standards for use and care.”

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6.Combo Arenal Rafting and Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start early in La Fortuna with canyoning through rainforest gorges, rappels, pools, and rocky cliffs. Then raft the Balsa River through 45 minutes of Class III rapids and a gentler hour with fruit, swimming, and chances to spot sloths, toucans, and iguanas. Guides such as Victor keep the river section safe and lively.

“I traveled with my husband and son to celebrate our son's high school graduation. This adventure was our favorite while in La Fortuna! We are risk takers and love to do crazy stuff- and this one definitely exceeded our expectations. The canyoning was unlike anything we've every experienced. Thrilling, yet we knew we were in good hands. The same with rafting. We were even able to see a sloth at one point! We knew the activities included lunch, but the breakfast was a super bonus surprise! We had definitely worked up an appetite after rappelling (and hiking back up the mountain). Highly recommend to adventure seekers!!!”

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7.Canyoneering and Canopy Tour in Turrialba

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105

Meet Explornatura in Calle Chirraca near Turrialba for a guided canyoning and canopy course. You’ll learn the gear, rappel four waterfalls, zip five cables, and cross a 132-foot hanging bridge. Guides such as Chris, Eric, Rob, and Samhir help keep the pace safe and friendly. Lunch and equipment are included.

“This tour was awesome... It has several ziplines and waterfalls a swing bridge and rock climb... The guides Eric & Chris went above and beyond to make our adventure worth while... Chris even took pictures for me on the swing bridge... The staff was easy to contact and very responsive through whatsapp... I highly recommend...”

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8.Canyoning and Arenal Rafting (COMBO TOUR)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start with ABC Canyoning’s four waterfall rappels, ranging from 49 to 131 feet, then raft the Rio Balsa through Class III rapids. Guides Osa and Axle help keep the day friendly and safe, while a fruit stop, wildlife sightings, and a Costa Rican lunch round out this active La Fortuna outing.

“We are adventurers, my kids are 9, 9 and 11 - the waterfall part of this tour is a true adventure and the hike takes work, that's my only warning to others, get ready to work for it - it's worth every second. We had a small group of about 12 people in our group - we arrived at the house where you get set up for the waterfall repelling and there were kittens, baby chicks and a family setting up for our breakfast (eat something small before you go b/c they don't feed you until after!) You get to the first small waterfall quickly and then you work your…”

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9.Jungle Hike with Canyoning and Rappelling in Drake Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $115

Start at 7 a.m. with Sukia Travel for a six-hour rainforest adventure in Corcovado National Park. Guides such as Emilio, Bryan, Allen, and David lead you through primary jungle, river crossings, swimming holes, waterfalls, and several rappels. Pickup and drop-off are included, with groups limited to eight people.

“Definitely was more physically demanding that I was anticipating, but was an amazing experience! Emilio’s live and passion for the work he does, and his country really came through! Would highly recommend!”

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10.Full Day Class II-III Rafting and Canyoning Rappelling from La Fortuna-Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · from $191

You spend a full day with Wave Expeditions combining waterfall rappelling, canyon climbing, zip-lining, and a two-hour Balsa River rafting run. Guides such as Super Mario, Sassy, Julio, and Jonathon have earned warm praise for safety and good humor. Hotel pickup, equipment, fruit, drinks, and a Costa Rican lunch are included.

“Our family’s favorite part of the day was the rafting and the monkey drop. The guides were excellent. We felt safe the entire time. My husband, who is afraid of heights, did everything. The guides helped him relax and have a good time. Super Mario was our river guide and was awesome! The food they provided was amazing!”

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