Naranjo River Rafting
Punchy Class III rapids through jungle gorges on the Naranjo, an adrenaline-filled half day that climbs to Class IV in the rainy season.
* Rack rates before Costa Rica's 13% VAT. Includes hotel pickup & certified bilingual guide. Book now, pay later.
The experience
The Naranjo River borders Manuel Antonio National Park and delivers a steep, fast, genuinely exciting run. The put-in is a 40-minute scenic drive to the small town of Londres, where our private ranch has stables, changing areas, and bathrooms to get you ready.
It runs Class III most of the season and pushes to Class IV when the rains raise the water, so it is a real adventure rather than a gentle float. It is challenging, but with a safety briefing and a guide in every raft, fit first-timers can absolutely do it.
After safety instructions and practice time at the ranch, you board the six-passenger rafts. Each raft has its own guide calling the strokes, and a kayaker shadows the group for extra safety. The Naranjo flows through mountains, jungle gorges, farmland, and palm plantations, and its steep course is what gives the rapids their punch.
About halfway down there is a break to catch your breath and take in the view. Toward the end the water calms and you can drift over the last few rapids while watching for birds overhead. After roughly two hours on the river, lunch is waiting, made fresh with local ingredients. For a step up in intensity, look at the El Chorro Class IV run on the upper Naranjo.
Highlights
- Class III rapids that climb to Class IV in high water
- A steep, scenic course through mountains, jungle gorges, and palm plantations
- A guide in every six-person raft, with a safety kayaker alongside
- Calm stretches near the end to take in the river and the birds
- Forest bordering Manuel Antonio National Park
- A homemade riverside lunch made with local ingredients
What's included
- Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off
- Certified bilingual river guide and a safety kayaker
- All river gear: helmet, life jacket, and paddle
- Fresh fruit and a homemade lunch
What to bring
- Swimsuit worn under quick-dry clothes
- Sunglasses with a retainer cord
- Water shoes or sandals with straps
- A dry change of clothes
- A beach towel
A typical day
- 8:00 AM or 11:30 AM hotel pickup in Manuel Antonio or Quepos
- About a 40-minute drive to the ranch in Londres
- Safety briefing and practice time
- The Class III-IV descent of the Naranjo River
- A mid-river break to rest and take in the view
- Homemade lunch at the ranch
- Return drive to your hotel
Departures & pickup
- From Manuel Antonio / Quepos: 8:00 AM or 11:30 AM pickup, about 4.5 hours round trip, from $95 per person.
- From Jacó / Herradura: about a 1.5-hour drive each way, from $115 per person.
- This trip runs in the rainy season, roughly May to December, when the river has enough water.
- Minimum age is 10. Younger families can enjoy the Isla Damas or crocodile tours instead.
Frequently asked questions
Class III most of the season, building to Class IV in high water. Exciting without being extreme, and fine for fit first-timers who are comfortable in moving water.
Ten years old. Younger guests can join the Isla Damas mangrove or crocodile tours for a calmer water adventure.
No. Your guide walks everyone through paddling and safety on the riverbank before you get in the water.
Quick-dry clothes that can get soaked and closed shoes or strapped water sandals. Helmets, life jackets, and paddles are provided.
Roughly May to December. In the dry months the river is usually too low, so we recommend the Savegre River or El Chorro instead.
About 4.5 hours door to door from Manuel Antonio, including the drive and roughly two hours on the river.
Ready to book Naranjo River Rafting?
Free hotel pickup, certified bilingual guides, book now and pay later.
Prefer just your group? Take this tour private →
