This is no Lazy River Float!
Move over white water rafting, river tubing Costa Rica is taking the stage! What started with a few companies offering a random tubing tour here or there when the rivers were low has turned into one of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica from several destinations. For those that are a bit timid about white water rafting in Costa Rica, tubing is a fantastic alternative and fun for the whole family. On some rivers, children as young as 6 years old are welcome to safely float down the river on their own tubes even.
Kids Tubing Rio Celeste
But this is not your average river float down a lazy river. This is tubing down class I, II & even class III rapids on some rivers! But wait, you said this was family friendly, but is it? Yes, but you need to choose the right river for you. So to help you plan your next family vacation, we thought we would highlight the rivers in Costa Rica tubing tours are available and summarize it for you. So here it is…..
Wild Rapids at Hacienda Guachipelin
Your Handy Dandy Guide to River Tubing in Costa Rica
First, we will highlight all the different river tubing tours in Costa Rica and the rivers that operate commercial tubing tours safely. Sure, you may be used to tubing your local river back home, but this is the rainforest and a bit more remote than your average river in the suburbs. We do not suggest you try river tubing on your own in a foreign country, or really in any country. It is best to go with groups where at least one person is trained in first aid anywhere in the world. Luckily in Costa Rica, there are several river tubing companies that are there to take care of you and ensure your safety on the river. So here is where you can find them.
River Tubing Safety Briefing Before Getting into the Water
Tubing Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste Region
Guanacaste has several day trips to the most popular rivers in this region. So if you decided you wanted to stay at an all-inclusive, we got you covered. Rincon de la Vieja is a beautiful region of volcanos and rivers and also home to Costa Rica’s most famous adventure parks. You can choose from a variety of rivers here and all are sure to be the highlight of your Costa Rica vacation.
Family Tubing Rio Celeste
Tubing Rio Celeste – Costa Rica’s Iconic Blue River
Rio Celeste is one of the top destinations in Costa Rica due to the unique turquoise blue river that forms at the confluence of Buena Vista & Agria River. The chemical reaction between the volcanic minerals and bacteria combining creates an almost unrealistic shade of blue. The hike to the waterfall used to be the most popular way to visit Rio Celeste, but over the past 5 years, the interest has moved more towards tubing the river instead.
Tubing Rio Celeste From Katira de Guatuso
If you are lucky enough to be staying at one of the beautiful remote resorts in the area surrounding Rio Celeste, Rincon de la Vieja or Tenorio Volcano National Parks, there are several river tubing options you can choose from and save money by driving yourself to the meeting location. Tubing Rio Celeste from the drop point in Katira de Guatuso allows the longest ride on the Rio Celeste at about 4km and 2 hours of floating time. Rio Celeste is a beautiful river for floating with the whole family. Rio Celeste is not full of challenging rapids like the other rivers in the area. This tour allows children as young as 4 years old to float the river.
Tubing the Famous Blue River in Costa Rica
If you are staying in other popular destinations such as Papagayo or Tamarindo in Guanacaste, or La Fortuna near the Arenal Volcano, there are Rio Celeste tubing day trips that include transportation and lunch. There is also the option to make it a combo and visit the iconic Rio Celeste waterfall too. That is a bit of a hike though and a long day of travel for the kiddos. But for adults, this a great way to pack in the best of Rio Celeste.
Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike
Tubing Rio Negro – Fast & Furious Fun on Class II/III Rapids
Nearby Rio Celeste is Rio Negro which is one of the more extreme river tubing tours in Costa Rica. The Hacienda Guachipelin put tubing Rio Negro on the map. Due to their stellar location near the Rio Negro, they operate a super fun but mildly challenging tubing experience. The guides are on this river daily though and know all the hazards. So, they make sure everyone safely navigates the class II & III rapids as they encounter them. It is a thrilling rush to say the least. But the minimum age to tube Rio Negro safely is 8 years old. However, during rainy season, the minimum age may be increased if the river levels are too high for smaller kids to safely navigate.
Wild Rapids on Rio Negro Hacienda Guachepelin
There are day tours to Guachipelin Adventure Park from Guanacaste nearly daily. The best deal if coming from Guanacaste is to book a full day adventure combo departing from Tamarindo or Papagayo. It is awesome and includes all the essential activities in Costa Rica such as ziplines, horseback riding, hot springs and volcanic mud bath. You can learn more from our team members personal experience here. But if you happen to be staying nearby, you can book only the river tubing at Hacienda Guachipelin and drive yourself to save money. We can help you book that too.
Tubing Colorado River Rincon de la Vieja – Perfect Mix of Rapids and Lazy River
Rincon de la Vieja Tubing Colorado River
Tubing Colorado River Costa Rica consists of class I, II, & III white water rapids, but they are all about safety first. Kids as young as 6 years old can join. They even provide kneepads and elbow pads so you have extra protection bouncing off the rocks. However, just like Rio Negro, if the water levels are too high, they will raise the restricted age for your child’s safety. The river fun on Colorado River with Rincon del la Vieja tubing is 3km and lasts about 1.5 hours. As a bonus, this provider also offers a combo tour with a hike to La Leona Waterfalls. This is not your average waterfall hike either. You actually have to swim through caves to get there!
Swimming through Caverns to La Leona Waterfalls
Tubing La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano Region
La Fortuna is the adventure capital of Costa Rica, so it is no wonder they have also pioneered a couple of amazing tubing tours in La Fortuna. Rafting from La Fortuna has always been the rage. But local rafting operations have realized the draw of tubing tours in La Fortuna for families and it is growing daily.
Tubing Rio Arenal – Tubing & Hot Springs… Heck Yes!
Skyview Tubing Arenal River La Fortuna
The great thing about tubing Rio Arenal is that the property that borders one of the best places to drop in the river is Montano de Fuego. It shares its property with Maleku indigenous group and also has its own thermal hot springs. Before the tubing you will have a chance to mingle with the indigenous locals, and after you can soak in the hot springs. Kind of a perfect day, right? Tubing Arenal River lasts about 1.5 hours depending the river flow which depending the time of year can produce class I, II or even 3 rapids. The minimal age to safely participate is 10 years old. If you want to get the best value, Go Adventures Park offers several money saving combos to combine your tubing trip with other super fun activities like zip lines or horseback riding.
La Fortuna Tubing Rio Balsa
Our favorite tubing tour in La Fortuna is with a rafting company. You know they are river experts, and the Balsa River is spectacular for tubing. It is a little bit of a drive out of La Fortuna, but the river run is well worth the drive. Tubing the Rio Balsa you will be floating, bouncing and bobbing down the river for nearly 2 hours on Class I, II, & III rapids depending the time of the year. Minimum age for tubing Balsa River is 8 years old.
Tubing Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast – Tubing Manuel Antonio & Dominical
The central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful rivers in all of Costa Rica. Imagine jungle melting down from canyons to the sea. That is what you will find here. So it is no wonder tubing tours in Manuel Antonio and Dominical are exceptional.
Tubing Savegre River
Tubing Savegre River – Costa Rica’s Most Pristine River
The weather on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica can be a little up and down. So the river trips can be a bit seasonal. But if you are visiting Manuel Antonio and have the opportunity for tubing Savegre River, you should most definitely do it. Located just 40 minutes from Quepos, the Savegre River is gorgeous. The class II/III rapids are a lot of fun and there is also a waterfall on the way down you can visit. The operator here is 100% about safety too. They not only have river guides; they send safety kayakers along in case of emergency. Even with safety kayakers though, the minimum age for tubing Rio Savegre is 10 years old. However, this provider only offers private tours. So, you can count on small groups too.
Savegre River Waterfall Stop
Lazy River Tubing on the Baru River Dominical
Ok I know the title of this article says tubing in Costa Rica is not a lazy river float, but tubing Baru River is the closest you will get. We love this river run as you are deep in the jungle and actually have a bit more time to just relax and enjoy nature. Tubing Baru River is probably closer to most of the river floating I grew up with in Washington State. You know the kind where you have an additional tube tied to you carrying a cooler of… ahem…Kool-Aid. The minimum age to float Baru is still 6 years old though for your child’s safety. If you are staying in Dominical or Uvita, a lazy river float on the Baru River is a must.
Tubing Baru River – Lazy River Float
Frequently Asked Questions About Tubing in Costa Rica
Tubing Rio Corado – Oh Snap!!
Is Tubing in Costa Rica Safe?
Yes, absolutely! Costa Rica was made for tubing. Ok, well it was made for white water rafting too, but you get the idea. As I mentioned above, we just recommend going with a professional guide who is very familiar with the rivers and provides you with quality safety equipment (tube designed for the river, life vests). No matter how much experience you have tubing in your hometown, we do not recommend going on your own.
Do You Need to Have Prior Tubing Experience to Join a Tubing Tour in Costa Rica?
Nope! There is a first time for everything, and Costa Rica is the perfect place to learn. But we do suggest you have basic swimming skills and are comfortable in the water.
I am Traveling with My Family. How Old do You Have to be to go Tubing in Costa Rica?
Tubing is generally safe for kids as young as 4 years old on some rivers, but others require children to be a minimum of 8 or 10 years old. Many of the river runs in Costa Rica have white water rapids. This is a bit challenging to maneuver for smaller children that do not have long enough arms and legs to be able to safely paddle to safety.
When is the Best Time of Year for Tubing in Costa Rica?
Tubing is great all year long. However, some rivers are more seasonal as they require more rain to make the conditions on the river favorable for tubing. Tubing Rio Celeste is best during dry season so you can better experience the blue hue without all the rain mucking it up. However Savegre and Baru are best during the rainy season when the water levels are a bit higher. Most others are good year-round.
What Do I Need to Wear for my Tubing Excursion in Costa Rica?
SECURE shoes!! Secure shorts. Secure tops. For shoes, rubber soles for climbing over the river rocks is best. Sport sandals work good, water shoes are great, and in a pinch your tennis shoes are fine. Flip flops are not allowed, and you would lose them in seconds anyhow. For your clothes, keep in mind the river current will be tugging on your clothes at all times. Make sure your shorts have a drawstring that you can cinch up tight. Ladies, that bikini looks good on the beach, but beware of the river tugging on the strings. Sadly, I can tell you from experience, flashing strangers is not the vacation memory you want to create.
Tubing Fails are Still Fun!
I think we hit on most of the basics here, but if you still have questions about river tubing excursions in Costa Rica, we are happy to help. This is one of our very favorite things to do, so we hope you have the opportunity to experience it for yourself on your next visit.