Jungle Safari Float on Sarapiqui River from La Fortuna

We had the opportunity to go through level 1 and level 2 rapids, as we looked for wildlife. Our guide, Gabriel, has a great personality and made an already fun trip even better. We saw several different types of birds, as well as monkeys, iguanas and a sloth. We then stopped at an inlet and swam and ate pineapple before continuing down the river. At the end of the adventure, we were served a traditional Costa Rican lunch. It was delicious! We then journeyed back to our hotel. Along the way to and from the river, our driver, Otto, shared with us points of interest and different facts about Costa Rica and the region. The whole experience last about 5 and a half hours. It was a very good experience for $75 per person, and I would definitely recommend it.

This is a very enjoyable float trip with Desafio. It’s an hour or so drive from Arenal through some pretty countryside, and our guide (Jason) told us about the agriculture and other interesting points along the way. When we got to the river, we had a second guide. We had booked a private tour, so it was just the four of us in the inflatable. Our guides did most of the paddling but we also got to participate when going through some small rapids and when extra maneuvering was needed. We saw lots of interesting birds, monkeys, sloths, an iguana, and other river life. Jason is an excellent, very knowledgeable guide who made the trip even more memorable. The other guide, whose name I don’t remember, was also good. It was relaxing, peaceful, with just enough small rapids. Partway through we stopped on a bank for fresh pineapple. After the float, we were taken by van back to the starting point where Desafio has an outdoor cafe; we had a lovely lunch along the river. They easily accommodated my vegan diet. This is a great trip for people who want to enjoy the river in an easy way. The van used to transport us to/from Nayara Springs was clean and comfortable. Highly recommended.

We started our day with a hotel pick up and a ~1 hour drive to the Sarapiqui River. Plan to eat before arriving as you will be served lunch when you finish (90 mins after arrival). I would also suggest that you pack a change of clothes and wear a swimsuit/water shoes as you have the option to swim in the River. We then loaded into a large raft and set off down the river. Our guide for the day was Gabriel. He did a great job instructing us on how we would row together, finding and teaching us about animals on the journey, and keeping the experience fun for all ages (we had a 9 year old on our trip). During the River float we saw howler monkeys, iguanas, a sloth, and countless birds. The rafting was very easy and relaxing. Once finished, we drove back to base camp, changed clothes, ate lunch, and traveled back to our hotel. Overall a great experience!