Rafting the Savegre River is the other big adventure near Quepos, and this is the best-reviewed version. The trip runs about six hours, with Class II and III rapids, a safety kayaker running alongside the raft, helmets, a driver and guide, snacks, lunch and a stop at a waterfall. It carries a perfect 5.0 from more than eight hundred reviews, and the praise goes to the guides, the lunch and the waterfall. The Savegre is a friendly river, with calm stretches between the rapids and a few livelier sections, which is why the tour accepts children from six and suits families and first-timers as well as people who have rafted before. You meet at Amigos del Rio and are driven to the put-in, with hotel pickup available from selected hotels only, and the ride is narrated, though several reviewers say it takes longer than expected. Souvenir photos are on sale at the end. The tour requires moderate fitness and is not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with a heart condition, and it is not wheelchair accessible.
Reading the river
Rapids are graded by difficulty, and Class II and III means moderate, with waves, rocks and some splashy drops but nothing technical. Water levels change through the year, and reviewers in the dry season, in January and March, found some sections mild and a few shallow.
In the green season, from May to November, the river is higher and the rapids are livelier, so the same trip can feel more exciting, though your guides will choose the safest line for the day. Ask the operator which river section is running when you book.
What to wear and bring
Water shoes or sport sandals with ankle straps, not flip-flops, a swimsuit or quick-drying clothes, a rash guard or light top, sunscreen, a hat for the breaks and a small dry bag for essentials. Leave valuables at the hotel, as nothing is secure on the raft. Bookings need at least two people, and the later departures need four, with a maximum of ten on a trip, so check the departure you want. Cancel up to twenty-four hours before for a full refund.
Making it a good day
Allow the full day, since the drive to the put-in is part of the trip and the total takes about six hours. Eat a light breakfast, because the lunch comes after the rapids. A morning start is best, to avoid the afternoon rain, and the waterfall stop is a good chance to swim and cool off.
If you want a quieter day, choose another time of year or a different excursion, and if you want even more adrenaline, ask about the Class IV rafting options on the booking site, which are for experienced paddlers. Pair the rafting with a lazy beach day afterwards, and do not schedule anything else on the same day.
What to expect
The experience
A guided raft trip on the Savegre River with Class II and III rapids, a safety kayaker, a waterfall stop, snacks and lunch.
Best time
A morning departure, to avoid afternoon showers. The green season brings a higher river and livelier rapids.
How long
About six hours including the drive to the river.
Tips
Wear water shoes with ankle straps, bring a dry bag, leave valuables behind and eat lightly before the trip.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time rafters and families who want a fun, safe river day.
- Families
- The minimum age is six, with a kid-friendly pace between the rapids.
- Couples
- A shared adventure with a swim at the waterfall and lunch afterwards.
- Pair with
- A lazy beach afternoon the next day, or the canopy tour on a different day.
- Time needed
- Most of a day.
Good questions
How hard are the rapids?+
The Savegre trip is Class II and III, which is moderate. There are calm stretches between the rapids and a few livelier sections, and a safety kayaker travels with the raft.
What is the minimum age?+
The minimum age is six, and the trip suits children. Moderate fitness is expected.
What is included?+
Snacks, lunch, a driver and guide, a safety kayaker, helmets, taxes and fees, and a waterfall stop. Photos are optional extras.
Where do I meet the group?+
The meeting point is Amigos del Rio, though hotel pickup is available from selected hotels only. Check with the operator for your hotel.
Does the river change in the green season?+
Yes. Higher water makes the rapids livelier, while dry season trips can be milder with a few shallow sections. Your guides choose a safe line either way.
