- Duration
- 4–4.5 hours
- Start time
- Regular: 7:00 AM / 10:00 AM / 1:00 PM • Private: 8:00 AM / 9:00 AM / 11:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 2:00 PMSubject to availability
- Group style
- Private departure
- Pickup
- Pickup can be coordinated
- Languages
- EN / ES
The experience
Canyoning Waterfall Rappelling
Maquique Canyoning is one of the most complete waterfall rappelling adventures in the Arenal region — a 2.5-hour guided descent through a pristine private canyon that combines rappels, ziplines, canyon hiking and natural swimming pools in one continuous route. After a short 5-minute 4x4 transfer from the Maquique base to the canyon entrance, your certified bilingual guide runs you through gear, technique and safety on real practice walls before the first descent. The circuit features five rappels ranging from 20 to 60 meters — three of them descend directly through active waterfalls — plus two zipline cables of 150 and 400 meters that transfer you between platforms, and short interpretive walks along the river between drops. You will experience a full range of rappel styles, from wall-hugging technique on the shorter walls to free-hanging descents on the tallest pitches, with difficulty building progressively so first-timers get comfortable before the epic 60-meter waterfall finale. Small crystalline pools along the canyon allow quick swims between rappels. The tour finishes with a full traditional Costa Rican lunch (casado) at the Maquique restaurant. Included: We are official providers of Maquique Adventure — all technical equipment (harness, helmet, gloves, descender, backup device) and certified bilingual guides. Transport is not included — we quote it separately by hotel and zone. Ages 8+; good general fitness required.
Add-on
How you book this activity
Partner-operated activity · arranged by VIVO
This activity is run by a local operator we work with. You book it through us as a complement to your day: we confirm availability with the operator, coordinate transport from your hotel and send you one payment link for everything.
Reference: from $182 USD — indicative per-person price. The final total is confirmed in your quote.
Request this add-onCombine it with a VIVO tour
Our own guided experiences: VIVO guide, small groups and instant booking.
Highlights
What makes this day different
Minimum age: 5 years (children and adults pay the same rate)
Maximum weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
No swimming skills required
Not suitable for pregnant travelers
Not suitable for people with recent surgeries or heart conditions
Good physical condition recommended
Private tours operate with a minimum of 2 participants
Rates include 13% VAT
Free cancellation up to 36h before the tour (100% minus 5% transaction fee)
Itinerary
Your day, hour by hour
Indicative timings — we adapt to wildlife activity and weather.
6:30 AM
Hotel pickup
Private transport from your La Fortuna area hotel.
6:50 AM
Arrive at Maquique Adventure Park, Peñas Blancas
Briefing with your bilingual naturalist guide.
7:00 AM
Guided experience begins
Immersive interpretation at a boutique pace.
9:00 AM
Wildlife & photo stops
Curated stops for sightings and photography.
11:00 AM
Return to hotel
Comfortable transfer back to your accommodation.
Gallery
What you may see
Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Included
What is included and what to bring
Included
- 5 rappels of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 60 meters (3 through waterfalls)
- 2 zipline cables (150m & 400m)
- All professional safety equipment
- Certified bilingual guides
- Costa Rican lunch (casado — chicken, beef, vegan or vegetarian)
- Secure parking
What to bring
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip (mandatory)
- Quick-dry or athletic clothes for maximum comfort
- Insect repellent
- Towel and full change of dry clothes (very wet activity)
- Small waterproof bag for personal items
- No rappelling experience necessary
Logistics
Practical details before you book
Pickup can be coordinated
Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.
What to know
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip (mandatory)
- Quick-dry or athletic clothes for maximum comfort
- Insect repellent
- Towel and full change of dry clothes (very wet activity)
- Small waterproof bag for personal items
- No rappelling experience necessary
Booking window
Requests close 36h before departure. Inside that window we still try, but availability is not confirmed.
This experience is request-only: no payment is taken online. We reply with availability and a payment link.
Cancellation & changes
- 36+ hours before tour → 100% refund to original payment method, minus 5% transaction fee
- Less than 36 hours before tour → 50% refund to original payment method, minus 5% transaction fee (free reschedule may be offered subject to availability)
- No-shows are non-refundable and non-rescheduleable
- The 5% administrative fee is non-refundable and covers non-recoverable bank/processor fees (Stripe and PayPal retain ~3% on every transaction even when refunded) plus the cost of processing the cancellation. It is waived when we cancel for operational or weather reasons.
- All refunds are issued to the original payment method (card, PayPal, or bank transfer used at booking). We do not issue cash refunds under any circumstance.
Compare
Choose with clarity
Duration, price, difficulty, transport and booking type, side by side.
Compare with other options in this zone
Real alternatives in the same destination, so you can decide without opening five tabs.
| Detail | You are viewingCanyoning Waterfall Rappelling | Rainforest Falls Canyoning – Pure Trek | Balsa River White Water Rafting – Class II & III | Sarapiquí River White Water Rafting – Class IV (Extreme) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4–4.5 hours | 4 hours | ~5 hours | ~5 hours |
| Price | From $182 | From $146 | From $83 | From $104 |
| Difficulty | — | — | — | — |
| Transport | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Modality | Private | Private | Private | Private |
| Booking | By request | By request | By request | By request |
| Includes | 6 items | 6 items | 5 items | 5 items |
Book
Secure your date
Request it with no payment taken: we confirm with the operator and send one payment link.
How it works
- 1
Choose your date
Date, modality and travellers at checkout.
- 2
You send your request
No payment taken. We check real availability with the operator.
- 3
We confirm in writing
Email and WhatsApp with time, meeting point and assigned guide.
- 4
Your private portal
You receive your portal with itinerary, calendar invite and support.
You can also add this experience to your itinerary and book several together. View my itinerary
Price per person
From$182
All fees included.
Small group from $182
Request Availability
Partner-operated activity arranged by VIVO. No payment is taken now.
We confirm availability with the operator and send you one payment link for everything.
Free cancellation 36h+ (−5% fee)
Secure payment · no hidden fees












