8 Best Places to Go White Water Rafting
Want to combine a trip abroad with something that’ll really get your heart racing? Sure, dramatic sunsets over the Sahara and seeing the Eiffel Tower in person are pretty exciting, but there are few better ways to create wild memories based on accelerated heartbeats than white water rafting. Adventure, travel, crazy stories, a couple of safe near-death experiences? Check! Are you wondering where the best place to go white water rafting is yet?
Are you ready to tame those wild rivers?
Rafting allows travelers to explore hidden nooks of countries by sliding down giant natural waterslides beyond the tourist traps. Plus, there’s no bonding experiences with traveling groups quite like trying to stay afloat and alive: automatic travel besties.
With rivers flowing in all continents, the destination list is as extensive as boulders that need to be dodged and river bends that take your breath away. Luckily for you, we narrowed it down to 8 of the world’s best rafting destinations.
Where to go white water rafting this year
1. Argentina
Argentina’s landscape ranges from the Patagonian Desert to humid pampas and soaring mountains, which translates to an abundant variety of scenery as you tackle some of the best white water rafting in the world.
Salta, Mendoza, and Patagonia offer the main attractions, with Class II-IV rapids competing for attention alongside asado pit stops and malbec vineyards. Rivers surge best between November and March when the meltwater of the Andes begin their journey down to the sea.
Bonus tip: wine harvests occur in February and are along some of the main rafting rivers, so double up on the fun (no drinking and rafting though). Try this river: Alumine River (Patagonia)
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2. Australia
Australia offers high-quality adventures of every kind!
It’s not surprising that the planet’s adventure continent is voted as one of the best places to go white water rafting. Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland boast plenty of river bends among rain forests and volcanic mountain ranges.
Routes range from the extreme Tully River (45 Class IV drops through a UNESCO rainforest) to more gentle turns through Tasmania’s idyllic countryside, so there is a water level and duration for any type of adventurer.
Plenty of vegemite and kangaroo sightings to keep things interesting in and out of the raft, mate! Try this river: Mitta Mitta River (Victoria)
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3. Canada
Canada’s sheer size is already a pretty good guarantee that there are infinite wilderness trails winding through the country; unless you have infinite time, picking between east (Quebec) and west (British Columbia).
For adrenaline junkies, highest water levels are mid-June through mid-July, but floaters and bird watchers would also appreciate the more gentle flow starting in May. Rivers around the Continental Divide benefit from additional glacier melts for drastic drops, while multi-day rafting trips take you into the remote corners of icy peaks and even the occasional iceberg.
For those wanting to go abroad but stay close to home, prefer Tim Horton’s over Starbucks, and like to drizzle maple syrup over their fried chicken, Canada boasts some of the best white water rafting in the world. Try this river: Ottawa River.
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4. Costa Rica
With a country whose slogan is pura vida, you know that things are gonna get all sorts of fun as you speed past lazy sloths and startled jaguars. What makes Costa Rica one of the world’s best rafting destinations is the fact that the water is never icy cold, so even if you fall in it’s just another photo moment and long laugh.
From May to mid-November, high rainfall makes for some of the best rafting spots in Latin America: check out Arenal Volcano National Park, the Penas Blancas River (ideal for those traveling with little ones), the swash-buckling Rio Toro, or Pacuare River (voted one of the Top 5 Rapids in the world by National Geographic).
The country is small and easy to travel through, with so many notable rafting sites that it’s a great place to get in the most action for time abroad. However, despite the smaller size, Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity makes every river adventure seem like a whole new world. Try this river: Pacuare River
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5. Ecuador
White water rafting in the Amazon? Sign us up.
Ecuador’s adventures are defined by the Andes Mountains, which run north to south. To the west, there’s the Pacific. To the east, there’s the Amazon. On both sides are endless thrills as rapids plunge through canyons, jungles, and river caves.
Year-round rainfall means that it’s always a good time to check out international white water rafting here (although the western parts are recommended between January and May); it’s a trip that can fit into any schedule.
As an added bonus, there are indigenous communities to float past, infinite exotic birds to get distracted by, and plenty of cheap grub at the end of the river; hola, llapingachos! Try this river: Napo River
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6. Fiji
Fiji might be small on the map, but it’s big in adrenaline. As an archipelago with over 300 islands, there’s a lot of international white water rafting trips between rugged canyons and pristine coral reefs.
While Fiji’s reputation as a holiday destination and for laid-back beaches is well-earned, there are several rivers to tackle, complete with waterfalls and rainforest backdrops. Rafting is good year-round, landscapes are wild at their worst, and there’s plenty of beach bumming opportunities after the merciless rapids.
Rafting in Fiji is for those who want to see otherwise inaccessible parts of the South Pacific, appreciate black lava rocks, and want a country of high standards to relax in post-adventure. Try this river: Navua River
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7. India
You probably don’t think of India when you think of white water rafting, but you should!
After morning sun salutations and before vegetarian samosas, sign up for a couple of white water rafting trips in India. As the most popular adventure activity in the country, there are plenty of organizations offering great deals (and very friendly, knowledgeable guides!) to splash around in the country’s many holy rivers.
The Tons River is revered as the most intense water undertaking, but the layout of the country accounts for river classifications ranging from I to IV. The diversity of local rain seasons means that ideal months of rafting vary between regions, but there is always something flowing and lots of weird rapid names to keep you interested (Return to Sender? Tee Time? Daniel Dip?).
Prices are very competitive due to high competition, and routes are on the longer side, which makes India one of the best values of rafting trips. Try this river: Ganga River (Rishikesh)
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8. Thailand
Considering the low price tag, the postcard-perfect beaches, the overwhelming grandeur of ancient temples, the wide array of street food, steady weather, and unique wildlife, some of the best white water rafting in the world is found in Thailand.
Chiang Mai, the northern capital of Thailand, is a great base to explore the surrounding rivers (Mae Cham and Mae Taeng, to name a couple), recharge, and then head further north to the hidden water gems.
Check out Pai, which is a hippie haven on a rafting river (bamboo rafts optional!), and Nan, which is where all the good rapids are lurking. Afterward, chill out with Buddha and sign up for a massage to soothe sore muscles! Try this river: Phang Nga
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Where are the best places to go white water rafting for you?
Don’t forget to pack your life jacket.
Let’s be honest: water levels are drying up across the world, so there is no better time to go white water rafting than today.
When considering where to go white water rafting, research rainfall conditions and water levels for your favorite country, pick the most exciting water routes, budget in some days for meaningful cultural interaction, culinary feasts, and post-adventure relaxation, and sign up for a few rafting excursions while rapids are still gushing.
There’s no time for long decision-making while dropping 25ft/mile and moving through river speeds up to 8 mph. Embrace the excitement, navigate through perils with new friends, test your physique, and learn to go with the flow!
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