Private White-Water Rafting Day Trip from Medellín
- Rapids: Class III–IV, depending on recent rain.
- Pickup at 7:00 or 8:00 am (you choose) anywhere in Medellín, Envigado or Sabaneta, same price.
- About 90 minutes each way from Medellín to the river.
- Included: private transport, breakfast and lunch, snacks and bottled water, all safety gear, photos, and several river guides (the head guide speaks some English).
- Who can go: ages 12 and up, and everyone must know how to swim.
- Runs 7 days a week. Pay in full online when you book (+3.5% card fee).
Your day
- Pickup. We pick you up at 7:00 or 8:00 am anywhere in Medellín, Envigado or Sabaneta, and drive about 90 minutes east into the mountains of eastern Antioquia.
- Breakfast. Breakfast is included.
- Safety briefing and gear. Your river guides fit your safety gear and explain how to paddle and what to do on the river.
- On the river. You raft the Río Calderas and the Río Samaná, with Class III–IV rapids depending on recent rain. Snacks and bottled water are included, and your guides take photos.
- Lunch and back to Medellín. Lunch is included, then we drive you back to Medellín.
Price
| Price | Group | Pickup | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400,000 COP per person | 4–16 people, always private | 7:00 or 8:00 am, anywhere in Medellín, Envigado or Sabaneta (same price) | Every day |
Example: a group of 4 pays 1,600,000 COP. You pay the full price online when you book, plus a 3.5% card fee. Policy: no cancellations or refunds; you can reschedule with at least 7 days' notice. If the river is too high, we may have to reschedule your trip.
What's included
- Private transport from Medellín and back
- Breakfast and lunch
- Snacks and bottled water
- All safety gear
- Photos of your day
- Several river guides; the head guide speaks some English
Who can go
- Ages 12 and up.
- Everyone must know how to swim.
- This is a wild river day and not for everyone. You should be able to jump into the river and climb up and down rocks. It isn't suitable for people with mobility issues. There are no bathrooms on the river.
The rivers and the rapids
The Río Calderas runs through the municipalities of Granada, San Carlos, San Luis and Cocorná in eastern Antioquia (where the Río Calderas flows). It joins the Río Verde to form the Río Samaná Norte, part of a basin managed by the regional environmental authority, Cornare (how the Calderas and Verde form the Samaná Norte).
Rapids are rated on the international scale of river difficulty. Class III is "intermediate": moderate, irregular waves and maneuvers in fast current. Class IV is "advanced": intense, powerful but predictable rapids that need precise boat handling. The scale also notes that a river's difficulty changes with the water level (how rapid classes are defined). That's why our rapids range from Class III to IV depending on recent rain, and why we may reschedule if the river is too high.
Videos
More on our YouTube Shorts channel.
Photos from our rafting trips
What to bring
- River shoes that stay on your feet
- A change of clothes
- A towel
Your belongings go in a waterproof bag on the river.
More day trips from Medellín: our private Guatapé tour, the one-day Medellín city tour, or private transport to Hacienda Nápoles.
Book your rafting day
Choose your date, pickup time (7:00 or 8:00 am) and group size (4–16), then confirm everyone is 12 or older and can swim, and pay by card or PayPal.
Rafting FAQ
How much is the rafting tour?
400,000 COP per person, with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 16 people. It's always private: just your group. You pay in full online when you book, plus a 3.5% card fee.
Which rivers do you raft?
The Río Calderas and the Río Samaná, in eastern Antioquia. The Calderas and the Río Verde join to form the Samaná Norte.
How difficult are the rapids?
Class III to IV, depending on recent rain. Class III is "intermediate" and Class IV "advanced" on the international scale of river difficulty.
Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes. Everyone must know how to swim. You'll confirm this when you book.
What's the minimum age?
12 years old.
What time is pickup?
You choose 7:00 am or 8:00 am. We pick you up anywhere in Medellín, Envigado or Sabaneta, at the same price.
How far is the river from Medellín?
About 90 minutes' drive each way.
What's included?
Private transport from Medellín and back, breakfast and lunch, snacks and bottled water, all safety gear, photos, and several river guides.
Do the guides speak English?
The head guide speaks some English. The other river guides speak Spanish.
What should I bring?
River shoes, a change of clothes and a towel. Your belongings go in a waterproof bag.
What happens if the river is too high?
Safety comes first. If the river is too high, we may have to reschedule your trip to another day.
Which days does it run?
Every day of the week.
Can I cancel?
There are no cancellations or refunds, but you can reschedule with at least 7 days' notice.
Sources
- International scale of river difficulty: Class III and IV (American Whitewater)
- Río Samaná Norte basin plan (Cornare)
- Río Calderas: where it flows (Oriente Antioqueño)