white water rafting medellin
White Water Rafting Medellin
Private White Water Rafting Tours from Medellín on the Calderas River
We’ve been running white water rafting tours from Medellín since 2015. The river is the Calderas, in eastern Antioquia — a Class III/IV run that delivers consistent rapids year-round thanks to a regulated upriver dam.
The day is built as a full Medellín-to-Medellín experience: doorstep pickup, drive into the mountains, briefing and gear-up at the river, 2.5 hours on the water with rapids, lunch, and return. Total time door-to-door is 8 to 9 hours.
We don’t crowd you in with other groups. Every rafting tour is private — only your party rides together.
How the Day Works
Pickup is from your hotel in El Poblado in a private 4×4 SUV with an English-speaking driver. Pickup time is around 7-9 AM depending on whether you’re booking standalone or as part of a bundle.
The drive to the rafting operation is about 2 hours, with the last 20 minutes on a gravel road that turns into off-road trail. Our rafting partner — Colombia Outdoors, the operator we’ve worked with for years — meets you at their shop on the main road and runs you the final stretch in their custom-rigged 4×4. From there it’s a short transfer to the put-in spot at the riverside.
At the river, your guides walk you through a complete safety briefing, fit your life jacket and helmet, and run a practice session on calm water before the rapids start. Then you’re on the river for 2.5 hours of Class III/IV white water with calm pools between drops. A traditional Colombian lunch follows the run, and you’re back at your hotel by mid-to-late afternoon.
What the River Is Like
The Calderas is a tropical, jungle-flanked river with consistent flow year-round — the section we run is downstream of a regulated dam, which keeps water levels reliable across seasons. You won’t find the “river was too low” disappointment that affects some other Colombia rafting destinations.
Class III/IV means real rapids. Big enough to be exciting, technical enough to require a skilled guide, but not extreme. First-time rafters do this run regularly and have a great time. The rapids come in distanced succession, with calm sections between for catching your breath, taking photos, and floating through tropical canyon scenery.
A certified river guide steers each raft, with safety kayakers always on the water alongside. This is a legal requirement in Colombia for Class III/IV operations, and our partners follow it strictly.
Here’s a one-minute video of a real Calderas River run with our team, click on the image.
Our Rafting Partner
Guanabana has run this Calderas River trip since our founding in 2015. The on-river operation is contracted to Colombia Outdoors, a specialized rafting outfit we’ve worked with for years. Their guides are certified, the equipment is in pristine condition, and rafting is what they do — not a side offering.
In over a decade of running this tour, we’ve had zero incidents. No injuries, no equipment failures, no rescues. That track record reflects both our partner’s professionalism and our discipline about who we put on the water — we don’t push trips when conditions aren’t right.
Weather and Water Conditions Policy
The Calderas is generally rideable year-round, but there are rare days when river levels run too low or too high for safe rafting. When that happens, we either reschedule for another day or issue a full refund — your choice. We don’t push trips in marginal conditions just to meet a booking. Same standard we apply to every Guanabana tour.
Pricing
Standalone rafting and bundle pricing below. All prices are per person.
White Water Rafting
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $310 |
| 3 persons | $230 |
| 4 persons | $220 |
| 5 persons | $215 |
| 6 persons | $210 |
WHITE WATER RAFTING ABOUT 9-10 HOURS
From the moment we pick you up in Medellín to the moment we drop you off.
Rafting + Paragliding
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $335 |
| 3 persons | $310 |
| 4 persons | $300 |
| 5 persons | $295 |
| 6 persons | $280 |
RAFTING / PARAGLIDING ABOUT 8-9 HOURS
From 9 AM pick-up until drop-off.
Rafting + Guatapé
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $325 |
| 3 persons | $275 |
| 4 persons | $260 |
| 5 persons | $255 |
| 6 persons | $235 |
RAFTING / GUATAPÉ ABOUT 11-12 HOURS
From 7 AM pick-up until drop-off.
Rafting + ATV
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $375 |
| 3 persons | $340 |
| 4 persons | $320 |
| 5 persons | $310 |
| 6 persons | $300 |
RAFTING / ATV ABOUT 10-11 HOURS
From 9 AM pick-up until drop-off.
Triple Bundle Guatapé + Paragliding + Rafting
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $360 |
| 3 persons | $330 |
| 4 persons | $310 |
| 5 persons | $305 |
| 6 persons | $300 |
GUATAPÉ / PARAGLIDING / RAFTING ABOUT 12 HOURS
A full adventure day with Rock of El Peñol and Guatapé town visit, paragliding flight in Cocorná, and Calderas River rafting. Long, full day, but most travelers who book it say it’s the highlight of their Colombia trip.
What’s Included
- Private door-to-door transportation from your hotel in El Poblado in a 4×4 SUV with English-speaking driver
- 2.5 hours on the Calderas River with certified guides and safety kayakers
- All rafting equipment — life jacket, helmet, paddle, raft
- GoPro video and photos of your run
- Snacks and hydration during the ride
- Traditional Colombian lunch on bundled tours
- Safe-keeping for your personal items during the ride
- Medical/risk insurance from pickup to drop-off
- Return transport to your hotel
Who Can Do White Water Rafting Class III/IV
- Minimum age: 14
- Footwear: sneakers, tightly laced. They’ll get wet — that’s fine. No flip-flops or sandals.
- Clothing: synthetic fabrics work better than cotton on the river. Bring a complete change of clothes and a towel for the drive back.
- Bring: sunblock, insect repellent, any medication you need (guides carry waterproof bags).
- Health considerations: rafting is physically active. Pregnant travelers shouldn’t raft. Recent surgery (within 3 months), serious heart or back conditions, or significant recent injuries should be discussed with us before booking. If you’re uncertain whether you’re fit for Class III/IV rafting, contact us and we’ll talk it through.
Ready to Book?
Calderas River rafting is one of our most-requested tours. Contact us with your preferred date and group size, and we’ll confirm availability and send booking details.
All prices are subject to change based on exchange rates and market conditions.
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