Costa Rica Kayaking Tours: the 7 Best to Book

1.Puerto Viejo Sloth Jungle and River Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

At Punta Uva near Puerto Viejo, walk easy jungle trails with guides such as Rob, Francisco, or Yara, then paddle a river by kayak. Look for sloths, howler monkeys, turtles, birds, iguanas, and caimans. The small group, usually capped at 10, makes it easier to ask questions and stop for wildlife.

“Yara was a wonderful tour guide - very knowledgeable, personable and interesting. She was skilled at spotting lizards, birds and sloths. Unfortunately, due to all the rain, the river was dirt brown, so the kayak part was not a picturesque as I imagine it could have been. We got off to a later start and had to turn back before dark - had been hoping for a little more kayaking. The hiking part was fairly short and easy (except for the bit I skipped since I don't walk along ledges even with a guide rope). All in all, a well worth it excursion.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking Tour from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $75

You’ll paddle through Damas Island’s mangrove channels near Quepos with a professional guide, watching for monkeys, birds, iguanas, snakes, and small crocodiles. The four-hour outing includes hotel transport, water, and a Costa Rican lunch or dinner. Tide times control the schedule, so your pickup may differ from the posted hour.

“Our guide was marvellous, making the trip through the mangroves both interesting and relaxing. We saw raccoons, monkeys and various birds and learned of the importance of the mangroves.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Canoe tour dentro del Parque

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $28

Start at 6:00 am with Tortuguero Adventures for a three-hour canoe ride through Tortuguero National Park. Your guide helps you spot caimans, howler monkeys, and tropical birds while you paddle quiet canals. Binoculars, ponchos, and paddles are included. The group is limited to 10 people, and coffee and tea are served before departure.

“Die Tour war von Anfang bis Schluss perfekt. Sehr einfache und freundliche Kommunikation mit Carmen. Die Tour startete pünktlich um 6.00 Uhr - davor gab es noch Kaffee und Tee. Der Guide war perfekt - er erklärte uns alles im Detail und nahm sich die Zeit alle Fragen zu beantworten. Wir sahen super viele Tiere.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $67

From Puerto Jiménez, paddle with a guide such as Lino through calm Golfo Dulce waters and mangroves before sunset. After fresh fruit on Playa Preciosa, you can swim and move your hands through glowing plankton. Kayaks, safety briefing, fruit, and refill water are included. Expect darkness, possible mud, and a gentle three-hour outing.

“It was like seeing stars in the water! Not quite as wild as the internet pictures but still beautiful and Lino was a fantastic guide and took us around the mangroves in our kayaks also. Also gave us coconut and watermelon on the beach. It was a great trip. Thanks so much Lino!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Adventure Canoe Tour in Tortuguero

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $25Best value

Set out from Tortuguero’s main pier in a paddle-only canoe with an accredited guide such as Norton, Eric, or Leroy. Over about 2 hours, explore the national park’s waterways in a group of no more than six, watching for monkeys, sloths, birds, basilisk lizards, caimans, otters, and other wildlife.

“We had a good time with Leroy and saw quite a few different birds and two caymans despite the bad weather. Overall it was a nice tour that I don't regret, but I do have to dock at least 1 star: all the other passengers spoke Spanish, so Leroy was switching between Spanish and English, but clearly said a lot more in Spanish — it was practice for me but still a bit annoying at times. Other than that, all of us paddled since the boat had no motor — I think it was a nice experience, but it's definitely not for everyone and I got quite wet due to…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $45

Set out at 6:00 am from Tortuguero with a kayak, life vest, and aluminum paddle. Guide Christian is praised for spotting monkeys, caimans, sloths, birds, and turtles, while Emanuel can help explain the National Park ticket process. Expect a small-group paddle that is peaceful, active, and weather-dependent.

“Great trip, very knowledgeable guide, Christian. Saw howler monkeys, lots of cayman, black turtle, snake bird and lots of others. Everything very safe and plenty of time to take photos and soak it all in.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Canoe tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Set out at 6:00 a.m. from Tortuguero National Park for about two and a half hours on the park’s canals by canoe or kayak. A licensed guide leads your search for caimans, crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and birds. Groups are limited to eight, and guide Hugo has earned special praise for his professional, attentive approach.

Check availability →Read our full review