Kayaking in Costa Rica
Expect a relaxing adventure that gets you up close and personal with marine life in Costa Rica.
Teen-friendly
Adventure
Couples
Extreme
Marine
Sports
Kayaking can be done in many areas of Costa Rica, such as Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Osa, Paquera, and Puerto Viejo, to name just a few.
- You can kayak in your kayak or with a partner or small family.
- Experienced kayakers can choose to ride white water rapids.
- You can rent out kayaks privately, but going with an official tour guide is safer and helps you spot more flora, fauna, and points of interest along the way than you would alone.
- You can kayak in estuaries, mangroves, rivers, and the ocean.
What to Expect from Kayaking Costa Rica
Kayaking is available in most parts of Costa Rica. You can go on a smooth ride or over white water rapids depending on your preference. You can take in amazing views like a volcano, see all sorts of creatures, or the iconic “Whale’s Tail.” You may even try a transparent kayak to see what’s below you!
Intensity
Moderate
Kayaking Is Featured in These Trips
Here are some of the combo trips we recommend you to check out if you want to experience Kayaking:
Kayaking in Costa Rica
Kayaking in Costa Rica is not one size fits all. You get to customize your experience by choosing the environment and type of ecosystem you want to ride through and get to explore, your speed and level of difficulty, and how many people are in each kayak. Do you want some time alone to meditate out on the open sea? Or a romantic adventure paddling in tandem with your significant other? A family event in an estuary with your little one along for the ride? No matter the adventure details, it will start with your guide teaching you all you need to know about how to maneuver the kayak with ease. Then, you’ll get safety equipment and be on your way for a day of fun on the water. You can take a break from kayaking in some locations and jump in for a swim if you’d like.
Kayak On Lake Arenal Tour
Embarking on a tour of Lake Arenal is a great way to try kayaking for the first time because the waters there are so still and relaxing, not to mention the scenery is beautiful. The Lake Arenal Tour is the place to enjoy a relaxed Costa Rican kayak experience. Lake Arenal is the largest lake in the country. It is a very important lake, as it was made in 1974 and now provides hydroelectric energy for the country. It’s become home to resident and migratory birds, including flycatchers, kingfishers, great blue herons, and anhingas. You might get lucky and see or hear a howler monkey while you kayak through the calm waters. You can stop paddling whenever you want and sit back to take in the views of the Arenal Volcano. Your bilingual guide will teach you the basic kayaking techniques and point out native flora and fauna as you enjoy the tour. It’s an easy-going tour that takes about two hours. No experience is necessary.
Damas Island Kayaking Tour
This tour is ideal for those who enjoy adventure and want to learn to experience nature firsthand. Getting to the Damas Estuary and Mangroves is accessible from Manuel Antonio and Jaco. Once there, you will be in a mangrove forest that covers thousands of acres and is an essential ecosystem in Costa Rica. It’s an excellent place for your authentic wildlife experience because it’s home to many birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, and curious monkeys who go out in search of food and fun, and you get to watch their antics! Your bilingual naturalist guide can help you spot sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, caimans, boas, raccoons, anteaters, and many more creatures.
The tour isn’t very challenging, but you must be fit enough to paddle from an open-seat kayak for a few hours. It’s appropriate for ages eight and up.
Kayak On The Peñas Blancas River
This tour, apart from other kayaking adventures, includes rapids, so you need to have prior experience. However, it’s a blast to kayak through the whitewater, thrills at different speeds, and observe wildlife like sloths, monkeys, iguanas, tortoises, and maybe even crocodiles.
Mangrove Kayaking in Puerto Viejo
This activity is based on the Puerto Viejo area, specifically the Punta Uva Mangrove. It’s different from some other kayaking trips because it also includes a short hike with a view of the Caribbean Ocean. A local tour guide will point out some endemic species during the walk before continuing the adventure by kayaking through the mangrove with plenty of stops for fantastic photographs.
Sea Kayaking to “Whales’ Tail”
If you’re staying in Uvita or Dominical, there’s a must-do tour, sea kayaking to the famous “Whale’s Tail.” This trip goes out at low tide, and you paddle for 30 to 45 minutes towards a view of the iconic “Whale’s Tail.” You’ll see magnificent mountains on your way to one of the best snorkeling spots. You get to take a break from paddling and snorkel for a bit and then continue your kayak experience along the shore of the beach, and then to a small mangrove forest with tranquil channels to explore. You can also take a short walk around the mangrove forest trails before heading back if time allows.
Rio Esquinas Mangrove-Ocean Kayaking
You set off from Puerto Jimenez or Golfito and get to know the mangrove ecosystem in which you can see 6 of the eight species of mangrove trees in Costa Rica. You’ll also come across marine and coastal birds and reptiles, such as crocodiles and snakes. This tour focuses on biodiversity education and learning to observe and identify monkeys and other animals that call the mangrove forest home. The brackish waters are calm, and it's nice to quietly paddle through them with a knowledgeable guide. Kayaking is a peaceful way to observe the mangroves.
Guided Kayaking Expedition-Isla Chiquita
Off the coast of Paquera and Isla Chiquita, you’ll find yourself in a fantastic setting for a kayaking adventure. You’ll feel peaceful as you glide across smooth waters and discover the ocean’s marine life, connecting with awe-inspiring birds, crustaceans, monkeys, and other creatures. Of course, this location offers spectacular scenery and snorkeling too.
FAQ about Kayaking Costa Rica
- Can you kayak in Costa Rica? Yes, you can kayak in Costa Rica. Kayaking is quite popular too. Some places to kayak in Costa Rica are Dominical, Uvita, Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, Osa, Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Arenal, Peñas Blancas, Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva, Isla Chiquita, and Paquera. You can kayak through estuaries, mangroves, oceans, and rivers. The adventurous can even kayak over white water rapids. You can take a kayak out on your own from some beaches. Still, experts recommend going with a reputable tour guide for safety (currents can be unpredictable) and for the guide’s knowledge and ability to point out interesting flora and fauna missed by the inexperienced eye. These tours come with safety equipment not usually included in private kayak rentals.
- How much does it cost to rent a kayak in Costa Rica? It depends on how long you rent it for and if it’s a single or double kayak. For example, a single-person kayak might be rented out for an hour for $10, while a double might be $18. At many beaches, there’s a two-hour minimum rental time. If you rent it for the whole day, it might be $35 (single) or $43 (double). We find it’s a better deal to book a tour with a guide as that comes with safety equipment, a refreshment, a lesson on how to maneuver the kayak in a way that doesn’t tire you out so quickly, and an expert guide who will point out animals and points of interest along the way. These tours cost between $50 and $70 per person, depending on factors like location, duration, and the size of the group.