Kayaking in Costa Rica

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.