Costa Rica Kayaking

Blessed with over 802 miles of coastline and boasting countless lakes, rivers and estuaries, Costa Rica is ripe for kayaking opportunities. Kayak tours allow for greater and more private exploration than mainland excursions, simply because there aren’t as many people on the water. The tours, which are open to both experienced and inexperienced kayakers, are a wonderful way to spot wildlife both above and below the water. Oftentimes they involve a combination with other activities, such as snorkeling or mountain biking. Places to kayak include Lake Arenal, Manuel Antonio’s estuaries and Jacó’s coastline, among others.

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Tours & Activities

Kayaking in Costa Rica

Playa del Coco Catamaran

The Marlin del Rey Catamaran Tour is a great activity for family and friends to enjoy ocean breezes and coastline scenery while sipping delicious tropical drinks. Feel the wind in your hair and bask in the sun while sailing breezily past bays and sandy beaches.

From $100

Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Isla Chora

Enjoy an ocean kayak paddle to Isla Chora for some snorkeling and beach relaxation off the coast of Sámara in the Nicoya Peninsula region.

From $68

Tortuga Island Tour

Take an adventurous, all-inclusive tour of the gorgeous coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll have ample opportunity for spotting wildlife as well as relaxing in the natural beauty of Tortuga Island. This is an all-day tour—your boat departs at 9 AM from Montezuma and returns at 4 PM.

From $103

Punta Uva Sea & River Kayak with Hike

This multi-activity adventure will have you exploring Costa Rica across land and sea. You'll kayak, hike, and have opportunities to swim and play on the beach. Along the way you'll see wildlife and enjoy refreshments. A full and fun afternoon is ahead of you!

From $82

Jungle Tubing

This tour takes you down some of Savegre River’s exciting Class II rapids in an inner tube. You’ll find this section of the river brisk, but not too fast for comfortable tubing.

From $279

Mangrove Kayaking

This kayaking tour will take you to the waters that surround Damas Island, off the coast of Manuel Antonio National Park. When you tour this area you’ll get to see estuaries and mangroves, and paddle up the inland canals. Your group can set the pace for this tour, and no experience kayaking is necessary.

From $102

Damas Island Mangrove Kayak Tour

The Damas Island estuary is just fifteen minutes outside of Manuel Antonio. Mangroves are born where ocean waters meet fresh water rivers, creating an underwater rooting system amongst the trees.

From $98

Ocean Kayaking and Snorkeling Manuel Antonio

A challenging half-day journey along the coastline of Manuel Antonio, this ocean kayaking adventure takes you past islands and inlets for incredible views and bird watching.

From $98

Ocean Kayaking

On this sea kayaking adventure you’ll take a tour of Manuel Antonio National Park’s Pacific coastline.

From $99

Jaco Sea Kayak and Snorkel

Get wet and explore the open ocean just outside Jaco with a half day kayaking and snorkeling tour.

From $94

Panache Catamaran Sailing Regular Tour

Head off for a day of sailing, snorkeling, and swimming on this tour. You’ll sail up the coast from Playa Flamingo and explore some of the Nicoya Peninsula’s most beautiful coastal areas.

From $102

Tamarindo Catamaran Tour

The Marlin del Rey Catamaran Tour is a great activity for family and friends to enjoy ocean breezes and coastline scenery while sipping delicious tropical drinks. Feel the wind in your hair and bask in the sun while sailing silently past beautiful bays and sandy beaches.

From $100

Kayaking Lake Arenal

This 3-hour kayaking tour on Lake Arenal is a wonderful way to enjoy the magnificent scenery of both the lake and the nearby Arenal Volcano.

From $76

Combo Biking and Kayaking at the Arenal Lake

Get active and see Costa Rica’s largest lake on this biking and kayaking tour. This lake covers 33 square miles (85 sq km), and is surrounded by lush jungle and tropical wildlife.

From $96

Kayak Tamarindo Estuary

On this tour, you’ll paddle around the Tamarindo Estuary and get a good look at the native wildlife. This estuary is between the Tamarindo Beach and Playa Grande.

From $102

Wildlife and Mangrove Kayak Tour

The Wildlife and Mangrove Kayak Tour takes you kayaking along the Ora River and then to the Camaronal Beach. This tour departs from the Samara Beach area and lasts around 3 hours.

From $68

Marino Ballena Sea Kayaking Tour

On this active tour of Marino Ballena National Park, you’ll get to visit a popular snorkeling spot and have a fun kayaking cruise around the coastline. This excursion comes with great views and the chance to see colorful wildlife.

From $117

Flamingo Ocean Kayaking

Come join us a paddling adventure enjoying the spectacular views of flamingo bay, Catalina Island and Isla Plata.

From $102

Tortuga Island Tour

Come explore the beautiful Tortuga Island on this full-day tour. You'll enjoy lovely landscapes, tasty meals, and fun activities like swimming, snorkeling, and volleyball.

From $154
Trips to Inspire

Costa Rica itineraries from local insiders

Explore hand-picked Costa Rica itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.

9 daysFrom $1,126 per person

Pura Vida Adventure Together

We both love nature and hiking so Costa Rica is ideal for both of those. We went during what’s considered the rainy season so you need to be aware of that going in. It rained at some point almost every day we were there but we still had a very enjoyable time. We visited La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. We enjoyed La Fortuna more. La Fortuna was more jungle whereas Manuel Antonio was more coastal and felt more touristy.

Pura Vida Adventure Together

Costa Rica

8 daysFrom $1,543 per person

Adventure Through Costa Rica's Wild Heart

Costa Rica was just magnificent. The people, food, jungles, beaches were all fantastic. Can’t wait until my next trip back.

Adventure Through Costa Rica's Wild Heart

Costa Rica

9 daysFrom $1,324 per person

Big Multi Family Group Adventure

Embark on a vibrant Costa Rican adventure that juxtaposes bustling urban energy with lush, untouched rainforests, delivering a dynamic escape from everyday routine. From San José’s lively streets you’ll head to Monteverde’s cloud‑forest canopy for sky tram rides and hikes, then dive into Rio Celeste’s turquoise waters and trek El Silencio’s volcanic paths. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides will immerse you in coffee farms, rainforest sounds, and volcanic vistas, leaving you with lasting memories of Costa Rica’s spirited hospitality and natural wonder.

Big Multi Family Group Adventure

Costa Rica

8 daysFrom $1,077 per person

Sisters Adventure Together

Incredible tours, hotels, and communities.

Sisters Adventure Together

Costa Rica

10 daysInquire

Winter Romantic Adventure

The people are so friendly!

Winter Romantic Adventure

Costa Rica

12 daysFrom $2,556 per person

Matt and Fran’s Costa Rica holiday

Costa Rica has a diverse landscape and every area is unique and different. We easily rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle and drove from the Caribbean to the Pacific!

Matt and Fran’s Costa Rica holiday

Costa Rica

11 daysInquire

Family Time in Costa Rica

Michelle and her family embarked on a multi‑generational adventure in Costa Rica, where mist‑cloaked cloud forests meet surf‑kissed Pacific beaches, offering a vibrant contrast of cool heights and warm tides. Your journey weaves through Monteverde’s canopy zip lines and canyoning thrills, the turquoise Tenorio River’s Class III/IV rapids, and La Leona waterfall’s lush river tubing. Guided by local experts and supported by a comfortable van, your family will soak up Pura Vida hospitality, returning home with shared stories of soaring forests and surf‑side sunsets.

Family Time in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

8 daysFrom $1,406 per person

Family Adventure Through Costa Rica

Rachel and her family of four spent a week moving across Costa Rica, from Arenal to the Pacific coast, with every transfer and tour arranged door to door. In Arenal they rode the Sky Adventures aerial tram and ziplines, took on the Balsa River's Class II–III rapids, and walked the EcoGarden trails to find sloths in their actual habitat, not a roadside stop, then the falls at La Fortuna. On the coast at Manuel Antonio they hiked the national park with a local guide, snorkeled the reef, and chased the Mulguri waterfall. As Rachel said, these weren't tours with twenty other tourists trailing the buses. They were the real thing, reachable only through local connections, with the family's days handled start to finish.

Family Adventure Through Costa Rica

Costa Rica

13 daysFrom $3,994 per person

Dream Honeymoon Adventure in Costa Rica

Embark on a honeymoon that swaps city bustle for Costa Rica’s emerald rainforests and sun‑kissed beaches, where romance meets adventure in every sunrise. From Monteverde’s misty cloud forest trails to Arenal’s volcanic hot springs, then Playa Conchal’s Pacific surf and Damas Island’s mangrove kayak tours, you’ll hike, soak, and sail. Friendly local guides and vibrant community flavors will weave unforgettable memories, leaving you with a deeper connection to nature, Costa Rican warmth, and each other.

Dream Honeymoon Adventure in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

11 daysInquire

Costa Rica Off Season Adventure

We found Costa Rica to be really beautiful. I loved the flowering plants everywhere, but the wildlife is the main reason we went. We didn't see monkeys in every tree or even toucans up close, but we did see them from a distance. We also saw lots of colorful birds in the National Forests that we have never seen before.

Costa Rica Off Season Adventure

Costa Rica

Belong Anywhere

In their words