Top Costa Rica Kayaking Tours

Explore one of the most important mangrove ecosystems in Costa Rica on this fun kayak tour. Just offshore from the popular Manuel Antonio National Park are thousands of acres of protected forest, home to all kinds of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Your naturalist guide will tell you about the area’s biodiversity while you paddle peacefully in the shade of the mangroves.

Punta Uva serves as a favorite among visitors. It’s a small town that has stunning beaches, wildlife, a quiet atmosphere with beautiful viewpoints. Would you love to see a sloth in it's natural habitat on a Caribbean beach? You will be kayaking and walking the jungle trails and beaches with a professional guide visiting a amazing viewpoint and a cave. You'll learn about history, culture, plants and wildlife while searching for a sloth.

The lush mangroves of the Damas Island Estuary are renowned for their unique ecosystem and incredible diversity of wildlife. On this tour, take to the water and paddle along the scenic waterways by kayak, as you learn about the natural landscapes and local conservation efforts. Look out for wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and iguanas, and perhaps spot crocodiles and turtles along the way.

No prior experience is required on this bioluminescence kayaking tour from Puerto Jiménez. Watch the water light up with glowing microorganisms with every stroke of the paddle as you maneuver over calm waters with your guide. You can even try snorkeling with included equipment to see see what bioluminescence looks like from underwater.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a whistle-stop tour of Nicaragua’s best bits from Costa Rica. Take in the views from Catarina Volcano, haggle over handicrafts at the Masaya Artisan Market and visit the active Masaya Volcano. After a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine, explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views of Mombacho Volcano. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way.

Encounter the best of Costa Rica's wildlife, cuisine, and famous natural beauty on a combo shore excursion from Puntarenas. Watch adorable white-faced monkeys playing in the trees, and spot crocs and birdlife on a pontoon cruise down the Tarcoles River. Learn the history of the bustling Puntarenas port, and indulge your taste buds with locally grown fruit fresh from the farm, a typical lunch at a local restaurant, and a chance to buy authentic Costa Rican coffee.

Cruise along one of Costa Rica’s most scenic coastlines on a sailing and snorkeling tour of Manuel Antonio. Relax on deck and sip unlimited drinks from an open bar as you get a new perspective on the unspoiled nature preserve and try to spot dolphins, turtles, and migrating whales. Stop to swim and snorkel among tropical fish in the clear waters off Biesanz Beach, and then reward your efforts with a gourmet lunch prepared right on board.

On this Jaco off-road ATV tour, it’s all about the journey—and the destinations. Take a thrilling ride through rugged mountain terrain en route to a vista point and two waterfalls, one of which has a 15-foot (4.5-meter) jump to try (if you dare). Be sure to bring a swimsuit to refresh yourself in the natural pool either way.

With its cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife, the Pacuare River is rightfully famous for its natural beauty. Paddle through the river gorge, navigating 52 Class II-IV rapids as you go, on this 12-hour trip from San Jose. Take in views of the tropical rain forest and wildlife such as sloths, parrots, and toucans as you ride the river (and your adrenaline rush) over the course of the day.

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

More than just a fun white-water rafting trip, this tour on the Savegre River includes a fully-narrated drive to the put-in location for an opportunity to learn about local wildlife. Plus, in the middle of running Class II and III rapids with a guide, you stop to visit tucked-away waterfall—chances are you'll be the only people there.

Spend a full day exploring Costa Rica’s notoriously active crater on this 3-in-1 Arenal combo adventure. Hike through the jungle surrounding Arenal Volcano on a series of nature trails and hanging bridges, and trek down to the base of La Fortuna Waterfall to appreciate the height and power of the cascade and swim in a natural pool. Finish with a majestic perspective as you explore the lava fields of former eruptions and look for native wildlife along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park.

Zipline through Costa Rican rain forest on a canopy tour that goes over the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall—an opportunity not offered on similar excursions. Between cables, take in views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato and talk to your guides about the La Fortuna area. Your tour ends with a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center for a chance to wind down before hotel drop-off.

Snorkeling stops, sunshine, and unobstructed views of Costa Rica's shoreline make this sunset catamaran cruise the ideal way to end your day—and the open bar doesn't hurt. Join a friendly crew (as well as dolphins, turtles, and flying fish) to make the most of the day's last rays on this perfectly timed tour, which ends just as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Experience Costa Rica’s longest ocean view dual zipline with admission to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, where you can ride side by side with family and friends. Your experience includes access to the 4,461-foot (1,360-meter) zipline, as well as a Tarzan swing, ‘Quick Jump’ free fall, and a hanging bridge that dangles over crocodile-infested waters.

Get out of San Jose on a day tour to the Arenal Volcano region, where you’ll get a glimpse of Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity and natural beauty. Travel through scenic farmland and villages to reach the volcano. Stop at a coffee plantation, waterfall, and look out for wildlife en route. In the shadow of the volcano, soak in natural hot springs for a refreshing experience, before returning to San Jose.

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and spend the day exploring the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park on a small-group tour. Spend the day walking jungle trails, observing local wildlife like macaws and crocodiles, and relaxing on the beach. This guided tour means that you make the most of your time in the park and avoid crowded areas.

Voyage through the rich wetlands ecosystem of Palo Verde National Park on this full-day tour from Tamarindo or Papagayo Bay. Look for monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife on a cruise down the Tempisque River — also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Later, explore the area’s culture and cuisine with a homemade lunch and handicraft demo in the artisan town of Bolson.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

Get ready for hours of nonstop thrills with this combo tour at the 100% Aventura Park in Monteverde. Test your adrenaline threshold as you complete all of the park’s most popular adventures, including a 10-cable zipline course, rope bridge, rappel, and ATV buggy ride. Channel two famously fast heroes on the Mega Tarzan Swing and the forward-facing Superman zipline — the longest and highest in all of Latin America. Suitable for ages 10 and up.

Explore one of the world’s most diverse collections of species gathered in one place with a visit to the animal sanctuary at Diamante Eco Adventure Park in Guanacaste. From adorable three-toed sloths to scaly reptiles and sleek jungle cats, see an amazing array of animals rescued by the Costa Rican Ministry of Wildlife, and learn about the park’s conservation projects. The naturally designed habitats include hummingbird gardens and a large butterfly observatory teeming with jewel-toned beauties.

Discover the beautiful natural attractions of Costa Rica on this all-day tour from San Jose. Fly over the rainforest canopy via a zipline course and rappel down 150 feet (50 meters) at an adventure park. Visit two waterfalls and admire the local wildlife including iguanas. Stop at a coffee plantation where you'll learn how it's cultivated and harvested. Finally, relax in thermal mineral hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Lace up your hiking boots for this full-day immersion in the wild beauty of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Look for wildlife on the drive from La Fortuna, and feel like a jungle explorer on the trek to Rio Celeste, known for its mystical aquamarine waters. Take a dip in warm volcanic river pools, admire a cascading waterfall, and reward your efforts with a typical Costa Rican lunch.