Kayaking (ocean & estuaries)

A region-by-region guide to where you can go kayaking — both on the ocean and in estuaries/mangroves — in Costa Rica, plus typical pricing for tours and rentals (USD). Prices and availability can vary by season and operator.

🏝️ Pacific Coast – Northern & CentralGuanacaste (Tamarindo, Playa Grande & Estuaries)

Ocean & Estuary Kayak Tours
- Wildlife and estuary kayaking through Las Baulas mangroves: ~$50–$70+ per person for ~2–3 hr tourdepending on operator and group size.
- Ocean paddles (e.g., open-sea or bay trips) around Tamarindo: ~$55 per person (min 2 people).
- Private or extended group tours may be $95+ per person.

👉 In this region you could contact local operators such as Sea Kayaking Costa Rica (Gulf and coast exploration) for multi-hour/multi-day adventures.

Nicoya & Gulf of Nicoya

Full-Day Sea Kayak Tour (Golfo de Nicoya)
Long ocean/estuary combined tour with snorkeling and wildlife, ~7 hrs: ~$70 per person (group 4+), ~$85 for small groups (tax incl.).
- Often includes lunch, equipment, insurance and guiding.

👉 Bahia Rica Fishing & Kayak Lodge is a base for kayaking and related water tours in the Gulf area around Paquera and Nicoya.

🐒 Central Pacific – Quepos & Manuel AntonioThese are great for estuary/mangrove paddles and calm ocean tours.

Manuel Antonio Kayak Tour – Half-day kayak tours in mangroves or ocean, typically ~$75 per person for either the mangrove estuary or ocean kayak option.
Tico Loco Adventures and Mangrove tours Manuel Antonio / Manuel Antonio Experiences – also offer guided estuary kayaking around Damas Island & nearby estuaries (prices generally similar to ~$65–$90).
Damas Island Mangrove Kayak Tours from other local operators (e.g., Paddle 9) go for ~$90 per person + taxfor ~3–4 hrs.
Night Kayak Tours through mangroves: ~$70–$85 per person depending on transportation inclusion.

🌿 Southern Pacific – Dominical & Uvita

Pineapple Tours Kayak & SUP – Estuary or creek kayaking around Dominical/Matapalo mangroves: tours are approximately ~$75–$90 per person for guided outings through calm estuaries with wildlife viewing.

🐾 Caribbean Coast – Tortuguero & Puerto Viejo

Tortuguero Adventures – Kayak tours through the Tortuguero canal system and rainforest waterways (pricing varies by tour; expect ~$60–$90+ typically, though you may see local excursions priced around ~$65–$78).
Puerto Viejo Tours CR – Options near Puerto Viejo and Punta Uva include beach and mangrove kayak experiences; prices vary by operator and route (often $50–$80+).