Top Costa Rica On the Water

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the thrill of tubing down 5 miles (8 kilometers) of Costa Rica’s Savegre River, through class I and II+ rapids. Admire the views on the gentler stretches of river, and listen out for birdsong as you pass through parts of the country you couldn’t access any other way. Get the chance to swim in natural river pools, too.

Learn to surf in Tamarindo Guanacaste with an instructor with over 15-years of experience. This lesson is about two hours, where you’ll learn techniques including efficient paddling, board control, wave riding position, and some basic instruction for catching waves. Afterwards, have some fresh fruit to get some energy and recover quickly.

Active, nature-loving travelers will enjoy this half-day kayaking tour around Damas Island. After you’ve experienced the biodiversity of the Manuel Antonio National Park by land, check out the marine life and wildlife of the mangroves. Get personalized attention on a small-group tour and go at your own pace, according to your experience. Hotel pickup is included from select hotels around Manuel Antonio.

Go whitewater rafting on this all-day adrenaline-filled adventure that’s led by a certified rafting guide. The intensity of the tour is adjusted to match the experience and comfort level of the group. You’ll experience a variety of level 2 to 4 rapids, depending on the day and section of the river. Following that, enjoy a Costa Rican-style lunch.

Get your pulse racing on an exhilarating 5-hour ATV tour from Playa Flamingo, then cool off along the coast. Learn how to operate your ATV, then set off on a fun route, weaving through forest trails, juddering down rainforest tracks and squelching through muddy streams. Then, dive into the warm waters of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast to swim and snorkel among the colourful corals and tropical fish of Flamingo and Brasilito beaches.

Board an artisan panga for a scenic dolphin-watching tour of the Playa Samara coast. As you cruise along, look for sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, and even whales during migration season. Relax on board as nature unfolds around you, and enjoy delicious snacks served by your crew to complete this unforgettable experience.

Get an up-close look at oceanic life during this sea kayaking experience from Manuel Antonio. Paddle the waters surrounding small islands and quiet bays on this popular tour that put travelers in touch with Costa Rica's wild side.

Spend the day in the stunning natural scenery of Costa Rica on a small-group kayaking tour along the Manuel Antonio coastline. Get a closer look at marine life as you paddle in a sea kayak and a beach to enjoy a delicious snack. This excursion is suitable for new kayakers and includes lunch, snacks, equipment, and round-trip hotel transportation from select areas.

The lush rainforest and white-sand beaches of Isla Tortuga are part of the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve, and are located along the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. With this tour, you'll set sail aboard a large cruise ship, admire views of Isla San Lucas and Isla Tortuga from the water, and enjoy time on the island to swim, snorkel, or relax on the beach.

Learn how to navigate Tamarindo’s waves during this roughly 1.5 hour surf lesson. Choose the group size that works for your budget, with private, small-group, and larger group options. Practice paddling, popping up, and riding with guidance from your instructor. More experienced surfers can also practice their technique by surfing alongside an instructor.

Take in Costa Rica’s natural beauty and diverse wildlife from a safari float along the Sarapiqui River. Traveling on the water gives you a unique vantage point for spotting wildlife and makes it effortless to reach otherwise inaccessible jungle locations. Along the way, a guide points out flora and fauna you would likely miss on your own.

Sea-lovers will enjoy this sailing ship cruise. Whether you’re a morning person or would prefer a sunset jaunt, you’ll find the Brisa Elegante comfortable and spacious. Sailing into the open sea keep a lookout for turtles, rays, and dolphins, and near the coastline listen to the raucous calls of the birds. We’ll anchor for a chance to swim, snorkel, and kayak, and then it’s time to eat!

Explore the vibrant world beneath Costa Rica's waves on this half-day tour from Playa Tamarindo. After a brief kayak lesson, paddle to Captain Island where snorkeling brings you face to face with such marine life as colorful fish, stingrays, and octopus. Choose to ride in a single or double kayak with use of snorkeling gear included.

Prepare to get wet and wild as you tackle the class III and IV rapids of the Sarapiqui River on this half- or full-day white-water rafting adventure from La Virgen. Marvel over the dramatic scenery and lush rainforest of the Sarapiqui canyon as you hurtle downstream, then re-fuel with lunch (full-day tour only) or refreshments by the waterfront. Best of all: the rapids are suitable for all abilities, including complete beginners, and anyone over 14 can give it a go!

Join this small group tour that takes you on a guided adventure though canyons where you’ll hike, swim, and explore until you reach La Leona Waterfall, deep in the canyon. The tour starts with convenient pickup near Guanacaste in an air-conditioned vehicle. Relax until you reach the start of your adventure, and then enjoy the natural beauty.

Lake Arenal is one of the best places in Costa Rica for the reproduction of the Parachromis dovii or Rainbow Bass, besides the opportunity to catch this incredible fish, the activity offers a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano and the Tilaran Mountain Range. 4 people can travel on this tour, but only 2 fishing at the same time.

Two popular Costa Rica adventures come together into one adventure-packed day with this white-water rafting and canyoning tour from La Fortuna. During the canyoning portion, rock climb, rappel down a waterfall, and zipline—all under the watchful eye of your guide. Then, head down to the Balsa River for a 2-hour white-water rafting tour with class II to III rapids. When to action ends, wind down with a typical Costa Rican lunch.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the opportunity to hike and zipline through the Costa Rican rainforest. After a safety training you’ll hike through the forest to an area with seven ziplines strung between the treetops. Enjoy zooming along these, looking out for wildlife on the way. Some of the ziplines go right past some beautiful waterfalls, for the best views.

If you’re short on time in Costa Rica but want to see the country’s famous biodiversity beyond the concrete capital, this day trip to the Tortuguero National Park is ideal. Travel through the canals and lagoons on a boat and look out for toucans, crocodiles, sloths, iguanas, and much more. The highlight, though, is seeing the sea turtle nesting sites on the beaches, which give the park its name.

Go hiking and snorkeling, and visit an animal sanctuary, all in one day without the hassle of booking multiple activities on this day tour to Cahuita National Park and the Sloth Sanctuary from Puerto Viejo de Limón. Enjoy a boat ride, then snorkel and hike in Cahuita National Park. Afterwards, learn about all about sloths and enjoy a canoe tour at the sanctuary.

See some of Costa Rica's most beautiful natural areas on this two-day, small-group tour of the Puntarenas area, led by a professional guide. You will visit the Corcovado and San Pedrillo National Park, where you can see beautiful trees and vegetation, with the opportunity to see all kinds of wild animals and birds in their natural environment.

Get on the Pejibaye River totally worry-free with this all-inclusive tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll hop into your private car for a ride to the river—and a stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Once at the water, your guides will set you up for an exciting 3-hour float through the jungle, complete with photos, water, and towels provided.

If you’re looking for an extreme adventure on the Balsa River, this white-water rafting tour is a great pick. Paddle your way down six miles (9.6 kilometers) of nearly non-stop white water—most rafting companies don’t take this extreme route on the Upper Balsa, so it’s unlikely that you’ll see any other rafts as you head through the rain forest canyon. This tour includes an extra stop at the El Salto swimming hole and lunch.

A personalize adventure for those who enjoy the nature running one of the cleanest rivers of Central America.