Kayak Mangrove Tour in Manuel Antonio
Quepos, Costa Rica
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Kayaks
- LifeJacket
- Tour Guide
- Entrance Fee
- Snacks
- Mosquito repelent
- Sun Scream
- Private transportation
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Macha TourEntrance to Damas Island, in front of Pueblo Real Resort, Embarcadero (Dock, Pier, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Vista Mar de Paquita, Costa Rica
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Marina Pez Vela
2
Quepos
3
Isla Damas
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Wanjing_S
it was a great experience. We would definitely do it again. The tour took approximately 2 hours. We had in the beginning a short instruction and a practice time, before we start with the mongrove exploring. Our guide, Michael, was very experienced. Not only he has managed to help us maneuver through different stream and kayaking situations, he has spotted many animals on the way (monkey, sloth, heron, boa, crocodile, bat, spider, turtle) and have explained the mongrove ecosystem quite clear. He has this energetic and "pura vida" vibe, which made the tour quite joyful. It was not too stressful. You will definitely get wet (at least the butt). There was an area without shield, so suncream is important.
Reviews
4.5
based on 24 reviews
Lauren_S, May 2026
We saw tons of different kinds of animals and our guide was super nice and knowledgeable! So happy we did this!
Danielle_G, May 2026
We had such a great time exploring the mangroves with Micheal! He was an excellent guide - spotted countless animals and plants and taught us a lot about the local ecosystem. The tour was the perfect length and fairly easy with the only slightly challenging part being the last 5-10 mins paddling against the stream. It was a really special experience connecting with nature and we even got up close with some monkeys. I highly recommend the tour and Michael as a guide! Was a highlight of the trip!
Dhruv_T, May 2026
The kayaking tour through the mangrove forest near Manuel Antonio was actually my most anticipated activity in Costa Rica, but unfortunately, it ended up being the worst experience I had during the trip.
I understand the laid-back “Pura Vida” culture, but I’m pretty sure calling guests over by whistling at them is not exactly respectful or professional.
The guide seemed like a genuinely nice person, but honestly, not a very good coach for beginners. I had only kayaked once before, in Croatia, so I was struggling a bit and hoping for some guidance. However, the only advice I received during the entire two-hour experience was basically to “apply equal power on both sides,” and that was it. Our kayaks were dirty and my kayak even turned overboard turning me into the river.
Because I was finding kayaking difficult, I kept falling slightly behind the group. Instead of making sure everyone stayed together, the guide spent almost the entire tour focused on the people ahead and left me alone trying to catch up most of the time, which made the experience stressful rather than enjoyable.
The overall setup also felt disappointing. There were no snacks provided at all, and the meeting point was a run-down house with dirty toilets.
As for wildlife, we only saw a few monkeys and a sloth, which was underwhelming considering how the experience was advertised. There was also no communication whatsoever before the tour.
Overall, highly disappointing, especially for beginners. I would avoid this tour.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hola, muchas gracias por su visita y comentario. Lastimosamente no tenemos las instalaciones que estabamos esperando, pero si tenemos el manglar una gran opcion para ver animales y vegetacion, aprender el kayak es muy facil, vamos a hablar con el guia sobre el tema y revisar que esta pasando con la limpieza.
Mike_H, Apr 2026
Michael was our tour guide, he was very knowledgeable, spotted EVERYTHING around and was funny too.
Highly recommended
Sabrina_M, Mar 2026
Michael was our tour guide and she was absolutely amazing. He taught us so much about the mangroves and also made it a point to have the monkeys we saw climb on top of our head.
Hannah_H, Feb 2026
We had an awesome time with Michael on our tour!!! We saw so many different animals including sloths and monkeys. We are going to recommend our friends do the tour too!
Jeff_M, Feb 2026
If you want to know all about the mangrove trees and see monkeys and other wildlife, this was a fun experience. Our tour guide was helpful, informative and willing to please. I even had a monkey eat out of my hand! Enjoyed the kayak and tour very much!
Monica_E, Jan 2026
We Saw lots of monkeys, the guide was knowledgeable and friendly. It was just us two with the guide sot that was nice!
Wanjing_S, Dec 2025
it was a great experience. We would definitely do it again. The tour took approximately 2 hours. We had in the beginning a short instruction and a practice time, before we start with the mongrove exploring. Our guide, Michael, was very experienced. Not only he has managed to help us maneuver through different stream and kayaking situations, he has spotted many animals on the way (monkey, sloth, heron, boa, crocodile, bat, spider, turtle) and have explained the mongrove ecosystem quite clear. He has this energetic and "pura vida" vibe, which made the tour quite joyful. It was not too stressful. You will definitely get wet (at least the butt). There was an area without shield, so suncream is important.
Joan_R, Dec 2025
An amazing experience. Michael has a wealth of knowledge about the mangroves. He pointed out wildlife that we would have never seen on our own. Highly recommend this tour.
Kenneth_N, Nov 2025
Michael was excellent guide. Terrific eye. Howler monkeys close up was a treat. Not too difficult except the paddle upstream at the end. Highly recommended.
Sarah_G, Nov 2025
Loved this tour. Our guide was very kind and knowledgeable. It was great being out in nature. We saw a lot of wildlife and beautiful flowers/trees. Would highly recommend!
Emily_S, Sep 2025
We very much enjoyed our kayak tour through the mangroves! Our guide, Michael, clearly was passionate about what he does and loves the area and the wildlife. He taught us so much about the mangroves themselves and all the animals that live and thrive in the area. We saw a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, a sloth, a snake, an alligator, lizards, birds, and more! Deciding to kayak was the right call for us, since we felt like we got to experience more of the serenity and the wildlife, compared to if we had done a boat tour. We highly recommend this experience!
John_B, Aug 2025
It was a great adventure! Our guide was amazing and very helpful. His explanation of the various species was educational, and he honestly made it all fun. I’d honestly do it again. It’s a relaxing time. Be careful with the monkeys. If you’re not giving them food they get very whiney lol
Aaron_G, Jun 2025
It was so much fun and very easy to paddle. Our guide was amazing and we saw caymans, lizards, iguanas, birds, snakes, mafia monkeys that literally jumped onto our kayaks and on top of our heads. It was amazing. Super close to quepos but just fyi it’s not inside of Manuel Antonio state park. Pura Vida!
Chan_P, Mar 2025
We booked a two person kayak tour with Michael and was very happy with our experience. Michael was knowledgeable about the river's wildlife and has a sharp eye finding them to point them out to us. We saw many different species of birds, two snakes, spiders, bats, lizards, sloths, and monkeys. He even got a monkey to sit on our shoulders so we could get a picture. If you want to see Costa Rica's wildlife, I would highly recommend going on the kayak tour over a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park.
jennifer_m, Dec 2024
Michael was a wonderful guide and we had a great trip seeing tons of animals!! Highly recommend this trip.
Catherine_H, Apr 2024
Great and knowledgeable guide and I learned a lot about natural ecosystems. I am glad I did the kayaking instead of the boat tour but it was a bit hot at the beginning and end because it wasn’t in the shade. Sunscreen is a must!!!
LeighAnn_H, Dec 2023
Great guide and we got to see a lot of monkeys and other creatures. It was a beautiful and fun experience!
Sara_F, Apr 2026
Of the best activities of my trip to Costa Rica! The tour is amazing. It is beautiful to see the animals in their natural habitat and discover the mangrove. Michael is simply wonderful, has a very nice energy and makes the experience even better. Recommended, do not hesitate.
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From $45.00
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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Kayak Mangrove Tour in Manuel Antonio
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