Top 5 Mangrove Tours in Costa Rica

1.Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking Tour from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $75Our pick

Paddle through Damas Island’s mangrove channels near Quepos with a local guide, watching for monkeys, egrets, herons, iguanas, snakes, and small crocodiles. The four-hour outing includes transport, water, and a typical Costa Rican lunch or dinner. Tide times can shift the pickup, so confirm the schedule before you go.

“Our guide was marvellous, making the trip through the mangroves both interesting and relaxing. We saw raccoons, monkeys and various birds and learned of the importance of the mangroves.”

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2.Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour with Wildlife from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95Top rated

Cruise the mangroves of Isla Damas for about two hours with a certified naturalist guide. Guides such as Raul, Maria, Stephanie, Alvin, and Danny explain wildlife and local history while you watch for capuchin monkeys, birds, and bats. Hotel pickup, safety gear, bottled water, and a typical Costa Rican meal are included.

“What a great tour! Raul explained everything to us but there were times when we were able to just peacefully enjoy the ride. It was such a nice look into nature. Raul was able to spot animals that seemed completely hidden. The monkeys put on quite a show for us! Don’t expect an adventure tour. This is a peaceful boat ride through nature followed by a delicious typical Costa Rican breakfast.”

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3.Paddle Through Paradise: Mangrove Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55Best value

Paddle Quepos’s calm mangrove waterways for about two hours with guides such as Memo, Jayson, or Felipe. Expect flat water, quiet channels, and chances to spot sloths, monkeys, raccoons, lizards, snakes, birds, bats, and crabs. The small group is capped at 12, and the tour ends with fresh fruit at the farm.

“We had a really great experience and saw so much wildlife that we would never be able to see ourselves! The guide was very knowledgable and kind, took lots of photos for us. Lots of tasty fruits at the end of the tour was also a sweet touch:) highly recommend!”

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4.Mangrove Damas Island Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $70

Paddle the Damas Island Estuary near Quepos in an open-seat kayak with bilingual naturalist guides such as Marlon Erick Gonzalez Araya, known as Mega. Expect calm waterways, mangrove wildlife, bird and monkey sightings, a meal after the outing, and hotel pickup in Manuel Antonio. Children over 7 may join with an adult in a double kayak.

“The kayak tour was outstanding! Our guide ‘Mega’ was knowledgeable and entertaining. We thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. Saw lots of natural creatures!”

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5.Kayak Through the Mangroves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $90

Paddle from Playa Pelada into the Rio Montaña mangroves with a small group of no more than 10 people. Your guide, David, leads this peaceful two-hour outing past bird-filled wetlands to a secluded black-sand beach, where you can relax and enjoy included snacks before returning to the meeting point.

“Had such a wonderful time with David! He knows so much about the Mangroves and is such a kind person. We had a lovely time and would rate this experience a 10/10. It was a perfect little relaxing adventure. Thank you!”

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