Isla Damas Mangrove Kayak Tour
Paddle the calm Isla Damas estuary, gliding under mangrove tunnels past monkeys, crocodiles, and birds at water level.
* Rack rates before Costa Rica's 13% VAT. Includes hotel pickup & certified bilingual guide. Book now, pay later.
The experience
The Isla Damas mangroves sit about 20 minutes from the Manuel Antonio hotels, and a kayak is the quietest way to see them. You set out on the Paquita river and float along soft currents under a closed forest canopy, close enough to the water to hear it.
The channels are sheltered with little current, so this is a relaxed paddle rather than a workout. No experience is needed, and your guide gives a short orientation before you push off.
You navigate the brackish channels at your own pace, slipping under tunnels made by the tangled mangrove growth while your guide picks out wildlife you would otherwise paddle right past. Birdlife is everywhere here, and the low vantage of the kayak brings you eye to eye with the herons and kingfishers working the water's edge.
The trip runs on the tides, so your pickup time is set around when the channels are best. A meal is served before or after the paddle, depending on the schedule. If you would rather sit back and let someone else do the work, the Isla Damas Mangrove Boat Tour covers the same estuary on a covered boat.
Highlights
- A quiet paddle through sheltered mangrove canals on the Paquita river
- Gliding beneath natural tunnels formed by mangrove roots
- White-faced monkeys, sloths, anteaters, and crocodiles along the banks
- Herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and frigate birds overhead
- A water-level view you only get from a kayak
- A meal included before or after the paddle, depending on the tide
What's included
- Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off
- Certified bilingual naturalist guide
- Kayak and all paddling gear
- A meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) and beverages, depending on the tide schedule
What to bring
- Sunscreen and sunglasses with a retainer cord
- Hat or visor
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof camera
- Quick-dry clothing and a beach towel
A typical day
- Tide-based hotel pickup in Manuel Antonio or Quepos
- Short drive to the launch point on the Paquita river
- Paddling orientation and safety briefing
- Guided kayak through the mangrove canals and tunnels
- Wildlife spotting along the banks and canopy
- A meal before or after the paddle, depending on the tide
- Return drive to your hotel
Departures & pickup
- From Manuel Antonio / Quepos: about 4 hours round trip, from $85 per person.
- From Jacó / Herradura: about a 1-hour drive each way, from $119 per person.
- Departure times follow the tide, so we confirm your exact pickup time once your date is set.
- Children six and over are welcome. Kayaks seat one or two paddlers.
Frequently asked questions
No. The mangrove channels are calm and sheltered, and your guide gives a short orientation before you paddle.
Light to moderate. There is minimal current and you set your own pace, so most guests find it relaxed.
Crocodiles, sloths, white-faced monkeys, herons, kingfishers, and iguanas are all common in the Isla Damas mangroves.
Quick-dry clothing, closed shoes or water sandals that can get wet, sunscreen, and a hat. Anything you want to keep dry goes in the storage bag provided.
We have single and double kayaks. Let us know your preference when you book.
Six years old. The estuary is calm, which makes it a good first kayak for younger paddlers.
Ready to book Isla Damas Mangrove Kayak Tour?
Free hotel pickup, certified bilingual guides, book now and pay later.
Prefer just your group? Take this tour private →
