Costa Rica Adventure Tours On The Water
Experience the Wonders of Costa Rica’s Waters
Mangrove Estuaries
Osa Peninsula – Sierpe River
Terraba-Sierpe Guided Mangrove Tour
Discover the fascinating diversity of wildlife in the Terraba-Sierpe Mangroves, a vast estuary system covering almost 67,000 acres of flooded forest along the Sierpe River. Officially protected since 1994, it is the largest untouched mangrove forest on Central America’s Pacific Coast and one of the most amazing features of the Osa bioregion. It’s a truly exceptional Costa Rica experience that is ideal for spotting, photographing, and getting up close to the magic of nature. Led by our Greentique Certified Guide, you’ll crisscross this primal, hidden world that is accessible only by boat. A twitcher’s paradise, the mangroves are home to nearly 100 species of birds, including the endemic mangrove hummingbird. Herons, waders, owls, parrots, and shore birds all use this area as a nesting and feeding ground. Wildlife is prolific, with caimans, crabs, crocodiles, tree frogs, boas, iguanas, river turtles, and other reptiles and amphibians. You’ll likely see howlers, squirrel monkeys (Titi), and white-faced capuchins, as well as sloths and coatis. Cold beverages, homemade cookies, and fresh fruit are served on board. Full Tour Description
- Includes: Greentique Certified Master Guide, boat and captain, water, fresh fruit, and Águila’s fresh baked cookies
- Departure Time/Place: 7:00 a.m. in The Great Room
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Ages: 6+
- Activity level: Easy
- Recommend: Long-sleeved shirt, short pants or lightweight long pants, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, camera and binoculars
- Cost: $100 per person, minimum 4 persons
Central Pacific Coast – Manuel Antonio
Damas Island Estuary Boat Trip
Discover the complex estuary system of Damas Island. From your covered boat, you’ll wind your way through coastal mangroves for up-close looks at the abundant wildlife, including a variety of sea birds and tropical birds, reptiles, and monkeys.
- Includes: Transportation, bilingual guide, and typical meal
- Departure Time/Place: Depends on tides & varies throughout the month; hotel lobby
- Duration: Half day
- Ages: All ages
- Activity level: Easy
- Recommend: Long-sleeved shirt, short or long pants, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, binoculars
- Cost: $65 per person, minimum 2 persons (children’s rates vary by tour)
"My son, 9, and daughter, 7, are begging to go back. The mangrove tour showed them sloths, crocodiles, caiman, toucans, scarlet macaws, a boa constrictor, bats, lizards, turtles, and the mangroves."
– January 2015
Coastal & Deep-Sea Sportfishing
Osa Peninsula – Pacific Ocean
Coastal and Deep-Sea Sportfishing – Full- and Half-day Trips
Fishing off the Osa is brilliant – a truly amazing experience that you’ll never forget. The Osa is where you want to fish and Águila de Osa captains are who you want taking you out. We’ve been fishing these waters for more than 20 years, and over that time Águila’s captains have set four IGFA world fishing records. We’re passionate about this sport and even more passionate about making sure you have an exceptional Costa Rica fishing experience with us. Full Tour Description
- Includes: 26', 31', and 35' custom sportfishing boat and experienced fishing crew, rod and reels, lures, bait, picnic lunch and beverages. Note: fishing license not included.
- Departure Time/Place: time of your choice, but recommend 6:30 a.m.; Águila's dock
- Duration: Half-day: 4-5 hours; Full-day: 8-9 hours
- Ages: 6+ at parental discretion
- Activity level: Easy to challenging – depends on what's on the end of your line!
- Recommend: Long-sleeved shirt, short pants/swim suit or lightweight long pants, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, camera, binoculars
- Cost: Half-day: $450-$750 per boat; Full-day: $750-$1,800 per boat – depending on boat and destination; max persons depends on boat size
Central Pacific Coast – Quepos
Quepos Deep-Sea Sportfishing – Full- and Half-day Trips
Quepos is one of the Costa Rica’s top sportfishing destinations. Marlin Magazine recently named Quepos one of the best locations in the world for “all around action.”
- Includes: Captain and crew, fishing gear with bait, beverages (including beer and soda), fruit, sandwiches, plus snacks; Note: fishing license is not included.
- Departure Time/Place: 7:00 a.m.; hotel lobby.
- Duration: Half or Full-day
- Ages: 6+
- Activity level: Easy to Moderate
- Recommend: Long-sleeved shirt, short pants or lightweight long pants, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, towel
- Cost: Half-day: starting from $500 per boat; Full-day: starting from $900 per boat; max 4 persons
"My buddy and I, and our two sons (11 and 13), fished on the Albatros for two full days. We stayed inshore... We caught Roosters (tons of them), Baracuda, Jack Crevelle, loads of bonita, tuna, and some of the biggest, meanest Cubera Snapper and Amberjack found anywhere. We had the ocean to ourselves, and El Capitan and the mate were the best fishing crew I have ever fished with anywhere... friendly, fun loving, and really knew how to fish those waters. The chef cooked some of our catch every night for dinner."
– John O., December 2013
Whale & Dolphin Watching
Osa Peninsula – Drake Bay
Guided Whale & Dolphin Tours
The warm, crystal clear waters just off the Osa Peninsula are home to a variety of whale and dolphin species and are ideal for seeing these incredible creatures up close. Join us on one of our spacious and comfortable boats to view humpback, pilot and false killer whales, or spotted, bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Full Tour Description
- Includes: Bilingual local guide, boat and captain, soft drinks, water, fresh fruit, Águila’s homemade cookies
- Departure Time/Place: your choice, best to leave early, but no later than 2:00 p.m.; Águila’s dock
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Ages: All ages
- Activity level: Easy
- Recommend: Short- or long-sleeved, lightweight shirt, short pants/swim suit or lightweight long pants, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, binoculars
- Cost: $125 per person; minimum 4 persons
Central Pacific Coast – Manuel Antonio
Catamaran Dolphin Discovery and Snorkeling Tour
Cruise along the coastline for swimming, snorkeling, filming, and to research the many spectacular marine creatures teeming in the world below, especially our friendly dolphins.
- Includes: Certified local guide, transportation, snorkeling equipment, fruit, beverages and mixed drinks, lunch or dinner
- Departure Time/Place: 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.; hotel lobby.
Note: Evening tours run in dry season only. - Duration: 4 hours
- Ages: All ages
- Activity level: Easy
- Recommend: Swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, towel, camera
- Cost: $85 per person; minimum 4 persons; discounts vary for children 6-12 years
"Our guided whale and dolphin watching tour was a highlight."
– August 2013
White Water River Rafting
Central Pacific Coast – Naranjo and Savegre Rivers
White Water River Rafting Guided Tours
Costa Rica offers some of the world’s best white water rafting. Wild and untamed, these big, brash rivers plunge through spectacularly beautiful, unspoiled Mountain Wet Forest.
- Includes: Local certified guide, safety equipment and safety kayaker, transportation, meal, and snacks
- Departure Time/Place: 8:10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (half-day only); hotel lobby
- Duration: Half or Full day
- Ages: 10+
- Activity level: Easy to Moderate, depending on season
- Recommend: Water shoes, trail shoes, or sandals with straps, swimsuit, clothes to get wet, dry clothes for post-trip comfort, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Cost: From $65–$95/person, based on duration selected
Central Highlands – La Balsa River
White Water River Rafting Guided Tours
Challenge yourself on the Class II and III rapids of the rolling La Balsa River, with full instruction and tips from professional, bilingual river guides. It’s an exciting combination of adventure and nature touring where you’ll explore some of the most beautiful stretches of white water in the region. Jungle-covered banks line this rainforest canyon that often reveals its most playful and colorful residents – monkeys, tropical birds, sloths, butterflies, and other river wildlife. Río Balsa is dam-controlled, so we are usually assured good water levels all-year long!
- Includes: Transportation, kayak and paddle, safety equipment, river guides and safety kayaker, tropical fruit, lunch
- Departure Time/Place: 10:00 a.m.; hotel front desk
- Duration: Half day
- Ages: 8 years to active seniors
- Activity level: Moderate to Challenging, depending on season
- Recommend: Water shoes, trail shoes, or sandals with straps, swimsuit, clothes to get wet, dry clothes for post trip comfort, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Cost: $125 per person; minimum 2 adults
Ocean and River Kayaking
Central Pacific Coast – Manuel Antonio
Damas Island Guided Kayaking Tour
Paddle along beautiful, sheltered inland waterways — a perfect, intimate way to explore the coastal mangrove areas and spot wildlife and birds, all while seeing the mangrove habitat up close.
- Includes: Transportation, bilingual guide, bottled water, light meal
- Departure Time/Place: Depends on tides; varies throughout the month
- Duration: Half day
- Ages: Varies by operator, confirm with your SCN Concierge
- Activity level: Easy to Moderate, varies by season
- Recommend: Water shoes, trail shoes, or sandals with straps, swimsuit, clothes to get wet, dry clothes for post-trip comfort, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Cost: $65 per person, minimum 2 persons
Ocean Kayaking Guided Tour
Tackle a more challenging open-ocean paddle with a guide and enjoy one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful coastlines. Full Tour Description
- Includes: Local certified guide, transportation, kayak and paddle, safety equipment, snorkeling equipment, meal
- Departure Time/Place: Depends on tides, typically 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.; hotel lobby
- Duration: Half day
- Ages: 10+
- Activity level: Challenging to Difficult, depending on season
- Recommend: Water shoes, trail shoes, or sandals with straps, swimsuit, clothes to get wet, dry clothes for post-trip comfort, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Cost: $65 per person, minimum 2 persons
Osa Peninsula – Drake Bay and Aguijitas River
Ocean & River Kayaking Self-guided Tour
Enjoy a leisurely trip up the serene Aguijitas River or paddle out into Drake Bay. Full Tour Description
- Includes: Kayak and paddle, safety equipment, towel
- Departure Time/Place: At your leisure, depending on tides
- Duration: Your choice, but return by sunset
- Ages: 6+
- Activity level: Easy to Moderate
- Recommend: Secure shoes, swimsuit, clothes to get wet, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera
- Cost: Free for hotel guests; $15 per person for non-hotel guests
"We took the kayaks up the river to see a waterfall with Luis! He was gracious to show us the way. It is an amazing little spot that you can visit."
– Emile and Brian, May 2015
Surfing
Central Pacific Coast – Manuel Antonio
Surfing Instruction
Whether you’re a dude, a grom, or something in between, you’ll love taking on Costa Rica’s world-class waves. The beach break at Manuel Antonio is excellent for learning, and with 6-to-10-foot sets and the occasional 12 to 15 footers firing, there’s plenty of carving to be done out there.
- Includes: Lessons and tips from certified instructor, transportation, all equipment, towel, water bottle, and fruit
- Departure Time/Place: 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.; hotel lobby
- Duration: 3 hours
- Ages: 4+
- Activity level: Easy to Moderate, depending on waves and how rad you want to get
- Recommend: Recommend: Sandals, swimsuit, hat and sunglasses, sunscreen
- Cost: $65 per person, adults and children. If you don’t need lessons, we’ll hook you up with one of our trusted board rental partners.