Kayaking at Arenal Lake - La Fortuna

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

3 hours

Mobile ticket

This paddling experience provides a full body workout as you travel the uneven coasts of the lake, bays, and peninsulas

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Enjoy panoramic views while gliding along the tranquil waters of the marvelous Lake Arenal. This paddling experience provides a full body workout as you travel the uneven coasts of the lake, bays, and peninsulas, enjoying the lush vegetation filled with aquatic birds like kingfishers, ospreys, cormorants, anhingas, and even toucans. You can also hear howler monkeys and other animals at a distance. If you have never kayaked before, no worries! Our instructors will turn you into a professional in no time. During the tour, a guide will provide you with interesting information about the Arenal Volcano and its eruptions from 1968 on and the history of the dam that we Will navigate through. Don’t forget your swimsuit, because the water temperature is perfect for swimming!

What‘s Included

Snacks

Bilingual Guide

Options

Private Arenal Lake Kayak Tour

Snacks
Private Transportation
Bilingual Guide
Pickup included

Share Tours Arenal Kayak Tour

Snacks
Van
Bilingual Guide
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

24 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Kayaking on Lake Arenal
292jerilynh,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loved being out on the water. The lake is beautiful and the volcano in the background makes this a beautiful break from hiking.
Great way to spend your day!
crash1611,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a great way to spend our last day in Costa Rica. Super fun and a very informative. What a great one-on-one experience and the pineapple was amazing :-) I would highly recommend this rain or shine because it was just a great all-around tour and refreshing to be outside.
Excellent kayaking on Lake Arenal
M4708PAdanielb,Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The kayak tour was beautiful. The volcano was close by and we had a wonderful guide, Pablo. Pablo was incredibly knowledgeable, deeply cared for nature, and always had a smile. He also took great pictures for us and helped us identify wildlife. Had an absolutely fantastic time thanks to him!
SUP/Kayak on Lake Arenal
Heidengoseek,Feb 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Diones and Miguel really made this tour fun! We stand up paddleboard at home and love to do it in other locations when we travel. We were paired with a family of 3 who kayaked, while we paddled. They took us around the lake, told us interesting history of the area and pointed out wildlife when we saw it. It was a beautiful day to be on the lake. Definitely recommend going on the morning tour as the lake got busier as we were leaving.
Do this trip!
howsrdt,Jan 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jose was a wonderful guide. He answered all of our questions honestly. He kept a paddling pace we all could handle. After, a cold beverage was welcome! Two thumbs up.
Relaxing afternoon on the lake
Claire R,Jan 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Very relaxing, calm lake. My husband and I really enjoyed this as a great way to see the lake and surrounding trees from a different perspective. We learned a lot about Costa Rica from our tour guide. Our son, aged 10, enjoyed it but not as much as the more thrilling activities - it is very relaxing!
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Y5211EZbrianh,Jan 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Diego was our guide today, we went on a half day of stand up paddle boarding. We crossed the lake and then stayed along the shoreline out of the wind and at the edge of the forest. We saw lots of birds and monkeys and even a sloth. He took great pictures and positioned us for great views of the volcano. Great day!
Beautiful views and amazing knowledgeable and fun guides! :)
132kaileyc,Oct 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My husband and I did the kayak tour around Arenal lake and it was beautiful and a great experience. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and was a certified nature guide who gave us so much information about Costa Rica, the area, the history, animals and environment. I enjoyed it so much and am so grateful for the experience. Would highly recommend this to anyone! Thank you Jose and Jose for an amazing day. ¡Mil gracias!! ☺️
Amazing guide for arenal lake kayaking
756lindsaye,Apr 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nelson was an amazing tour guide. We went on a kayak ride around Arenal lake. He shared with us many interesting facts from Costa Rican history. He was so accommodating - when he hard I hadn’t seen a sloth yet, he stopped at a local park on our way back to the resort to show me some. He also gave us a great restaurant recommendation for ceviche into the town of la fortuna. He was truly a gem of a tour guide.
Fun and safe way to experience the beauty of Arenal Lake
Justin B,Feb 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great time kayaking Lake Arenal with Jacamar Naturalist Tours. Our private excursion featured timely pickup from hotel, a quick drive to the kayak platform, and a fun adventure on the lake. Kayaking Lake Arenal was a wonderful way to see the volcano in a new way, with stunning views and pristine water. Our guide Nelson was fantastic, and he went out of his way to ensure our family felt safe. Our 10 year old daughter had a blast riding in a double kayak with him. Highly recommend this experience. We started at 8am and were back at our hotel by 11:15, so it's a great half day activity to weave into your visit to La Fortuna.