Mangrove Forest Kayak Exploration

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Welcome to a guided tour through the Preciosa Platanares Wild Life Refuge, the mangrove is both relaxing and amazing.

The mangroves are small forest with plants and animals adapted to live immersed in brackish water, influenced by the tides, hosting lots of life, this wonderful forest will be explore in the tour.

The trip is guided by an experienced local guide who will briefly interrupt the peace and wild silence with explanations of the interrelationships that exist here between plants and animals at different levels.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults

Transport is wheelchair accessible however be prepared for uneven surfaces at the sites visited which may be difficult for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair, please advice.

Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

The mangrove kayak tour leaves one or two hours before high tide. This trip explores the mangrove estuaries in Platanares River delta in the the Preciosa Platanares Wild Life Refuge. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you up and down a river under the canopy of 70-foot tall mangrove trees. Learn about the mangroves and look for all types of wildlife -- monkeys, raccoons, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, crabs, crocodiles, caimans, snakes, all types of birds, butterflies! The trip takes 3 hours, and we supply snacks (tropical seasonal fruits), kayak with back rest for comfort and dual blade paddle, life jacket , instructions before the trip and a knowledgeable guide. No previous experience required. Suggestions on what to bring: Dry bags for all your gear, even cameras and video gear are suitable to bring if protected. Bathing suit, sunscreen, long pants and log sleeve shirt of dry fit fabric for sun protection (specially from December to April), tennis shoes or sandals with straps (shoes will get wet), light rain jacket (only from August to November), neck strap to secure glasses, hat, dry clothing, towel, plastic bags for wet clothing.

What‘s Included

Local guide

Small-group tour (maximun 10 plus guide)

Transportation to/from attractions

Options

Mangrove Kayak Exploration Tour from Puerto Jimenez

Duration: 3 hours
Snack: Pineapple and Coconut

Reviews

5.00

31 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Wonderful kayaking experience!!
jengU2985RG,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We absolutely loved our kayak through the mangroves. Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind. We enjoyed a delicious meal afterwards at the cafe. I would highly recommend this company!!
Thank you Alberto!
MarieEve L,,Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This kayak tour with Alberto was incredible. Alberto knows so much about the mangroves. He was informative and very kind. It was an amazing activity.
Book this tour!
Jaime T,,Jun 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great time on this tour! I’ll admit I was a little skeptical going in but it turned out to be one of the best excursions we did in Costa Rica. Our guide Lino (I hope I’ve spelled it correctly) was awesome and just an all round good guy and interesting to talk to. I highly recommend this tour!
Peaceful and fun
Z7771PUcourtneym,,May 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour exceeded our expectations and would definitely recommend. We started at 7am during high tide and had a very tranquil paddle through the mangroves. Minimal physical exertion because the water is so calm and we went slow, and they also have tandem kayaks. Lino was a great guide and showed us many things to paddle over and look at. The mangrove forest was really cool, and at the end we stopped and watched a family of capuchin monkeys playing. On the paddle back we stopped at the beach next to the river and had a swim break in golfo dulce which was very refreshing, and Lino cut up fresh coconut and pineapple for us. We didn’t get bit by many bugs and some of the river is shaded. Only shoes you need are flip flops for the hot sand on the beach. Great tour!!
Such an awesome...
Timothy G,,May 10, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Such an awesome experience! If you’re in Puerto Jiménez, be sure to check it out!! It will exceed any and all expectations.
Very good
U3947INtimk,,Mar 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The guide was very good. Good equipment, nice snacks. They had showers which people can use afterwards. Only two other kayaks (plus the guide) when we went allowing detailed conversations. We saw scarlet macaws and sandpipers
Great kayak tour for families
flip007,,Mar 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We have enjoyed every minute of the Mangrove Kayak Tour. Our guide Lino did a great job explaining the flora and fauna of the Plantaranes river. The twin kayak worked well for 2 adults and 2 small kids. We would recommend the tour for the morning or the afternoon to avoid the midday sun. Thanks to Alberto for his great consulting and customer service.
Great time in the mangrove!
Natalia R,,Feb 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour was a lovely way to start the morning here in Puerto Jimenez. The water that you kayak on throughout the whole trip was very gentle and the mangroves were beautiful. Our tour guide Lino made sure to teach us all about the plants and animals in the area. Towards the end of the tour we had some delicious fruit on the beach before heading back. I would recommend wearing sunscreen as half of the tour is in direct sunlight.
Relaxing paddle
rhod819147,,Feb 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a great morning paddling mangroves. Saw plenty of birdlife and lizards/iguanas. Laura our guide also gave insights into mangrove ecosystem. Paddled at a leisurely pace and stopped on way back at beach for swim/refreshments. Staff were very helpful/professional in dealing with the demands of a group with very small children and the other end of the age spectrum. There is also a nice cafe attached for post paddling refreshments.
Great tour
PiaS1830,,Feb 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This turned out to be a mangrove + sunset + bioluminescence tour which it didn’t say when we booked on Tripadvisor but which was really nice and we enjoyed it a lot. Special thanks to our very knowledgable guide who knew so much about biology!