Experience Manuel Antonio
While kayaking might not be your first association with Costa Rica/Manuel Antonio, kayak tours offer an excellent up close and personal way to experience Costa Rica’s beauty and diversity. Kayaking isn’t difficult or strenuous and anyone can enjoy it regardless of skill level. There are paddling techniques and safety considerations, but tour guides cover these before heading out onto the water. If you’d like to give it a try, your Escape Villas Vacation Rental concierge will be happy to make arrangements for you.
Kayak Tours
There are many different kinds of kayak tours offered by vendors up and down the Pacific coast. In the Manuel Antonio area, some of the more popular tours include these: Damas Island Estuary Mangrove Tour – Mangroves are important ecosystems where sea water and fresh water meet creating an underground rooting system among the trees. Mangroves protect shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves and floods.
Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems. Studies show there are 25 times more fish in areas close to mangroves, which also provide important habitats for birds and mammals. On this tour you will likely see white-faced monkeys, crocodiles, anteaters and who knows what as you float gently under a lush canopy of rainforest.
Sea Kayaking
This tour takes you past the shoreline of the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park. You will also paddle past several small islands in the area. As you glide over the water you might see flying fish, sea turtles and seafaring birds including pelicans. An expert guide will show you how to see things you might not notice on your own.
Ocean Kayaking/Snorkeling Combo
This half day tour launches in the morning and includes the exploration of several hard to reach offshore islands and coastal estuaries. When conditions are right, the water in these areas are excellent for snorkeling and you can expect to encounter a large variety of beautiful tropical fish.
River Kayaking
For the more experienced, adventurous kayaker, white water kayaking is available on rivers rated Class II (medium) to Class V (extremely difficult).
These river kayaking adventures have guides and vendors usually can customize your kayaking for large or special groups. The appeal here isn’t so much the scenery (although breathtaking) as the rush of movement.