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Sea Kayak Costa Rica:  Multi-Day Kayak Expeditions (2 to 5 days)

One of the best kept secrets in sea kayaking is the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. The area is famed for its spectacular weather, and beautiful beaches, as well as calm coastal waters from which you can view the regions abundant marine and terrestrial wildlife. The offshore islands which dot the coast, the mangrove channels of the Organos river, and the 1,000’s of acres of national wildlife refuges that run to the water's edge provide a rich mixture of land and sea for the course of our tours. Fresh local fish as well as coconuts and tropical fruits harvested straight from the tree are likely ingredients of the delicious local and exotic style meals you’ll enjoy as we paddle through the islands and along the coastline of this tropical wonderland.

Our tours bring you along beautiful stretches of the peninsula's coastline, allowing you to explore some of the small offshore islands, snorkel a shallow reef, paddle through the labyrinthine passages of a fresh water river, and enjoy a day of hiking in Curu, the peninsula’s premier wildlife refuge. Throughout your tour you will enjoy encounters with various species of monkeys, lizards, birds, and other members of the rainforest ecosystem as well as countless species of marine life.

In addition to enjoying what there is to explore on and above the water the snorkel gear we provide as courtesy for each guest will ensure you don’t miss out on the world beneath the waters surface. The relatively clear waters of the dry season provide a superb opportunity for viewing the underwater realm.  Check out reefs and the diverse marine life they support, sea turtles, flying fish, octopi, moray eels, various species of dolphin and even occasional whales.

We’ll begin by picking you up the morning of your trip and then driving you in our private air conditioned van to our launch site (we can pick you up at your hotel in San Jose or meet you in or near Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula).  Here we will start by familiarizing you with our paddling and snorkeling gear, giving you a detailed paddling and safety lesson, and then loading up our expedition sea kayaks.

Once we are acquainted with the gear and are comfortable we will launch onto the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Nicoya.  As we depart we are likely to hear nothing but the sound of the water against the shore and the deep resonating calls of howler monkeys in the trees. As we paddle along steep cliff sides and coastal beaches the areas abundance of wildlife will begin to show itself. Pelicans and kingfishers flying over head, occasional flying fish, dolphins or sea turtles passing by and underwater reefs teeming with life forms of inexplicable diversity are just the beginning of countless encounters we are likely to have.

Our Costa Rica vacations range from 2 to 5 days and virtually everything is included.

We provide all meals and drinks, safety equipment, two person tents, Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads (that convert into beach chairs), snorkeling equipment, binoculars, and at least one friendly and knowledgeable English speaking guide. When coming out on a trip with Crystal Seas we feel that you shouldn’t have to buy any special gear, so we provide just about everything but the clothes on your back.

Crystal Seas has developed a reputation for exceeding the expectations of our guests with our attention to detail and the food we serve you is no exception. We pride ourselves in providing healthy hearty meals that will delight your palate as much as your body. Our use of locally caught seafood and freshly harvested fruits assure the creation of the finest local and exotic meals you will ever have tasted. We use organic local products whenever possible and will creatively accommodate any dietary needs.

A great experience of kayaking in Costa Rica involves many factors. One of these is the group size. A smaller group is safer on and off the water, allows for more interactions between the guides and guests and gives our guests a chance to really know each other. Furthermore, we can also adjust and modify the trip to the individual desires and interests of the group, allowing our guests to participate in various activities ranging from birding to advanced kayaking. For all these reasons and more we keep our regularly scheduled multi-day expedition group size to 10 guests and 2 guides.

We begin each of our tours with a thorough safety/kayak lesson to familiarize you with your equipment so that you are adequately prepared for your adventure. This lesson includes paddling technique, sea kayaking safety, loading, unloading and handling of your sea kayak, an introduction to launching and landing in small surf, becoming familiar with our safety gear and other helpful and necessary preparations for our expedition.

At least two guides on all of our multi-day kayak expeditions with 4 or more guests…

For groups with more than 4 guests we always provide two guides.  This makes our trips safer, more intimate and allows our guests more time to enjoy activities such as an evening paddle or hike, additional paddling skill development, free-diving instruction, or simply good conversation.

Single and tandem kayaks are available...

As the popularity of sea kayaking has grown the range of experience levels of guests on our trips has expanded as well.  To accommodate this we have made single and tandem sea kayaks available on all of our warm water paddling trips.  Please let us know your preference of kayak type upon reserving your trip.

A unique learning experience…

Our guides come from diverse backgrounds and from all walks of life, but they come together on one aspect: appreciation for nature and the diversity of humanity. As a guide you come into contact with people of many diverse walks of life and still more diverse points of view. An open-minded appreciation of this immense diversity is something which is shared by all of our guides and has caused many of our guests to leave from their trip and return year after year as our friends. Our hiring has focused on individuals who have the ability to create a fun communal environment that brings out the best in all of us creating memories that last a lifetime. Along with this appreciation of humanity our guides have a deep appreciation for nature. Being part of an environmentally friendly way of bringing people into the outdoors and closer to nature is something we all believe in and put a great deal of effort into. When surrounded by the immense beauty of this natural area it is difficult not to become interested in the way it works, what animals are part of it, how we effect it, and so on. We hope to pass on our knowledge and sense of interest to all of our guests, but we insist on letting the curiosity of each individual lead the way in their learning experience. Because of this the focus of our trips is never a set program, It is formed by the individuals of each group and evolves throughout the tour. Our guests are welcome to take as little or as much as they choose from their guides, and our guides are committed to whatever it is that makes your tour more enjoyable.  We would like to make this one of your many vacations with us.

Sample Itineraries for our Kayaking Trips in Costa Rica (2 to 5 day trips are available)

4-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Your tour begins with an early rendezvous at your hotel in San Jose or in or near Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula where you’ll meet your guide(s) and the other members of your trip. From here your guide(s) will shuttle the group to our launching site.  We’ll make a stop in the village of Paquera to get some fresh fruit and give you the chance to experience a moment of this quiet little town rich in the vibrant communal essence which creates the backbone of Costa Rican culture. Once we arrive you’ll get your first chance to dip your feet in the warm waters of the tropical Pacific while we introduce you to all of our expedition gear and the basics of sea kayaking; i.e. how to not tip the boat when you’re getting out to dive on a reef, what to do when a sea turtle surfaces next to you, etc.  Once we are all situated and comfortable we’ll head out on the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya. The route for this first day is designed to let you get used to the idea of paddling while in calm waters as we gradually work our way to the mouth of the Gulf. The waters around you are dotted with islands which are either homes of local fisherman or uninhabited biological reserves. The entire coastline of Costa Rica is public so whenever we find a beach with some shade and a nice view we’ll stop off for lunch and enjoy our first taste of local delicacies. After lunch we’ll continue our paddle along the coast until we arrive at Playa Organos where we’ll set up camp for the night. This long protected beach surrounding the Organos River has a cool breeze and a broad horizon perfect for watching the stars while you fall a sleep to the sound of the waves.

Day 2

The waves which lulled you to sleep in the night will now welcome you to the second day of your tour. A local style breakfast along with plenty of the famous Costa Rican coffee will get us started on our day. Our route today takes us up the fresh water Organos River in search of habitat and wildlife that prefers the calm winding waterways and protected understory of the mangrove forest. Basilisk or “Jesus Lizards” which are so fast that they can run across the water, as well as numerous species of Egrets, Kingfishers, and Trogans are just a few of the animals we are likely encounter during our passage through this pristine labyrinthine. We’ll work our way out of the maze to enjoy another lunch at the campsite and then perhaps (for the sake of local tradition) siesta in the shade. In the late afternoon we’ll pack up camp and paddle a short stretch of water which will bring us just outside the western tip of the bay to Punta Quesera.  Quesera is a beach which lucidly presents itself as everyone’s tropical icon; pure white sand which spreads beneath the fronds of arcing coconut palms and descends beneath tropical blue waters, backed by trails disappearing into a rich forest thriving with sounds and sights of everything you imagine to be tropical.  From this vantage point we’ll enjoy another of our wonderful meals while watching the sun descend behind the rising hills of the Nicoya.  Later as the blue sky gives way to darkness many of our clients will have their first view of the Southern Cross appearing just above the horizon.

Day 3

Howler Monkeys are likely to be our morning call to consciousness as they swing and call through the Nancita and Mango trees on the edge of our campsite. The morning will likely be spent observing Howler and White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys as well as rival territorial displays of tropical lizards called Ctenasaurs while enjoying another of our freshly prepared meals. From here we’ll leave the wildlife of the land in pursuit of marine life beneath the surface. A jagged and umbrageous sea floor just off the side of the internationally famous Tortuga (turtle) Islands will be our destination. Once your guide has located this underwater reef all of the boats will be lashed together and secured to an anchor beneath the surface so we can all put on snorkeling gear and dive down to see the wonderful world that exists below. Countless varieties of tropical fish as well as octopus, sea turtle, manta ray, eel, starfish, and crustaceans await and delight the attentive observer.

Hunger will most likely be the only voice determined enough to pull us away from this weightless and colorful world and so the world famous beach of the largest of the Torguga Islands known as Tolinga will be our host for an afternoon meal. After lunch and rest on shore we’ll finish up the day with a circumnavigation of Alcatraz Island (the local name for the Brown Pelican) which is replete with a narrow surge channel, steep towering cliff sides, and a passage through Costa Rica's natural version of the Arc de Triumph.  Once back on the white sands of Punta Quesera you’ll have time to relax or enjoy a walk along a trail which departs the campsite and ventures into a branch of the private Curu National Wildlife Refuge. After dinner and another of Costa Rica’s spectacular sunsets the numerous adventures of the day will remind us that it is time for a good night’s sleep filled with tropical dreams.

Day 4

Again we awaken to the sounds of the tropics descending from the trees and washing up against the shore... our final day has come. But just when you think you’ve seen all this place has to offer we’ll bring you to the center of terrestrial life in the area, the hub of Curu National Wildlife Refuge. From our beach the center of Curu is only about an hour away so you’ll have plenty of time and energy to walk the trails of this over 3,000 acre reserve. Along with supporting all of the wildlife known to exist in this region of the country the reserve is currently working on reestablishing spider monkeys and scarlet macaws. The amount of wildlife here is something you have to see to believe and the forests of giant balsa, cashew, almond, and la ceiba trees which create a canopy beneath and in which this wildlife abounds present an iconical example of a neotropical forest.  After breakfast on the shore of Curu Bay our van will arrive to shuttle you back to your pick-up location (approximate drop off times vary... mid to late morning in Tambor and late afternoon to early evening in San Jose).

5-Day Itinerary

same as "Day 1" to "Day 3" of the 4-day itinerary plus... 

Day 4

Again we awaken to the sounds of the tropics descending from the trees and washing up against the shore. But just when you think you’ve seen all this place has to offer we’ll bring you to the center of terrestrial life in the area…the hub of Curu National Wildlife Refuge. From our beach, the center of Curu is only about an hour away so you’ll have plenty of time and energy to walk the reserve trails with over 3,000 acres. Along with supporting all the wildlife known to exist in this region of Costa Rica, the reserve is currently working on reestablishing spider monkeys and scarlet macaws. The amount of wildlife here is something you have to see to believe. The forests of giant balsa, cashew, almond, and la ceiba trees create a canopy where wildlife abounds, presenting an example of a neo-tropical forest. Tonight we will enjoy our last dinner together on the beach.

Day 5

This morning we will wake and pack up camp.  Our shuttle van will pick us up and take us to Estrella de la Playa for some refreshing cold beverages. We will then shuttle to the small village of Montezuma to embark on a 30 minute hike through a primary jungle, leading us to a spectacular 60 foot waterfall. Here you can go for a swim in the natural pools and test your photographic skills. Afterwards, we will hike back to the village of Montezuma where you can explore handicrafts made from local artisans. We will gather for lunch at a local eatery where you can practice your Spanish and then we’ll shuttle back to your pick-up location (approximate drop off times vary... early afternoon in Tambor and late evening in San Jose).

Costa Rica Multi-Day Kayaking Schedule

Custom Dates: If you have a set of dates that work better with your Costa Rica vacations schedule, airline fares or airline tickets, more often than not we can accommodate them... just let us know.

Prices, times and tour location subject to change.  Prices per person in US$.

Come kayaking in Costa Rica with Crystal Seas Kayaking.