Aug 30, 2025
A great experience! - We went on this tour in August, 6 family members ( all adults). Our guides were Warner and Cesar. We were picked up from our hotel and then there were 2 other stops to pick up other people on the trip, probably around 20 in all. There was a quick stop on the way to go to the toilet and change, it took around an hour in total to get to the place where the kayaks were. The guide gave us a lot of information on the way about the local area, which was very interesting. We wore swimming costumes under shorts and tee shirts, you could leave anything on the coach while kayaking. Our family all had water shoes, which are essential. The kayaking was great fun. Each kayak had 2 people and it was quite easy to get the hang of it, even for us who had never kayaked before. The mangroves are really interesting. Shortly after we started the heavens opened and it poured, then thunder and lightning. I have never seen such heavy rain! We all got soaked of course, which added to the fun. My family spent most of the time laughing. Unfortunately due to the rain we saw very few animals, but we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would recommend it. 2 of us are in our 60s but managed it fine. The guides were excellent.
There was a Spanish group with us who were not so happy though. They complained vociferously to the guide on the way back. They were not dressed appropriately for an activity where you were going to get wet. They were wearing ordinary shoes and clothes and were soaked through. At least one of them we noticed was refusing to paddle throughout the tour. They were quite angry which soured the journey back for the rest of us, as they did not stop having a go at the guide. We wondered what they expected - kayaking in a rain forest in the rainy season - you are bound to get wet! They refused to join everyone else for the meal afterwards, (very good, and included in the cost of the trip) and demanded to be taken straight back to their hotel. The guides organised another coach to pick them up. We thought the guides were extremely professional throughout, refusing to get drawn into a slanging match.
You need to take a change of clothes, a towel and water shoes! Even if it doesn't rain you will get wet. And we were told this before the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 16, 2024
Kayak, snorkeling and lunch - Kayaking was amazing. The views were breath taking and snorkeling with the fish was so fun!! We got to swim for a bit, too, which was an added bonus. Lunch was super tasty, too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 15, 2024
Mangrove Boat tour - We did the Mangrove boat tour. Our guide Alvin was very friendly, knowledgeable and provided lots of information throughout the tour. Our driver also went above and beyond to help us spot wildlife on the way to and from the tour. They truly made it a great experience and we would highly recommend them!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 21, 2024
Nice experience - The mangroves are very beautiful and there are many different types of animals to see. I went on the boat tour instead of kayaking, originally I wanted to go kayaking but the boat is a very good option too. And the guide Karla Alvarado is super fun and she really knows the area. It was a pleasure to do this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 31, 2024
Magic in the Mangroves - Videos and research didn't quite prepare me for the actual experience of floating through these incredible expressions of strength, resilience, beauty, and pura vida. The road there freaked me the eff out but being greeted by Gustavo and welcomed into his home with his mom, Mary, and dad, William (who runs the boat tours).
We got equipped with lifejackets, settled any remaining balances and placed orders for our homemade lunch (yes and it's fabulous) and ushered to the kayaks. Took a tandem with my daughter and we marveled at all that the mangrove offered - from tiger herons to the mangroves themselves - which were navigated one kayak by one kayak and watching my big girl move through a real-life Pandora -- priceless and magical.
After the two-hour tour which involved our guide, Gustavo, hanging back for a bit to talk us through what we were seeing or hearing... and sometimes couldn't see like how this ecosystem has protected itself and the land the way it has... the dinner (we had it closer to 5) was magnificent. Yes, another casado. But an excellent one at that.
If you got fidgety folks or don't like to get dirty or risk getting wet, take the boat tour. Also there are no croccodiles - do don't fear or don't expect them here.
But do it. This is a beautiful fam of guides.
Pura vida!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 18, 2024
Fabulous trip - Our guide was marvellous, making the trip through the mangroves both interesting and relaxing.
We saw raccoons, monkeys and various birds and learned of the importance of the mangroves.
Review provided by Viator
Feb 6, 2024
Happy kayaker - We took the kayaking through the Mangrove tour and our tour guide Allen was very knowledgeable. I haa as s never been in a kayak before, but by end of trip I felt like a pro-
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 17, 2024
Punctuality and Quality - We found out about this company through very good recommendations and the truth is they were right, we highlighted their punctuality in the tour, the service, everything worked super well, if you visit Manuel Antonio do not hesitate to see their diversity of service you will not regret it.
As the only point, I think it would be good to have a little more explanation of the use of the kayak at the beginning of the tour when one is a beginner.
Otherwise great!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 3, 2024
Relaxed Kajak Tour - The two tour guides told us a lot about Costa Rica, the surrounding area of Quepos, the animals and the national park. Food and drink were enough and were pretty good.
Review provided by Viator
Nov 18, 2023
Get a bit active - We took this tour as part of a group tour, paying at time of activity. If you pay cash (US or Colones), it will be cheaper.
Fruit snack before hitting kayaks and lesson given to group. All equipment provided (life best, paddle, kayak).
Lockers available for free and bring a wet bag if you plan to carry personal items.
Paddle with guide and spot monkeys and other critters as you paddle. Relaxing float time provided.
Review provided by Tripadvisor