Punta Uva Wildlife Kayaking & Hike: Sloths & River Wildlife

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration2h–3h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Paddle past wildlife and walk the jungle where sloths live

This wildlife kayaking and hiking tour in Punta Uva combines a guided jungle hike and a river paddle to spot sloths, monkeys, iguanas, turtles and birds in their natural habitat. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours with a local guide in English or Spanish, kayaks and life jackets provided. The guide shares stories about shipwrecks, indigenous wisdom and the region's history as you move through beach trails and river viewpoints.

2h–3h

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike and kayak wildlife tour

Hike to find sloths and animals
Learn about local history and wildlife
Take a break with snack
Kayak on river to see wildlife

The Experience

The day starts with a hike through the jungle trails around Punta Uva, where you walk the beach-side paths and different viewpoints looking for sloths and other animals in their natural setting. Your guide talks through what you're seeing — the species, their behavior, the ecosystem — while weaving in stories about shipwrecks, indigenous knowledge and the history of Puerto Viejo and Costa Rica. The pace is set to your interests, so the walk stays comfortable and the stops land where the wildlife is.

After the hike you head back to the meeting point for a break and a snack to cool down, then move to the kayaks for the river section. From the water you'll see sloths again, plus monkeys, iguanas, turtles and different bird species moving through the trees and along the banks. The kayak portion lets you reach animals and viewpoints the trail doesn't, and the guide stays with you the whole time, pointing out what's moving in the canopy and answering questions as they come up.

Kayaks, life jackets and a local guide are included. The tour runs in English or Spanish depending on your preference. Infants sit on an adult's lap during both the hike and the paddle, and the itinerary is flexible enough to match your pace and what you want to focus on — whether that's sloths, birds, the river itself or the stories behind the place.

What’s included

Kayaks and life jacket for the river section.
local guide in English or Spanish.
snack and break between the hike and paddle.
access to jungle trails and river viewpoints around Punta Uva.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Morpho Caribbean Tours

Is this one for you?The 2- to 3-hour timeframe fits a morning or afternoon slot without eating your whole day, leaving room for other activities in the region before or after. The guide adjusts the pace to your interests and fitness level, so you're not locked into a set speed — you move at what works for your group and stop where the wildlife is.