Costa Rica Punta Uva: Kayak & Sloth Watching Jungle Tour

Summary

Sloths in the trees, river sounds below, and jungle stories in Punta Uva

You’ll wander Punta Uva’s tangled jungle trails with a local guide who knows every sloth hiding spot, then kayak along a slow river watching monkeys, turtles, and birds glide by. There’s time for fresh fruit breaks and stories you won’t find online—plus those quiet moments when all you hear is the wild around you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think I’d spot a sloth before coffee, but there it was—curled up like a fuzzy hammock above our heads while our guide, Diego, whispered “perezoso” and pointed with his chin. The jungle around Punta Uva felt thick and alive—sticky air, flashes of green everywhere, and the sound of something (monkey?) crashing through leaves. We started on foot along these beach trails that twisted between sand and roots. Diego told us about shipwrecks out past the reef, and how locals still find old coins after storms. I tried to imagine that, but mostly I was just trying not to trip over my own feet while staring up for more sloths.

After the hike we got this little break—fresh pineapple slices and some kind of juice that tasted like sunshine (I should’ve asked what it was). Then came the kayaks. I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly graceful getting into one of those things—my friend laughed when I almost tipped us both in—but once we started paddling down the river everything slowed way down. The water was brownish-green and calm, with birds darting overhead and iguanas sunning themselves on branches. At one point we drifted under a tree where two sloths hung out together; Diego said they’re usually solo so maybe it was a date? He grinned at his own joke.

I kept hearing little splashes—turtles dropping off logs or fish jumping? Hard to say. There were moments where nobody talked at all, just paddles dipping quietly and jungle sounds filling in. It’s weird how peaceful it gets out there; you sort of forget about your phone or what time it is. I still think about that silence sometimes when things get loud back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sloth hike and kayak wildlife tour

• Start short hike to find sloths
• Learn about animals and local history
• Take break with snack at meeting point
• Kayak on river to see wildlife

Top questions

Is this kayak & sloth tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels—even if you’ve never kayaked before.

Are children allowed on the Punta Uva kayak & sloth watching tour?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during the tour.

Will we see sloths during the day trip from Puerto Viejo?

The tour focuses on spotting sloths in their natural habitat along both jungle trails and riverbanks.

Is transportation included in this Costa Rica kayak & wildlife tour?

No hotel pickup is included, but public transportation options are available nearby.

What animals might we see besides sloths?

You might spot monkeys, iguanas, turtles, various bird species, and other wildlife native to Costa Rica’s South Caribbean region.

What’s included

Your day includes guided hiking through Punta Uva’s beachside jungle trails with plenty of stops for wildlife spotting and stories from your local guide. After a snack break to cool off (think fresh fruit), you’ll hop into kayaks—all equipment provided—and paddle along a quiet river searching for more sloths before heading back relaxed and probably grinning like I did.