Kayaking Tamarindo Mangrove Forest: Paddle the estuary

Paddle a maze of mangrove channels where few kayakers venture

Kayak the Tamarindo estuary mangrove forest, a vast river mouth between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande with a labyrinth of meanders, streams and lagoons. You paddle through calm water for 2.5 hours, spotting birds, crocodiles, iguanas and other wildlife. The guide speaks English or Spanish and children from age 8 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak through Tamarindo mangroves

• Arrive at Tamarindo estuary
• Paddle through mangrove forest
• Explore meanders, streams, and lagoons
• Observe birds, crocodiles, and iguanas
• Enjoy Las Baulas National Marine Park

The experience

The Tamarindo estuary is a long, vast river mouth fringed with mangrove forest, and most of it stays unexplored. You paddle through the calm waters between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande, threading through a labyrinth of meanders, streams and lagoons that open and close as you move through them. The route sits inside Las Baulas National Marine Park, and on sunny days the wildlife is visible: birds overhead, crocodiles and iguanas in the trees and water, and other animals moving through the mangrove. The whole paddle takes 2.5 hours.

A live guide leads the group in English or Spanish, and the kayaks and bottled water are provided. Children from age 8 can paddle alongside adults. The estuary's shallow, sheltered water means you're not fighting current or waves. The work is the paddle itself, and the payoff is access to a part of the park that rarely sees visitors.

What’s included

• Kayak and paddle.
• bottled water.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Kayaking in the Tamarindo Mangrove Forest National ParkGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed time

PlusGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00 and 15:00Mangrove tamarind bird washing

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 15:00

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by HIGH TIDE TOURS PLAYA GRANDE

Is this one for you?The 2.5-hour paddle fits a half-day plan and reaches the rarely explored interior of the estuary where the mangrove labyrinth opens up, not the crowded entry points, but the streams and lagoons most kayakers miss.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (8 to 11 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of wildlife will I see kayaking the Tamarindo estuary?

The estuary is home to birds, crocodiles, iguanas and other animals that move through the mangrove forest and water. On sunny days visibility is good enough to spot them as you paddle.

How long does the kayaking trip take?

The paddle lasts 2.5 hours from start to finish, moving through the meanders and lagoons between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande.

Is the Tamarindo estuary kayaking difficult?

The water is calm and shallow, and the route is suitable for all physical fitness levels. No paddling experience is required.