Sierpe Mangrove Tour: Boat or Kayak in Largest Wetland

Glide past vibrant wildlife and lush greenery in Costa Rica’s richest wetland

Sierpe mangrove tour in Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland combines boat or kayak access through Costa Rica's largest mangrove forests with a certified bilingual naturalist guide leading three hours of wildlife spotting. The wetland shelters birds, monkeys, reptiles, fish and mollusks across dense vegetation. Departures start around 7am, timed to the tide. Afternoon schedules available depending on conditions. Life jackets, fresh fruit, coconuts and water are included. Insurance and all fees are covered.

Step-by-step itinerary

Terraba-Sierpe Mangrove Tour

• Meet at Terraba rivermouth
• Begin guided mangrove tour
• Explore mangroves by boat or kayak
• Observe wildlife and flora
• Complete tour after approximately 3 hours

The experience

How do you see the most wildlife in three hours without fighting crowds or spending the day on the water? The answer is the Térraba-Sierpe wetland, fifteen minutes from Uvita. This is the largest and most important mangrove forest in Costa Rica, and it works as a refuge for species you won't find anywhere else on the peninsula: birds and monkeys in the canopy, reptiles moving through the roots, fish and mollusks in the channels. A naturalist guide leads you through on either a boat or a kayak, both included at no additional cost, so you pick the one that fits how you want to move through the forest.

The tour starts around 7am, though the exact departure time shifts with the tide. Afternoon departures run depending on conditions that day. A certified captain and bilingual guide handle the navigation and the spotting, so you focus on what appears in front of you. The guide points out what you'd miss alone. Life jackets, fresh fruit, coconuts and water come with the booking. The whole experience runs three hours, which is long enough to move deep into the mangroves but short enough to fit before or after the rest of a coastal day.

What’s included

• Life jackets, a certified bilingual naturalist guide, a certified captain, fresh fruit and coconuts, drinking water, insurance policies and all fees and taxes.
• boat or kayak access at no additional cost.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (20 to 64 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meeting point for this tour is 15 minutes away from Uvita, near Ojochal. Boat and Kayak departure points are different. We will provide the exact location needed once the booking is made.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Ballena Tour Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Choose the kayak if you want to paddle at your own pace through narrow channels close to the vegetation and wildlife. Pick the boat if you prefer to sit back and let the captain navigate while you focus on spotting. Either way, the three-hour window is tight enough to fit around other activities but long enough to move deep into the forest where the animals are.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 24h before the start.

What's the difference between taking the boat and the kayak on this tour?

Both options are included at no extra cost, so you choose based on how you want to experience the mangroves. The boat covers more distance and lets you sit back while the captain navigates. The kayak puts you closer to the water and the vegetation, moving at your own rhythm through narrower channels. Either way, the guide is with you spotting wildlife.

What kind of animals will I actually see in the Sierpe mangroves?

The wetland is home to numerous bird species, monkeys, reptiles, fish and mollusks. What shows up on any given morning depends on the tide, the time of year and the light, but the guide knows where to look and what to listen for. The mangroves are dense enough that wildlife is around you constantly, even if some stays hidden in the canopy.

Does the tour time depend on the tide?

Yes. Departures start around 7am, but the exact time shifts with the tide that day. Afternoon schedules are available depending on tidal conditions. When you book, confirm the departure time for your date, since the water level and current change what routes are passable.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great shape or haven't kayaked before?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. If you choose the boat, you're sitting the whole time. If you choose the kayak, the pace is relaxed through the mangroves. It's not a workout, and the guide adjusts the route to the group. Life jackets are provided and required.