Coastal Tranquility: Eight Great Sea Kayaking Spots

Sign Up |
Feedback

Destinations
Interest Guides
When to Go
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
- See All
Plan a Trip
Travel Photos
Travel Blogs

United States
Canada
Caribbean
Mexico
Central America
South America
Europe
Africa
Asia
Australia-Pacific

Active & Adventure Guide
Beach Guide
Family Guide
LGBT Guide
Parks & Outdoors Guide
Ski Guide
Spring Driving Guide
Golf Guide

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Travel Deals
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds
Adventure Vacations
Volunteer Vacations
National Parks
Travel Insurance

Desktop Wallpaper
Screensavers
Photo Galleries
Camera Reviews

Home > Coastal Tranquility: Eight Great Sea Kayaking Spots

Related Guides

Costa Rica Vacations
Sea Kayaking

Popular Cities in Costa Rica

San Jose

Travel Resources

Outside's Top Trips of 2008
Outside's Travel Tips
Timeshares 101
Outside's Revamped Travel Channel
Finding Cheap Airfare
Finding Cheap Hotel Rates
Choosing an Adventure Outfitter
Staying Fit While Traveling
Top Adventure Lodges
Packing List: Adventure Travel

ShoulderSeason

Thailand
Vietnam
The Complete Archives

Special Issues

Family Vacation Guide
Active Vacation Guide
Beach Vacation Guide
Month-to-Month Guide

Photo Galleries

Sea Turtles
Grenada
Washington, DC
San Diego
Mexico's Costa Grande
See All Galleries

Screensavers

Belgium
Las Vegas
Puerto Rico
Active New York
Conservation
See All Screensavers

From Away.com

Coastal Tranquility: Eight Great Sea Kayaking Spots
Costa Rica: Paddling to the Ocean

By Paul McMenamin

Costa Rica is Central America's natural wonderland, a unique showcase of scenery and wildlife. Anything you can imagine—volcanoes, cloud forests, raging whitewater, idyllic beach resorts—you name it, Costa Rica has it. This ecological diversity makes Costa Rica a great paddling destination. This "Eden of the Americas" boasts a network of exciting rivers, lush jungle parks, and beautiful beaches on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. And because most of the rivers are relatively short and situated close to the coast, it is even possible to paddle from the highlands to the sea in a single trip.

After arriving in San Jose, journey to the secluded Playa Quesera beach just outside the Curu National Wildlife Refuge and let this quiet refuge serve as your base camp. From there, explore the coastline by kayak on day trips, with opportunities to swim, snorkel, fish, and practice surf kayaking. For those ready for some whitewater adventure, starts on the class-III Rio Reventazon, which passes through verdant riparian scenery full of wildlife. After running the Reventazon, enjoy hot meals and traditional hospitality at a comfortable riverside lodge. Then spend the next two days on the class III-IV Rio Pacuare, a classic jungle river renowned for its many waterfalls and natural waterslides. Strong paddlers can kayak the river in whitewater boats, and relax after a hard day of river-running with hot meals, cold cerveza, and overnight accommodations in rustic, riverside bungalows.

Practically Speaking
Costa Rica offers a welcome and inexpensive variety of local outfitters who can set you in a sea kayak right on the coastline. For those interested in package trips, costs are inexpensive: an eight-day, nine-night trip runs around $1,400 and includes food, equipment, guides, lodging, and transport in Costa Rica.

Related Articles
	• Rafting Costa Rica's Pacuare • Central America's Eden • :Two-Wheel Territory: The Tops in Mountain Biking • Fishing around for the Best: Costa Rica • Whitewater Wishlist: The Top Ten Whitewater Rafting Trips • A Guide to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula