*Giving Back - We donate a percentage of profit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the oldest sea turtle conservation organization in the world, protecting Tortuguero's nesting beaches and the largest green sea turtle rookery in the Western Hemisphere.
Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's most unique destinations — located on the northern Caribbean coast and accessible only by boat or small plane, it feels truly remote. The region is famous for its intricate network of canals and lagoons, dense protected rainforest, and incredible biodiversity. It is also the largest nesting site for endangered green sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere.
For those who have already experienced Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula — this lodge based Costa Rica kayak adventure explores the other coast of Costa Rica. The Caribbean side offers a completely different feel, defined by calm inland waterways rather than open ocean paddling. It's quieter, more intimate, and in many ways even more wildlife-dense.
This is a hotel-based kayaking trip, allowing us to explore deep into Tortuguero while returning each day to a comfortable, well-appointed lodge (with air conditioning). Our base is the Manatus Hotel — a small boutique property with just 12 rooms, set on a narrow strip of land between rainforest-lined canals.
For those who have already experienced Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula — this lodge based Costa Rica kayak adventure explores the other coast of Costa Rica. The Caribbean side offers a completely different feel, defined by calm inland waterways rather than open ocean paddling. It's quieter, more intimate, and in many ways even more wildlife-dense.
This is a hotel-based kayaking trip, allowing us to explore deep into Tortuguero while returning each day to a comfortable, well-appointed lodge (with air conditioning). Our base is the Manatus Hotel — a small boutique property with just 12 rooms, set on a narrow strip of land between rainforest-lined canals.
Who is this trip for?
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This trip is ideal for travelers who:
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Comfortable lodging at the Manatus Hotel
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Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrive at your leisure into San José, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to a nearby hotel just minutes away. Settle in, relax after your travels, and ease into the rhythm of Costa Rica.
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson San José Aeropuerto
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Into the Caribbean Lowlands & First Paddle
We begin early, traveling through lush mountain terrain alongside Braulio Carrillo National Park before descending into the Caribbean lowlands. Passing through banana plantations and small villages, we reach La Pavona — the gateway to Tortuguero. From here, a motorboat takes us deep into the jungle canals to the Manatus Hotel. After settling in and lunch, we head out for an introductory paddle to get comfortable with the boats and environment. In the evening, we walk the beach with a local guide, searching for nesting sea turtles or hatchlings making their first journey to the ocean.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel, Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Jungle Canals & Cerro Tortuguero
Optional early morning birdwatching before breakfast. Then we paddle through winding jungle waterways toward Cerro Tortuguero. After landing, we hike to the summit for sweeping views of rainforest, canals, and the Caribbean Sea — wildlife sightings are common throughout. In the afternoon, we visit the local village for a glimpse into daily life in this remote Caribbean community.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Remote Canal Exploration
Supported by a local boat and captain, we venture deeper into the national park, accessing quieter and more remote waterways. This is prime wildlife habitat and we'll take our time moving through it — watching for monkeys, sloths, caimans, river otters, and a remarkable diversity of tropical birds. In the afternoon, we visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy and enjoy some downtime at the lodge.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Laguna 4 & Cultural Experience
Our longest paddle takes us through canals and open water to Laguna 4, with a support boat available as needed. We visit a small coastal community and a family-run farm, where we enjoy a traditional meal prepared over a wood stove — one of the most memorable meals of the trip. Return to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Return to San José
After breakfast, we travel back to San José by boat and vehicle, crossing back over the Central Volcanic Range. The afternoon is free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson San José Aeropuerto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home — or extend your stay and continue exploring Costa Rica. You'll leave with incredible wildlife encounters and a deep appreciation for one of the most unique paddling destinations on earth.
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive at your leisure into San José, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to a nearby hotel just minutes away. Settle in, relax after your travels, and ease into the rhythm of Costa Rica.
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson San José Aeropuerto
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Into the Caribbean Lowlands & First Paddle
We begin early, traveling through lush mountain terrain alongside Braulio Carrillo National Park before descending into the Caribbean lowlands. Passing through banana plantations and small villages, we reach La Pavona — the gateway to Tortuguero. From here, a motorboat takes us deep into the jungle canals to the Manatus Hotel. After settling in and lunch, we head out for an introductory paddle to get comfortable with the boats and environment. In the evening, we walk the beach with a local guide, searching for nesting sea turtles or hatchlings making their first journey to the ocean.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel, Tortuguero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Jungle Canals & Cerro Tortuguero
Optional early morning birdwatching before breakfast. Then we paddle through winding jungle waterways toward Cerro Tortuguero. After landing, we hike to the summit for sweeping views of rainforest, canals, and the Caribbean Sea — wildlife sightings are common throughout. In the afternoon, we visit the local village for a glimpse into daily life in this remote Caribbean community.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Remote Canal Exploration
Supported by a local boat and captain, we venture deeper into the national park, accessing quieter and more remote waterways. This is prime wildlife habitat and we'll take our time moving through it — watching for monkeys, sloths, caimans, river otters, and a remarkable diversity of tropical birds. In the afternoon, we visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy and enjoy some downtime at the lodge.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Laguna 4 & Cultural Experience
Our longest paddle takes us through canals and open water to Laguna 4, with a support boat available as needed. We visit a small coastal community and a family-run farm, where we enjoy a traditional meal prepared over a wood stove — one of the most memorable meals of the trip. Return to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon.
Overnight: Manatus Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Return to San José
After breakfast, we travel back to San José by boat and vehicle, crossing back over the Central Volcanic Range. The afternoon is free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson San José Aeropuerto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home — or extend your stay and continue exploring Costa Rica. You'll leave with incredible wildlife encounters and a deep appreciation for one of the most unique paddling destinations on earth.
Meals: Breakfast
Important Notes
- This trip explores Costa Rica's Caribbean coast — a completely different experience from our Osa Peninsula trip. Calm inland canal paddling, not open ocean.
- Some kayaking experience is helpful. Guests should be comfortable on the water, though this is not an advanced paddling trip.
- The Manatus Hotel is a boutique property with just 12 rooms — air-conditioned, comfortable, and with exceptional food. This is not rustic camping.
- The turtle night patrol is conducted under strict national park wildlife protection protocols.
- A support boat and captain accompany the group throughout, providing safety and flexibility on longer paddling days.
What's Included and Trip Price
- All accommodations: Country Inn & Suites San José (2 nights) and Manatus Hotel, Tortuguero (4 nights)
- All ground transportation and airport transfers
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Scott Locorini and local guides as your on and off water guides
- Kayaks, paddles, PFDs, and all safety equipment
- Support boat and captain throughout
- Entrance fees to parks and conservation areas
- Sea Turtle Conservancy visit
- $4,095 per person – Share a room and save $400
Not included: International airfare, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance (strongly recommended), guide gratuities, personal expenses, optional activities not listed.
There are a minimum number of participants required to confirm the trips. Therefore please do not make any travel arrangements (airline flights, train) until you have received confirmation from us that the trip has fully booked. A 50% deposit is due at time of reservation (25% for trips booked over a year in advance), with payment in full due 90 days prior to the trip’s start date. Email us, call or text (315) 316-1125 with questions.