Explore One of Costa Rica’s Most Biodiverse Ecosystems

Kayak Through the Mangroves of Isla Damas

Just 15 minutes from our office in Quepos, Isla Damas is home to a fascinating network of mangrove canals that support some of the most diverse wildlife in the region. On this guided pedal kayak tour, you’ll quietly navigate these calm waters and narrow passages surrounded by mangrove roots and jungle scenery.

Our pedal drive kayaks make it easy and comfortable to move at your own pace, so you can focus on spotting wildlife. Keep an eye out for crabs, birds, lizards, and — if you’re lucky — curious white-faced monkeys swinging through the trees.

This tour is ideal for families, couples, and anyone looking to experience a different side of Costa Rica’s coastal ecosystems in a quiet, respectful way.

Why Book With Paddle 9?

Immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind ecosystem from the comfort of our pedal kayaks

Among a plethora of other wildlife, meet the adorable Central American white-faced capuchin monkeys that call these mangrove forests home

Bring the fam! This mangroves kayak tour is a fun and educational experience for all ages

Trip Details

Pricing & Logistics

Price

$90 per person
+ 13% sales tax

Departure time

Dependent on high tide, please contact us to schedule

Children from 5- 11 years old in kayak with adult

Meeting point

The Paddle 9 tour office in Quepos or we can provide transportation from anywhere in Quepos or Manuel Antonio.

Pickups outside of Quepos or Manuel Antonio are available for an additional cost. For more information or to schedule a pick up outside of these areas, please contact us.

Availability

Available daily, all year round*

*Tide permitting

Duration

3.5 hours approximately

Group size

2 person minimum – 10 person maximum

Included

Fruits
Water
Bilingual guides
Transportation
Equipment

Not included

Picture package (available at an extra cost)
Guide gratuity

What to bring

Water shoes or rugged sandals
Towel
Sunscreen
Bug spray

Trip Overview

This Isla Damas Mangroves expedition will be carried out in our brand-new pedal kayaks. Pedal drive kayaks work very similarly to how you typically ride a bike. This tour availability is dependent on the tides, but fear not, the gentle waters of the mangrove-lined estuaries allow you to calmly pedal around and fully absorb this unique environment.

Nature and wildlife is in abundance on this tour. We will be on the lookout for monkeys, birds, marine wildlife, and reptiles. You will also learn about the mangrove tree species and why this ecosystem is so important to Costa Rica.

Good to Know

Please advise us of any health conditions, recent injuries (especially back, neck or shoulder surgeries) or medical procedures that could affect your tour experience. Let us know about pregnancy, back pains, and any walking as well as dietary restrictions or preferences.

We have two rules at Paddle 9: 1) Be safe! and 2) Have serious fun! Paddle 9 prides itself in running safe tours and transport with the best logistics and safety procedures in the industry. Our guides and staff are well-trained in emergency situations and take your safety very seriously. Should an accident occur, we are covered by a comprehensive umbrella liability insurance policy.

Have more questions? You can check out our FAQ page.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It!

					My family and I had an incredible experience with Paddle 9 and their waterfall tour. The guides made everyone feel safe the entire time leading up to some really fun jumps off beautiful waterfalls. It was so much fun, we would love to go again next time in CR.
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Matthew Devine
8/31/2026
					MUST DO IN MANUEL ANTONIO! I would absolutely do this again!! Alex & Mike were THE BEST!! They made us feel so welcomed, we’re so knowledgeable about Costa Rica, & made us feel safe. out of the 5 tours we did, this was our favorite!
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Kathryn Price
8/22/2026
					Paddle 9 Costa Rica — An Amazing Experience!We had an absolutely amazing experience with Paddle 9 over two days, and I can’t recommend them enough!Our first day was at Manuel Antonio National Park with Cory, who was incredibly knowledgeable, relaxed, patient, kind, and right on time for pickup. We got lucky and saw so much wildlife, and Cory made the whole experience fun and enjoyable.The next day, my 10-year-old daughter and I did the waterfall cliff-jumping tour, and it was unforgettable! We visited three different waterfalls with Alex, and Ken and Alonso. Our photographer was Lorena and our driver was Gummi. Everyone was wonderful, and their English was excellent.My daughter was nervous at first, but she ended up doing EVERY jump — including the 30-foot jump! The trails to some of the cliff were challenging, but the guides were with us every step of the way, making us feel incredibly safe. They were encouraging and patient while we waited for each jump and never pressured us.I also have to give a huge shout-out to Lorena. I normally don’t purchase tour photos because they can be so expensive, but she did such an amazing job that I couldn’t resist. She even captured videos and slowed down the jumps, which looked SO cool! They were absolutely worth it.The guides were also incredibly accommodating with our phones and cameras. They let us bring them along and kept them safely in dry bags between waterfalls. I’m pretty sure I asked for my phone in and out of that bag a thousand times, and they never once seemed annoyed — just patient and helpful every single time!One thing that really stood out to us was how much Paddle 9 cares about recycling, protecting the environment, and preserving Costa Rica. They also taught us a bit about Costa Rica in between each stop. You could tell how proud they were of their country and how much they genuinely care teaching about it and taking care of it.Most importantly, we felt completely safe, welcomed, and cared for the entire time. Everyone we met was genuinely kind and fun to be around.If you’re considering booking an adventure in Costa Rica, book with Paddle 9! My daughter and I had an incredible experience, and we would absolutely use them again. 🇨🇷❤️
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Lauren Coker
8/16/2026