kayaking costa rica san jose, kayaking paddling san jose -Costa rica Kayak tourD

Guided Kayak Tours

Kayaking the Southern Zone

Paddling conditions/
activity level

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Paddling Conditions and Activity Level

You will be paddling in conditions that are best described as moderate for paddlers who have had some previous experience. Conditions will vary depending on where we paddle. The first two half day paddles will be in the Terraba River.

The Terraba is Costa Rica’s longest river flowing 198 kilometers with the largest volume of water. We will paddle the middle portion of the river. You’ll be paddling in swift moving water mostly Class 1 conditions and through portions where the river narrows and picks up speed with Class 11 sluices (some brief whitewater) and then back to Class 1 conditions. It travels along a stony twisting riverbed past high bluffs and waterfalls dropping to the river. It will remind paddlers of the Snake River in Wyoming. We’ll do the Terraba in two half day paddles, the first being the steeper gradient but well within the capability of casual paddlers and the second day a bit broader segment with slower moving current. Your guide will provide instruction on negotiating the river if you haven’t had experience in paddling in such moving water. Because the riverbed is rocky we provide helmets for all Terraba river trips.

The Sierpe River is a tidal river with significant tidal flow approx. 3+ knots. We’ll try to time our trips so we benefit from a favorable tidal flow. The Sierpe winds along riverbanks with abundant bird and animal life. As it nears the Pacific, it runs through one of the largest mangroves in the world. It is home to a great variety of fish including red snapper, grouper, snook, walleye, as well as shrimp and crabs. The mangrove birds include egrets, white ibis, kingfishers, ospreys, pelicans, frigates, and several species of herons. We’ll travel downriver in a motor launch and will either paddle back or be picked up depending upon tidal flow. The Upper Sierpe is much less traveled and more jungled therefore has an even greater abundance of wildlife. White faced monkeys, spider monkeys and howlers call this area home. You’ll see scarlet macaws, green parrots, white ibis, and a variety of herons. You’ll get to see iguanas, caimans and the Jesus Christ lizard, so named because of its apparent ability to walk on water.

Paddler Ability

Paddlers should be in good health and capable of paddling three to four hours during a day, Paddlers who regularly exercise will have the best experience of our paddling trips but the pace is within the capability of most casual paddlers. We travel at a pace that allows you to closely observe wildlife and the environment. We want you to remember how beautiful and pristine the environment is and not how long or hard you had to paddle. All trips include rest stops where you can stretch your legs and move around to promote circulation.

Climate
Costa Rica is blessed with a moderate tropical climate with daytime temperatures between mid-70’s and mid 80’s. Rains are generally rare during the December through May period and usually, if it rains during this period, it is a late afternoon or evening shower. Because Costa Rica is closer to the equator, the midday sun can be intense so paddlers need sunscreen and a hat. We try to avoid mid-day paddles when the sunlight is at its strongest. Evenings are pleasant and seldom require more than a long sleeve covering.