
Kayak to the Heart of the National Park
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 88 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kayak to the Heart of the National Park worth booking?
Kayak to the Heart of the National Park is a 3-hour experience in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, from $65 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 88 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (88)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $65 per person
Las Baulas National Park, created in 1990, is approximately 445 hectares & located on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, near the town of Tamarindo. The Tamarindo estuary is the biggest mangrove estuary in Latin America and the
What you get
- Single or double kayak with comfortable seat pads, back rests and life jackets
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Protective dry bag to keep your valuables safe from water damage
About this experience
Las Baulas National Park, created in 1990, is approximately 445 hectares & located on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, near the town of Tamarindo. The Tamarindo estuary is the biggest mangrove estuary in Latin America and the only way to get to it’s heart is by water. This makes it a quiet and private place in comparison to many of Costa Rica’s other National Parks that are easily accessible by car. Come and enjoy the nature it has to share!
What's included
Included
- Single or double kayak with comfortable seat pads, back rests and life jackets
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Protective dry bag to keep your valuables safe from water damage
Not included
- Mosquito spray
- Suitable walking / tennis shoes
What you'll see and do
Las Baulas National Marine Park
We’ll meet at Pangas Beach Club in Tamarindo where there is parking, bathroom & shower facilities. Before setting out on a 35-minute kayak through lush mangroves I will brief you on the correct safety and paddling techniques. On reaching the heart of the Park we’ll leave the kayaks ashore to hike numerous trails, observing as much wildlife as possible; howler monkeys, exotic birds, parrots, herons, cranes, iguanas, squirrels and others. You will see exotic plants, like dragonfruit cactus, wild hibiscus, mushrooms and big trees such as the garden of the forest and the national guanacaste tree. We will visit and climb to the top of an archaeological site, built by the ancient indigenous people using rocks brought from nearby. Here we can see a stunning bird view of the tree canopy. This is a great place to observe the wildlife from above before returning to the kayaks for a refreshing drink and paddling back to Tamarindo. During our adventure I will guide you, explaining the animal behaviours and plant life we see. Due to daily tidal changes it is important we schedule the tour 60 – 90 mins before high tide.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tamarindo
We'll meet at the front of Pangas Beach Club
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We'll meet at the front of Pangas Beach Club
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sol Eco Adventures
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 31
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kayak to the Heart of the National Park: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tamarindo.
How much does Kayak to the Heart of the National Park cost?
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Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tamarindo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Kayak to the Heart of the National Park take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tamarindo is not rushed.
Is Kayak to the Heart of the National Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 88 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tamarindo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Kayak to the Heart of the National Park?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Kayak to the Heart of the National Park suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 3-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Kayak to the Heart of the National Park?
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Around 31 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tamarindo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tamarindo and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kayak to the Heart of the National Park start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tamarindo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tamarindo?
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On Outty we rank every Tamarindo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sunset Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour in Playa Flamingo, ATV or Buggy Guided Tour from Tamarindo, Conchal or RIU Hotels, Sunday Funday Tamarindo Party Bus - Beach and Pool Crawl. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tamarindo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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