Mangrove Boat Tour Damas Island | Manuel Antonio
4.9
Mangrove Boat Tour Damas Island | Manuel Antonio
By Costa Rica Jade Tours
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About
Pickup time for this tour depends to the high tide.
We'll give you the pickup time right after receiving your booking.
The mangrove forest is one of the most vital and astounding ecosystems in the world. Damas Island, located just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio is currently one of the most important remaining mangroves in Costa Rica. Covering thousands of acres of protected forest, this amazing biodiversity is home to a large number of birds, reptiles, mammals and insects.
Our experienced guides will take you on an unforgettable boat tour through the channels of the mangrove forest, far away from civilization. You can discover an abundance of species native to the area such as white-faced monkeys, anteaters, boas, iguanas, birds and thousands of colorful crabs.
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
Lowest price guarantee • Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!
Ages 0-99, max of 18 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
Highlights
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
- Boat with captain
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
- Costa Rica Jade Tours Mangrove Tours Dock, Contiguo al hotel pueblo real, Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, Vista Mar de Paquita, 60601, Costa RicaThe guides have the Jade Tours Uniform.
Pickup details- We can pick up at any Hotel, Vacation Rentals, Airbnbs within Quepos & Manuel Antonio Please give us the name of the place for the pickup. Thank you! : )
Airport pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.- Quepos Airport, Quepos Costa Rica
Port pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.- Marina Pez Vela, Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, 60601, Costa Rica
Additional pickup optionsDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.- Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica
- Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 70025P4- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 70025P4
From
₹6,609.74
per adult
Select date and travellers
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Pawcu0 contributionsGreat experience - a must do while in Manuel AntonioHad a really great time on the night tour. Our guide Elliot was really friendly and knowledgeable and managed to show us a lot of frogs, spiders and reptiles. We also managed to see a fly catcher sleeping in its nest. Finally managed to see a glass frog and a red eye frog as well which was great. After we had dinner and the food was really good and tasty. Overall one of the best night tours to do in Costa Rica. Highly recommended!Written 23 March 2025
- H4273IUjustinec0 contributionsGreat Night Tour in Manuel AntonioThe tour was really great. We saw a lot of different animals. Our guide Elliot is really good at spotting all the animals, especially frogs. The dinner afterwards was really good!Written 23 March 2025
- Q2549UFjustineb0 contributionsAmazing experience - a must while in Manuel AntonioHad a really good time and we saw lots of frogs, insects, spiders and also a bird sleeping in the nest. Elliot our guide was very knowledgeable, and very friendly and made the experience 100x better. The food after was also amazing and delicious. One of the best night tours we have done while in Costa Rica. Highly recommended!Written 23 March 2025
- Dolakey100 contributionsRainmaker Jungle Tour with Elliott-so fun!Elliott was a great guide! He was so enthusiastic about the animals that we found. He made sure to share all of the photos he took. The walk itself was not strenuous at all—several sets of stairs but we were going slowly so that we had time to look for animals. Dinner was simple but so delicious.Written 23 March 2025
- adamdF522QF0 contributionsRainmaker Night Walk: ElliottElliott was very helpful! Thankful for the experience!! I enjoyed him finding all the animals. The ability to find them is a talented skillWritten 23 March 2025
- A3057VWjulias0 contributionsGreat experience in the Jungle!Javier was amazing. He had great knowledge of the jungle and was able to identify all of the animals we saw, which was a ton of frogs, snakes and sleeping birds. Would book again in a heartbeat!Written 23 March 2025
- adamU2777VU0 contributionsGreat time!Fantastic trip! Javier our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Saw a ton of animals and had a lot of fun! Lots of bugs and frogs.Written 23 March 2025
- angelineb4610 contributionsDerek was an awesome tour guide!Our tour guide Derek was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about all the species and found so many species of frogs, lizards and bugs! We even saw a snake and a few sleeping/nesting birds! I would definitely recommend and he would not disappoint. Also it was nice to end with a meal that was very good.Written 23 March 2025
- M1192XGamyz0 contributionsGreat time!Had a great ATV tour with Emerson! He made the trail a lot of fun and made sure we practiced driving the ATVs before we went on the trail. Also enjoyed the meal after, thanks for a great time!Written 23 March 2025
- BriceB970 contributionsSpent about 2 1/2 hours. Well timed stops to look through the scope at insects, bats, sloths, and more. Nice beach stopAwesome tour. Our guide Guillermo was super fun and new a lot and took his time. The wildlife was super fun to view, from sleeping sloths to monkeys to spooky spiders, totally worth it! My 6 year old son really enjoyed the tour and Guillermo and the hermit crabs!Written 23 March 2025
- Traveler486776960830 contributionsManual Antonio with Anderson-must doAnderson was so kind and knowledgeable. He stopped and took pictures for us, he pointed out animals but also plants of interest. Anderson knew about the history of the park which was wonderful! Anderson is a must! He is also easy on the eyes ladies ;)Written 23 March 2025
- kaitlynk5750 contributionsYes!!!From start to finish this tour was everything we could have wanted. Derick is kind, friendly and knowledgeable, starting from the moment you enter the bus. The atvs are great as you fly up the paths and through the rivers, with enough exciting moments that can really make it feel like an adventure. The rainmaker park for the second half is perfect for washing off the dust and the monkeys we saw was the perfect ending. Oh and the food! anyways highly recommend 10/10Written 23 March 2025
- U5238QHjc0 contributionsDerek is MVPHad the best tour! Our tour guide Derek was the absolute best and made the tour so memorable and exciting. He was so knowledgeable and pointed out so much wildlife along the way. It was adventurous, informative, and fun all in one.Written 23 March 2025
- Lee_Winter0 contributionsHighlight of Our Trip – Kayaking the Mangroves with Eli!We got picked up by Kenneth and Eli, which took the stress out of having to drive anywhere. They even stopped to show us Macaws on the way! If you're even thinking about booking a mangrove kayak tour, do yourself a favor and go with Eli and Kenneth. Not only was the scenery stunning — winding through peaceful mangrove tunnels and wildlife all around — but Eli absolutely made the experience. The guy speaks better English than I do... and I only speak English. He was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and made us feel totally at ease the entire time. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does, and it shows in the way he shares the local history, ecology, and fun stories along the way. The pace was relaxed, the kayaks were comfortable, and we had plenty of time to take in the surroundings (and get some great photos). Whether you're an experienced paddler or just looking to try something new, this tour is a must-do. Eli, you're a legend. Thanks for an unforgettable adventure!Written 23 March 2025
- Brooke S0 contributionsGreat experience!!We had an amazing time doing our ATV tour!! It was our first time riding ATVs and we had a blast. The tour was so scenic and fun. Bryan our tour guide was amazing, kept taking our pictures throughout the tour and checking in on us and was very patient with us. Got to see waterfalls and swim. It was beautiful. The 8AM tour was just the two of us and it was amazing!! An experience i will never forget!Written 23 March 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.9
1,240 reviews
Excellent
1,143
Very good
66
Average
22
Poor
1
Terrible
8
Oleg K
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
I had the pleasure of experiencing the Mangrove River tour with Edgar as our guide, and it was truly an enriching adventure. Edgar's extensive knowledge of the mangrove ecosystem was evident, as he skillfully shared fascinating details about the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit the area.
Throughout the tour, Edgar's commentary was not only informative but also engaging, making the entire experience educational and enjoyable. His professionalism was noteworthy, from ensuring the group's safety to maintaining a well-paced and organized itinerary.
Edgar's friendly demeanor and willingness to interact with the group created a welcoming atmosphere. It was evident that he genuinely cared about providing a memorable experience for each participant. Additionally, his emphasis on environmental respect added an admirable touch to the tour, reinforcing the importance of preserving the delicate mangrove environment.
Overall, I highly recommend Edgar as a tour guide for the Mangrove River expedition. His passion for nature, coupled with his excellent guiding skills, made the journey a truly unforgettable one.
Throughout the tour, Edgar's commentary was not only informative but also engaging, making the entire experience educational and enjoyable. His professionalism was noteworthy, from ensuring the group's safety to maintaining a well-paced and organized itinerary.
Edgar's friendly demeanor and willingness to interact with the group created a welcoming atmosphere. It was evident that he genuinely cared about providing a memorable experience for each participant. Additionally, his emphasis on environmental respect added an admirable touch to the tour, reinforcing the importance of preserving the delicate mangrove environment.
Overall, I highly recommend Edgar as a tour guide for the Mangrove River expedition. His passion for nature, coupled with his excellent guiding skills, made the journey a truly unforgettable one.
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen S
Estero, FL545 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The pros: This was something a little different, and we loved the physical activity and getting out amongst and within the beauty of nature in Costa Rica. We could not have made all of these arrangements on our own. Pick up and to drop off at our Airbnb were perfect: no small feat since we were a bit out of the way. Dinner afterward was at a nice little restaurant and though it was just your typical Tico dinner, was fun and yummy. Kayaks were in good condition and you had the choice of single or double. Guide seemed knowledgeable and kept a running commentary. Cons:
Not many animals were visible when we visited and you had to work really hard to stay close enough to the guide to hear what he was saying. Was easy to get out of earshot. Would have been better if he had kept us together more, or if there was one guy at the front and one of the back. Not sure the solution. The kayaking was very safe and on smooth water, but more rigorous and strenuous than anticipated. My group of 5 was all under 50 & in good shape so it was perfect for us, but older or less vigorous travelers would have a harder time. Biggest con: Literature made it sound as if the time of departure was fixed. That was not true. Because they have to adjust to the time of the tide, the final departure time was quite a bit different from that advertised in the materials. We kept reaching out to the tour operator for the time and thus were able to build our day around this activity, but had we assumed the 10:00 a.m. time advertised was absolute, much of our day would have been wasted. As it was, this 10:00 a.m. tour ended up leaving at 3:00 p.m. But because we continually reached out to Jade tours for updates, we were aware of that in advance and actually went on another morning walking tour with Jade tours that same morning.
Not many animals were visible when we visited and you had to work really hard to stay close enough to the guide to hear what he was saying. Was easy to get out of earshot. Would have been better if he had kept us together more, or if there was one guy at the front and one of the back. Not sure the solution. The kayaking was very safe and on smooth water, but more rigorous and strenuous than anticipated. My group of 5 was all under 50 & in good shape so it was perfect for us, but older or less vigorous travelers would have a harder time. Biggest con: Literature made it sound as if the time of departure was fixed. That was not true. Because they have to adjust to the time of the tide, the final departure time was quite a bit different from that advertised in the materials. We kept reaching out to the tour operator for the time and thus were able to build our day around this activity, but had we assumed the 10:00 a.m. time advertised was absolute, much of our day would have been wasted. As it was, this 10:00 a.m. tour ended up leaving at 3:00 p.m. But because we continually reached out to Jade tours for updates, we were aware of that in advance and actually went on another morning walking tour with Jade tours that same morning.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dnord2018
Neepawa, Canada2 contributions
Feb 2025 • Friends
Our guide, Joseth was terrific. He took great pleasure in finding animals during the ride and relating relevant information. The boat driver, Alan was incredibly gifted at driving the boat and spotting wildlife at the same time. He ensured that everyone in the boat was able to have time taking pictures of the wildlife after he spotted it.
The driver to the mangrove swamp was also courteous and punctual. This seems to be a well run, reliable company.
The driver to the mangrove swamp was also courteous and punctual. This seems to be a well run, reliable company.
Written 12 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nithyaraj85
New York City, NY1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Family
I had a very disappointing experience with this tour operator. They provided inaccurate details about the start time and pickup location, which caused significant confusion. When I tried to cancel due to these misleading details, they refused and were completely unhelpful. It’s clear they are taking advantage of tourists, and their dishonesty feels like a scam. I strongly recommend avoiding this company if you're looking for a reliable and transparent service. Save yourself the hassle and book elsewhere.
Written 15 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear client,
Your situation happened because you didn't read the booking information. Your hotel was located in Guanacaste which is approximately 6 hours away. Our transportation service is included in the Quepos and Manuel Antonio areas. There was no possibility of giving such a service for the price of the tour itself. We explained to you that we can't cancel the reservations as the platform penalizes us if we do. We instead, encouraged you to ask Viator for a refund of the reserved service.
Kind regards!!
Written 17 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason
Los Angeles, CA17 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Our family had such a wonderful time on the Mangrove boat tour lead by excellent tour guide, Stephanie… She was so accommodating and helpful to our group with special needs of all ages. Stephanie guide us with Captain Augusto driving the boat, her knowledge and communication was stellar in this adventurous river exploration of the natural wildlife in their habitat… Discovering rare animals and plants. We are truly grateful for Stephanie and the Jade tour company for providing us with such a fantastic experience - Thank you so much!
Nuestra familia se lo pasó de maravilla en el recorrido en barco Mangrove guiado por la excelente guía turística, Stephanie... Ella fue muy complaciente y servicial con nuestro grupo con necesidades especiales de todas las edades. Stephanie nos guía con el Capitán Augusto conduciendo el barco, su conocimiento y comunicación fueron estelares en esta exploración fluvial aventurera de la vida silvestre natural en su hábitat... Descubriendo animales y plantas raras. Estamos realmente agradecidos con Stephanie y la compañía de turismo Jade por brindarnos una experiencia tan fantástica. ¡Muchas gracias!
Nuestra familia se lo pasó de maravilla en el recorrido en barco Mangrove guiado por la excelente guía turística, Stephanie... Ella fue muy complaciente y servicial con nuestro grupo con necesidades especiales de todas las edades. Stephanie nos guía con el Capitán Augusto conduciendo el barco, su conocimiento y comunicación fueron estelares en esta exploración fluvial aventurera de la vida silvestre natural en su hábitat... Descubriendo animales y plantas raras. Estamos realmente agradecidos con Stephanie y la compañía de turismo Jade por brindarnos una experiencia tan fantástica. ¡Muchas gracias!
Written 2 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmandaH37781
Frisco, TX2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We were very disappointed in the tour. Our guides spoke little English so it was hard to hear or understand anything they said. They kept us out in a lightning and heavy rain storm instead of heading back in when we saw the storm approaching. They stopped to eat a snack while we all waited in our kayaks with metal paddles in a heavy rains and lightning storm. We were to be served lunch as part of our tour. We did not get food until 4:30 which is well past lunch time. The food was not good.
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean F
2 contributions
Mar 2025 • Friends
Kenneth did a fantastic job of pointing out and talking about the different species we saw on the mangrove tour. There were ample opportunities for great pictures. The lunch after the tour was great as well. Would highly recommend.
Written 10 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aske G
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
Royvin was an amazing guide. He quickly switched between Spanish and English making sure to include the all his guests in the tour. His knowledge of the wildlife and his ability explain this was fascinating. It’s clear Roy is very experienced and able to communicate everything he knows about the wildlife and mangrove.
My biggest recommendations for booking Roy!
My biggest recommendations for booking Roy!
Written 19 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James J
9 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Took a mangrove tour with the family, looked after by our guide Byron. He was fantastic at explaining the environment, pointing out the various animals - snakes, crabs, crab eating racoons, JC lizards, white faced monkeys. We had a great time, topped of by a meal at a local restaurant
Written 9 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explorer40459719675
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Couples
Excellent tour. Kenneth was friendly and knowledgeable about all the wildlife we saw. He and the boat captain, Allan found animals that were not easy to see and took their time to make sure everyone on the boat got a chance to see and take pictures.
Written 3 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 children, ages 8 and 10. With lunch included, it might be too long for the children. Could we arrange a private tour of 2 hrs and skip lunch. What would that cost. We can go Thursday or Friday. Thanks!
Written 22 February 2023
The lunch is quick for the most part….at a local Costa Rican restaurant that is small, but the tour operator will take your orders near the end of the boat tour (choices are chicken, beef, or fish with rice/beans, a small salad, and a pineapple drink with ice…the lunch was really good, and we ended up going back there a couple of days later for lunch again!). The food will be brought out pretty quickly once you get there since it was called in by the boat tour operator so they have it almost ready…I think at your kids’ ages, they would do fine since the boat tour is fun looking for all the monkeys, sloths, birds, lizards and since the boat is covered at the top, it wasn’t too hot at all with light breezes along the way. Ask if they can sit at the front of the boat, and I bet they will love that! Have fun!!
Written 24 February 2023
Erick M
San Jose, Costa Rica
cuales son los horarios del tour a los manglares el día 11 de agosto, o en su defecto el 13 de agosto
Written 17 June 2021
Hola me gustaría saber los horarios de salidas
Written 9 September 2019
Hello I was wondering around what time the boat tour usually is? We are staying about an hour away from this location and would like to plan.
Also is this boat ride appropriate for young children ages 3 and 6?
Thank you!
Written 20 June 2019
It depends on the high tide. We left at 8am. It's a good tour for kids too!
Written 21 June 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.