What is the Safari Float by Kayak on Rio Penas Blancas?

The Safari Float by Kayak on Rio Penas Blancas is a leisurely half-day river tour focused on wildlife observation from a kayak, culminating in a visit to a family-run ranch for traditional snacks.

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the kayak tour?

As you float down the river, your guide will help you spot sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, various waterfowl, crocodiles, iguanas, and turtles, among other tropical creatures.

What is included in the Safari Float by Kayak tour?

The tour includes round-trip transportation from your Arenal Volcano area hotel, all necessary kayaking equipment, a professional bilingual guide, and traditional snacks at the ranch.

What is the supplier's policy regarding water bottles on this tour?

The supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy; therefore, no single-use water bottles are provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles to refill at a refrigerated water dispenser.

Safari Float by Kayak on Rio Penas Blancas

Arenal ・ Arenal Zone 2 ・ Arenal Zone 3 ・ Nuevo Arenal ・ Chachagua Rainforest Hotel

From

$89

Per Person

Overall

94%

75 Guest

Ratings

Good to Know

Embark on a gentle Class 1 river journey with the Safari Float by Kayak on Rio Penas Blancas, a premier wildlife observation tour. Paddle along the banks with an expert guide, spotting diverse tropical wildlife from sloths to crocodiles. The leisurely half-day adventure concludes with a delightful snack at a traditional family-run ranch, offering tortillas, coffee, and chocolate. This tour includes transportation, equipment, and snacks, promising an immersive nature experience.

The Safari Float by Kayak on the Rio Penas Blancas is a great way to observe wildlife while enjoying a fun outdoor adventure. Imagine kayaking down a river surrounded by jungle and tropical wildlife!

The day starts when you are picked up from your Arenal Volcano area hotel. After all participants have been picked up you will be brought to the Penas Blanca River, about 20 minutes from La Fortuna. Your guide will give you paddling plus safety instructions and help you into your kayak which may be the kind where you sit on top, or inflatable.

While the river gently pushes you downstream, you will use your paddle to steer along the banks viewing the wildlife that is visible on the day of your visit. As you drift down the river your guide will attempt to spot sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, waterfowl, crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, and much more. The river and its banks provide a perfect habitat for numerous critters and tropical wildlife. At the end, you'll take out at a traditonal family-operated Costa Rican ranch to taste tortillas, coffee and chocolate.

Transportation will be provided back to your hotel following the tour. In total, including round trip transfers, the tour is expected to last 4.5 to 5.5 hours, though timing is always subject to change. This laid back river tour includes transportation, equipment, bilingual guide, and snacks.

Highlights

Kayak on a jungle river
Observe tropical wildlife in a natural habitat

This supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy, so no water bottles will be offered, only a refrigerated water dispenser for visitors to refill their own reusable bottles.

What to Bring

Camera, wet/dry bag, change of clothes, sunblock, insect repellent, binoculars, river shoes or enclosed sandals, rain gear, reusable water bottle.

Includes

Transportation, equipment, guide, and snacks. This supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy, so no water bottles will be offered, only a refrigerated water dispenser for visitors to refill their own reusable bottles.

Location and Availability

Available in: Arenal, Arenal Zone 2, Arenal Zone 3, Nuevo Arenal, Chachagua Rainforest Hotel

Tour Times

08:00, 14:00

Tour Type

Adventure
Nature
Learning/Family

Location

Lattitude: N 10° 30' 28.74" (10.507982)
Longitude: W 84° 30' 33.56" (-84.509323)

Recent Reviews

Overall

94%

Expectations

94%

Experience

94%

Guides

94%

Logistics

95%

Value

94%

11/22/2025

This was an okay tour. The staff were friendly and quite knowledgeable. The kayak was small for a big person such as myself so wasn't very comfortable. I would have preferred single kayaks or at least a choice in sizing.

8/25/2024

Our guide Lidier was terrific. We saw all kinds of wildlife on the river.

6/27/2023

Our guides were very knowledgable and helpful. They def need to not have people trying to paddle against current, especially for the more inexperienced kayakers. Parts of the kayaking were very frustrating. We loved the chocolate experience afterwards!

Call us if you want to see more reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Safari Float by Kayak on Rio Penas Blancas?: The Safari Float by Kayak on Rio Penas Blancas is a leisurely half-day river tour focused on wildlife observation from a kayak, culminating in a visit to a family-run ranch for traditional snacks.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the kayak tour?: As you float down the river, your guide will help you spot sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, various waterfowl, crocodiles, iguanas, and turtles, among other tropical creatures.
What is included in the Safari Float by Kayak tour?: The tour includes round-trip transportation from your Arenal Volcano area hotel, all necessary kayaking equipment, a professional bilingual guide, and traditional snacks at the ranch.
What is the supplier's policy regarding water bottles on this tour?: The supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy; therefore, no single-use water bottles are provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles to refill at a refrigerated water dispenser.