Kayaking in Costa Rica: sea, mangrove and river trips for every level
Guide
Costa Rica has calm mangrove channels, sheltered gulfs, lakes and whitewater rivers, so there's kayaking for nearly every level. Beginners do best on…
Sailing and water sports guides
Plain-English guides to sailing, fishing and water sports in Costa Rica: where boats really board, when to go and what to ask first.
Sailboat types explained: a beginner's guide before you sail in Costa Rica
Guide
Most sailboats you'll step aboard in Costa Rica are either catamarans (two hulls, stable and roomy) or monohull sloops (one hull, one mast, more of a…
Scuba diving in Costa Rica: where to dive, when, and how to get certified
Guide
Costa Rica is a big-animal dive destination rather than a calm coral one: think rays, sharks, turtles and schooling fish around Pacific islands and…
Snorkeling in Costa Rica: where to go, when, and how to do it well
Guide
Costa Rica's best snorkeling is around offshore islands and protected reefs: Caño Island off the Osa Peninsula, Cahuita's coral reef on the…
Sportfishing in Costa Rica: seasons, species, licenses and billfish rules
Guide
Costa Rica is best known for Pacific sailfish and marlin, with roosterfish, snapper, tuna and mahi-mahi closer in, and tarpon and snook on the…
Surfing in Costa Rica: a beginner-friendly guide to breaks, seasons and safety
Guide
Costa Rica has surf all year: the Pacific gets its biggest, most consistent south swells from about May to November, and the Caribbean comes alive…
Sailing in Costa Rica: where to go, when to sail and what to expect
Guide
Costa Rica's sailing happens almost entirely on the Pacific coast, from the Gulf of Papagayo and Flamingo in Guanacaste down to the Gulf of Nicoya…
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in Costa Rica: calm bays, rivers and how to start
Guide
Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the easiest water sports to pick up in Costa Rica, as long as you choose sheltered water and go early before the…
Start with the kind of trip
You don't need to know anything about sailboats to enjoy Costa Rica's ocean, but you do need to know enough to pick a trip that fits. Where does it leave from? How far is that from your hotel? Will it sail or mostly motor? Is it a party boat or a quiet private trip? Can a non-swimmer enjoy it? Our guides answer those questions.
- Sailing and catamarans: how a monohull differs from a catamaran, what wind does to the ride, and private versus shared trips. Start with Sailing in Costa Rica and Sailboats explained, then see the sailing tours.
- Marinas and charters: where the boats really board, for owners and tour guests alike. See marinas and yacht charters.
- On and under the water: snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding and sportfishing.
Choose the coast
Guanacaste's dry-season winds and rocky bays shape its sailing. Around Quepos, the rainforest coast of Manuel Antonio is the show. Golfo Dulce feels quieter and more remote, and on the Caribbean, rivers and canals matter more than big catamarans. Browse Guanacaste, the Central Pacific, the Southern Pacific or the Caribbean.
How we work
We keep a business profile up only while there's current evidence it's operating, we name the real boarding point instead of the nearest big town, and we link to official booking pages instead of printing prices. Read more in how we check listings.