Gustavo and Mary gave us an amazing kayak experience and home cooked meal! Gustavo was a knowledgable guide and we learned a lot about the mangroves and animals.

We joined the night kayaking tour through the mangroves and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Paddling through the mangrove channels after dark gave us a completely different perspective on the ecosystem, quiet, atmospheric and full of small discoveries at every turn.

Our guide was exceptional. He explained the mangrove ecosystem, the local wildlife and the surrounding nature in great detail and with genuine enthusiasm, making the tour both exciting and educational. We learned a great deal and never felt rushed, every question was answered thoroughly.

The tour itself was well organised and great fun throughout. To finish the evening, we had an excellent meal, a fitting end to a memorable experience.

We can recommend this tour without reservation to anyone interested in nature, wildlife or a memorable outdoor activity.

We had an amazing mangrove kayak tour and would highly recommend it! Elias was a fantastic guide – knowledgeable, friendly, and great at pointing out all the wildlife along the way. Finishing the tour with a delicious breakfast was a great ending. If you’re looking for a memorable adventure in Costa Rica, this tour is definitely worth it!

This was an excellent tour. Our guide was very knowledgable and friendly and he catered the tour to what we were interested in. We spent most of the tour trying to track down a specific bird i was interested in seeing. We didnt find it, but we saw several other really cool birds that I hadnt seen anywhere else. Additionally, the mangrove swamps themselves have a certain magic and peace to them that is well worth the trip. We wanted to come back the next day to do the tour again!

Elias was a smart Guide, he explained the Attractions in nature relaxed and competent and made us feel welcome. Thanks a lot.

We had a great time on the kayak tour! We saw a lot of great wildlife and our guide, Ellis, was really knowledgeable!

Also, the lunch that was provided was one of our favorite meals in Costa Rica! Pura Vida!

This was a wonderful tour. My friend and I had a lot of fun, and the meal prepared after was delicious. William was an excellent source of information as we kayaked. I highly recommend this tour.

This kayak tour through the mangroves was certainly one of a kind. William was an amazing tour guide and is so knowledgeable about the mangroves and the whole ecosystem. We learned so much about the different trees and wildlife that keep these mangroves thriving. It was a peaceful tour on the quiet waters of the mangroves and we were able to see lizards, birds, and crabs. After the tour, we ate a homemade lunch that was absolutely delicious. Could not recommend this tour enough!

We had a wonderful tour with William kayaking through the mangrove. He is very knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the ecosystem. It was a beautiful experience, topped with a DELICIOUS gallo pinto meal, with some of the best fish we had all trip. Highly recommend.

Gustavo did a wonderful job of leading us thru the Mangroves, pointing out the wildlife as we kayaked our ways thru the waters – he made sure we avoided boats and other kayakers that were also traveling thru the waterways. Tour was just about the right length of time , and the meal afterwards was wonderful and delicious! Only suggestion I have is to clean the PFD’s, we noticed they needed a cleaning when we put them on.

Gustavo, our guide, was amazing. We kayaked through the mangroves, talking as we paddled and learned so much about the mangrove environment and its impact on the surrounding area. We saw birds, monkeys, crabs, iguana and so much more. Gustavo was so knowledgable and enthusiastic about the ecosystem. He is also an exceptional individual and a joy to spend time with. We ate a delicious breakfast on our return and learned a lot about life in Costa Rica. The business is based at the family home in a beautiful and quiet setting.

If you are interested in booking a kayak tour, do this one!

Let me tell you – this was an experience of a lifetime. William blew me away with his passion & knowledge (he’s a marine biologist and owner of the tour). Did you know the tour takes place on his 3rd generation family land? Did you know that his wife and son (Gus) will share a personal meal with both his family & tour guests? This not a group tour – it’s an experience amongst new friends !

Had an amazing time with William and his wife Irene. They went out of their way to shuttle us from our accommodation in the hills to their fatherland in the Mangroves. We learned so much from them about the History of the area, and the multiple bird species and other wildlife we encountered. The tour far exceeded our expectations! 😀

We did a kayaking tour with William and his son and it was amazing. Completely peaceful and serene and we were able to learn a lot about the land. We also got to see a monkey, crabs, and beautiful birds.

At the end of the tour, you get to eat an authentic homemade lunch. You cannot get any better than that! It was a great experience. Support your smaller companies. It is worth it!

Educational and inspiring experience William and his wife were very nice and generously shared her knowledge and experiences with us. Lunch was included and it was very nice.

A total blast, teh whole family took great care of us from the beginning to the end. Picked us up at the hotel and drove us all to their house where son and mother met up. We where guided by the son through the mangrows, it was his backyard from childhood so ha had muche to tell and show. As we came back to the house we had a wonderful typical Costa Rica dinner.

My daughter and i paddled single kayaks with Gustavo thru the mangroves. It is a Totally different world. Quiet and serene. No uphill like in all the other physical activities we’ve done! Easiely managed by newbies. Lots of fascinating information given by Gustavo who is clearly at ease in this environment. Be prepared for muddy feet when choosing footwear. If you are concerned about your phone/camera getting wet- bring it in a waterproof bag. Then sit back and enjoy the paddling.

We had a lovely tour, the kayak tour was peaceful and very informative. William shared a lot of knowledge during the tour. The homemade breakfast after the tour was delicious and authentic Costa Rican.

Great adventure. Lots of wildlife. Nice lunch. Friendly guide

This is an amazing tour that you will never forget. Gustavo was our guide and he was extremely knowledgeable and personable. The tour felt like a friend showing us the mangrove forest. We learned about plants and animals special to the area, and we were greeted by a troop of monkeys at the start of the tour! We also saw iguanas and many different birds. After the kayaking, Gustavo’s mother cooked a delicious meal for us – 10/10.

After the businesses of Manuel Antonio National Park it was wonderful to escape into the quiet beauty of the Mangrove swamp in the company of William and his family.

This boat tour was great! I learned so much about mangroves and our guide was amazing! We even saw a silky anteater and many white face capuchin monkeys!

We learned many cool facts about the mangroves. The water guide was very peaceful, and the scenery was beautiful. The tour guides were great!

We learned so much about mangroves! The tour was great and we loved our guide

We had an amazing tour and even saw a silky anteater! Our guide was amazing and we learned lots!

I absolutely loved our mangrove tour! We saw a plethora of species – specifically birds and mangrove species. The highlight might have been the silky anteater that slept in a tree right near the water. It was gorgeous! Our guide was incredibly biologically literate and I was very impressed by her knowledge of ecology. She was a true naturalist!

This experience offers a journey through winding channels that unveil the very essence of the mangrove ecosystem, allowing you to witness its vibrant life firsthand.

One of the most captivating aspects of this tour is the opportunity to encounter the charismatic inhabitants of the mangrove, including titi monkeys, white-faced capuchins, a plethora of bird species, and if luck is on your side, perhaps even the elusive mangrove seraphim. The diversity of wildlife here is truly astounding, offering a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of this unique habitat.

What truly sets this tour apart is the expertise and passion of the guide. It’s evident that they are deeply dedicated to their craft and hold a genuine love for the mangrove and its conservation.

What a wonderful tour! It was a great to see such a nice family business. It was a beautiful spot and we got to see really cool flora and fauna. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. His father provided transportation that was clear and on-time, and his mother made us all delicious meal. Great experience.

William and his family were great hosts. He was really passionate and knowledgeable and our tour round the mangroves was beautiful.

This was our favorite tour in Costa Rica. The owner and guide is marine geologist with a great understanding of the mangrove tidal channel. Be ready with questions. You will learn while you paddle past monkeys and mangrove trees.

This was one of my favorite activities. Our guide William taught us a lot about the flora and fauna of the mangroves. Kayaking through this magical world was relaxing and allowed us to recharge our batteries in the heart of nature. We were able to see a family of white-faced monkeys up close, which made the experience even more memorable. After the activity, William’s family treated us to a delicious meal. This tour is definitely a must! I highly recommend it.

We went on a kayak tour today with Gustavo and it was awesome. He is a really cool guy, very knowledgeable guide and a fun friendly person. We started the tour by seeing a troop of capuchin monkeys very close, feet away from us. Then iguanas, birds, and learned about the mangrove trees. The journey was easy and fun. Afterwards, lunch was provided and we are both vegan so requested vegetarian and no cheese. The meal was delicious and came with a really good ginger lemonade. I would recommend this tour to everyone if you get the chance!

Excellent tour of Damas and mangroves. Gustavo was an excellent guide – knowledgeable, great wildlife spotter and fun. A delicious lunch was an added bonus. Highly recommended

My family and I, 5 of us, did this kayaking tour with William and his sons leading the way! The tour was awesome! I felt serene yet also alert as we paddled and learned important information about the ecology of the mangroves, and the animals, birds, insects and reptiles that live within. William is very smart, a great educator, very caring and funny, and very at home in his mangrove forests. We are better off as humans now that we have gone on this adventure with William!

You should go!!

We thoroughly enjoyed this relaxing and educational tour. It felt intimate as the tour is a family run business that feels like it has an authentic commitment to respecting the environment and creating a sustainable future.

Take this tour, you’ll learn a lot, spend time with caring and kind Ticos and leave your tourist colones with locals rather than some distant corporation. You’ll be served a home cooked casado, the best Costa Rica lunch ever!

William was very passionate and knowledgeable about the mangrove ecosystem and its history. Having grown up on the property and now sharing his business with his sons, William made sure the kayaking tour was informative and fun — rain or shine. The delicious home cooked meal at the end was an added bonus! One of the best meals I’ve had here in MA.

Great tour and well organized. William is very knowledgeable, informative, and engaging. Unfortunately, we only saw iguanas and crabs – but the knowledge shared by William and the home cooked meal after the tour made it well worth it!

This tour was lovely! It felt truly relaxing. We kayaked through the mangroves and got to see capuchin monkeys very up close. One put their paw on my kayak. We saw many birds. And our tour guide was knowledgeable and kind. They also provided a home-cooked dinner after the tour. It was a delicious casado.

We very much enjoyed the tranquil paddle around the mangroves looking at wildlife. The whole team were friendly and helpful, from pickup to breakfast after the tour. However what really stood out was Gustavo’s can do attitude when my partner lost his mobile phone when he foolishly capsized his kayak. He assured us he would find the phone later in the day when the tide was out and return it to us. We got a call in the afternoon to say that he had found the phone and he very kindly brought it to our hotel. I highly recommend the tour with this company.

This is a very special tour of a unique and fascinating ecosystem, with guides who really care for and love the mangroves, and offer an unforgettable experience. The paddle is relaxing and fun, with a delicious meal at the end. On this trip, we were lucky to see many monkeys, a mangrove hawk, a sleeping boa constrictor, a baby caiman, iguanas and more. You will love this tour!

Awesome activity for anyone staying in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area. Our guide William was great and very passionate about the mangroves and rivers. The kayaking portion is easy and relaxing. We saw monkeys, raccoons, and hawks in the mangroves. The breakfast at his place after was great too! Definitely would recommend and do again.

We had a great time with William (tour guide and owner). He did a wonderful job explaining all about the ecosystems and how they are connected, enthusiastic about all nature, great food, and most importantly got to see a family of monkeys among other wildlife. Would highly recommend.

I really loved the kayak tour with William. His love for nature really showed, which made it a wonderful experience. The Kayaking itself was not hard, kind of relaxing. The lunch we had was delicious. An experience you need to make!

Our family had a great experience. Don’t miss this tour.

The customer service of this organization is incredible and the tour itself was wonderful! William was very informative and took us on a beautiful tour!

This was one of the most memorable tours we have been on. It’s a family run experience that cannot be beat. They take you out on the river that runs from their home through the mangrove forests for a beautiful trip with lots of fun stories along the way and then finish with a delicious homecooked meal. They are all so very friendly.

We loved this tour! This was the first tour of our trip here in Costa Rica and we learned so much from our guide, William. He is very kind and has a great sense of humor too. We felt very welcomed. After the tour his family had prepared a home cooked meal, which was very sweet and also delicious. I think this tour will be a permanent memory for me that I will cherish forever! Thank you!!

We did many guided tours while visiting Costa Rica, and while they were all good, this tour stood out from the rest in the best of ways.

1) It is a family-owned and operated business. William and his son are kayak tour guides, his niece guides the boat tour, and his wife cooks you a meal to follow after the kayaking. These characteristics give a much more personal feel to the tour overall. Everyone there was friendly and hospitable… and the food was delicious!

2) William is very knowledgeable (he has a degree in biology!) and it is easy to see this is a passion for him. By giving the tour, he spreads awareness of the importance of the mangrove to wildlife, and the environment as a whole. It was the most informative tour we took! And William was very inspirational.

3) You will see wildlife if you listen to your guide. Even if you’re an experienced kayaker, you need to stay close enough to your guide/group in order to hear instructions and spot the wildlife. We were able to see birds, iguanas, crabs, monkeys, and bats!

4) You do not need to be an experienced kayaker for the tour. It is slow-paced and relaxing. Our group even had first-time children paddling their own kayaks without issue.

I would recommend this tour to anyone who is visiting the MA/Quepos area.

William and his family do a wonderful job hosting this relaxed but very informative tour that begins and ends from their home on the mangrove, just north of Quepos. After 90+ minutes of kayaking the mangrove with William, we had a delicious breakfast of gallo pinto prepared by his wife Mary. All in all, this is an outstanding, unique tour!

This tour was incredible. It’s a family owned business. The whole family are kind, funny and incredibly knowledgeable of nature and Costa Rica’s history and politics. We had a great day and saw so many animals and birds from tiger and blue herons, to monkeys, hawks, and Iguanas. The food was delicious too.

We had an unexpected and amazing experience with the kayak tour. William and his wife were wonderful hosts. We were treated as guests to their home and served a delicious home made Tico lunch after the mangrove tour. Followed by coffee and home baked cookies. William made the tour an educational activity with all his knowledge about Costa Rica mangroves and more. He answered all our question about Costa Rica culture and environment. I highly recommend this activity with William’s Mangrove Tours.

Gustavo was an excellent guide during our tour in the mangrove. He knows a lot about the place and the ecosystem there. It was a great adventure and we learn a lot with him. It was a very peacefull and enjoyable afternoon.

His father William was also very friendly and his mom made us a very delicious home made meal.

We really recommend this tour while in Manuel Antonio or around.

William was an excellent guide and provided a wealth of knowledge about the mangrove forests and Costa Rica in general. His wife was very sweet and we enjoyed her wonderful meal. We would highly recommend this tour as it was both fun and informational!

Just look at the other reviews and you can get the general idea; this is a unique tour that you don’t want to miss. It’s a peaceful tour, where you can take your time kayaking down through the mangrove. William is a knowledgeable guide, friendly, and all around great guy. On our trip we saw monkeys up close, closer than previous tours we had taken through the national park. The Damas Island Kayak tour starts and ends at William’s house; it’s a beautifully personal experience that William is sharing, and I’d reccomend anyone to take this tour.

In a one or two seat kayak we started the tour with William in the mangroves of Islas Damas.

It was our last tour in Costa Rica and we really enjoyed it. It was a relaxing, calm, peaceful and very informative tour.

William is a biologist but also a history expert, so we learned a lot about the mangroves and about Costa Rica.

The tour ended with a meal for everybody cooked by Mary, William’s wife. The “casado” which is a typical Costa Rican meal was delicious.

William was a fantastic guide. Maria, his wife made a delicious gallo pinto for us to enjoy after exploring the mangrove. We saw a green parrot snake fall from a tree and swim from the water to the land and a huge family of capuchin monkeys swinging through the trees. This was one of the coolest experiences ever, don’t miss out!

We enjoyed our kayak tour of the mangrove forest. Our guide was knowledgeable and a good conversationalist. The meal we were served as part of the trip was one of the best we had on our entire trip. Highly recommend this experience.

We are so glad we did this tour! It was a great experience to learn from a local person about mangrove ecology and the history of conservation in Costa Rica. William was very interesting to talk to and his wife cooked us an absolutely incredible meal after the tour. The only thing we would change is we would have gone out for twice as long. The kayaking was very mellow and relaxed, do not think that you have to be athletic or an experienced kayaker, it was very chill and a great way to slowly look at the mangroves and wildlife. We saw a couple monkeys, birds, and bats, but we learned so much about mangrove ecology from William as well. Highly recommend.

5 stars to William and his family for a wonderful 3+ hours in the mangroves whether you kayak (highly recommend) or boat! William is a born tour guide and so knowledgeable about the biodiversity of the mangroves and surrounding land which his family has lived on for generations. He has such passion to share this experience with you and show you all the wildlife and nature as you glide along the water, so peaceful and calm. I learned so much! A huge bonus is finishing the tour back at his house where his wife had prepared an authentic Costa Rican lunch for us! The entire experience was amazing, I may do it again!

I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Manuel Antonio. Will was a great guide who had interesting first hand experience to share about the unique mangroves environment. Wills family also provided a delicious authentic Costa Rican breakfast including organic rice grown by his neighbor. The water was very calm and the kayaking is suitable for beginners. We saw a lot of monkeys, birds, and crabs along the way.

The tour was great! We had a wonderful time seeing the wildlife and kayaking through the peaceful Mangrove ecosystem.

Such a fun experience! Costa Rica has such a diverse landscape and these mangroves did not disappoint! William was very knowledgeable not only about the wildlife and environmental science, but also taught us a lot of the history around the country’s move to a more environmentally friendly economy. The kayaking is not challenging and is accessible for people of all skill levels.

William shares a lot of very important and interesting informations about the ecosystems and the urge to protect it, him and his son are very patient when it comes to teach how to kayak for beginners and William’s wife prepared us a delicious Casado ! The tour was sublime !

The Tour was awesome. The Guide was very freindly and had a lot of knowlege. We did see apes, lizards and a lot of diferent mangroves.

At the end of the Tour we had an delicius hommade brakfast.

I can just recomend the Tour!

The tour with William was excellent. Pick-up was convenient, Covid-safety procedere was good. William told a lot Informations about the animals, the Nature and history of Costa Rica. Kayaking was really fun and we saw a lot of animals. The lunch at his house was delicious! Thanks a lot

William and his family were a delight to spend the morning with – the tour was beautiful and informative and William was genuinely kind; he could not have been a better guide.

It was an awesome tour. It is an icrdibe tour to take, it will show the other side of Manuel Antonio.

This is not your everyday tour, the wildlife and vegetation is something different, and you will not regret taking part of this tour.

William is by far one of the greatest guides I’ve ever had, he will give you the greatest explanation and you can recognize his love for his job.

I recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a great time.

Looking forward to do this again.

An incredible experience. William and his wife are amazing people. Very knowledgeable in mangrove wildlife. This is not a zoo though, so seeing wildlife will be difficult, as in their natural state animals will always avoid humans. But no the less this is definitively a wonderful experience for this who wants to sail the mangroves canals in peace and commune with nature. In the end, all the chatter and discussions with them are what make the experience wonderful. Also, William’s wife makes an amazing Costa Rican breakfast! 5 stars service!