Skip to main content
Adventure Collective Logo
Adventure ExperiencesLocal ExpertsLocationsAbout
Menu

The Adventure Collective

The Adventure Collective Discover, plan, and share your outdoor adventures with our global community of explorers.

Add as a preferred

source on Google

Explore Adventures

  • All Adventures
  • Boat Charters
  • Water Activities
  • Fishing
  • Land Adventures
  • Motorized Land
  • Winter Sports

Explore Adventures

  • Aerial Adventures
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • Camping & Overnight
  • Climbing & Mountaineering

Find Local Experts

  • Browse Local Experts
  • Become a Featured Expert

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising
  • Add Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • The Adventure Network

Legal & Privacy

  • Privacy Policy
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • Legal Notice
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • Sitemap

Adventure Town Guides

View All Adventure Towns

© 2026 The Adventure Collective. All rights reserved.

Editorial Policy
Skip to main content
Adventure Collective Logo
Adventure ExperiencesLocal ExpertsLocationsAbout
Menu

The Adventure Collective

The Adventure Collective Discover, plan, and share your outdoor adventures with our global community of explorers.

Add as a preferred

source on Google

Explore Adventures

  • All Adventures
  • Boat Charters
  • Water Activities
  • Fishing
  • Land Adventures
  • Motorized Land
  • Winter Sports

Explore Adventures

  • Aerial Adventures
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • Camping & Overnight
  • Climbing & Mountaineering

Find Local Experts

  • Browse Local Experts
  • Become a Featured Expert

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising
  • Add Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • The Adventure Network

Legal & Privacy

  • Privacy Policy
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • Legal Notice
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • Sitemap

Adventure Town Guides

View All Adventure Towns

© 2026 The Adventure Collective. All rights reserved.

Editorial Policy
Discover Wild Sloths and Jungle Kayaking in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Discover Wild Sloths and Jungle Kayaking in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Sloth tour - kayaking and walking through the jungle - Starting at $60 per person - ages 4+

  1. Home
  2. Local Experts
  3. Caribe Sur
  4. Discover Wild Sloths and Jungle Kayaking in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Adventure Brief

Explore Punta Uva’s lush jungle and calm Caribbean waters on a guided Sloth & Kayak Tour in Puerto Viejo. Spot wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoy a peaceful paddle with expert local guides.

2–3 hours
moderate
Family Friendly
No Experience Required

Keep the Adventure Going

More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders

Set along the sparkling Caribbean coast in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, the Sloth & Kayak Tour invites adventurers into the vivid heart of Punta Uva beach and its surrounding jungle. This 2.5-hour eco-adventure blends gentle kayaking with guided jungle walks to deliver an intimate encounter with some of the region’s most elusive residents, including its signature stars—the slow-moving, tree-dwelling sloths.

Puerto Viejo sits in the Limón province, famous for its vibrant beach culture and rich biodiversity. Punta Uva beach, a stretch of pristine sand bordered by lush jungle, is a hotspot for wildlife watchers and nature lovers alike. The guides—locals deeply familiar with the terrain and its wildlife—lead you through mangroves and calm coastlines by kayak before setting out on foot to soak in sweeping viewpoints and explore shaded jungle trails.

What truly sets this trip apart is the focus on sustainable ecotourism. Instead of confined animals, the wildlife here lives openly in its natural habitat, undisturbed by fences or unnatural interference. Guests get a rare opportunity to spot sloths, monkeys, poison dart frogs, iguanas, and vibrant bird species like toucans—all through the trained eyes of expert guides who know precisely where to look. The experience emphasizes respect for nature and encourages slow, quiet observation, allowing the magic of the jungle to unfold naturally.

The tour’s kayak segment offers a peaceful ride through calm waters, perfect for newcomers to paddling or families with kids ages four and up. Afterward, jungle trails reveal stunning views and a hidden cave, enriching the connection to this wild coastal ecosystem. Travelers often describe the day as both relaxing and invigorating, a harmonious blend of adventure and contemplation.

Ecological sensitivity remains at the heart of this tour, promoting conservation by involving visitors directly with the environment rather than through captive displays. This ethos makes it a standout experience in the Costa Rican Caribbean, where protecting the tropical rainforest and vibrant marine life is paramount.

Whether you come for the chance to glimpse a famously shy sloth or to immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Punta Uva’s jungle and sea, this Sloth & Kayak Tour offers a memorable, accessible adventure. With knowledgeable local guides, serene surroundings, and a profound wildlife encounter, it is a must-book experience for anyone visiting Puerto Viejo and looking to engage authentically with Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

Hang tight — photos are loading

This usually takes just a second.

Trip Details from the Operator

Frequently Asked Questions

Sloths live freely and can move around, so sightings aren’t guaranteed but happen about 99% of the time thanks to our expert guides.

No prior kayaking experience is necessary; the water sections are calm and guides provide safety instructions.

Wear comfortable shoes suitable for water and hiking, light clothing, and bring insect repellent.

Key Highlights

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Basic fitness is needed for a few hours of paddling and walking on uneven jungle terrain. Suitable for ages 4+.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Brown-throated three-toed sloth
  • Scarlet macaw

History

Puerto Viejo’s area has indigenous Bribri cultural roots and was established as a coastal fishing village before becoming a famed eco-tourism spot.

Conservation

The tour promotes wildlife protection by avoiding captivity and encouraging responsible nature viewing, contributing to local conservation efforts.

Related Adventures & Guides

  • See other trips from Caribe Sur
  • Explore more Puerto Viejo adventures
  • Browse more wildlife nature experiences

Operated By

Caribe Sur

Sloth tour - kayaking and walking through the jungle - Starting at $60 per person - ages 4+

About Caribe Sur

Caribe Sur is a locally owned tour operator based in Limón, Costa Rica that specializes in guided eco-adventures along the southern Caribbean coast.

The company offers a range of guided hikes, kayak tours, and wildlife excursions focused on Punta Uva, Cahuita, Gandoca Manzanillo, Kekoldi indigenous territory and surrounding coastal reserves. Popular experiences include the Kekoldi Waterfall Hike, Hike to Punta Mona with boat return, Cahuita National Park hikes, a clear kayak tour in Punta Uva, and a Sloth & Kayak Tour operating from Puerto Viejo. Guides emphasize regional biodiversity, cultural history, safe practices and low-impact ecotourism while leading small groups across beaches, rainforest trails, coral reef edges and river outlets. Trips frequently feature opportunities to observe native wildlife, swim at waterfall pools, paddle transparent kayaks over calm coastal waters and learn about cacao cultivation and indigenous plant uses. Tours depart from Limón and nearby towns, with durations and difficulty levels suited to a variety of fitness levels; local operators provide safety briefings, necessary equipment, and knowledgeable commentary in Spanish and often English. Caribe Sur collaborates with park authorities and local communities to operate within protected areas and follows established trail guidelines to minimize environmental impact. Travelers can choose half-day and full-day options that combine hiking and paddling, and bookings are managed through the operator’s reservation system and local partners. Private and small-group options are available to accommodate families and specialized interests, with guides adapting pace, route and interpretation to group needs and weather conditions upon request year-round where access permits.

Two kayakers paddling a clear jungle river in guided eco tour
Visitors enjoying large tropical waterfall plunge pool at base

Tours Offered

5

Guided hikes and kayak trips

Location

Limón, Costa Rica

Southern Caribbean coast

Local Guides

Spanish & English

Knowledgeable local guides

Ecotourism Focus

Park-approved routes

Low-impact nature experiences

CTA Section Background Image

Book a Limón Caribbean Adventure Today

Reserve guided hikes, clear kayak tours, and sloth-spotting trips with local operators — availability varies by season and route.

Adventure Tips

Wear sturdy water-friendly shoes

Flip-flops aren’t ideal if the trail is wet; opt for comfortable shoes suitable for both kayaking and jungle walking.

essential

Bring insect repellent

Protect yourself from mosquitoes during jungle exploration, especially at dawn or dusk.

essential

Stay quiet and observant

Wildlife sightings improve when you move slowly and minimize noise during the jungle walk.

info

Pack a biodegradable snack

Keep energy up without harming the environment; avoid leaving any litter behind during the adventure.

info

Recommended Gear

Lightweight waterproof jacket

Keeps you dry during tropical showers common in the region's rainy season.

rainy

Essential

Water shoes or sturdy sandals

Provides grip and protection during kayaking and jungle hikes.

Essential

Wide-brim sun hat

Protects from sun exposure during open kayak segments.

summer

Reusable water bottle

Stay hydrated while minimizing plastic waste on your eco-tour.

Essential
  • Read our Puerto Viejo travel guide