JAMES MANKE'S INSTRUCTIONAL
8-DAY LODGE-TO-LODGE GOLFO DULCE SEA KAYAKING TRIP
(November 15th-22nd, 2025)
An Instructional Lodge-to-Lodge Adventure in Costa Rica´s Tropical Fjord
AVAILABLE:
ACTIVITY:
ACCOMMODATIONS:
GROUP SIZE:
November 15th-22nd 2025
Beginner- Intermediate
Comfortable Hotels & Ecolodges
14 Guests,
Min Age: 12
This Custom 8-Day Lodge-to-Lodge Golfo Dulce Sea Kayaking Trip is a private departure date exclusively reserved for James Manke’s invitees.
The trip combines instructional sessions with James Mankee with circumnavigating the northern region of Costa Rica’s tropical fjord, the Golfo Dulce.
This custom 8-Day Lodge-to-Lodge Sea Kayaking Adventure is all-inclusive and takes care of you from when you arrive in Costa Rica to when you depart. Join one of our trips and enjoy one of the world’s best sea kayaking and wildlife-watching destinations. Start & End Location: San Jose International Airport (SJO).
About James Manke
James is a world-renowned sea kayak instructor who has spent the past decade traveling the world, teaching techniques, surfing, and rolling. As an active member of The Hurricane Riders and a former International kayak rolling champion, James loves teaching various kayak rolls and transforming paddlers’ fear into a skill for big adventures!
Highlights
- Instructional small-group sessions with James Mankee
- Off-the-beaten-path nature-destination, teeming with wildlife & breathtaking scenery.
- Paddle protected ocean waters with Dolphins, and Turtles, explore deserted beaches, isles, lush rainforests, ancient mangrove forests and remote snorkeling spots.
- You’ll stay at 2 unique waterfront, family run ecolodges, each serving tasteful meals made with fresh natural ingredients.
- Start: San José, Costa Rica End: San José, Costa Rica
Kayaking route for the 8 Day Lodge-to-Lodge Golfo Dulce Sea Kayaking Trip. Click here to view full screen map.
Itinerary
DAY 1. A SEA KAYAKING COSTA RICA REP WILL MEET YOU AT SJO AIRPORT
Today has been designated as your arrival day! You may arrive at any time on this day. A Sea Kayaking Costa Rica representative will meet you at San Jose International Airport (S.J.O.) and take you to a conveniently located hotel only a 10-minute from the airport. Here, you'll have the chance to relax and unwind from your international travels.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at Country Inn & Suites Hotel in San Jose.No meals included today
DAY 2. SEA KAYAKING ORIENTATION AND PADDLE
The day begins with a traditional Costa Rican breakfast, including fresh fruit, rice and beans, and excellent local coffee. Your guide-driver will meet you this morning and sweep you away on a beautiful drive from the Central Valley highlands down to the Osa Peninsula, along the Pacific coastline and the country's best and newest road. We will drive by villages, rainforests, stunning coastlines, and traditional plantations. After a morning of travel, we will reach El Chontal Ecolodge, located right on the banks of the Golfo Dulce. After settling into your wooden jungle cabin, we will serve a delicious lunch. Following lunch and a brief rest, we'll meet for the kayak orientation & gear fitting, followed by our first paddle of the trip, exploring the nearby mangrove forest and coast. Dinner is served after sunset in the lodge's family's house.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at El Chontal Ecolodge in Rincon de Osa.Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3. EXPLORING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GULF & AFTERNOON INSTRUCTION
It is yet another beautiful morning on the Golfo Dulce, with its many tropical birds and sunrise over the water just a few steps from your cabin. Today, you will explore the Esquinas River on the other side of the Gulf. Our motorboat will take us up the river and drop us off. Then, with the help of the gentle currents, you'll float/paddle out again to the river mouth, from where we ride the motorboat back to the lodge. After this full day, we will enjoy well-deserved cold drinks on the boat ride.
This afternoon we be allocated to instruction, covering the differences between Greenland paddles, primary strokes with your Greenland paddle, and primarily, unlocking the power of your Greenland paddle.
Dinner is prepared with fresh local ingredients and is served right after sunset.
Accomodation: As AboveMeals included today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4. PADDLE TO OUR NEXT LODGE, STOPPING ALONG THE WAY
After another glorious breakfast at our host's home this morning, we'll pack up to circumnavigate the northwest portion of the Sweet Gulf, the calmest and most beautiful of this body of water. We will put on the water paddling out of Rincon Bay, following the coast south around Punta Palmas, and reach the village of Playa Blanca. This 12 Km (7 miles) paddle will take us by the Mangroves Forest of the Rincon River. Along our route, we will stop on deserted beaches for a rest, snack, or swim. This water trail is perfect for observing sea turtles and avian wildlife, mainly vast colonies of beach-dwelling scarlet macaws. At Playa Blanca, we'll stay at Lapamar Ecolodge, a family-owned and operated property offering spacious wooden cabins, each with a private bathroom. Our host will serve our meals at the centrally located open rancho, starting with a freshly prepared lunch. Depending on the tides, we'll paddle out again in the afternoon, visiting the nearby mangrove of Barrigones Creek. This is a prime location for spotting wildlife, including coatis, monkeys, squirrels, and sloths. If the tide is not right, we will walk in the nearby rainforest and village. Dinner is prepared with fresh local ingredients and is served right after sunset.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at Lapamar Ecolodge in Playa BlancaMeals included today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5. INSTRUCTION DURING LAYOVER AT PLAYA BLANCA
This is a layover day at Playa Blanca and the day will be allocated to rolling instruction.
Learning to roll a kayak is one of the most rewarding experiences as a kayaker. The ultimate goal is to have a consistent roll that requires little effort and is done with ease! James Manke will guide you through the physics of rolling a kayak. Learn a reliable lay back sweep roll, likely one of the most common sea kayak rolls. The first hour will be spent on-land discussing the physics of rolling followed by a demo and a couple of hours in the water working in pairs. By pairing up this allows each student to get a chance to also learn how to teach which is a great way to retain information!
Accommodation: As Above
Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6. SET OFF IN OUR KAYAKS TO REACH THE MOGOS ISLES
Early this morning, our host, Don Alvaro, will brew fresh coffee for us and prepare a hearty breakfast to fuel our 15 km-long (9-mile) stretch to the Mogos Isles. This journey is one of the prime opportunities to spot dolphins and other marine life. This is also the final and longest paddling stretch of the trip. On this journey, you will paddle emerald-green waters along a rainforest-lined coast. On route, you will stop on beautiful deserted beaches.
After a well-deserved break at the Isles, we'll continue crossing the Golfo Dulce, surrounding Punta Rincón, and reaching the familiar El Chontal Ecolodge. After today's amazing last and longest paddling stretch, we'll wash up and enjoy the last homemade lunch at El Chontal. After lunch, we will visit a local organic farm to learn about their sustainable practices and crops. The visit, however, will focus on the farm's organic cacao crop, and we will learn about the stages of the traditional production of delicious high-percentage chocolate. The best part of the tour is tasting the organic fruit and chocolate fondue!
Accommodation: Overnight stay at El Chontal Ecolodge in Rincon de Osa.Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7. TAKE A SCENIC FLIGHT BACK TO SAN JOSE
This morning, after breakfast, we will head for the airstrip in Puerto Jimenez, where your pilot will fly back to the Central Valley on a 50-minute scenic flight along the Pacific Coast. Upon landing in San Jose, a Sea Kayaking Costa Rica representative will meet you at the airport and provide transportation to a nearby hotel. The rest of the afternoon is designated for leisure, where you can relax, take advantage of the hotel's amenities and nearby restaurants, or explore downtown San Jose on your own.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at Country Inn & Suites Hotel in San Jose.Meals included today: Breakfast
DAY 8. DEPARTURE DAY OR EXTEND YOUR STAY IN COSTA RICA
We have arranged for your transportation to the airport so that you will be on time for your flight home. All good things must come to an end. Over the past seven days, you've experienced some of the best paddling adventures Costa Rica offers. You will take home great memories, amazing photographs, likely some coffee, and a huge Tico smile!
Meals included today: BreakfastDates & Prices
November 15th – 22nd
- November 15th is your international arrival day; you may fly into San Jose (Airport code SJO) at any time that day.
- November 22nd is your international departure day, you may depart San Jose (Airport code SJO) at any time that day.
This custom trip is priced at USD 3289, based on double occupancy. This price includes all taxes and fees, including the mandatory 13% value-added tax stipulated by the Costa Rican government.
Single supplement is US$350.
Included in Trip Cost
- All activities, instruction, and equipment as outlined in the itinerary
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- Additional regional guides and local experts if applicable
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- 7 nights of accommodation
- Most meals, as outlined in the itinerary
- All ground transportation as outlined in the itinerary
- Domestic flight from Puerto Jimenez to San Jose
Not Included in Your Trip Cost
- International flights to and from Costa Rica
- Alcoholic beverages (Sea Kayaking Costa Rica provides wine at select events)
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for Sea Kayaking Costa Rica guides and guide-drivers
A down payment is required at the time of reservation. Down payments are USD 500/person, payable by credit card or direct deposit. We can also accept PayPal payments upon request.
To book your trip, you can click:
For questions and to book your trip, you may contact our office via email at: contact@seakayakingcostarica.com or call our US & Canada Line U.S. Line (+1) 719-581-9891 .Your booking is secured upon receiving your deposit. You will receive a booking confirmation email, a Costa Rica Useful Travel Tips Document, a Suggested Packing List, and our Survey Form to complete and submit online. The final balance is due 30 days before the trip commencement date.
Activity Level
No previous experience is necessary but is preferred. If the guest has no experience, they are expected to be is good physical condition.
| DAY 2 | 1.5 hours/ 5 km (3 miles) of sea kayaking |
| DAY 3 | 3.5 hours/ 12km (7.5 miles) of sea kayaking & 3 hours of instruction |
| DAY 4 | 4 hours/ 14 km (8.7 miles) of sea kayaking |
| DAY 5 | 6 hours of instruction |
| DAY 6 | 5 hours/ 20 km (12.5 miles) of sea kayaking |
Accommodations
For your arrival day, and the day prior to departure, this trip features a 4-star hotel near the International Airport in San Jose. The remainder of the nights are in comfortable ecolodges that make the most of their rainforest locations featuring beautiful views and/or lush settings.
Country Inn & Suites
This comfortable 4-star boutique hotel is conveniently located only a few minutes away from San Jose International Airport and is an ideal location to unwind from your travels. Relax and recharge by the hotel swimming pool or in your room with air conditioning, in-room coffeemaker & Wi-Fi. The hotel features a restaurant and bar, and just short walk from the hotel is a shopping plaza that offers a wide variety of cuisines from Japanese to Mexican to Italian to juices to bar food. There is also a mini-mart grocery store where you can buy drinks, groceries, and ready-to-eat foods. Grab a taxi and explore to purchase souvenirs from the stores at Plaza Real Cariari, or head into downtown to enjoy parks, museums, and entertainment venues.
El Chontal Ecolodge
El Chontal’s cabins are literally carved out from the surrounding mangrove forest, using fallen trees and sustainable wood species. Their rustic and unique architecture is rich in design and ingenuity and favors ventilation. The cabins are spotlessly clean and well kept. Beds are firm and comfortable, bathrooms impeccable. At night, a cool breeze and rich jungle sounds from the surrounding forest enter the room. In addition the cabins, and gardens, the centrally located spacious communal pavilion serves as a meeting place as well as a yoga platform, relaxing area with hammocks and chairs, and presentation area.
Lapamar Ecolodge
Located in the tiny community of Playa Blanca, this beachfront property is family-owned and offers spacious, basic wooden cabins with a private bathroom, and porch. Meals are served only steps away from your cabin in the cozy, quiet rancho. The property is surrounded by several species of fruit trees, attracting all sorts of exotic birds like the Yellow-throated Toucan. The beach right in front of the property is ideal for swimming, and spotting Scarlet Macaws as they feed off the Beach Almond trees scattered along the entire beach. This is Macaw territory!
Weather
For San Jose, you can expect daytime temperatures in 70°s and 80°s Fahrenheit, with evening lows in the 60°s. While in Golfo Dulce daytime temperatures in 80°s and 90°s Fahrenheit, with evenings anywhere in the 70°s. February and March and consistently the driest months, some rain can be expected during the months of December, April, and May.| Jan | Feb | March | April | May | |||||||||||
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FAQ's
The best time is during the dry season January to April. December & May are also good options with only occasional showers.
Golfo Dulce is renowned for it is calm paddling conditions, which make for easy for the most part. Paddlers are expected to calm glassy waters and a light breeze of 0.5-3 mph (0.5-3 knots/1-5kph). Water is warm, as on the surface it’s at an average of 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).
Because we are circumnavigating the Golfo, we must only carry personal dunnage for 3 nights away from the lodge we set out from and return to (without backtracking).
We supply dry bags which can be safely stored on the kayaks
Potable water is accessible to you throughout the trip.
People from all walks of life and all ages join our tours. We get a mix of couples, singles, families, and friends, usually between 45 and 65 years of age. Though not often buy we also had families with children your young as 12 (minimum age) and we’ve taken many guests well into their 80s. A few have never been sea kayaking before, but most are active kayakers with extensive paddling experience. Without exception, everyone comes to have a good time and the variety of people and interests found on each trip makes it all the more fun.
Yes! Lots, both terrestrial and marine. Sea turtles, reef fish, rays and dolphins to macaws, monkeys, toucans, and sloths
No, insects are generally not a problem if you bring long pants and insect repellant (a thorough packing list is provided).
Our fleet consist of 14.5 and 15-foot sit inside sea kayaks and 18-foot double kayaks
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