Kayak Lodge

Kayak Lodge is divided into two sections located across a dead-end street from one another. Guests drive into the main building onto a gravel and grass parking lot in front of a single-story U-shaped building with an orange terra cotta roof. This is where the small reception area is found (look for a cute caricature of the Costa Rican owners hung behind the reception desk) and the most basic rooms. One end of the building houses the dome-shaped breakfast area and a closed bar. The swimming pool overlooks the entrance, though a butterfly garden and pretty landscaping spruce things up. Across the street are the Deluxe Rooms, Family Suite, and kayak launch where guests start and finish mangrove tours. The owners were influenced by a trip to Morocco and touches of North African architecture include key-hole doorways. Families, couples, and groups are drawn here not only for the kayak tours but because the owners are so welcoming and friendly. A huge variety of animals are often spotted near the river. On our visit we saw white-faced monkeys, howlers, iguanas, hummingbirds, butterflies, and a variety of birds. 

The lodge is located off of Costanera Sur, on the righthand side of the highway, if you're driving from San Juan to Manuel Antonio. There are large retro signs on both sides of the road, and a small grocery store on the corner just before the turn. Drive about five blocks through a residential neighborhood and turn right when the road ends, the kayak launch will be on the left next to the river, and the main parking lot is located on the right. There's nothing within fast walking distance other than the river, so a car is a requirement for eating and exploring. Except a 22-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park and 45-minutes to Dominical. Parking is free and ample at the lodge. 

There are 21 rooms and one suite at Kayak Lodge. The most affordable options are located near the reception desk and swimming pool. Each of these has a TV (either flat-screen or tube-style) with cable channels, air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a small bathroom with hot water. They vary in configuration and can sleep up to four people. Some don't have exterior windows. Decor is simple but pleasant: Rooms are painted light green or soft pink and heavy wooden furniture is substantial. All of the rooms are spotlessly clean. Across the street, near the kayak launch, are the larger Deluxe Rooms. These are newer and include coffeemakers, and tables and chairs on a covered terrace. The Family Suite is the best room available, perfect for families and finished with Moroccan details and pretty river views. Monkeys regularly visit the private porch that overlooks the water. Inside, there's a tile floor living room set with day beds and African-inspired tapestries. The full kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and a wood dining room table for six. Free and fast Wi-Fi is available in all of the rooms and there's a hotel channel on the TVs which shows a slideshow of nature photography taken at Kayak Lodge. 

The best feature at Kayak Lodge are the guided tours of the mangrove. Time of departure varies with the tide, and both kayaks and motorboats are available for touring. For safety reasons, guests aren't allowed to take the kayaks into the mangroves without a guide. Guests can expect to see anything from boa constrictors to monkeys to crabs, tucked among the maze of thick mangrove trees. Tickets aren't included with the price of a room. There isn't a restaurant here, but a nice made-to-order breakfast is free. Guests are served juice, fresh fruit, and coffee then choose from a selection of eggs, bean and rice, or French toast. A swimming pool with a waterfall feature and sun loungers provides a nice place to cool off. Both Wi-Fi and calls to the United States are free of charge.