Last updated on November 4th, 2024 at 09:02 pm
When I was doing research into things we might want to add to our 3 week Costa Rica itinerary, I got really excited when I came across bioluminescence kayak tours. Here’s all you need to know about bioluminescence in Costa Rica and how to see it.
What is Bioluminescence?
Bioluminescence is an amazing natural phenomenon in which living organisms produce light through a chemical reaction. The emission of light is the result of a light-emitting molecule called luciferin, which is catalyzed by an enzyme called luciferase.
A chemical reaction takes place known as oxidisation, leading to the release of energy in the form of visible light.
Bioluminescence is found in several different organisms, including certain species of fungi, bacteria, jellyfish and insects. The purpose of bioluminescence is different depending on the species, but it is usually linked to one of the following:
- Attracting a mate
- Deterring predators
- Luring prey
Where are the Best Places in the World to See Bioluminescence?
It’s not just in Costa Rica that you can see brilliant bioluminescence. Several places across the world are famous for it.
The presence and intensity of bioluminescence can vary depending on factors such as the species of organisms involved, water quality, and environmental conditions. Here are some of the best places in the world to do a bioluminescent tour:
- Mosquito Bay, Vieques, Puerto Rico
- Luminous Lagoon, Falmouth, Jamaica:
- Kiwanis Island near Cocoa Beach, Florida
- Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia
- Toyama Bay, Japan
- Paquera, Costa Rica
- Mudhdhoo Island, Maldives
- Tomales Bay, California, USA
- Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
Bioluminescence Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers various opportunities to witness bioluminescence, particularly in its coastal regions.
While the visibility of bioluminescence can vary depending on factors such as the time of year and the specific location, here are some of the best places to do a bioluminescence tour in Costa Rica and have a chance to experience this amazing phenomenon:
Golfo Dulce
Golfo Dulce, located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is known for occasional displays of bioluminescence. The calm and nutrient-rich waters of the gulf provide a suitable environment for the organisms responsible for this phenomenon.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero, on the Caribbean coast, is famous for its sea turtle nesting sites, but it’s also home to various marine life. Depending on the conditions, you may witness bioluminescence in the waters around Tortuguero.
Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula, especially around Drake Bay and the surrounding areas, is known for its rich biodiversity and is one of the best places to see bioluminescence in Costa Rica.
Paquera on the Nicoya Peninsula
Paquera serves as a gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula. Travelers often pass through Paquera when heading to popular destinations like Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, and Tambor. But it’s worth stopping here for a night to experience the wonderful bioluminescence on offer in this part of Costa Rica.
Our Bioluminescence Tour Costa Rica
When looking at bioluminescence kayak tours, I’d heard that Paquera Bioluminescence was some of the best in Costa Rica! Paquera, on the edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, is sometimes referred to as Bioluminescent Bay, Costa Rica!
We settled on Bahia Rica Fishing and Kayak Lodge and their bioluminescence kayaking tour. I’d read consistently good things about them – and the tour. We also booked to stay the night to avoid driving in the dark afterwards.
Bahia Rica is less than a 5 minute drive from Paquera ferry terminal (turn left when you come out). Ferries cross to Paquera from Puntarenas up to eight times a day. For more details on the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, take a look at this post.
If you’re catching the ferry for Bahia Rica’s bioluminescent kayak tour, then make sure you catch the 3pm ferry, which will get you there around 4.30pm and in time for sunset. The later ferry at 6pm won’t get you there in time. There are plenty of signs to Bahia Rica from the ferry terminal and you can park on the road outside.
At Bahia Rica, we stayed in ‘El Yayo’ which is great for large families or groups. It has three bedrooms available and can sleep up to eight. They also have a small cabin available which sleeps two.
If you stay, or are visiting Bahia Rica during the day, they also rent out kayaks and SUP boards plus you can arrange to go on a fishing trip with them or out to Tortuga Island (a more personal experience than the larger tours going from Montezuma or Santa Teresa).
There’s a restaurant next door to Bahia Rica called Manolito’s where you can have dinner after the bioluminescence tour – an authentic Costa Rican restaurant with good food.
Will You Definitely See Bioluminescence in Paquera?
The short answer is no, seeing bioluminescence in Paquera, or anywhere, is not guaranteed. Nature is dynamic and no promises can be made.
Obviously, going on a guided tour at night-time in an area known for bioluminescence will increase your odds of seeing it. However, the following also need to be taken into consideration when you do a bioluminescence tour in Costa Rica:
Seasonality
Bioluminescence can be more prominent during certain seasons or specific times of the year.
Checking with local sources or tour operators can help you plan your visit during optimal conditions.
In Costa Rica, often bioluminescence is seen best in the dry season (December to April) as the water tends to be clearer then.
Environmental Conditions
Factors like water quality, temperature, and the presence of nutrients can affect the abundance of bioluminescent organisms.
Clear and dark nights without much light pollution also enhance visibility. Wind can disrupt the water and make the bioluminescence less clear (as was the case for us).
Moon Phase
The brightness of the moon can impact the visibility of bioluminescence. New moon phases, when the moon is not visible or minimally visible, are preferable for observing bioluminescence.
Take a look at this Moon Calendar to check how full the moon will be when you’re thinking of visiting.
Our Bioluminescence Kayaking Costa Rica Experience
I tried to plan our Paquera bioluminescence experience as far away from the full moon as I could. However, it wasn’t possible to avoid the moon completely as we had made other plans in our 3 week Costa Rica itinerary.
There was also some wind, which we were told might affect how much bioluminescence we saw.
Our bioluminescence kayak tour began with lemonade, coffee, tea and biscuits and a chance to see the beautiful sunset at the water’s edge at Bahia Rica.
The view is beautiful and it’s worth getting here in time to see the sunset.
We then had a 20 minute talk given by Luis, one of the kayaking guides, who told us what to expect. He also checked who had kayaked before. As we were quite a large group, we were split off into two smaller groups with two different guides.
We made our way down to the water’s edge and into our double kayaks (some single kayaks are also available). As we were a family of four, we had one adult and one child in each kayak (kids in front unless you weigh less).
It was extremely dark and a little tricky to get into the kayak but once we were in, we were good. We were advised to stay as close together as possible, and our guide had a torch which he held up so we could all see him.
On the Hunt for Bioluminescence
At first, I couldn’t see anything at all and I have to admit I felt a little bit disappointed. This was, after all, a trip I had tried really hard to fit into our itinerary, and I’d changed other parts of our stay to be able to slot it in.
The guide explained that he was going to take us to certain areas where he thought the bioluminescence would be visible. It turned out that these spots were in more secluded parts of the bay, underneath trees.
As it was particularly dark here, bioluminescence could be more easily seen, even when the conditions were not as good. I had been expecting to see blue sparkles – like all the pictures we’d seen. However, we were told that bioluminescence isn’t always blue. Sometimes it’s green, or white.
On this particular evening, the bioluminescence we saw in these very dark sections of the bay was white – and you could see it best when you waved your hand or oar in the water. When you did that, you could see lots of white sparkles – which was definitely very magical.
I found it a little harder to keep control of the kayak whilst under the trees and their low-lying branches, so didn’t stay in the bioluminescent areas as long as we could have. I also got a little spooked by the idea of a tree snake falling on top of my head (but I expect that’s just me)!
TIP: It’ll be almost impossible to capture photos of the bioluminescence on camera while in your kayak. Those amazing photos you’ve seen of bioluminescence? Some are altered, and some are the real deal but taken with a slow shutter speed (much like with the northern lights). You can try and take photos from the shore if the bioluminescence is particularly visible, but otherwise, leave your phone/ camera on shore.
Would I Do a Bioluminescent Tour Again?
I have to say that our guide tried really, really hard to find good bioluminescence sightings for us, and we did see it, which was great! It just felt a little bit like when we saw the Northern Lights in Iceland – not quite as bright and awe-inspiring as I thought it might be.
I really do think that it depends hugely on WHEN you try to view the bioluminescence. Weather has an impact, but the most important thing is the moon phase. If I ever looked at bioluminescence kayaking tours again (and I think i probably would) then I probably wouldn’t bother unless there was pretty much no moon in the sky!
We loved our one-night stay at Bahia Rica though – a hidden gem on a quieter spot of the Nicoya Peninsula. Owned by a Norwegian couple who love fishing and wanted to create employment opportunities for locals, it’s a special place. Go, if you can work it into your itinerary at the right time!
The Bioluminescent Kayak Tour with Bahia Rica lasts an hour and a half and costs $36 per person. Tours leave between 6 pm and 7.30 pm depending on the time of year.
It is recommended for children over the age of 10, however, do contact them if you have younger children as they can arrange family tours. Email them at: [email protected]
For my full 3 week Costa Rica itinerary if you’re travelling to Costa Rica with kids, check out: The Ultimate 3 Week Costa Rica Itinerary for Families.
For information on when to visit Costa Rica, head to: What Is The Best Time To Visit Costa Rica? Planning Your Trip
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