La Herradura: Kayak & Snorkel Tour Cerro Gordo Caves & Cliffs

4.75

(741 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

"You ever tried putting on a wetsuit in public?" That’s what our guide, Marta, asked as we wrestled with ours right on La Herradura beach. I was already laughing before we even got the kayaks in the water. The sun was just starting to get hot, but you could still smell salt and sunscreen everywhere. There were a few families nearby, but most people seemed more interested in their coffee than what we were up to.

Paddling out into the blue felt easier than I expected—maybe because Marta kept chatting about the cliffs of Cerro Gordo and pointing out where mountain goats sometimes appear (we didn’t see any at first, but I kept glancing up just in case). The sea was calm that morning, almost glassy. Every now and then you’d hear someone’s paddle clack against a kayak or a distant shout echoing off the rocks. I liked that our group was small—no megaphone lectures or anything like that.

When we reached Cueva de la Paloma, it was quieter than I thought it’d be. Inside the cave, there was this weird mix of cool air and echoing water drops—plus that faint mineral smell you only get in places like this. We slipped on our snorkel gear (all new stuff, which honestly made me feel less gross about sharing) and dropped into the water. It took me a minute to get used to breathing through the tube—I probably looked ridiculous—but once my face hit the surface, schools of little fish darted around like they owned the place. At one point Marta pointed out some purple seaweed swaying under a ledge; she said its name in Spanish and I immediately forgot it. Still think about those colors though.

The way back felt slower, maybe because none of us really wanted to leave yet. Someone spotted two goats picking their way across the cliff—tiny specks against all that rock—and everyone went quiet for a second just watching them do their thing. By then my arms were tired but happy-tired, if that makes sense. We landed back at La Herradura sandy and salty and grinning at each other like we’d just gotten away with something good.