ABOUT JAGUAR KAYAK ACADEMY
Born by the river. Built to share it.

Jaguar Kayak Academy was born in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica, from a lifelong connection with rivers, adventure and nature. Its founder, Andrey Coto Robles, began working as a rafting guide and safety kayaker in 2004 after discovering kayaking as a teenager on his home river, the Sarapiquí. What started as a passion became a way of life and has taken him through more than 20 years of professional river experience. Andrey has paddled, guided, worked and competed across 15 countries in the Americas and Europe, gaining extensive experience on Class III–V whitewater. His journey includes international expeditions, first descents, professional guiding, safety kayaking and competitions such as the North Fork Championship, Little White Salmon Race, Ötz Trophy, Adidas Sickline and ICF Freestyle World Championship. Among his most meaningful experiences were several expeditions on Peru’s Río Marañón, including journeys of up to 1,200 kilometers through one of the great river systems connected to the Amazon. Today, Andrey is an ACA-certified Whitewater Kayak Instructor, Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and Rafting Instructor, bringing decades of international experience back home to Costa Rica.

More Than a Kayak School Jaguar Kayak Academy was created to share that experience with others. We welcome everyone—from people touching a kayak for the first time to experienced whitewater paddlers looking to develop their skills and explore new rivers. Our experiences combine professional instruction and small-group adventures with what makes Costa Rica extraordinary: tropical rivers, rainforest, wildlife, volcanoes, hot springs, beaches, local culture and the people who call this country home. We don't simply want to guide people down a river. We want people to experience Costa Rica through the river. Professional safety, personal coaching and local knowledge allow every experience to be adapted to the paddler, while creating genuine connections with nature and the places we visit.

Kayaking With Purpose The river gave Andrey much more than a sport. It gave him confidence, friendships, a profession, a connection with nature and opportunities to see the world. Jaguar Kayak Academy exists to pass those opportunities forward. Through Rivers of Opportunity, we work to make kayaking accessible to young people in Sarapiquí by providing training, access to equipment and experiences on the river. Our goal is to help develop confidence, leadership, teamwork, respect for nature and future opportunities in outdoor recreation and tourism. We believe that teaching someone to kayak can become much more than teaching a sport. It can help a young person discover a passion, protect the rivers around them and imagine a different future. OUR PURPOSE Adventure. Education. Conservation. Opportunity. To share our passion for rivers with people from around the world while helping new generations grow connected to nature and become future leaders and protectors of the places we love. OUR MOTTO Kayaking for a Better World. “The river has been my school for more than twenty years. Now my goal is to share what it taught me.” — Andrey Coto Robles