Pura Vida Paddle

4.3 (3 reviews)

Rafting/Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Summer Camps

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Pura Vida Paddle - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Waco, Texas

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Pura Vida Paddle - Bottom deck of Buzzard Billy's on the Brazos River near McLane Stadium - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Waco, Texas

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norma g.

7 years ago

We loved this family run place. The owner was delightful and informative. Friendly service at a very fair price. We'll be back soon and we'll bring friends too. read more

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Cody J.

5 years ago

The kid running the cash register was very rude and uninviting, did not catch his name but he was seemed like he really did not want to be there. The other guy who actually helped us with the boards was awesome. He was wearing glasses and had headphones on, very nice guy. read more

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Erin W.

Thank you for taking the time to write! So sorry about this…

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Lauren M.

8 years ago

We rented a double kayak today. Very affordable and the owners were super friendly and welcoming! They have a nice setup with kayaks and paddle boards on the deck below Buzzard Billy's. They let me set up an appointment, so we were able to come at a convenient time. Will definitely be back!! Beautiful day on the Brazos River! read more

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More info about Pura Vida Paddle

3516 N Mlk Jr Blvd
Waco, TX 76702
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(254) 242-8370
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Hours

What time does Pura Vida Paddle open?

What time does Pura Vida Paddle close?

Payment methods

Does Pura Vida Paddle take credit cards?

Yes, Pura Vida Paddle takes credit cards.

Indoor Amenities

Does Pura Vida Paddle allow dogs?

Yes, Pura Vida Paddle allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Pura Vida Paddle have bike parking?

Yes, Pura Vida Paddle has bike parking.

Does Pura Vida Paddle have parking?

Yes, Pura Vida Paddle has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Pura Vida Paddle wheelchair accessible?

No, Pura Vida Paddle is not wheelchair accessible.

From the Business

Specialties

Specialize in kayak and paddleboard rentals. Visit our website for more information.

History

Established in 2017.

We opened March 2017. Bringing more water recreation to Waco. All welcomed. Come as you are.

Meet the Business Owner: Erin W.

Erin and Blake Ward are the owners. They always have had a love for outdoor fun, especially water recreation. Bringing Pura Vida Paddle to Waco was to help people leave their troubles behind, and enjoy the beauty around them. Being on or near the water is very relaxing and can help people enjoy life to the fullest.

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Bastrop River Company

4.5

(104 reviews)

102.1 mi

What a great idea! 11 inexperienced women (ok 2 of us had kayaked before but only 1x) created…read morewonderful memories last Saturday. The weather was perfect. The scenery was breathtaking. We basically had the river to ourselves. Bailey was awesome. She helped us launch and did pick up. DEFINITELY will do this again.

Awesome mini adventure…read more The wife and I had always wanted to try kayaking. We rented a tandem for just one hour and realized, "been there, done that that". That's enough. Our rotator cuffs and shoulders have had it. We no know whatever we're up against should we have another stupid idea. Going back down the river is easier...just not THAT easy. Great folks (young-ins) running the booth. CritDicks

Photos

Kayaks parked on the sand bar at the three mile mark.

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Brazos River Sports

5.0

(1 review)

56.4 mi

Friendly staff and great prices to rent tubes or take a kayak out for the day. Will definitely be…read moreback

Photos

We rented two kayaks

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Scuba Divers Paradise

5.0

(6 reviews)

41.2 mi

The people here are as helpful and kind as can be! We came for a recreational dive and the team…read moreremembered my husband from almost a year ago when he took lessons and they were so informative today as far as refreshers and tips. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed before we went off by ourselves. It looks like they have a lot of group dives and several SSI courses every month. The store carries everything one would need. For those looking to test different gear, I could only see the Mares brand dive gear. I'd recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for a place to learn how to scuba dive, get more certs, or just looking for a friendly dive community!

The entire Scuba Divers Paradise team are awesome! They maintain a wonderful 'cozy' dive shop…read morethat's very well-equipped, with very friendly service! The instructors are incredible! Very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. I've completed my Advanced Open Water, Wreck and Altitude 'certs' with them. While the lake conditions at Stillhouse Hollow are variable, their water access is the best in Central Texas IMHO! Their dive trips, from cruises to the Valhalla Silo dive are also loads of fun!

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Lake Georgetown

4.4

(51 reviews)

71.1 mi

We went right around sunset to take photos and it was gorgeous! The trails were well kept, it was…read moreeasy to get right to the lake, and the sunset was incredible. We didn't go to the part where you could swim, this area had smooth rock you could walk on close to the water and that was fine for us!

Lake Georgetown is pretty nice and is in many ways better than Lake Austin depending on what you're…read moregoing for. One time I jumped in the water at Lady Bird Lake, and I got morbidly ill for days and could not get out of bed. I would highly not recommend getting in the water there. That being said, Lake Georgetown is quite different and it would seem that the water is pretty clean there. It probably goes without saying it is much less crowded than Lake Austin/Travis or anything near downtown, and it has plenty of space for picnicking, camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Usually I will go running around Lake Georgetown because it is much less crowded than Lake Austin, and there are shorter routes depending how far you want to run. I guess the one thing I will say is that the trails to "hike" or walk around the lake are not as established as some other hiking trails I've been on, so just be prepared for that and maybe don't wear short shorts if you're going to try any hikes around the lake.

Photos

Beautiful sunset.

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Trinity River Kayak

4.1

(28 reviews)

96.3 mi

Grabbed our friends and headed out for an Urban Adventure. Who knew you could kayak doen the…read moreTrinity River right here in the Carrollton area!?

We did the Blast River run with single kayaks. The first part of the tour was the most beautiful…read morepart. Overall the river is clean but there were some spots where trash was deposited from previous washouts. I would try a run farther up river for a better experience next time. The staff was friendly and helpful but the rental equipment is definitely well worn and some in our group had problems with adjusting their seat backs and the seat cushions were quite hard after 1 hour on a 3 hour trip.

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Owners Jeff and Pam Trinity River Kayak Co

ATX Wake Adventures

4.9

(38 reviews)

90.3 mi

We always have the best days out on the lake with ATX Wake Adventures! They are the best team for…read morewake surfing, by far! Always really professional, super friendly, and the best drivers. We've worked with them for several years, for work events and personal, and always have a great time. They're awesome with kids and make the whole day seamless. Could not recommend them more strongly!

Always the best time with Atx Wake Adventures! The drivers are so fun and accommodating,the boats…read moreare clean and they make loading/unloading a Breeze. Perfect for fun party time or a family outing they kill it every time!

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Wake board boat

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Rockin' R River Rides

3.1

(191 reviews)

139.6 mi

Rockin'R River Rides had a nice set up. They do seem to nickel and dime you a bit. $15 for parking,…read more$25 for a cooler float tube which is what the going rate per person is. They have an air conditioned portable bathroom trailer that is decent. 6 stalls in the women's room and they were fairly clean. The summer heat had them smelling a little funky, but I'm not sure what can be done to fix that. The staff was friendly. The school bus ride back to the starting point after the float was nostalgic. For a moment, it took me back to feeling like we were on a school field trip. We definitely see ourselves coming back but at least bringing our own floats for our coolers to cut down on the expense. We had a large group with 2 coolers so it was $50 just to bring our coolers along.

They really do know how to nickel and dime you! It was about $23 per tube, plus another $16 for…read moreparking. The staff was pretty nice and helpful, though. They do have a decent size portable bathroom, which was nice. My only complaint is that they should keep the water on inside them a little longer. We got back to the beginning around 4:30 and went to use the bathroom before heading out, but the water was already turned off. The float itself was actually painful. There are SO many rocks that you constantly hit and scrape your rear end against, and it gets pretty uncomfortable after a while. I'm not sure if I'll be back to this location just because this particular section was so rocky. Overall, it was fun, but definitely bring some extra money and be prepared for a rocky ride!

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Rowing Dock

4.6

(419 reviews)

97.7 mi

We were excited to go paddle boating, but the experience was extremely disappointing…read more The lake had so much algae that it wrapped around the paddle boat's propeller every few seconds, making it incredibly difficult to move. Instead of enjoying our time on the water, we spent most of it stopping to remove algae just so we could keep going. My biggest issue isn't the algae itself--nature happens. My issue is that the staff never warned us about the lake conditions before renting us the paddle boats. If we had known the algae was bad enough to make paddling this difficult, we never would have rented them. On top of that, one of our paddle boats had a broken piece on the hatch used to access the propeller. I personally had to go over and help my sister because she couldn't properly open and close it to remove the algae. Every time the propeller got wrapped up again, it made the process even more frustrating. I explained the situation to an employee and pointed out the broken piece. Instead of offering a solution, I was told there was nothing they could do and that she just needed to keep removing the algae and paddle her way back to the dock. Later, when she was still struggling, we were told it would cost $50 for someone to come tow or assist her. Because we were moving so slowly due to the algae, we ended up spending more time on the lake than expected and were charged an additional $16 for another 30 minutes. That extra charge could have been avoided if we had simply been told about the lake conditions before renting the boats. Instead of taking our concerns seriously, the response was essentially, "It's better in the spring." If that's the case, then customers should be told about the current lake conditions before they're charged. We could have chosen a different activity instead of paying for an experience that turned into a struggle from start to finish. Honest communication and properly maintained equipment would have made all the difference.

This is a great option for exploring Lady Bird Lake by kayak or paddle board. They have a modest…read moreparking lot but depending on when you get there, it may be full. For a weekend morning we were happy to snag a spot and made our way down to the rental area. You can decide on single vs double kayaks or paddleboards and rent by the hour. We decided on an hour of double kayak and thoroughly enjoyed our time out on the water. They have plenty of life vests and the staff were helpful in helping us get in and out of the kayak. It's a gorgeous lake and on a hot summer day was nice and cool on the water. Great opportunity to get some exercise in while looking at the beautiful vegetation up and down the lake. Highly recommend!

Photos

Bat bridge

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Splash Station Waterpark

3.3

(10 reviews)

54.0 mi

Cute Waterpark, we came a few times over the summer, it's always crowded but still a nice place to…read morespend a hot day!

Great little community waterpark! Perfect for young children but also has bigger slides for older…read morekids. There's not much to it but it's great for just a day out in the summer. Seemed to be kept clean well.

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Cedar Hill Lagoon

5.0

(3 reviews)

69.8 mi

Huge fans of The Lagoon! Highly recommend getting a season pass which gives you access to members…read moreonly swim time. It does get crowded, but the staff are always friendly & helpful. They also work hard to keep the area clean! Our kids absolutely love the slide & lazy river.

The Lagoon just opened this Summer of 2023 and I'm happy to say the experience here made my summer…read morecomplete! I have been at the pool the last 3 weekends (4 Xs total) this Summer and it is truly 5 stars! The check in is super easy. I paid $5 each time (a discount for C.Hill) residents as well as your guest. They do take cash or card which is convenient. The line is never long, really non existent most of the time. Parking is a breeze especially if you get there for open swim which begins at 12 noon. The majority of the lounge chairs are shaded and you don't have to worry about anyone taking/moving your belongings as you enjoy the water. The lazy river is extremely clean and well kept and the floaties are in abundance and FREE! Everyone is respectful in the pool! At any given time there can be newborn babies to the seniors and every age in between so being courteous is just as important as having fun! The music is great too! They play EVERYTHING including Spanish songs on Cedar Hill Tunes. There is one lazy river, one slide which is so much fun and never a long line, as well as a larger pool that is wheelchair assessable too. It was in this pool that my BF taught me to swim this Summer so the Cedar Hill Lagoon will forever be memorable to me! They also have about 7 cabanas that you can rent out for your private event. The bathrooms have great air flow and are pretty well kept with no trash on the ground an I definitely appreciated the cleanliness. They also have showers too. The lifeguards are also professional and they appear to have fun too. There is food available if you get hungry. A CH police officer does make his/her round at the pool too so it definitely makes you feel safe an at ease. I hope the Lagoon continues to be a fun, clean, memorable place for my future summers!

Photos

Lazy river and slide

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Brisket nachos, pretty good

Hancock Springs Pool

4.4

(9 reviews)

71.0 mi

Great spot. Not over crowded and they do adult swim every hour for 15min…read more It's cold, it's awesome. Don't go here, I like it.

Clean cold safe ,, lots of parking space ,, only $3 and $2.5 for seniors !! Close to restaurantsread more

Photos

My husband and sons are next to the Springs Pool. It has a lot of history there too!

This is what the "closed" pool looks like...

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Long Branch Park Pool

4.3

(4 reviews)

45.2 mi

This pool is great! We had a great time hanging out and swimming! This is will be a regular for…read moreswimming! The staff are great and the pool is clean as well.

If I could give more than 5 stars I would! This public…read morepoll is great! I always found it super clean, have life guards on posts, sweet and polite staff working and the pool has perfect max of 4'6 deep for kids and parents to feel safe!Nothing fancy, but a regular shaped pool to enjoy the hot summer days from Jersey Shore! We are all blessed from this community to have this prefect family Spot to enjoy our Summer

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Lake Whitney State Park

4.4

(45 reviews)

26.9 mi

Wanted to get out of Fort Worth for a mental health day. This particular state park was a little…read moreover an hour away. As soon as I drove into the front entrance, I stopped in the office in order to print the day pass I purchased online yesterday. All three ladies were extremely friendly and helpful. They showed me the key highlights of the park on the map. Then I shopped their merchandise in the park store. The trails were very well maintained and laid out. Each path was clearly visible so as not to get lost or off the marked walkway. I even spent some time in one of the day use areas to read this month's issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. What a way to finish enjoying such a wonderful park. Please check out!

This review is for hiking- there are two short hiking trails. I'd you are coming to hike, don't…read more You will get through them in 20 minutes. Luckily for us we did have kids who were complaining of being tired by the midway point of it, so it is perfect for families. But if you are an avid hiker who hikes for miles and miles, this is not the spot. We did go to the beach to look around, but didn't get in as it is winter right now and was at 30-50 degree weather. It is a beautiful place, very clean and well kept. If you are coming in with family, this is perfect, but if you want to hike, this is not your spot.

Photos

We made our shelter as comfy as possible with lights and air mattress

Lake from boat ramp

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View from inside shelter 25, post oak area

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Kimberly S.

445

7 years ago

I absolutely love Pura Vida Paddle. This family owned business totally gets what customer service is all about. From the people on the dock greeting you with a friendly smile, to the great location under Buzzard Billy's, and all the offerings they provide to help bring the community together. It doesn't get any better than this. You can Stand Up Paddleboard, kayak, or paddle boat. There is a option for everyone in the family. I love that this is owned by a local family and they treat you like family every time you step on their dock. Way to Pura Vida Paddle. I will be a customer for life. read more

Melody T.

6 years ago

Thanks for hosting the girls from our Scouts BSA troop on Saturday. This is the perfect outing for social distancing and fun. Kayaks and stand-up Paddle boards are reasonably priced. I have my own kayak, but it was so much easier to use one that was in the water and ready to go. Waco has a beautiful river. We hope to do this again soon. Staff was friendly and helpful. They were encouraging to people new to paddling too. You really haven't seen Waco if you haven't paddled past Cameron Park and beyond. read more

Tonya O.

256

6 years ago

AMAZING! The staff is genuine and helpful. The location is perfect for a sweet ride alongside Baylor University. The convenient restaurant upstairs gives you somewhere to eat and have a cool drink after. The personal attention they gave to us was amazing. I have a daughter w/ anxiety and they addressed this, made her feel comfortable and remembered her name when we came back. I 100% recommend this great, family run business. read more

Christine M.

114

8 years ago

So easy and fun! We placed our online reservation and showed up and they had us in the water in no time. I brought a lock for the locker so that I could leave my car keys and phone without worrying about stuff getting wet. The double kayak was perfect for my son and I- he loved jumping off and getting wet and I went for a swim as well. Didn't have to worry about tipping the boatWill definitely be back! read more

Ben M.

6 years ago

Can't say enough good stuff about Pura Vida - above and beyond customer service, Blake and Erin found a way to get us on the river and put together a trip that worked for us. We love supporting family owned businesses, and this one is top-of-the-line. The communication was great all the way and we will definitely be back - had a blast with Pura Vida Paddle and the Brazos River! read more

Michael R.

6 years ago

They staff at Pura Vida Paddle is incredibly friendly , and also extremely helpful. This was my first time ever kayaking or doing anything in the Waco rivers (Brazos and Bosque). They took care of everything and gave me plenty of tips on where to go and what to do. I will definitely be going back, and would strongly recommend them to anyone! read more

Susan D.

7 years ago

Great experience! Accommodated our needs to ensure we were able to enjoy my Birthday celebration. Could not ask for more kind, caring, and helpful people. They get an A+ from this teacher for their communications, prioritization of safety, and most of all ensuring fun for everyone! My family would absolutely use them again. read more

Christy K.

838

8 years ago

Love! Love! Love! Pura Vida Paddle! Stand Up Paddleboarding is a BLAST! The staff is wonderful, and super helpful with any of your needs. They have kayaking, SUP, and more..... Plus you can go have a drink afterwards at Buzzard Billy's. Thank You for having this amazing gift on our river. Highly Recommend!!! read more

Amy P.

8 years ago

My daughter and I took the kayaking tour along the Bosque River. The scenery was beautiful and Sean the guide was friendly and full of information. I would love for Pura Vida to offer more tours of different parts of the Bosque and the Brazos Rivers. I will definitely be back and recommend this to everyone! read more

Karli K.

8 years ago

Our experience at Pura Vida was excellent. The staff was friendly and helpful. The equipment was nice. The atmosphere was awesome and I loved our little trip. If you're looking for a different kind of kayaking or paddle board experience, this is your gig. One of the best places/things to do in Waco by far. read more

Katherine W.

6 years ago

We had an amazing time kayaking in the Brazos yesterday. A perfect COVID-19 activity for families and/or friends! Pure Vida Paddle was extremely accommodating to our group and helped the children (8, 10, and 11) feel confident and enjoy their first kayaking experience. We look forward to going back soon! read more

Lyn S.

9 years ago

I had a fantastic time with Pura Vida Paddle!! I was looking for a business that rents out paddle boards during the week and these guys were the only ones who's hours fit perfectly with what I was looking for. The people were friendly and made the experience super fun! I will definitely be coming back! read more

Cara P.

138

8 years ago

This was a very convenient place to rent kayaks! The whole operation was run very smoothly and my friend and I had a great trip, the water was beautiful. I loved that they gave us an option to rent a speaker and waterproof bag as well so we could listen to music on the river. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Jon-Delani K.

8 years ago

Went paddle boarding for the first time. Had an amazing time. They where very good there. Instructions they gave us was so good we where pros by the end of our hr. prices where pretty good. We will now be doing much more business with them this summer. Thank you Pura Vida for an amazing day! read more

Scott H.

8 years ago

The SUP Fitness class is outstanding! It's a real "feel the burn" workout and it's SO very much more fun to exercise on the water where you can just jump in the river to cool off. HIGHLY recommended! read more

Jasmin R.

6 years ago

She was so sweet and patient with me and the kids. I would recommend this place for you and your family and friends. Great experience. It was so much fun. I will be coming here again for sure! read more

Hannah M.

101

6 years ago

Awesome experience! We took our 2 year old out kayaking for the first time and she loves it. It's all she talks about now. The staff was super friendly and helpful. We had a great experience! read more

Jennifer S.

127

9 years ago

Truly an enjoyable excursion! Easy access. Nice scenery of Baylor University. Staff is super fantastic! Very enjoyable afternoon with the kids! Looking forward to coming back for SUP yoga! read more

Isaiah K.

5 years ago

Found them online and booked ahead of time. I had to change my schedule and was unable to contact them until I arrived later that day. They rebooked me with no hassle at all. read more

Mallory W.

179

5 years ago

Easy booking, personable experience and they take care of you from the moment you show up to when you get back. Great experience. Won't use anyone else. read more

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25 reviews that are not currently recommended

Pura Vida Paddle - rafting - Updated August 2026

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Recommended Reviews - Pura Vida Paddle

More info about Pura Vida Paddle

Payment methods

Indoor Amenities

Outdoor Amenities

Other Amenities

Ask the Community - Pura Vida Paddle

More businesses like Pura Vida Paddle

Bastrop River Company

Brazos River Sports

Scuba Divers Paradise

Lake Georgetown

Trinity River Kayak

ATX Wake Adventures

Rockin' R River Rides

Rowing Dock

Trending businesses in Pura Vida Paddle's area

Splash Station Waterpark

Cedar Hill Lagoon

Hancock Springs Pool

Long Branch Park Pool

Lake Whitney State Park

25 Pura Vida Paddle reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

25 reviews that are not currently recommended

Pura Vida Paddle - rafting - Updated August 2026

Best of Waco

People found Pura Vida Paddle by searching for…

Trending Searches in Waco, TX

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