Just wanted to inform that if you are looking to rent a canoe in Cano Negro there is a gentleman that goes by the name of Lolo who rents canoes out for much cheaper than the tour companies in town. He does not speak any English. You can find him at his home at the corner of the central park opposite the soda. There is a small wooden sign on his property that says "canoe rental." He was very kind and rented my wife and I a canoe for 5,000 colones ($10) for as much time as we wanted, versus the tour companies that were renting them for 10,000 colones($20)/hour.

If you have plenty of time, don't take a tour here from San Jose or La Fortuna. You can come here yourself by driving or taking buses (Upala to Los Chiles passes through), though the road is not completely paved so I recommend a 4x4,