Costa Rica Cruise Vacations

Costa Rica is a fascinating, emerging country in Central America. Over the last several years it has grown into a very “hot” tourist destination. Once you visit, you’ll know why.

Its coastlines are beautiful, lined with sandy beaches and tropical vegetation. It maintains a very low-key feeling and is not overly built up for the tourist trade.

Inland is some spectacular scenery. It has rain forests screaming with wildlife -- monkeys to impossibly exotic colored birds. A volcano that until recently was active generates energy for spas with natural hot springs. Forests, rolling farmland and small villages complete the picture.

Costa Rica is visited on a few Panama Canal Cruises. Some start in Costa Rica, sail through the Panama Canal and sail back up to Costa Rica on the other side. Mostly smaller ships and the tall sailing ships make stops in Costa Rica. Check especially for Cruise West (smaller cruise ship) and Windstar Cruises (sailing ships).

Ports of Call

The smaller ships and sailing vessels that visit Costa Rica are able to visit numerous small ports. These include:

Corcovado Cano Island (Drake Bay) Manuel Antonio National Park

Los Suenos Playa Del Coco Quepos

Curu (Reserve) Tortuga Island Puerto Caldera

Season / Trip Lengths / Departure Ports

Most cruises run between December and April. As you’ll be near the equator, temperatures will be warm. There are at least some cruises that also run in June and July. Cruises tend to be between 7 and 11 nights long. Trips generally depart from Costa Rica or Panama.