Summer time in Costa Rica is finally here and with it the tourism activity obviously increases, Costa Rica is the perfect place to escape the cold weather of North America and Europe during this next few months, for those that live in Costa Rica, school is out for summer break, many have vacation from work, so it is without a doubt the perfect time to explore Costa Rica and enjoy the wonderful weather these months offer; but perhaps you want an option that doesn’t involve, heavy traffic and crowded hotels, how about a cruise?

Currently there are two different alternatives that offer small-ship lines yacht style that can take you to some of Costa Rica’s most wonderful sites, some of the options will also take you to visit beautiful areas in the neighboring country of Panama, these are Windstar Cruises and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.

In his occasion, we will talk about the Windstar Cruises, this option offers 7 to 10 day trips, you can choose to leave from Puerto Caldera in Costa Rica (just a little over an hour from Juan Santamaria International Airport) and disembark in Panama, or stay within Costa Rican territory exploring different points of interest.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica – Colon, Panama: Leaving from Puerto Caldera in the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica the first stop takes you to Quepos where you will be able to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, the second stop is in Drake Bay where you can snorkel in the waters of Isla del Caño (Caño Island) and immerse yourself in the wonderful nature of the Osa Biological Corridor; Golfo Dulce is the third stop and last in Costa Rica territory, this area is rich in biodiversity; fourth stop is done at Isla Parida in Panamanian territory, this island is part of Chiriqui Marine National Park, beautiful beaches and perfect conditions for snorkeling. The fifth stop is something you can’t miss, one of the wonders of modern engineering, the Panama Canal and finally arrive at Colon, Panama where you can do some shopping or if you prefer you can visit the Embera Indians’ reserve.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica to Puerto Caldera: This itinerary takes you to San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, a fishing village, also very popular among surfers and vacationists. Culebra Bay in Costa Rica, a premier destination many compare to Cancun, beautiful crystal clear waters with a perfect temperature is what you’ll find; Playas del Coco is your next stop, a popular tourist area, that combines nature, beaches and a large selection of restaurants and bars. This cruise as the one described prior, also takes you to Manuel Antonio, Quepos. A stop at the small but incredibly diverse Curu National Wildlife Refuge offers an incredible experience. Tortuga Island is also part of the itinerary, an ideal place to relax, snorkel, or just enjoy the view before going back to Puerto Caldera.

This service also gives you the possibility to add a land package to your cruise, enriching your experience with visits to other National Parks.

Windstar offers all the comfort of regular cruise ships and a variety of activities and experiences onboard that you can enjoy. Make sure to get clarity on what is included and what involves additional fees.

Tomorrow we will provide information on exploring Costa Rica with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.