Costa Rica

With only minor seasonal fluctuations Costa Rica is a year-round destination, although the cruise season tends to run from October through April (dry season). Don’t be put off by the rainy “green” season. It’s a quieter time to travel and tropical rain is often interspersed with sunshine. Humidity is high year round but expect the Highlands to be a few degrees cooler.

Costa Rica is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It shares its southern border with Panama, which is handy for those who want to combine Costa Rica with Panama Canal cruising.

Attraction highlights include Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, La Paz Waterfalls, the Papagayo Peninsula, spectacular Pacific coast beaches, Rio Celeste (inside Tenorio Volcano National Park), the Monteverde Cloud Forest, the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park. Make sure your cruise itinerary visits at least three of these places.

On the Pacific coast, cruise ships arrive in Puntarenas and Caldera. The capital, San Jose, is around a two-hour drive from Puntarenas. On the Caribbean coast, ships arrive in Puerto Limon, which isn’t too far from the Panama Canal. The port also offers easy access to unspoilt sandy beaches and nature and wildlife attractions, including Tortuguero National Park.

Some ships will offer lecture programmes and travel with specialist wildlife guides on board.

To properly see the destination, opt for a small ship that spends several days there. Small ships offer a more intimate cruising experience and opportunities to appreciate the country’s magnificent wildlife. 

Expedition cruise itineraries to this part of the continent are packed with interest and include opportunities for wildlife spotting, swimming, kayaking, and visits to unspoilt beaches. Some cruise Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast in-depth, while others combine the destination with ports in the Caribbean, Colombia, and Panama (including the Panama Canal).

One itinerary visits Panama’s Pearl Islands and explores two of Costa Rica’s national parks, Tortugas and Coimbra. Another visits the Curú National Wildlife Refuge on Costa Rica’s southern Nicoya Peninsula and the Manuel Antonio National Park and Rio Clara Wildlife Refuge.

For those more interested in marine life, some cruise lines include a visit to the Latin American Sea Turtles Association (LAST) on the Osa Peninsula. Passengers can meet researchers involved in rescue and rehabilitation. The cruise also visits the Panama Canal and the rainforests of Corcovado National Park.

Activities begin from the moment you open your eyes. Binoculars and cameras in hand. From wildlife viewing opportunities to nature hikes and more, Costa Rica has a lot to offer its visitors. 

Some of the top attractions include Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, La Paz Waterfalls, Papagayo Peninsula, Tamarindo beach, Rio Celeste, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Corcovado National Park.

Given that Costa Rica makes up around six per cent of the Earth’s biodiversity and protects many species at risk of extinction, it’s pleasing to know that the country is way ahead in protecting its flora, fauna and wildlife. It produces nearly 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, and 30 percent of its territory is protected natural land. A nationwide conservation area network preserves around 20 per cent of the land. The country has 30 national parks, and in many parks and reserves, it is mandatory to enter with an authorised guide and observe waymarked paths. Respect the destination’s sustainability credentials.