Costa Rica and Nicaragua Itinerary
Costa Rica and Nicaragua Cruise aboard Star Flyer
Explore the paradise of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula on board Star Flyer, a modern-day tall ship with decor reminiscent of the great age of sail and every detail designed to give you a luxurious sailing holiday of a lifetime.
Cruising north up Costa Rica's magnificent pacific coast, we visit the beautiful crescent shaped beaches of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua and Playas del Coco in Costa Rica, areas popular with surfers, scuba divers and fishermen. Life is low key and unhurried with the thrill of new places to explore and vistas to appreciate.
There is a special treat for eco-tourists and animal lovers as we visit Santa Rosa National Park and the National Reserve of Curu as well as the Isla Tortuga where you may spot manta rays, pilot whales or even giant whale sharks. Costa Rica has reserved a full quarter of its landmass for national parks. With 9,000 higher plant species, 800 ferns, 850 bird species, hundreds of frogs and reptile species and 10% of all mammal species on earth, there is a lot to protect!
Day 1 SunPuerto Caldera, Costa Rica
Embark on Star Flyer in Puerto Caldera. Around two hours west of Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, Puerto Caldera sits near the mouth of the Golfo de Nicoya. It is a tiny town and yet a key port for ships from all over the world, offering significant access to the Pacific Coast.
Day 2 Mon At Sea
Relax and enjoy Star Flyer's two swimming pools and more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships. The decor is reminiscent of the grand age of sail with gleaming mahogany rails. The elegantly appointed dining room features open-seat dining.
Day 3 Tue San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur is a popular coastal town in south-west Nicaragua with many spectacular beaches. It has a beautiful crescent-shaped bay and its waters offer superb surfing and fishing.
Day 4 Wed Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Playas del Coco consists of a gorgeous horseshoe-shaped bay with steep hills and impressive cliffs. The beautiful view from the Playa del Coco bay includes Pelonas Islands, Cacique Point to the northwest and Cantinela Point. For those looking for fun Playas del Coco has a good night life with 'beach style' partying.
Day 5 Thu National Park Santa Rosa, Costa Rica
Jutting westward into the Pacific, Santa Rosa National Park engulfs much of the Santa Elena Peninsula located in northwestern Guanacaste. An abundance of flora and fauna make their home in the park's immense forests that give way to white-sand beaches. Ten unique habitats span the 122,350 acre park, ranging from mangrove swamp to dry tropical forest, each of which provide sanctuary for numerous animal species. Birds commonly found here are magpie jays, orange-breast parakeets and black hawks. The most endangered species in the park is the ocean turtle, including the olive ridley, the hawksbill, the green and the leatherback turtles.
Day 6 Fri Samara, Costa Rica (am)
Samara is a charming beach resort and thriving fishing and farming community. It has a long, white sand beach with shallow, gentle waters and a superb coral reef with Isla Chora, its own picturesque and deserted wooded island in the bay.
Day 7 Sat National Reserve of Curu (am), Isla Tortuga (pm and overnight, Costa Rica
For eco-tourists and animal lovers alike the Curu Wildlife Reserve is one of the highlights of the Nicoya Peninsula. In a tropical paradise environment, visitors are almost guaranteed to see lots of animals in the wild.Isla Tortuga is as close to an idyllic tropical isle as you’ll find in Costa Rica. The main attraction is a magnificent white-sand beach lined with coconut palms. You may spot manta rays or pilot whales in the warm waters and even giant whale sharks have been seen basking off Isla Tortuga.
Day 8 SunPuerto Caldera, Costa Rica
After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Caldera
The Captain reserves the right to alter the itinerary to suit wind and weather conditions.
The cruise price includes
Accommodation in cabin on board Star Flyer in chosen category
Full board accommodation
The cruise price does not include
Optional excursions available for booking on board
Flights
Stopovers
Additional hotels before/after the cruise. These can be arranged.
Cruise Extensions
We are happy to personalise your holiday with flights from your preferred airport and a choice of pre or post cruise hotel stays.
Costa Rica and Panama Itinerary
Explore the paradise of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula on board Star Flyer, a modern-day tall ship with decor reminiscent of the great age of sail and every detail designed to give you a luxurious sailing holiday of a lifetime.
Cruising south down Costa Rica's magnificent pacific coast, we explore the beautiful beaches and colourful local culture of Golfito, Isla del Cano, Drake Bay and Quepos. Star Flyer's new in-depth itinerary takes you to both major and lesser-known national parks, some on remote islands and bays inaccessible to land-based tourists. As an added highlight, Quepos holds a month long party in February featuring concerts, sporting events, parades and a street carnival with dancers from across the country.
There is a special treat for eco-tourists and animal lovers alike as we visit Isla Coiba and the National Reserve of Curu as well as Isla Tortuga, where you may spot manta rays, pilot whales or even giant whale sharks. Costa Rica has reserved a full quarter of its landmass for national parks. With 9,000 higher plant species, 800 ferns, 850 bird species, hundreds of frogs and reptile species and 10% of all mammal species on earth, there is a lot to protect!
Day 1 Sun Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
Embark on Star Flyer in Puerto Caldera. Around two hours west of Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, Puerto Caldera sits near the mouth of the Golfo de Nicoya. It is a tiny town and yet a key port for ships from all over the world, offering significant access to the Pacific Coast.
Day 2 Mon At Sea
Relax and enjoy Star Flyer's two swimming pools and more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships. The decor is reminiscent of the grand age of sail with gleaming mahogany rails. The elegantly appointed dining room features open-seating dining.
Day 3 TueIsla Coiba, Panama
Located in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Isla Coiba is one of a group of 38 islands identified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2005. It offers rich and well preserved natural resources.
Day 4 WedGolfito, Costa Rica
Golfito is a rustic and tranquil town in Southern Costa Rica. Once a central port for this banana growing region, the town is now a growing tourist destination and gateway to Southern Costa Rica's rugged wilderness and stunning beaches.
Day 5 Thu Isla del Cano (am) Drake Bay (pm and overnight) Costa Rica
Isla del Caño is a biological reserve and constitutes a refuge for migratory birds as well as protecting wide marine environments and their fauna. It is one of the world's newest hot spots for adventure diving with its volcanic rock formations.Drake Bay was first discovered by Sir Francis Drake in 1579 during his circumnavigation of the globe. It lies on the northern end of the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas province and is probably one of the most well known destinations in the region whilst also being one of the most inaccessible places in the entire country.
Day 6 Fri Drake Bay (am), Quepos, Costa Rica (pm and overnight)
Quepos is spread across a tropical inlet surrounded by primary rainforest. It is a delightful village as colourful and intriguing as the flora and fauna surrounding it. Every February the locals celebrate with a month long Festival featuring concerts, sporting events, parades and a street carnival with dancers from across the country.
Day 7 Sat National Reserve of Curu (am) Isla Tortugas (Beach BBQ) (pm and overnight) Costa Rica
For eco-tourists and animal lovers alike the Curu Wildlife Reserve is one of the highlights of the Nicoya Peninsula. In a tropical paradise environment, visitors are almost guaranteed to see lots of animals in the wild.Isla Tortuga is as close to an idyllic tropical isle as you’ll find in Costa Rica. The main attraction is a magnificent white-sand beach lined with coconut palms. you You may spot manta rays or pilot whales in the warm waters and even giant whale sharks have been seen basking off Isla Tortuga.
Day 8 SunPuerto Caldera, Costa Rica
After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Caldera
More about cruises on board the Star Clippers fleet
The cruise price includes
Accommodation in cabin on board Star Flyer in chosen category
Full board accommodation
The cruise price does not include
Optional excursions
Flights
Stopovers
Additional hotels before/after the cruise. These can be arranged
Star Clipper and Star Flyer are both 360 feet long and each carries just 170 guests in pampered comfort. Life aboard is blissfully relaxed, much like travelling on a private yacht. You’ll never feel confined, as each ship offers pleasingly spacious accommodation and expansive teak decks with ample space for relaxing and play. In fact, you’ll find that these ships offer more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships.
Enjoy our convivial indoor-outdoor Tropical Bar and Piano Bar, and Edwardian style library where a Belle Époque fireplace glows with a warmth that reflects the friendliness and enthusiasm of Star Clippers’ hospitable officers and crew.