Costa Rica cruise with Star Clippers

15-Day Costa Rica Land & Cruise Holiday

Combine a wonderfully encompassing exploration of some of the finest natural wonders of Costa Rica with a cruise on the Pacific waters with Star Clippers, taking in the remote and underdeveloped coastal destinations of Costa Rica.

On this 15-day land & cruise holiday, you'll explore Costa Rica's lush Central Valley, the beautiful pristine landscapes of Arenal plus the enigmatic cloud forests of Monteverde. 

Your elegant four-mast Star Clipper ship will then transport you on an exhilarating 8-day cruise, exploring secluded beach destinations in Costa Rica. The traditional ship is reminiscent of the legendary sailing era but furnished with modern comforts and amenities. Enjoy a unique but relaxed experience, with optional hands-on experiences, regaling stories from the Captain, and plenty of opportunities to simply relax and take in the sea air.

Highlights

• Bathe in the natural hot springs of Arenal 
• Observe wildlife that thrives within the Monteverde cloud forests
• 8 days onboard the Star Clipper Tall Ship
• Discover authentic Tico culture in Quepos
• A relaxing finale on the idyllic Costa Rican Isla Tortuga

Quick Itinerary

Day 1 – Central Valley
Days 2 - 4 – Arenal
Days 5 & 6 – Monteverde 
Day 7 – Embark Star Clipper
Day 8 – Quepos
Day 9 – Golfito
Day 10 – At sea
Day 11 – Playa Panama - Bahia Culebra, Costa Rica
Day 12 – Bahia Potrero
Day 13 – Isla Tortuga
Day 14 – Disembark Star Clipper and depart Costa Rica 
Day 15 – Fly to UK from Costa Rica

Truly Individual Holiday

Any element of this holiday can be tailormade to your requirements, including the places you want to see and the things that are important to you. Just contact one of our Travel Specialists today.

Day 1: Central Valley

Arrive in San José and transfer to the Central Valley, a wide plateau beautifully fringed by majestic mountains. Your hotel for the night - the Buena Vista - benefits from an elevated location overlooking the valley and several nature trails serve as a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica’s rich flora and fauna.

Days 2 - 4: Arenal

Three nights are afforded in Arenal, a tranquil region with lush countryside, calm lakes and rich flora and fauna. Your time here is your own to explore the fertile landscapes that lie in the shadows of the imposing conical Arenal Volcano. Bathe in the natural hot springs of your hotel – Arenal Springs Resort & Spa, hike in the rainforests observing wildlife in their natural habitat, visit highly regarded conservation centres or take an exhilarating zip-line through the canopies. 

Days 5 & 6: Monteverde

Travel to Monteverde, one of the very few places on earth remaining to experience the fragile biosphere of a natural cloud forest. Stay for two nights in the elegant Senda Monteverde hotel and fill your days exploring the mystical verdant landscapes and observing a myriad of wildlife species in their natural habitat. Monteverde is also an excellent destination to learn about Costa Rica’s world-renowned coffee, and there are plenty of opportunities to visit a local plantation and discover the entire crop to cup process.

Day 7: Embark Star Clipper

Transfer to Puntarenas, the embarkment point of your Star Clippers adventure. Meet your fellow travellers and the Star Clippers staff before perhaps indulging in the ship’s facilities which include two swimming pools, a piano bar, an Edwardian library, expansive observation decks and a convivial alfresco tropical bar.

Day 8: Quepos

Your first stop on the Star Clipper cruise is Quepos, a small but bustling town with a Tico population and a genial atmosphere. Quepos also serves as the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park and your onboard staff will be able to maximise your time here, whether it is arranging an excursion to the park or making other local recommendations. 

Day 9: Golfito

Golfito is Costa Rica's most southern port town. You can engage in several activities, including horseback riding, kayaking and take a trip to nearby mangrove forests.

Day 10: At sea 

Today, enjoy the facilities of the Star Clippers ship. As a traditional sailing vessel, there are also hands-on activities you can participate in such as knot tying and navigation classes, or climbing the mast to the crow’s nest. 

Day 11: Playa Panama - Bahia Culebra, Costa Rica

Returning to Costa Rica, this morning the Star Clippers vessel will anchor at one of the country’s most beautiful yet underdeveloped beaches - Playa Nacascolo. The beach is located on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast and, with limited infrastructure and a remote location, it is wonderfully secluded. Spend the day at the beach, where the ocean’s waters are calm enough for swimming and the perfect, white-powdered sand is fringed by healthy vegetation, attracting many coatis and monkeys to the shore. 

Day 12: Bahia Potrero

Port in the charming seaside village of Potrero, wonderfully underdeveloped and virtually untouched by tourism. Complementing Potrero are a further two small villages – the more developed Flamingo and Surfside, both easily accessible within your time here. All three have pristine beaches and swimmable waters, and Star Clippers will provide paddleboards, kayaks or snorkel equipment for you to explore the offshore islets dotted around the crystal-clear ocean to the backdrop of lush vegetation. 

Day 13: Isla Tortuga

Arguably saving the best for last, the final stop of your Star Clippers cruise is the beautiful Isla Tortuga. Whilst many water sports activities and hikes can be arranged here, it will be difficult to resist simply spending the day on the soft white sand beaches and bathing in the cooling azure waters whilst sipping cocktails underneath giant coconut palms.

Day 14: Depart San José 

Disembark your cruise in Puntarenas and transfer to San José airport for your onward flight. 

Day 15: Arrive back in the UK

Today you will land back in the UK from Costa Rica.

Price from £4,699 per person

(Based on the departures of the Star Clipper Tall Ship between January to March 2025 with 2 people sharing a room/cabin throughout.) 

Includes;

• International flights 

• 6 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotels

• 8 day cruise onboard the Star Clipper Tall Ship 

• 27 meals: 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

• Transfers as per itinerary on a shared basis

• Private post-cruise transfer to San Jose airport

• Cruise port fees & taxes

Excludes:

• Cruise excursions payable on the ship

• Transfers and domestic flights as per itinerary

• Local departure taxes payable locally

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc

• Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary)

• Camera or video fees at any sites