Costa Rica is a famous tourist destination for several reasons. With its pristine beaches and geothermal pools, you can expect a relaxing vacation in this country. This biodiversity hotspot also provides several opportunities for thrill-seekers.
Going to Costa Rica through a cruise is an excellent way to see the blend of nature and adventure. You cruise along its Caribbean and Pacific coasts to observe the vibrant beauty of this place. From lush rainforests to volcanic landscapes, this country is a paradise for every traveler.
This blog walks you through the important destinations of this Central American country. It explores Costa Rica Cruises, offering an unforgettable journey to this stunning region. Keep reading to discover the true essence of Costa Rica’s beauty.
30-Second Summary
Boasting wildlife and beaches, Costa Rica is a world-famous travel destination. The ports offer excellent views, while the “Pura Vida” lifestyle provides relaxation. In this country, you can feel the blend of laid-back life and adventurous activities. And what is better than taking a cruise to this stunning country?
This blog features Costa Rica Cruises, which offers top-notch services. Learn about the famous destinations of this country that attract millions of tourists every year. Discover the shore excursions and additional tips to make your journey more exciting and safe.
Cruise Lines for Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a famous cruise destination. With a range of activities and places to explore, it attracts cruise travelers in massive numbers. Let’s see cruise lines that promise adventure and nature exploration in this biodiverse country.
UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise Adventures is an ideal cruise line for adventure seekers. This line focuses on providing memorable adventures in Costa Rica itineraries. You can go hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. Travelers get a chance to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. To relax, you can rest on the idyllic beaches after snorkeling with turtles and colorful fish.
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions takes every traveler to adventure-filled destinations in Costa Rica. The expert guide shows the untamed wilds of this region. Get the thrill of kayaking in the water and hiking in lush rainforests with Lindblad. See Corcovado National Park and Guanacaste Conservation Area, which are some of the largest UNESCO Heritage Sites.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises offers a trip to both natural and man-made wonders. Learn about the ecological diversity of this region. Observe the exotic jungles and their thriving wildlife. Moreover, the cruise itinerary includes visiting the Panama Canal during the day. An expert Naturalist tells you all about the flora and fauna of Costa Rica onboard.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is an ideal line for people looking for a luxurious trip to Costa Rica. Travelers visit famous landmarks and get an opportunity to see the beautiful wildlife. The trip lasts for 11 to 16 nights, during which several beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests are visited. The onboard amenities enhance the overall travel experience.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruises offers an immersive travel experience to the ports of Puntarenas and Puerto Limon. The itinerary in Puntarenas includes exploring the seaport town and its vibrant cottages and markets. In Puerto Limon, interact with multi-cultural communities, observe its biodiversity, and enjoy annual carnival celebrations.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises provides a luxurious trip and thrilling shore excursions in Costa Rica. This cruise promises something for every traveler. In Puntarenas, you can interact with locals or indulge in delightful local cuisine. See the beautiful city life in San Jose. Explore jungles by ziplining or rafting down a rainforest river to make the most of your trip.
Holland America Line
Holland America has a vast itinerary that covers significant landmarks of Costa Rica. While traveling, passengers visit a sloth sanctuary, go for whitewater rafting, and trek in the Veragua rainforest. You can soak in the beauty of the landscapes while taking a mangrove river cruise. Travelers can enjoy more adventurous activities in Quespo, Manuel Antonio.
Oceania Cruises
If you are looking for a luxurious and intimate journey to Costa Rica, Oceania Cruises is your best bet. This line has exceptional onboard services and offers gourmet cuisine. The diverse destinations included in itineraries make it an ideal line for Costa Rica travel. From breathtaking waterfalls to butterfly gardens and cloud rainforests, enjoy the diverse landscapes on your journey.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
This cruise line is marvelous for people looking for a relaxing onboard experience and thrilling shore activities. Travelers enjoy the abundant wildlife and mountainous landscapes. Visit the Tarcoles River to observe huge colonies of birds and crocodiles. Observe Costa Rica’s famous scarlet macaws in the rainforests of Carara National Park.
Ponant
Ponant Cruise Line provides an immersive travel experience on its small and luxurious ships. The cruise itineraries include a memorable cultural and natural exploration journey. Explore the abundant wildlife and rainforests in Costa Rica. Participate in various shore activities that allow you to see Costa Rica in all its glory.
Why Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is known for its incredible scenery. This is a prominent destination on travelers’ bucket lists. If you are an animal lover and want to see thriving wildlife, this place is perfect to visit. Let’s take a look at compelling reasons why everyone should visit this country at least once in their lives.
National Parks
If you want to see national parks, Costa Rica is the place to go. This country has 30 national parks and boasts about 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Tourists explore dry forests, rainforests, coral reefs, and cloud forests. You can explore the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall while hiking in Tenorio National Park.
Volcanic Landscapes
Costa Rica has diverse volcanoes, both dormant and active. It is home to 60 volcanoes, among which 10 are active. One of the most popular attractions of Costa Rica is Arenal Volcano. It is especially famous among people who hike its rugged terrain and enjoy geothermal hot springs. Many resorts and spas take advantage of natural warm waters.
Abundant Wildlife
There are chances to discover wildlife pretty much everywhere you go in Costa Rica. About 26% of wildlife in this country is protected through national parks, reserves, and refuges. This country has 500,000 species of animals. Tourists can see scarlet macaws, humpback whales, howler monkeys, green iguanas, sloths, sea turtles, and much more.
Hummingbirds
Costa Rica is perfect for bird watchers, particularly for those who like hummingbirds. More than 50 species of hummingbirds are in this country, making it the hummingbird capital of the world. Encounter some of the most exquisite species, including magenta-throated woodstar, sabrewing, and coppery-headed emerald.
Adventure Haven
Costa Rica offers plenty of options to adventurous souls with its volcanic landscapes and natural scenery. The beaches have the perfect surf conditions. Tourists can enjoy fishing, river rafting, ATV driving, horse riding, scuba diving, zip lining, and tubing. National parks are ideal for hiking, and Tamarindo and the Nicoya Peninsula are best for surfing.
Delightful Cuisine
Another famous aspect of this country is its delicious cuisine. The food has Spanish, Caribbean, and Indigenous influences. Prepared with fresh ingredients, you can enjoy the authentic taste of the traditional cuisine of Costa Rica. Some staple dishes of this country are vuelve a la vida (a seafood cocktail), arreglados (a sandwich made with meat, cheese, and vegetables), and pejibayes (peach palm fruits, boiled and served with mayonnaise).
Beaches
Costa Rica has both Pacific and Caribbean beaches. This country makes efforts to preserve its beaches. It boasts 800 miles of pristine shoreline on both Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The Nicoya Peninsula is home to many beaches, including Playa Ostional and Playa Quesera. The laid-back beach towns, like Santa Teresa, offer excellent surf spots and a digital nomad community.
Premium Resorts
Costa Rica is not only perfect for adventures, but it is also ideal for people looking for a relaxing getaway. The hotels and resorts in Costa Rica have exceptional services, including spas. Beach resorts are becoming increasingly popular as they offer sandy shores, wildlife experiences, and top-notch accommodations.
World-class Coffee
Costa Rica produces some of the best coffee in the world. People who want to indulge in aromatic and flavorful coffee should visit this country. Coffee is also one of the main economic drivers of Costa Rica. You can go on tours of coffee farms that allow you to taste their delicious coffee flavors.
Destinations in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has some of the most wonderful wildlife and beaches. Every destination has something to offer to every tourist. If you are an animal enthusiast, a wildlife cruise Central America takes you to places with abundant wildlife.
Before visiting Costa Rica, ensure that you are aware of the drinking age restrictions. Let’s discover some stunning places in Costa Rica.
Puerto Limón
Puerto Limon is right in the middle of the Caribbean coast in Costa Rica. It is one of the most important Costa Rica ports and the capital of the Caribbean and Black culture of the country. This city is off the beaten path in Costa Rica, offering an authentic and immersive experience of this country.
Places to visit: In Puerto Limon, make sure to visit Tortuguero National Park, Cahuita National Park, Veragua Rainforest, Reventon River, and Maratopia.
Puntarenas
This place is a hotspot for all local and international visitors. The English translation of the name Puntarenas is the sand point, which is befitting as it has numerous beaches. These beaches, inlets, and islands offer opportunities to participate in surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. You can rent yachts to go fishing.
Places to visit: Some famous places to visit in Puntarenas are Manuel Antonio, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Drake Bay & Corcovado, Quepos, Dominical, Malpaís, Santa Teresa, Uvita, Montezuma, Pavones, Puerto Jiménez, and Cabo Matapalo.
Quepos
Quepos has a wealth of natural landscapes, including beaches and mountains. You can explore its dense forests through horse riding. Another reason for visiting this place is to see the humpback whales and dolphins. Moreover, this place has top-notch cuisine, including the traditional dishes from the Pacific Coast.
Golfo Dulce
Golfo Dulce is a tropical fjord on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is an excellent place for birdwatching. You can relax on its solitary beaches or explore its abundant wildlife. The forest meets the sea in river deltas and forms mangrove forests. Some species you can observe here are manta rays, dolphins, eels, and humpback whales.
Drake Bay
Drake Bay is a historical place, offering breathtaking scenery for all tourists. The beaches have golden sands and crystal-clear waters. These beaches are surrounded by unspoiled nature, which is a true paradise for all tropical destination lovers. Activities you can enjoy in this region are fishing, horse riding, kayaking, bird watching, diving, and hiking.
Tortuguero
This area was declared a national park in 1970. Tortuguero is home to countless species of plants and animals. You can find 60 species of mammals, 111 species of reptiles, and more than 300 species of birds in this national park. The beaches are beautifully wild and perfect for enjoying sunset and sunrise walks.
Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano is currently dormant. However, its past eruptions have shaped the surrounding terrain beautifully. The awe-inspiring scenery of this majestic volcano is a sight to behold. From vibrant flora to exotic fauna, this place is home to a wide array of different species. Arenal Volcano is particularly ideal for people who love to get an adrenaline rush from adventures.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
The dense fog in this forest is 1600 meters above sea level. Tourists walk through this cloud forest and enjoy the greenery and hiking. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve has numerous plants and animals. People visit it to explore the vibrant wildlife up close. For an adventurous journey, you can either go ziplining or walk along the hanging bridges.
Cahuita
Cahuita, a small town, offers a blissful blend of Caribbean charm and natural beauty. This place has a laid-back atmosphere and is a few steps away from the popular Cahuita National Park. You can relax on the black sand beach of Playa Negra or take a bike ride to explore the town. Indulge in the creamy and spicy coconut-based cuisine, which is a delicacy of this place.
Osa Peninsula
Osa Peninsula is the most biodiverse area on the entire planet. You can encounter species you have never heard of. A guide can show you the most exotic animals and plants. This place is abundant in aquatic life as well. Additionally, the beautiful beaches offer opportunities to bask in the sun or take a swim in the water. Enjoy the rich history and delicious fruits of the Osa Peninsula.
Best Shore Excursions in Costa Rica
The best way to visit natural sites and participate in adventurous activities is through shore excursions. Cruises offer a variety of Costa Rica shore excursions that you can partake in and explore all the well-known sites.
Puerto Limon: Puerto Limon is famous for its banana production. Visiting a banana plantation is a renowned shore activity in the region. Tourists also visit Cahuita National Park, take boat tours in Tortuguero Canals, and shop in local markets. At Veragua Rainforest Park, you can enjoy nature trails, an aerial tram, canopy tours, and a waterfall trip.
Puntarenas: This place is filled with beaches, some with white sand and others with black sand. Observe the tropical forest from a bird’s eye view from an aerial tram in Turu Ba Ri. This park is a famous place for an eco-cruise Costa Rica. Encounter crocodiles in the Tarcoles River and see bright-plumaged birds in the Natuwa Sanctuary at El Manantial.
Quepos: In Quepos, travelers enjoy sport fishing. It is close to Manuel Antonio National Park, making it a sought-after tourist attraction. You can visit rainforests, mangrove swamps, beaches, and coral reefs.
Golfo Dulce: Golfo Dulce offers ample opportunities for dolphin-watching, mangrove trips, and kayaking. Travelers visit Corcovado National Park, which is famous for hiking trails and rich biodiversity.
Drake Bay: This place offers a unique travel experience to tourists. You can hike in jungles, snorkel in the clear blue water, and explore the mangrove system of Central America. This place is perfect for an enjoyable family trip as well.
Best Season to Visit
Knowing the different seasons of Costa Rica helps you plan an enjoyable trip. This section covers the seasons of this country and the best time to visit to make the most of your journey.
January to April: These months have the least rainfall. Visitors flock to the country during January and Easter. The national parks and beaches are crowded, but this is an excellent time to watch wildlife and try adventurous activities.
May to June: These months bring the “green season” in Costa Rica. There is frequent rainfall, but there is plenty of warm sunshine as well. National parks are less crowded, providing a chance to spend more time observing the wildlife.
July to August: Rainfall becomes increasingly frequent. This is the peak time to see green sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park. This season is also the beginning of whale watching in Dominical. If you want to enjoy beach time, visit the far Northern Pacific coast, as it receives the lowest rainfall throughout the year.
September to October: This season has the highest rainfall, and travel to Costa Rica is not advised. Heavy rain makes wildlife viewing difficult. The condition of the roads becomes worse with mud and landslides.
November to December: This spell of heavy rain continues till the end of November. The weather gets significantly better till the middle of December.
The best season to travel: The dry season typically runs from mid-December to April, and traveling during this time is recommended.
Tips to Make Your Journey Memorable
There are some tips you should consider to make your trip to Costa Rica smooth.
Money Tips: The colón is the currency of Costa Rica. You can use U.S. dollars and major credit cards during your trip, as they are widely accepted. Make sure to exchange money at banks only.
Travel Tips: This country is for exploration. Packing lightly makes it easy to travel from one place to another. Pack only light clothes that are easy to carry. Stick to a carry-on bag and keep all your essential items, such as medication, in it.
Safety Tips: Take care of your belongings even if you are traveling on public transport. Avoid walking in deserted areas and places without lights. Check your mobile in secure areas and do not take any unsolicited help from strangers.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica has established its identity as a famous tourist destination due to its adventure opportunities and dynamic wildlife. The “Pura Vida” lifestyle of this country offers a laid-back travel experience filled with relaxation and exploration.
This blog showed some of the excellent destinations of this Central American country. It also features different seasons for visiting Costa Rica. With shore excursions and a list of Costa Rica Cruises, you can plan a wonderful vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Month to Travel to Costa Rica?
The peak months to visit Costa Rica are mid-December to April. It is the dry season, meaning more opportunities for wildlife spotting. Additionally, this is the best time to partake in outdoor activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, ziplining, and hiking.
What is Costa Rica Famous For?
Costa Rica is famously known for its abundance of wildlife, dynamic scenery, and idyllic beaches. This country offers incredible outdoor activities that make your trip unforgettable. Additionally, it is considered the home for ecotourism, making it an excellent place to visit.
What Should I Pack for a Costa Rica Cruise Trip?
For a comfortable Costa Rica trip, make sure that everything you pack is light and easy to carry. Consider packing light clothes along with the correct type of shoes. A pair of sandals and sneakers is ideal. In addition, you should pack prescribed medication, sunscreen, swimwear, and all of your travel documents.