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Explore La Fortuna village at the base of the volcano, where the looming volcano over this peaceful town will amaze you. There are a number of hot springs in the area because of the volcanic activity such as the Heliconias Nature Lodge or the Casa Luna Hotel and Spa. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions.
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Discover Dream Destinations: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 2025 Voyages Revealed - Travel And Tour World
Discover Dream Destinations: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 2025 Voyages Revealed.
Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:30:49 GMT [source]
From the cruise port Caldera to Orotina City is 26 km / 16 mi (east of the port). Cruise ships to Puntarenas usually dock at port Puerto Caldera - Costa Rica's largest seaport, also ranked the country's most important cargo port. The port's harbor is protected by breakwaters and has docking terminals.
Puntarenas tours, shore excursions,
Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas both serve as cruise ports for San Jose City (Costa Rica's capital). Juan Santamaria Airport (San Jose) is located approx 85 km (50 mi) to the east from the cruise port (in Alajuela). On your Puntarenas cruise, stop in at the craft market on the beach as you exit the pier where your cruise ship is docked.
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A local guide will take you through the dense tropical jungle and into a hummingbird garden to witness the beautiful birds as they fly rapidly among the trees. However, if you are ever dissatisfied with any aspect of our service or our Web site, pleaseclick hereto tell me about it. Now in our 41styear, Vacations To Go is the largest cruise-selling company in the world. We've built a reputation for discounts, service and professionalism that is second to none.
Costa Rica eco cruises offer more monkeys, fewer tourists - Toronto Star
Costa Rica eco cruises offer more monkeys, fewer tourists.
Posted: Sun, 17 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Things to do in Puntarenas
Some of the major cruise lines that sail to Costa Rica include Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity, Holland America Line (HAL), Royal Caribbean, Princess, Oceania, Windstar and Carnival. Prices per person depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, the month you travel in and each line's included perks. In Puerto Limon, you can go to Tortuguero National Park, which is a must for wildlife enthusiasts. Puntarenas was discovered in the early 1600s by the Spanish, and native peoples called the area home for centuries before then. Puntarenas was once the premier port in Costa Rica before more accessible routes to Europe changed the landscape of its shipping and trade economy, particularly the cross-continental coffee trade. At the edge of Puntarenas is the Paseo de Los Turistas, a stretch of foot-friendly streets where tourists can stop in for souvenirs or a casual, unhurried meal.
Puntarenas cruise terminal
Experience the famous “cloud forests” of Monteverde, which are local rainforests maintained by a careful balance of cloud cover and moisture known only in this area. Species like jaguars, monkeys, and pumas live within the reserve and rely on this environment to survive. It’s cooler here than by the coast, so bring a few layers to explore this impossibly green, moist area. Take a guided hike or zipline through the cloud forest for an unforgettable day in Costa Rica. Cruise to Costa Rica to discover why the locals have been called the happiest people in the world. Costa Rica’s abundant ecotourism treasures await when you board your Carnival cruise to Limón.
Or join a longer voyage between Valparaiso, Chile and Los Angeles, calling at Puntarenas on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The coast features a city beach lined with bars and restaurants (although its water is a little murky). Inland Monteverde is famous for its cloud forest and two reserves (Santa Elena Rain Forest and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve). While the city became less important in some ways, it by no means faded quietly. Today, Puntarenas wears its heritage as a port city proudly, a place where cruise lines and their passengers pass through on the way to other ports of call in Panama, Mexico, and beyond.
From here you can soar above rainforests, feel the mist from tumbling waterfalls, and swim in clear Caribbean seas. These make Limón, Costa Rica a top spot in the region for embarking on eco-adventures. When you cruise to Limón, don’t forget to check out the city itself, the source for millions of bananas that get shipped northward every year. Whether in the Caribbean waters or amongst nature on land, you’ll feel refreshed and invigorated by your cruise to Costa Rica.

Bordering a gentle stretch of sand kissed by Pacific breezes, the former rough-and-tumble port town of Puntarenas, Costa Rica is now a laid-back seaside retreat. With a Puntarenas cruise, you can stroll the mile-long seafront Paseo de los Turistas boardwalk past restaurants, cafés and colorful souvenir stands. On your Carnival cruise to Puntarenas, relax on the powdery beach and watch the sun melt into the Gulf of Nicoya. Hop on a boat for a guided tour of Isla San Lucas, a former prison site that wasn’t much of an attraction until recently. The area was converted into a wildlife refuge to bring greenery and light to its previously dark past. The prison closed in 1991 and was declared a National Wildlife Refuge in 2011.
Puntarenas was also Costa Rica’s primary port for a robust fishing trade, meaning its seafood is top-notch. Now the Port of Puntarenas and the Port of Caldera help accommodate the area’s shipping and cruising businesses. Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama is beautiful Costa Rica, and where you’ll find the port town of Puntarenas along the Port of Nicoya. Downtown is a quick, walkable jaunt, perfect for a day’s worth of time on your cruise to Puntarenas, Costa Rica. In many ways, Puntarenas is ideal for just passing through on a Panama Canal cruise. Cruise to Costa Rica with Celebrity and enjoy the good life on board a stylish, contemporary ship.
Costa Ricans are deeply committed to protecting the natural world, and you’ll find several activities that combine excitement with ecotourism. Visit a sloth sanctuary from Puerto Limón, or learn about the ecology of stingless bees at Api Agricultura. Visit Cahuita National Park with a naturalist, or find out about the conservation of macaws at the Natuwa Sanctuary at El Manantial. The distance between Puntarenas and Puerto Caldera is 28 km / 17 mi (northwest of the port).
It was the country's main seaport for years but now is mainly used by cruise ships. Puntarenas City has approx 34 km2 (13 mi2) land area and population around 35,000. They proliferate the city and are instantly recognizable by their red color.
Bask by the pool, take in the fresh morning air on deck, and toast the end of the day at the romantic Sunset Bar. On Solstice-series ships, there’s even a living lawn on the upper deck, perfect for cocktails, a picnic, or a game of bocce ball. Choose The Retreat for the ultimate in luxurious travel, with access to the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat restaurant and a serene private lounge. Limon is home to several outdoor attractions, including nature thrills like river rafting and zip-lining. If you're a nature fan looking for a more contemplative outing, then head to the Tortuguero Canal, where you can paddle among water lilies, orchids and sea turtles. Have your camera ready to catch the sloths dangling from the trees, the iguanas jumping into the water and the tropical birds overhead.
Colon, this historically important city is a gateway to the Panama Canal and full of Latin charm and New World history. The dryer months of December through April are the best times to cruise to Costa Rica. The best time to cruise to Costa Rica and Panama is during the dryer months of December through April.
USD is generally acceptable to hotels, flights, and higher-end restaurants, however. Credit cards are typically accepted by merchants, but it’s recommended to carry enough colones with you to cover a coffee, purchase a meal, or tip a tour guide. Tipping at restaurants is usually included—10% is the norm—but if not, a tip of 10% or greater is encouraged. If, for any reason, you’re hungering for pizza and pasta instead of traditional foods in Costa Rica, head over to Matobes. By-the slice pizzas, caprese salad, handmade ravioli, and calzones rule the menu here. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.
You can pick up a handmade gifts, local art from a Costa Rican vendor, or a souvenir of Puntarenas to bring home with you. Full beans will keep their freshness longer than pre-ground, so you can bring them back home and they’ll taste just as good as when you are in Costa Rica. Explore the rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica on a cruise lasting between 11 and 16 nights. You could sail round-trip from Tampa, calling at Puerto Limón on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.