Sunday, March 31, 2024

Costa Rica Cruises: Natural Beauty & Rich Culture

cruise costa rica

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.

Night Repo - Panama CanalDetails

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.

Night Western Caribbean CruiseDetails

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.

cruise 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.

Cruise Shore Excursions, Tours & Activities

cruise excursion

This is a mistake that can lead to burnout or a disappointing vacation. The train depot is right in town, close to the cruise docks, so you don't need bus transportation there. And the guides are part of the train experience, so you will get the informative narration either way. For those looking for a more personalized adventure, there’s Private Journeys.

How much do shore excursions cost?

Some shore tours -- such as daylong trips from Tunis to the marketplace, museum and ancient Carthage -- pack many activities into one trip. Others focus on one destination or activity, like a trip to the Mayan ruins from Cozumel. It's up to you whether you'd prefer to see many things for short amounts of time or focus on one place in depth.

Book must-do tours as early as possible

The ship’s excursions get you to the markets, often with some city highlights along the way, then leave you with a few hours of shopping time. You are then free to make your way back to the ship or to a meeting point for the return trip as a group. Arriving in multiple ports you are unfamiliar with and expecting to find the best things to do would be challenging at best and disastrous at worst.

The Different Types of Shore Excursions to Consider on Your Cruise

Then, decide whether having a guide and the security and ease of booking through your cruise line outweigh any difference in price. If you're a first-time cruiser, it can be helpful to have a few hacks to make your shore excursion experience amazing. Keep these tips in mind when booking, preparing for and embarking on your tour.

How does shore excursion credit work?

Advice How to find a cruise excursion you'll actually enjoy - The Washington Post

Advice How to find a cruise excursion you'll actually enjoy.

Posted: Sat, 24 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a nearly three-hour ride on Skagway's White Pass and Yukon Route scenic railway for $199 per adult. But if you go to the railway's website, you can book the same trip for $146 — $50 less. When you explore Europe’s ancient cities, every arch and alleyway tells a story.

cruise excursion

EUROPE EXCURSIONS

Don't book a walking tour in Europe if you're not able to tramp over uneven cobblestone streets for an hour or more. Skip the mountain biking tour if you're not in good health or the kayaking tour if you have back or shoulder pain. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.

ADD A BOOKING

To enhance each port visit (as well as to increase their profits), cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for additional fees. These land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing city tours to cultural events and active pursuits. You can take a sunset pleasure cruise in St. Lucia, visit penguin colonies in Antarctica, go wine tasting in Provence or bike through Copenhagen.

Card Type

Most travelers rely on carrying a copy of their passport in ports, leaving the originals locked away safely in their staterooms. There are some cruise lines that hold your passports for you throughout the cruise. You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship.

The most popular excursions and limited-participant tours will sell out — often before you even board your cruise ship. Even better, many cruise lines discount the tours you purchase in advance. Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside of the port city. Some cruise lines and even some travel agents offer shore excursion credit as a booking perk. It is essentially a credit of a preset amount (often $50) applied to each day in port for which you book a shore excursion.

The key to booking the best shore excursions is knowing what you want from your cruise vacation and making sure that your tour choices support those goals. Explore the possibilities for shore excursions on your next cruise below. Shore excursions are designed for all activitiy levels in almost any mainstream cruise destination. Active tours can include water sports, ziplining, hiking, biking, dog-sledding and more. Activity-based trips might feature a day at the spa or beach, a pleasure cruise on a sailboat, wine or food tasting, a cultural performance or a visit to a museum. Sightseeing excursions are typically bus tours that take passengers to the highlights and shopping areas of the port city or nearby destinations.

There is no need to tip any cruise ship staff who are along for the excursion (which sometimes happens on river cruises). While luxury lines, river cruises, small coastal ships, expedition ships and even some premium cruise lines include some shore excursions in their fares. Other tours on those lines and all excursions offered by mainstream cruise lines must be purchased.

The pre-purchase window for certain products and activities closes between one and three days prior to the sail date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us once you're on board — we'll help you find what you’re looking for. Some cruisers are so focused on what to do on each individual day that they never stop to consider their tour schedule as a whole.

Make a beeline for the tour desk as soon as you board, and be prepared to wait in line. You can always ask the staff if they recommend you book immediately because a tour is filling up or whether you can take a day to decide. I've taken more than 50 cruises, and I've made my share of tour booking mistakes. In reality, the shore tour decision-making process gets more complex — especially if you want to make the most of your eight hours in a port you might never revisit. There’s no better way to explore the beauty beneath the waves than on a guided scuba excursion. Dive deep below the surface of the sea with a certified expert and weave through brilliant coral colonies, scour centuries-old shipwrecks and come face-to-face with exotic aquatic critters.

In most cases, shore excursions give you access to something that might otherwise be hard to arrange on your own. If you're uncertain about a few tours or want to pay for your excursions with onboard credit, wait until you board to book. The excursions desk staff might have additional insight into the shore tours you're considering that will help you decide.

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