This 8-day Central America adventure cruise departs from Balboa, Panama, sailing to Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The waters of San Jose Island are considered to be among the best deep-sea fishing grounds in the world due to their abundance of tropical game fish. Then, spend a few days at sea exploring islands and participating in Star Clipper's activities while being transported to stunning ports. Head to Isla Tortuga, considered the most beautiful island in Costa Rica. Your voyage culminates in the Costa Rica port city of Puntarenas.
Highlights
Visit the epicenter of the Caribbean yachting world
Swim & snorkel at the calm and breathtaking Pearl Islands
Spend an afternoon enjoying Isla Tortuga’s palm-shaded beaches
Discover diverse tropical ecosystems while exploring via kayak and on foot
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Along the piers of Balboa, the port marking the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal, you'll see yachts from all over the world. Balboa was built to house the American administrative headquarters for the Canal and many of the buildings are handsome examples of the American colonial style of the early 1900s.
San Jose Island is the second largest in the Pearl Islands. It's located just 90 kilometers from Panama City in the Gulf of Panama. The waters of San Jose abound in tropical game fish and are considered among the best deep-sea fishing grounds in the world. They host an abundance of tuna, black marlin, coberra, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, and giant oysters. Coconut palms and wild sugar cane dot the irregular coastline. There are also a stunning array of beaches to be found that vary in color from coral white to ebony black and golden.
Iguana Island is a natural attraction of the Azuero Peninsula offering the only white sand beach in the region and beautiful clear waters. Accessible only by boat and Inhabited by rare birds, purple and red crabs, and iguanas, it's considered to be a wildlife refuge. It is great for snorkeling and you may spot eels, rays, and turtles swimming in the warm waters. There is also a hiking trail that you can follow where you can see nesting birds.
Coiba Island lies 30 miles off of the south coast of Panama. It is the largest among the 38 islands constituting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Coiba National Park. The island boasts 1,450 plant species, and its rainforests house hundreds of diverse animals. The surrounding waters host the eastern Pacific's second-largest coral reef, offering particularly rewarding scuba diving experiences. Witness whale and tiger sharks, manta and eagle rays, and large schools of fish. Coiba Island has a fascinating history, having served as a penal colony and remained largely isolated for the past century.
Golfito is Costa Rica's southern port town. It was built for banana exports – the United Fruit Company moved its regional headquarters here in the 1930s and remained until the 1980s. Today it acts as a gateway to visitors who wish to surf at Pavones or go sport-fishing. There are plenty of other activities on offer including horseback riding, kayaking, and trips to nearby mangrove forests.
The small busy town of Quepos serves as the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park. There is a good restaurant scene, the streets are easy to navigate and the locals are friendly. You won't want to miss visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, where wildlife seem to be everywhere you look.
Isla Tortuga is widely regarded as the most beautiful island in Costa Rica. With giant coconut palms framing powder-soft white sand beaches that are lapped by crystal clear turquoise waters, this really is a tropical paradise. You can play beach volleyball, rent a kayak, swim, or ride on a glass-bottom boat. However, if you are feeling adventurous you can ride zip-line on a canopy tour.
Day 8: Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Puerto Caldera is the cruise port that is the major gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Of the many excursions here, a trip to the Arenal Volcano should not be missed.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,9602-3 travelers
Category 6
Located on the Commodore Deck, this inside cabin features upper/lower berths and a bathroom with shower.
Category 5
Located on the Clipper & Commodore Decks, this inside/outside cabin features a raised double bed, two lower beds, or triple berths, and a marble-lined bathroom with shower.
Category 4
Located on the Commodore Deck, this outside cabin features two lower beds, double bed, or triple berths, and a marble-lined bathroom with shower.
Category 3
Located on the Clipper & Commodore Decks, this outside cabin features two lower beds, double bed, or triple berths, and a marble-lined bathroom with shower.
Category 2
Located on the Clipper Deck, this large outside cabin features two lower beds, double bed, or triple berths, and a marble-lined bathroom with shower.
Category 1
Located on the Main & Sun Decks, this deluxe deck cabin features two lower beds that can convert to a double bed, minibar, marble-lined bathroom with whirlpool bath, and cabin doors that open onto the deck.
Owner's Cabin (Double)
Located on the Clipper Deck, this deluxe outside cabin features a double bed, sitting area, minibar, and marble-lined bathroom with whirlpool.
Notes
Single supplement: A single supplement fare is available at 150% of the published cruise fare for categories 2-6 during the season in which passengers are traveling. It is available at 200% for category 1 cabins, Deluxe Suites, and Owner's Suites. Single space is capacity controlled.
Children's rate: Savings may be available for children under 18 years when traveling with a full-paying adult on select sailings and subject to availability. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is $400 pp for Cat 2-6 and $800pp for Cat 1, Deluxe and Owner's, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Port Fees
All meals and snacks (open seating) including: Coffee and tea are available 24 hours a day. Different juices are included only for breakfast.
Ocean transportation to remote ports.
Complimentary snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boarding, water-skiing, windsurfing, and sunfish sailing (subject to weather conditions and
local authorities).
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Our agent Jessica was very helpful with the whole process and always responded in a timely way to all of our questions.
K Van
2 days ago
Chern was very patient snd helpful.
CaBaba
3 days ago
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
4 days ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
