Join Star Clipper on this 8-day cruise from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, to Balboa, Panama. Set sail through the Tortugas, regarded as the most beautiful island in Costa Rica. Then visit the small, busy town of Quepos, which serves as the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Discover Golfo de Chiriquí, home to a national marine park with an area over 147 sq km, protecting 25 islands and 19 coral reefs that host abundant wildlife. Then cruise through San Jose Island, considered among the best deep-sea fishing grounds in the world. Your journey ends along the piers of Balboa, the port marking the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal.
Highlights
Visit Golfo de Chiriquí, home to a national marine park.
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.
Puerto Caldera is the cruise port that is the major gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Of the many excursions on offer here, a trip to the Arenal Volcano is not to be missed.
Isla Tortuga is widely regarded as the most beautiful island in Costa Rica. With giant coconut palms framing powder soft whitte sand beaches that are lapped by crystal clear turquoise waters, this really is a tropical paradise. You can also play beach volleyball, rent a kayak, swim, or even get a ride of a glass-bottom boat. However if you are feeling adventuous you can ride the zip line as part of a canopy tour.
The small busy town of Quepos serves as the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Although the rapid rise in ecotourism has meant that Quepos has been descended upon it, has largely retained its authentic feel. There is a good restaurant scene, the streets are easy to navigate and the locals are friendly.
Golfito is Costa Rica's most southern port town. It was built on bananas – the United Fruit Company moved its regional headquarters here in the '30s and remained until it's departure in the 1980s.Today it acts as a gateway to visitors who wish to surf at Pavones or take part in sport-fishing. There are plenty of other activities on offer including horseback riding, kayaking and trips to nearby mangrove forests.
Day 5: Marine Park Golfo De Chiriqui - Parida Island, Panama
Golfo de Chiriquí is home to a national marine park with an area of just over 147 sq km, protecting 25 islands and 19 coral reefs which host abundant wildlife. It's home to howler monkeys, several types of nesting sea turtles and 280 recorded bird species. You can snorkel, surf or kayak in the calm waters or take a big game fishing trip.
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 of course iguanas, it's considered to be a wildlife refuge. It is great for snorkeling and you may spot more 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.
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 pepper the irregular coastline. There is also a stunning array of beaches to be found that vary in color from coral white to ebony black and golden.
Day 8: Balboa (Isla Flamenco), Panama | Disembark
1 Breakfast
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.
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.
$1,640
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Category 6
Located on the Commodore Deck, this inside cabin features upper/lower berths and a bathroom with shower.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 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
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)
Gratuities
Visa
Port Fees
All transfers to/from the boat from airports.
Laundry services
Medical services
Shore Excursions
Alcoholic drinks and sodas.
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.