Have questions? We're here.
Wendy and Amy at the Flower Market

San Jose Small Ship Cruises

Travel made your way ™
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Costa Rica trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Talk with an expert
Experience the wonders of the 4 diverse small ship cruises available for 2026 in Costa Rica and San Jose with Adventure Life. Join us on a cruise journey through vibrant heritage and breathtaking landscapes, from San Diego to San Jose (Puerto Caldera). Explore some of the most biodiverse places on earth, from the lush jungles of Costa Rica to the marine-rich environment of the Sea of Cortez, engaging in activities like archaeological site visits, snorkeling, village visits, and wildlife viewing. Delve into jungles, mangroves, national parks, and preserves on an 8-day voyage through the Gulf of Panama and Manuel Antonio National Park. Uncover the beauty of Costa Rica and the Panama Canal on an 8-day expedition, observing diverse wilderness and jungle wildlife. Discover the best of Costa Rica on a 9-day itinerary combining time inland with days at sea, exploring Guanacaste and spotting incredible birdlife. Embark on an 11-day Latin America Sojourn exploring the diverse places of Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Begin your adventure to Costa Rica and San Jose today and contact one of Adventure Life's tour specialists for help planning your next seamless trip.
Filter (4 Results)
  • Start Date
    OR, More specific start
  • Length
    to
  • Price
    to
  • Activity Levels
  • Experiences
  • Activities
  • Ships
  • Destinations
    • San Jose
Spot stunning wildlife in the tree canopy
from $4,579
EXPLORE

Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincon de la Vieja

6 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Navigate Costa Rica’s Guanacaste
  • Discover diverse tropical ecosystem
  • Enjoy Isla Tortuga’s beaches
  • Explore volcanic landscapes
Starts / Ends
San Jose / San Jose
Activity Level
Variable
Discover the treasures of one of Costa Rica’s richest regions, Guanacaste, on a 6-day voyage aboard National Geographic Quest. As you venture from uninhabited isles to wildlife-rich jungles and friendly surf towns, bask in the “pura vida” that infuses this ecologically rich country.
Cruise Details
0
Panama Canal
from $14,495
EBD
EXPLORE

Costa Rica and The Panama Canal

San Jose - Panama - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Sylvia Earle
  • Cross Panama Canal
  • Explore biodiverse rainforests
  • Visit Coiba National Park
  • Enjoy Manuel Antonio National Park
Starts / Ends
San Jose / Panama City
Activities
Village Visits
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard the Sylvia Earle to explore Central America's rich ecosystems, from Costa Rica's diverse wildlife to Panama's vibrant coral reefs. Experience a memorable daylight transit through the historic Panama Canal, witnessing this engineering marvel firsthand.
Cruise Details
0
Panama Canal
from $5,772
EXPLORE

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Eastbound - 8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Observe animals in their habitat
  • Kayak through magical mangroves
  • Transit the historical Panama Canal
  • Explore Gulf of Panama beaches
Activity Level
Variable
Discover Costa Rica & Panama on this 8-day cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Venture into remote wilderness and hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take an expedition landing craft cruise through mangroves.
Cruise Details
0
Explore beautiful Costa Rica
from $6,801
EXPLORE

Exploring Arenal Volcano, Pearl Islands and the Panama Canal

San Jose to Panama - 9 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Arenal Volcano exploration
  • Relax in Ecotermales hot springs
  • Pearl Islands snorkeling
  • Navigate the Panama Canal
Starts / Ends
San Jose / Panama City
Activities
Snorkeling, Archaeological Site Visits, Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing, Hiking, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Rainforest Exploration, Land & Sea Exploration
Activity Level
Variable
Arrive in San Jose, transfer to La Fortuna and start the 9-day land and sea adventure. Explore Arenal Volcano and rainforest trails. Fly to Panama City and embark National Geographic Quest. Kayak, hike, and cruise the Panama Canal, Gatun Lake, and Pearl Islands while snorkeling, exploring fortresses, and discovering tropical wildlife.
Cruise Details
0
1-4 of 4 Results
  • 1

Real experience. Honest advice.

Talk with an expert trip planner 1.800.344.6118

Plan My Trip
Tilly Pearson employee headshot
Tilly P.
The Opera House in San Jose
Costa Rica

Chat San Jose with a specialist

Our team is waiting and ready to talk with you about your next adventure. So go ahead and book an appointment with one of our specialized trip planners.

Let's Chat
1.800.344.6118

Where is your next adventure?

Contact Chat Call

Why Travel With Us?

Peace of Mind

You'll work with a team of humans who get to know you, answer every question, and support you until you return home—we're always just a call or text away.

One Seamless Journey

We bring cruise and land together into a single, well-orchestrated experience—so your trip feels cohesive, not pieced together.

We Save You Time and Stress

Skip the endless research and information overload—our deep destination expertise helps you design a more seamless trip in a fraction of the time.

As Featured In

USA Today
Los Angeles Times
Travel Weekly
Outside
National Geographic Traveler
The New York Times
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
National Geographic

How it Works

Connect

No cost, no commitment. Talk with our experts about your dream trip.

Plan

Share your travel style—we match you with the right itinerary or create one just for you.

Book

Lock in knowing every detail is handled and you’re fully supported.

Travel

Enjoy a seamless journey—and unlock 5% off your next adventure.

Tilly Pearson employee headshot
Tilly P
Plan My Trip
We love travel, talk with an expert 1.800.344.6118