9 nights · Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica · Departs Puntarenas · Visiting Playa Flamingo, Acajutla, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego · Aboard Crystal Cruises on the Crystal Serenity
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Crystal Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Crystal Serenity |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,560 per person |
| Year built | 2003 |
| Guests | 740 |
| Cabins | 347 |
| Crew | 655 |
| Length | 250 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
Step ashore in Puntarenas, Costa Rica’s long, narrow port city on the Pacific coast. From here, rainforest reserves, coffee country and the Nicoya Peninsula lie within reach. Walk the waterfront promenade for seafood and views across the Gulf of Nicoya. Or head inland to Monteverde’s cloud forest. Plan one excursion and allow time for the road; Puntarenas is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
Playa Flamingo sits on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, where dry tropical hills meet a pale crescent of sand. At its modern marina, boats head out for sport fishing, sailing and trips to nearby coves. When seas are calm, swimming and snorkeling beckon. Nearby, Tamarindo offers a livelier beach scene, while Las Baulas National Marine Park protects nesting leatherback turtles. Finish with a boat outing and sunset over the Pacific.
Acajutla is El Salvador’s principal Pacific port, a working harbor opening onto a country of volcanoes, coffee and colonial towns. From here, the western highlands lead to coffee country, the Ruta de las Flores and towns such as Juayúa. Tazumal, near Chalchuapa, is among the country’s best-known Maya archaeological sites. Closer to the coast, beaches and seafood offer a quieter counterpoint to inland excursions.
Zihuatanejo’s crescent bay is still a working harbor, with fishing boats beside visiting yachts. Walk the waterfront, browse the market and order the day’s catch at a table facing the Pacific. Nearby beaches offer an easy place to swim or linger; Ixtapa’s purpose-built resort strip is about six miles north. Those seeking history can travel inland to Xihuacan, an archaeological site near La Soledad de Maciel.
Manzanillo sits on Mexico’s Pacific coast, where two sheltered bays frame a working port and palm-lined beaches. Its waterfront is shaped by fishing boats, cargo ships and the pursuit of sailfish, a local emblem. Inland, Colima’s volcanic peaks rise above seafood restaurants serving the day’s catch. Choose a beach day, explore central Manzanillo, or head to nearby Santiago for a quieter stretch of sand.
Puerto Vallarta sits between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay. That setting brings jungle-clad slopes, broad beaches and memorable Pacific views. Begin in the historic center, where cobbled streets lead to the landmark Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Follow the Malecón, a seafront promenade lined with sculptures, cafés and galleries. For a taste of the coast, settle in for fresh seafood and watch the bay.
San Diego makes an easy first impression: a working harbor, sunlit waterfront and Pacific air. From the cruise terminal, the USS Midway Museum and lively Embarcadero are close at hand. Balboa Park brings world-class museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo together in one grand setting. In the Gaslamp Quarter, Victorian façades frame restaurants and bars. Nearby neighborhoods reveal Mexican heritage and coastal ease.
Published September 28, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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