Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica Cruise from Puntarenas — 8 Days

Puntarenas

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.

Bahia Drake Costa Rica (Ask Travel Agent)

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Quepos

Quepos puts Costa Rica’s central Pacific within easy reach. The town grew around its harbor and remains a working gateway to sport fishing, coastal excursions and rainforest. Manuel Antonio National Park lies just south, where forest trails descend toward white-sand coves and Pacific waters. Browse the marina, sample fresh seafood or watch afternoon light settle over the bay. Bring swimwear, walking shoes and time to linger.

Playas del Coco

Playas del Coco puts you on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, in Guanacaste’s Gulf of Papagayo. Once a fishing village, it now pairs a marina with beachfront cafés and shops. The bay’s calm waters invite swimming, snorkeling and boat trips, while nearby coves offer quieter stretches of sand. Inland, Guanacaste’s dry tropical forest and protected parks reveal a striking side of Costa Rica beyond the shore.

Land Tour (Land Tour)

Tortuga Island Costa Rica

Off Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Tortuga Island sits in the Gulf of Nicoya, a boat ride from the mainland. White sand and clear water set the scene for swimming and snorkeling among offshore reefs. Day visitors can also kayak or relax beneath the palms, with little to distract from the coast. Bring sun protection: services are limited, and this is a beach escape, not a town visit.

• Curu Wildlife Reserve (Scenic Area)

Puntarenas

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.