Costa Rica Cruises by luxury ship, sailing ships and expedition ship

Cruise Costa Rica and explore nature's wonderland

Spectacular wildlife and plants in a country of stunning scenery and great biodiversity

Costa Rica (Rich Coast in Spanish) is one of the world’s major wildlife habitats, with over 25% of the country in protected areas and National Parks. Costa Rica has 6% of the world’s biodiversity, and is home to some of the most colourful flowers and wildlife with an amazing range of insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds.

Facing the Caribbean Sea on one side, and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Costa Rica’s long coastlines have some of the world’s best beaches. Snorkelling or scuba diving reveals a marine life matching the diversity of the rainforests behind.

Dividing the Caribbean from the Pacific the central mountain ranges contain cloud forests and even volcanoes. In the Pacific north west are large areas of dry rainforest running down to the sea and further south are tropical beaches with secluded coves fringed by palm trees.

The central Pacific has major ports at Puntarenas and Puerto Caldera, about 2 hours from the capital San Jose. South of the town of Quepos is the Manuel Antonio National Park. Its beautiful beaches surrounded by lush wet rainforest, the park’s trails offer sightings of white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas and many bird species, as well as the Costa Rican squirrel monkey only found here.

Further south is Bahia Drake, named after the famous English sailor who landed there. Nearby is the Corcovado National Park, a unique ecosystem and the last virgin natural area in Central America. Its marshes, mangroves, rivers, humid forest and low-altitude cloud forest are world-renowned for their biodiversity.

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is a more laid-back area. A major attraction is the Tortuguero National Park, an extensive floodplain of rivers and canals explored by boat or canoe. There are nesting grounds of leatherback turtles, and monkeys, reptiles and rare frogs can be seen. This area can be reached from the port of Limon.

A number of cruises to Costa Rica include a crossing from Caribbean to Pacific through the Panama Canal. Cargo and cruise ships are pulled through its huge locks by rail tugs. The country of Panama also has rainforests and eco-attractions.

Costa Rica is a stable democratic country, with no army for 60 years. Its wildlife, beaches and local culture make it a fascinating place to visit. Where else to hear howler monkeys in the forests, to snorkel amongst exotic fish, to see such a variety of colourful birds and to spot some of the world’s most exotic wildlife!

Costa Rica
Scarlet Macaws
Green Frog
Tortuga Island
Fabulous flowers
Fabulous flowers

See also our selection of Panama Canal Cruises
for cruises through the Panama Canal and along the coast of Central America

Costa Rica Cruises Selection

Below is our selection of the best Costa Rica Cruises. They are shown by the different types of cruise.

Costa Rica Cruises - Sailing Cruises

Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsCruise LinePrice From
Panama to Costa Rica Cruise aboard Tall Ship Star Flyer
Book by 30 April 2012 and save up to 20%!
Balboa to Puerto Caldera (or reverse)7Star Clippers Cruises
£970pp
Cruise Only - Package possible
Costa Rica is a nature-lover's paradise. On this sailing cruise, see the soaring frigate birds of Isla Iguana, follow walking trails on Isla Gamez and explore the wild jungles of Corcovada National Park. Offshore, look out for giant manta rays and humpback whales from Tortugas Island
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Panama to Costa Rica Cruise aboard Tall Ship Star Flyer

Join Star Flyer for this wonderful cruise from Balboa, visiting the idyllic islands of Panama and Costa Rica and the mainland areas of Golfito and Quepos, close to national parks bounded by white sand beaches and spectacular diving sites.

Itinerary: Balboa (Panama); Isla Iguana (Panama); Isla Gamez (Panama); Golfito (Costa Rica); Isla del Cano (am) (Costa Rica); Drake Bay (pm) (Costa Rica); Quepos (Costa Rica); National Reserve of Curu (am) (Costa Rica); Isla Tortuga (pm) (Costa Rica); Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica)

Departures in: 2012 - Mar, Dec; 2013 - Mar

Costa Rica and Nicaragua cruise aboard Star Flyer
Book by 30 April 2012 and save up to 20%!
Puerto Caldera and back7Star Clippers Cruises
£1030pp
Cruise Only - Package possible
This Tall Ship cruise combines the natural wonders of Costa Rica and Nicaragua with some lively but stunning coastal resorts - the crescent-shaped bay of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, Playas del Coco and the rich variety of wildife habitats in Santa Rosa and Curu National Parks
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Costa Rica and Nicaragua cruise aboard Star Flyer

Explore the paradise of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula on board Star Flyer, a modern-day tall ship with decor reminiscent of the great age of sail and every detail designed to give you a luxurious sailing holiday of a lifetime.

Itinerary: Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; At Sea; San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Playas del Coco, Costa Rica; National Park Santa Rosa, Costa Rica; Samara, Costa Rica (am); National Reserve of Curu (am), Isla Tortuga (pm and overnight, Costa Rica; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Departures in: 2012 - Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec; 2013 - Jan, Feb, Mar

Costa Rica and Panama Cruise aboard Tall Ship Star Flyer
Book by 30 April 2012 and save up to 20%
Puerto Caldera and back7Star Clippers Cruises
£1030pp
Cruise Only - Package possible
Discover the stunning Pacific coastline of Costa Rica and Panama on this superb sailing cruise. Destinations include the World Heritage Site of Ilsa Coiba, the rustic town of Golfito, remote Drake Bay and the tropical paradise of Isla Tortugas
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Costa Rica and Panama Cruise aboard Tall Ship Star Flyer

Sailing cruise to the paradise coast of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula on board Star Flyer visiting a Panamanian island, Isla del Cano, the village of Quepos and the National Reserve of Curu, with the opportunity to extend your adventure with a land tour of Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio National Park

Itinerary: Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; At Sea; Isla Coiba, Panama; Golfito, Costa Rica; Isla del Cano (am) Drake Bay (pm and overnight) Costa Rica; Drake Bay (am), Quepos, Costa Rica (pm and overnight); National Reserve of Curu (am) Isla Tortugas (Beach BBQ) (pm and overnight) Costa Rica; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Departures in: 2012 - Feb, Mar, Dec; 2013 - Jan, Feb, Mar

Costa Rica Cruises - Cruise and Land Tour Holidays

Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsCruise LinePrice From
Tall Ship Star Flyer Costa Rica and Panama Cruise with 5 Star Rainforest and Beach Land Tour Puerto Caldera and back14Star Clippers Cruises
£2899pp
Fly Cruise
On this special cruise holiday you can experience the beauty and natural wilderness of the Arenal region from the comfort of a 5 star hotel, a memorable cruise under sail along the Osa Peninsula and the sheer relaxation of a 5 star beach holiday on the edge of the tropical paradise of Manuel Antonio National Park
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Tall Ship Star Flyer Costa Rica and Panama Cruise with 5 Star Rainforest and Beach Land Tour

A Costa Rican adventure cruise holiday combining the paradise of the Osa Peninsula on board Star Flyer with a 5 Star pre- and post-cruise Land Tour accompanied by experienced guides, exploring the rainforest and mountains and ending with a relaxing beach holiday in Manuel Antonio National Park

Itinerary: UK to Costa Rica; Costa Rica Land Tour; Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica); At Sea; Isla Coiba (Panama); Golfito (Costa Rica); Isla del Cano (Costa Rica) Drake Bay (Costa Rica); Drake Bay (Costa Rica) Quepos (Costa Rica); National Reserve of Curu (Costa Rica) Isla Tortugas (Beach BBQ) (Costa Rica); Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica); Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica) to UK

Departures in: 2012 - Feb, Mar

Costa Rica Cruises - Luxury Cruises

Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsCruise LinePrice From
Natural Wonders of Costa Rica and NicaraguaPuerto Caldera and back10Windstar Cruises
£1698pp
Fly Cruise
Sail Costa Rica and Nicaragua's pristine coastlines aboard luxury ship, Wind Star
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Natural Wonders of Costa Rica and Nicaragua

A luxury 9-night cruise holiday aboard Wind Star sailing the beautiful coastline of Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Itinerary: UK to Puerto Cladera (Costa Rica); Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica); At sea; San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua); Playas del Coco (Costa Rica); Quepos (Costa Rica); Bahia Drake (Costa Rica); Curu Wildlife Reserve (Costa Rica); Tortuga Island (Costa Rica); Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica)

Departures in: 2012 - Mar

Mexican Voyage
Free flights and unlimited shore excursions!
Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco17Regent Seven Seas Cruises
£5109pp
Fly Cruise
Flights and shore excursions are included on this luxury cruise through the Panama Canal to the Pacific coast of Mexico
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Mexican Voyage

A 17-night cruise aboard Regent Seven Seas Navigator, cruising the Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale to Mexico's Pacific Coast and including international flights from the UK

Itinerary: UK to Fort Lauderdale (USA); At sea; George Town (Cayman Islands); At sea; Cartagena (Colombia); Cruising the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean; Punterenas (Costa Rica); At sea; Puerto Chiapas (Mexico); Huatulco (Mexico); Acapulco (Mexico); At sea; Cabo San Lucas (Mexico); At sea; San Diego (USA); At sea; San Francisco (USA) to UK

Departures in: 2012 - Apr

Costa Rica Cruises - Large Ship Cruises

Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsCruise LinePrice From
Panama Canal Round Trip and Caribbean from Florida
Special Blue Water Holidays Price
Fort Lauderdale and back12Princess Cruises
£1419pp
Fly Cruise
Sail through the spectacular Gatun Locks on the Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale and visit Ochio Rios in Jamaica
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Panama Canal Round Trip and Caribbean from Florida

This superb value cruise includes a Caribbean cruise and a sail through the Gatun Locks to the Gatun Lakes at the highest point of the Panama Canal

Itinerary: UK - Miami, Florida (USA); Miami/Fort Lauderdale (USA); At Sea; Aruba (Dutch Antilles); Cartagena (Colombia); Panama Canal; Limon (Costa Rica); At Sea; Ocho Rios (Jamaica); At Sea; Fort Lauderdale (USA); Arrive UK

Departures in: 2012 - Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Panama Canal Cruise from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean
Special Blue Water Holidays Price
Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale (or reverse)16Princess Cruises
£1699pp
Fly Cruise
This exotic itinerary includes Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia in South America, topped off with transit of the Panama Canal
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Panama Canal Cruise from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean

This superb cruise includes a full Panama Canal transit and calls at Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia and the Caribbean

Itinerary: UK - Los Angeles, California (USA); Los Angeeles (USA); At Sea; Cabo San Lucas (Mexico); At Sea; San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua); Puntarenas (Costa Rica); At Sea; Panama Canal (Panama); Cartagena (Colombia); Aruba (Dutch Antilles); At Sea; Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA); Arrive UK

Departures in: 2012 - Feb, Mar

Panama Canal Cruise from Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean
Special Blue Water Holidays Price
Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (or reverse)16Princess Cruises
£1869pp
Fly Cruise
From Fort Lauderdale cruise though the Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica and California
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Panama Canal Cruise from Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean

This superb cruise includes a full Panama Canal transit with an extra day to explore the canal region, plus calls at Costa Rica, Colombia and the Caribbean

Itinerary: UK - Miami, Florida (USA); Fort Lauderdale (USA); At Sea; Aruba (Dutch Antilles); Cartagena (Colombia); Panama Canal (Panama); Puerto Amador (Panama); At Sea; Puntarenas (Costa Rica); At Sea; Los Angeles, California (USA); Arrive UK

Departures in: 2012 - Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Panama Canal Cruise on Coral PrincessMiami to Los Angeles (or reverse)16Titan Hitours
£2695pp
Fly Cruise
Combine idyllic destinations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua with a memorable journey through the Panama Canal
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Panama Canal Cruise on Coral Princess

Cruise from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal. Visit Aruba, Cartagena, Punterenas, San Juan del Sur and Cabo San Lucas ending in Los Angeles. Includes 14 nights on board Coral Princess

Itinerary: London (UK) - Miami (USA); Miami (USA) - Fort Lauderdale (USA); At sea; Aruba (Lesser Antilles); Cartagena (Colombia); Daylight transit of the Panama Canal; At sea; Punterenas (Costa Rica); San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua); At sea; Cabo San Lucas (Mexico); At sea; Los Angeles (USA) - UK; London (UK)

Departures in: 2012 - Feb

Other sections with cruises you may be interested in:

Panama Canal Cruises | Adventure Cruises | Exotic Cruises

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