lobster103

Has anyone taken a cruise on a smaller ship ( 100 passengers or less) around Costa Rica....stopping at different areas of the island? If so, which are the best tours to contact for this type of trip?

Thanks

shillmac

Costa Rica isn't an island. It is at the lower end of the isthmus that connects North America and South American. It has a Pacific side and an Atlantic side. I think I remember reading of the type of small cruise you are speaking of--on the Pacific side including the gulfs. Sorry I don't remember the name of the group. . .perhaps you can find something online or someone will be able to help. Sounds interesting.

shillmac

http://www.wildland.com/trips/details/FVY.asp This tells about the Sea Voyager and Costa Rica family cruises.

Percy

The cruise you are looking for is Cruise West.
They are based out of Seattle Washington.

The ship is the 100 passenger "Pacific Explorer."

These are the only Summer Cruise dates that are still available:

June 19 th & 26th.
July 3,10,17,24
The one August cruise date is sold out.
Children are allowed on the Summer cruises.

These are the dates available for the late Fall cruises:
November 6,13,20th
December 4th.

You can call Ken at 1-800-426-7702
or you can e-mail Cecilia Bunting at

[email protected]

Ask Cecilia to mail you a brochure and the prices.

This is the intinerary:

Day#1 ..arrive in SanJose and transfer to ship at Los Seuenos, near Puntarenas.

DAy#2..Curu Wildlife Refuge and Tortuga Island tour.

Day #3..Corcorvado Conservation Area Tour.

Day#4..Golfo Dulce Area Tour

DAy#5...Drake Bay and Cano Island (Cano Island is 10 miles off the Pacific shore of Costa Rica)

Day #6..Manuel Antonio National Park
Tour

Day #7..Disembark and transfer back to San Jose ( or you can stay longer in Costa Rica and go to other places, the choice is yours.)

Hope this help a little.
Percy

TAGriffin

Percy is correct. Cruise West, Linblad and Windjammer all do Pacific-side Costa Rica cruises. The Cruise West ship (Pacific Explorer) also transits the Panama Canal December through March.

This July, I will be traveling aboard the Pacific Explorer for the second time in two years. I have never repeated a cruise twice, much less in consecutive years, so that should give you some idea of what I think of Cruise West and its Costa Rica cruise.

BTW, if you're considering such a cruise, be sure to include some inland travel time. While the cruise is a fantastic way to explore the natural history of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, it doesn't give you a complete picture of the country and its people.

If you'd like more info, you can search for my trip report from last year (Costa Rica Land & Sea Parts I & II) or you can e-mail me if you'd like at [email protected].

Terri

Percy

Hi Teri
While you are in Costa Rica on July 6th ,I will be in Dublin Ireland on that day.

So you have an Imperial beer(they call it "Eagle" in Costa Rica)for me and I will have a pint of Guinness Ale for you in Dublin!!!!
Percy

mikemo

Hi Lobster103,
The Clipper Cruise US flagged Yorktown Clipper (138 max - 102 passengers in 3/03) to Panama and the Pacific side of CR was great - we hiked in the Dairen and all the National Parks in CR.
So good, we went with the same ship to the US and BVI in Jan '04.
If you/spouse are a USAA member, sign up for the 2 for 1 deals - they just had a 10 day Alaska cruise for $900. per!!!! Unfortunately, we were in SAN last week and are leaving for San Miguel de Allende shortly, otherwise, a screaming bargain to Alaska.
M

TAGriffin

Hi Percy:

It's a deal! I've tipped back a few Imperials on my previous trips and it's a mighty fine beer! Enjoy your Guinness and I look forward to hearing about Ireland when you return.

Terri

lobster103

Hi Percy

We meet again.....I went on the Isabella 2 just a week before you did.As you have been to Costa Rica....are there any reasonable tours that would be like the tour the the Galapagos Islands that is reasonable.

Percy

Hi lobster103
Yes I remember ,we exchanged e-mails and we missed each other by one week at the Galapagos.
If I remember correctly you were in Cabin # 12(I think)on the Isabella ll .

I went to Costa Rica about two months after my Galapagos trip and toured all of the Central Valley with a private tour guide.
I posted my report in early November 2003 when I returned, but if you have question, I would do my best to help you , what I cannot answer I am sure that Teri , shillmac and other would chip in and help.

Nice to be in contact with you again.
As you have read , I am going to England ,Scotland ,Ireland and Wales in about 4 weeks.

Take Care
Percy

lobster103

Hi Percy

You seem to travel alot and I was wondering if you ever took the River Cruise in Russia....I have gotten no responses to my e-mail but had hoped you might know who to contact for this trip....My girlfriend and I are debating whether to go to Russia or Costa Rica....( I know these are totally 2 different kinds of trips...but that's a woman for you!.Do you work for a travel magazine....you have been to so many places.


Take care.

glover

The Washington Post noted this deal in this weekend's travel section that intrigued me. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises' Amazing Grace - ecocruise between Panama and CR discounted from $800 to $599 per adult, kids sail free - sailings June thru August. call 800-327-2601, www.windjammer.com.

Percy

Hi lobster103

Nope !! I do not work for a Travel .Agency..I am just and ordinary toruist like most people are.
Boy that is quite a choice between Costa Rica and Russia.!!!!

I do not know of any cruise companies that do the Russia Cruise..but I am sure any Travel Agency would have a brochure on this area for cruises.

glover mentions a good deal on the windjammercruise from June to August through the Panama Canal and then on tothe Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

I have done the Panama Canal cruise and I can tell you what to do if you ever reach Colon Panama, as a one day stop off the cruise.

Teri got a good deal on her Cruise West trip in July.. but Cruise West from Costa Rica along the Pacific Costa Rica coast line is rather expensive... but you can check it out by calling that 1-800 number I gave you.

We will have to wait for Teri to come back from her Cruise in July (she was also on this cruise last July), then she can post her report and we can all be green with envy!!!!!!

I only toured all of the Central Valley when I was in Costa Rica six months ago..so I will have to pick another area for my next trip.

For Costa Rica, I feel you have to pick an area, know what you are going to see and do in this region ... and then plan your whole trip accordingly.

You have to go looking for some of the wildlife ,it is not like at the Galapagos, where we were practically stepping no the birds and animals!!!

But I do know a company that does tours to the Ukraine ,Black Sea area and into Russia...
their Toll Free number is:
1-877-353- 5633 and ask for Robert or Patricia, tell them Percy told you to call....I just talked to them last week and I am going with Patricia to England/Scotland/Irleand/Wales in a few weekson a tour.

Take Care ..Hope I can help.

Percy

KenH

Lobster103: I am the Ken that "Percy" refers to in her posting dated 5/30. Cecilia has left Cruise West to move over to North Carolina with her husband. You may e-mail me at [email protected] if you have any questions about Cruise West's itineraries in Costa Rica.

Percy

Hi Ken

Sorry , I am a He and not a She !!!!!

Have a good day (Ha Ha)
Percy