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Some of the major cruise lines that sail to Costa Rica include Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity, Holland America Line (HAL), Royal Caribbean, Princess, Oceania, Windstar and Carnival. Prices per person depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, the month you travel in and each line's included perks. In Puerto Limon, you can go to Tortuguero National Park, which is a must for wildlife enthusiasts. Puntarenas was discovered in the early 1600s by the Spanish, and native peoples called the area home for centuries before then. Puntarenas was once the premier port in Costa Rica before more accessible routes to Europe changed the landscape of its shipping and trade economy, particularly the cross-continental coffee trade. At the edge of Puntarenas is the Paseo de Los Turistas, a stretch of foot-friendly streets where tourists can stop in for souvenirs or a casual, unhurried meal.
Best Deals to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Costa Ricans are deeply committed to protecting the natural world, and you’ll find several activities that combine excitement with ecotourism. Visit a sloth sanctuary from Puerto Limón, or learn about the ecology of stingless bees at Api Agricultura. Visit Cahuita National Park with a naturalist, or find out about the conservation of macaws at the Natuwa Sanctuary at El Manantial. The distance between Puntarenas and Puerto Caldera is 28 km / 17 mi (northwest of the port).
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Taste your way through Puerto Limon and enjoy the mealnge of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean flavors. Cruise to Puerto Limon and try the distinctive dish rondon, a hearty, ginger-spiced stew of coconut milk, yams and seafood, typically fresh white fish and crab. Or sip on an agua de sapo (ginger lemonade) and snack on patacones (fried plantains) and chicharrones, slices of deep-fried pork belly brightened up with a pinch of lime. Colones are preferred as a method of payment, but many places will also accept US dollars (USD) and then give your change in colones.
Costa Rica welcomes cruise ships to the country
Or join a longer voyage between Valparaiso, Chile and Los Angeles, calling at Puntarenas on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The coast features a city beach lined with bars and restaurants (although its water is a little murky). Inland Monteverde is famous for its cloud forest and two reserves (Santa Elena Rain Forest and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve). While the city became less important in some ways, it by no means faded quietly. Today, Puntarenas wears its heritage as a port city proudly, a place where cruise lines and their passengers pass through on the way to other ports of call in Panama, Mexico, and beyond.
Puntarenas cruise terminal
You’ll be treated to a sensory banquet of vibrant and aromatic fruits and vegetables, handmade cheeses, fresh caught fish and colorful crafts. If you’re looking for authentic grub, head to a nearby soda, a small family-owned restaurant serving local fare. This flavorful, traditional dish weds stewed beef or pork, beans, salad, plantains and a fried egg.
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Discover Tropical Costa Rica with KTIV's Matt Breen - Sioux City - KTIV Siouxland's News Channel
Discover Tropical Costa Rica with KTIV's Matt Breen - Sioux City.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:23:59 GMT [source]
When cruising to Costa Rica, we encourage you to take a step off the beaten path and explore a nation that really knows how to celebrate its ecosystem and environment. Costa Rica has some of the most protected land acreage in the world, which gives you more space to explore its untouched beauty. Continue below to browse our photo gallery of Costa Rica cruises, keeping in mind that this is merely a taste. Lima is a hidden gem offering a lot of history, beautiful architecture, sprawling beach front and a vibrant nightlife. This Spanish styled city along the Pacific end to the Panama Canal is a great way to visit the capital city as well as the world famous Canal itself.

Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas both serve as cruise ports for San Jose City (Costa Rica's capital). Juan Santamaria Airport (San Jose) is located approx 85 km (50 mi) to the east from the cruise port (in Alajuela). On your Puntarenas cruise, stop in at the craft market on the beach as you exit the pier where your cruise ship is docked.

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Take a boat to the mysterious Isla San Lucas, a former prison turned wildlife refuge where dolphin sightings are common. Though the beaches here aren’t Costa Rica’s most famous, you’ll still catch the contagious “pura vida” lifestyle no matter how short or extended your stay. On the west coast, you’ll find calm bays for swimming backed by dense rainforest, as well as stretches of wave breaks that make for exhilarating surfing. Costa Rica’s east coast borders the calm, teal water of the Caribbean, making for a blissful beach day and opportunities for snorkeling and sea kayaking. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Puerto Caldera is the cruise port to Puntarenas - a major city and gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific Ocean coast.
Costa Rican Coastline
While on your cruise to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, you should know taxis here must always turn on the meter. If you notice yours is not running, be sure to tell your driver to turn it on. Public transportation in Puntarenas is characterized by their intercity bus service. Coffee lovers will find high-quality brews at a detailed tour of a Costa Rican coffee farm, which is one of the country’s biggest exports. A tour will make multiple cool stops, including a botanical garden and church along the way. You’ll learn how coffee is grown and roasted, plus plenty of samples will keep you caffeinated.
Fill up for the day with a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto, a hearty combo of rice beans flavored with spices, cilantro and onions. Later on, order up casado, a plate-style combo of rice, beans, tortillas, fried plaintains and your protein of choice — celebrate the ocean and opt for grilled fish. During your Puntarenas cruise, stop by a street vendor for a tamal, the Costa Rican classic of cornmeal and garlic wrapped in a banana leaf. Tour the 640-acre Arabica coffee plantation of Espiritu Santo in the charming mountain town of Naranjo. Learn how beans are prepared for roasting while sipping on the delicious brew. Walk across four suspended bridges and along the treetops and the forest fog of San Luis Park.
Quepos is your gateway for adventures in Manuel Antonio, crown jewel of Costa Rica’s vast national park system. These Central America cruises give you a chance to experience nature at its most pristine. You’ll have the chance to see cloud forests and coffee plantations, visit a sloth sanctuary, and observe monkeys and crocodiles in the wild. Opt for the thrills of white water rafting or zip-lining, or simply while away your time on long, golden beaches. Itineraries will bring you either to Puntarenas on the Pacific coast or Puerto Limón on the Caribbean side.
A local guide will take you through the dense tropical jungle and into a hummingbird garden to witness the beautiful birds as they fly rapidly among the trees. However, if you are ever dissatisfied with any aspect of our service or our Web site, pleaseclick hereto tell me about it. Now in our 41styear, Vacations To Go is the largest cruise-selling company in the world. We've built a reputation for discounts, service and professionalism that is second to none.
Similar to a traditional all inclusive vacation, food and entertainment on board is included in your cruise fare. Most cruise lines also offer a special and affordable drink package for your trip. Different from an all inclusive resort, you wake up at a new port throughout your vacation rather than the same scenery.
We sold everything to live on a cruise ship — now people cook and clean for us and we feel like we're rich - New York Post
We sold everything to live on a cruise ship — now people cook and clean for us and we feel like we're rich.
Posted: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Unleash your inner eco-adventurer on a cruise to Costa Rica, a vibrant nation full of colorful scenery and breathtaking vistas. Fuel your wild side with a whitewater rafting tour through the jungle, or zip line over the canopy of a lush rainforest. For something a little less strenuous, catch a show at the National Theater or enjoy a scenic boat tour—just watch out for those playful monkeys! Like many Central American nations, Costa Rica has two major coastlines, the Caribbean on the east and Pacific Ocean on the west. The experience can vary depending on which side you cruise along, with the Caribbean coast being less populous with more secluded beaches and nature preserves.
Bask by the pool, take in the fresh morning air on deck, and toast the end of the day at the romantic Sunset Bar. On Solstice-series ships, there’s even a living lawn on the upper deck, perfect for cocktails, a picnic, or a game of bocce ball. Choose The Retreat for the ultimate in luxurious travel, with access to the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat restaurant and a serene private lounge. Limon is home to several outdoor attractions, including nature thrills like river rafting and zip-lining. If you're a nature fan looking for a more contemplative outing, then head to the Tortuguero Canal, where you can paddle among water lilies, orchids and sea turtles. Have your camera ready to catch the sloths dangling from the trees, the iguanas jumping into the water and the tropical birds overhead.