Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja

Arrive in San José this afternoon and transfer to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica’s principal Pacific port. This evening, embark the ship and set sail on your Central American journey.

Before your voyage, you may choose to enjoy an immersive glamping experience in the remote Caño Negro region, including a visit to Tenorio Volcano National Park and an introduction to the traditions and cuisine of the Maleku people.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 1:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: San Jose, Costa Rica

Explore the Gulf of Nicoya, a vast, island-dotted estuary, where sheltered waters, forested islands and mangrove-lined shores sustain abundant marine and birdlife as well as traditional fishing communities. These extensive wetlands serve as vital nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans and offer a rich setting for discovering the region’s wildlife, scenery and coastal culture.

Learn about efforts to restore mangrove habitat in areas once altered by sugarcane cultivation, shrimp farming and salt production. By reopening tidal channels and allowing native mangroves to regenerate naturally, large-scale projects have rehabilitated more than 700 acres—helping revive fisheries and wildlife habitat, protect important “blue carbon” ecosystems and engage local communities in their stewardship.

Drop anchor off the remote Papagayo Peninsula, where dramatic volcanic headlands shelter secluded beaches and quiet coves. Tropical dry forest blankets the landscape, providing habitat for howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas and abundant birdlife, while rocky reefs and rich marine life lie beneath the clear coastal waters.

Conditions permitting, explore Bahía Huevos, a protected bay edged by sandy beaches and forest. Swim, snorkel or kayak in its sheltered waters; search for wildlife on a nature walk; or venture by Zodiac into nearby mangrove-lined waterways.

Spend the day exploring Bahía Santa Elena, a protected marine area bordered by Santa Rosa National Park and the Guanacaste Conservation Area. Its striking, undeveloped shoreline provides important breeding habitat for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, whale sharks and rays. National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture are the first and only expedition ships to anchor here since the park was established, and your visit supports the surrounding communities and the continued protection of this remote wilderness.

Explore by Zodiac or kayak, hike a trail created specifically for our expeditions and, conditions permitting, swim or snorkel in the bay. As you venture out, watch for great kiskadees, orange-fronted parakeets, mangrove hawks and colorful ringed kingfishers.

Journey inland to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area. Forests cloak the slopes of two active volcanoes, where bubbling mud pots, steaming vents and other geothermal features reveal the powerful forces shaping this mountainous landscape.

Choose from several ways to explore: Hike through a transition zone where tropical dry forest meets temperate cloud forest, watching for mantled howler monkeys and white-throated magpie-jays; swim beneath Las Chorreras Waterfall after a short forest walk; or soar through the canopy by zipline. Later, gather for a poolside lunch at Hacienda Guachipelin featuring fresh ceviche.

With the ship anchored in Bahía Coco, travel inland to Hacienda El Viejo, a historic working hacienda and private wildlife refuge bordering Palo Verde National Park. Cruise the Tempisque River through one of Costa Rica’s most important wetland ecosystems, watching for crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and a remarkable variety of resident and migratory birds.

Discover the role of sugarcane in Guanacaste’s rural heritage and follow the rum-making process from the extraction and cooking of fresh cane juice to fermentation, distillation and barrel aging. Conclude with a guided tasting before returning to the ship for lunch.

This afternoon, explore Playas del Coco, a former fishing village now known for its lively seaside atmosphere. Stroll the waterfront promenade and browse its restaurants, cafés and shops.

Explore Curú National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica’s first private national wildlife reserve, set along the Nicoya Peninsula where the wetter forests of the south meet Guanacaste’s drier landscapes. Follow forest trails in search of white-faced capuchin monkeys, turquoise-browed motmots and scarlet macaws. With luck, spot the elusive northern tamandua, a primarily tree-dwelling member of the anteater family.

Return to the ship for lunch as you cruise toward the offshore islets collectively known as Isla Tortuga. Relax on a palm-fringed beach, then celebrate the finale of your Guanacaste adventure with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres ashore.

Disembark in Puerto Caldera and drive to the airport in San José for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 12:30 p.m. local time.
Departure City: San Jose, Costa Rica

Itineraries are subject to change.