|
Central America Cruising on the Wind Star 17th and 24th December - Your Itinerary 14 days
From: £3895
|
|
|
What's included:
- Scheduled flights, including all UK and overseas prepaid taxes and applicable fuel surcharges.
- English speaking naturalist guides during the cruise/
- Air-conditioned transfers on arrival and departure to and from the cruise boat.
- Daily shore excursions only on the Pacific Explorer.
- First class hotels, category A Cabin on Pacific Explorer.
- 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners on Pacific Explorer.
- Minimum participation on 2 passengers.
|
|
|
|
Day 1
|
 Day 1
|
Depart London Heathrow in the morning by British Airways to Miami (9 hours). Here you will be required to clear US Immigration and Customs formalities before continuing to San Jose on American Airlines (2 hours 55 minutes). On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose.
Meals:
|
|
|
|
Day 2
|
 Day 2
|
Today is free. The hotel’s swimming pools or spa might be a tempting place to relax at after your previous day’s travelling, or alternatively, local sightseeing tours could be arranged.
Meals: B
|
|
|
|
Day 3
|
 Day 3
|
Transfer to Puerto Caldera on the Pacific coast where you embark on the Wind Star. She sails in the early evening.
Meals: B & D
|
|
|
|
Day 4
|
 Day 4
|
The day is spent at sea.
Meals: B, L & D
|
|
|
|
Day 5
|
 Day 5
|
Wind Star arrives at the small Nicaraguan port and resort of San Juan del Sur. This tranquil fishing village nestles at the head of a horseshoe-shaped bay on the Pacific coast. The lovely bay is peppered with small, private yachts and commercial fishing boats. From San Juan, excursions will be offered to Nicaragua’s prime tourist attraction, the beautiful colonial city of Granada.
Meals: B, L & D
|
|
|
|
Day 6
|
 Day 6
|
Morning arrival at Playas del Coco. The view from the Bay includes Pelonas Islands, Cacique Point to the northwest and Centinela Point. The Wind Star will anchor and guests will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing (tip: guests may want to prepare for water/beach landing with appropriate footwear). Continue sailing in the mid-afternoon south to Quepos.
Meals: B, L & D
|
|
|
|
Day 7
|
 Day 7
|
The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and animal life.
Meals: B, L & D
|
|
|
|
Day 8
|
 Day 8
|
Wind Star will anchor in Bahia Paraiso and guests will be transferred to San Josecito beach situated near the Corcovado National Park. San Josecito is only accessible by boat. Corcovado National Park is protected by a natural rocky barrier where the waves break. It is very picturesque with two lovely beaches and safe swimming due to the natural barrier of the rocks. Snorkelling is good here too and when it is low tide it is possible to walk the rocks and explore them. There is also access to trails leading to Corcovado National Park. The Wind Star will anchor and guests will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing (tip: guests may want to prepare for water/beach landing with appropriate footwear).
Meals: B, L & D
|
|
|
|
Day 9
|
 Day 9
|
Wind Star visits 2 locations today. The morning is spent exploring the Curu National Wildlife Refuge—a private reserve of which two-thirds is preserved as primary forest. The reserve includes 4.5 kilometres of coastline, with tiny coves and three beaches. Although it is small, there is an abundance of wildlife to be seen in this reserve—including up to 200 species of birds! Be on the lookout for capuchin and howler monkeys, as well as sloths and anteaters. The Wind Star will anchor and guests will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing.
Isla Tortuga lies 3 kms offshore. The ship relocates there before lunch for you to enjoy a beach bbq and beach watersports. Tortuga Island is actually two islands – uninhabited and picture perfect – that lie just off the Nicoya Peninsula. Characterized by palm-fringed beaches and lush tropical flora, Tortuga is pretty and peaceful and offers terrific sheltered swimming and snorkelling in warm waters. Nearby, Curu Biological Reserve is small and privately owned. Easy walking paths within the forest might reveal an ocelot, an anteater, or a colony of capuchin monkeys. The Wind Star will anchor and guests will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing (tip: guests may want to prepare for water/beach landing with appropriate footwear).
Meals: B, L & D
|
|
|
|
Day 10
|
 Day 10
|
The Wind Star moors at Puerto Caldera at 6am. In the morning, you will be transferred along the coast to Xandari by the Pacific, which is located at Playa Esterillos Este. Stay here for 2 nights.
Meals: B
|
|
|
|
Day 11
|
 Day 11
|
At leisure.
Meals: B
|
|
|
|
Day 12
|
 Day 12
|
Enjoy some free time to explore the area at your leisure.
Meals: B
|
|
|
|
Day 13
|
 Day 13
|
Morning transfer to San Jose airport (approximate journey time 3 hours). Fly from San Jose to Miami by American Airlines, continuing by British Airways to London.
Meals: B
|
|
|
|
Day 14
|
 Day 14
|
Morning arrival at Heathrow.
Meals:
|