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Cruises Costa Rica : Offers and promotions 2026 - 2027

5 cruises found

Cruises to Costa Rica: How to choose the right one

On a Costa Rica cruise, it can feel as though you step straight from the ship's deck into nature: a jungle-lined canal near Puerto Limón, a river where crocodiles appear around Tárcoles, a Pacific beach surrounded by forest, or a seaside market in Puntarenas.

Rather than a string of cities, the destination is a gateway to parks, mangroves, plantations, coastal villages and tropical biodiversity.

Depending on the itinerary, the experience may focus on nature, suit families, be more active, or form part of a longer cruise to the Panama Canal.

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Costa Rica

Costa Rica, Panama, Cayman Islands, United States

Itinerary : Tampa, Limon, Panama Canal, Grand Cayman, Tampa

Carnival
Legend
On-board meals included
Legend

1 other departures

Legend

9 d

Inside Stateroom

Tampa

01/16/2027

from

$ 1,066

Kids' clubs from 2yo
On-board meals included

Other departures:

13 Mar 2027

View offers
Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico

Itinerary : Puerta Caldera, Quepos, Golfito, Coiba, Gulf of Chiriquí Marine Park (Panama), Isla de tortuga, Puerta Caldera

Star Clippers
Star Clipper
On-board meals included
Star Clipper

1 other departures

Star Clipper

8 d

Inside Stateroom

Puerta Caldera

01/02/2027

from

$ 2,811

Butler service 24/24
Gourmet experience
On-board meals included

Other departures:

26 Dec 2026

View offers
Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica

Itinerary : Puerta Caldera, Coiba, Gulf of Chiriquí Marine Park (Panama), Golfito, Quepos, Isla de tortuga, Puerta Caldera

Star Clippers
Star Clipper
On-board meals included
Star Clipper

1 other departures

Star Clipper

8 d

Inside Stateroom

Puerta Caldera

01/29/2028

from

$ 2,948

Butler service 24/24
Gourmet experience
On-board meals included

Other departures:

05 Feb 2028

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France, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico

Itinerary : Balboa, Pearl Islands, Isla Iguana, Coiba, Golfito, Quepos, Isla de tortuga, Puerta Caldera

Star Clippers
Star Clipper
On-board meals included
Star Clipper

Star Clipper

8 d

Inside Stateroom

Balboa

12/19/2026

from

$ 2,889

Butler service 24/24
Gourmet experience
On-board meals included
View offers
Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, France

Itinerary : Puerta Caldera, Isla de tortuga, Quepos, Golfito, Gulf of Chiriquí Marine Park (Panama), Isla Iguana, Pearl Islands, Balboa

Star Clippers
Star Clipper
On-board meals included
Star Clipper

Star Clipper

8 d

Inside Stateroom

Puerta Caldera

01/09/2027

from

$ 2,889

Butler service 24/24
Gourmet experience
On-board meals included
View offers

Tips for choosing your cruise to <a href="/c-2-costa-cruises" target="_self">Costa</a> Rica

1. Choose your region

  • Caribbean coast & Puerto Limón : Ideal for the Tortuguero canals, Cahuita, banana plantations, boat excursions, and a distinctive Afro-Caribbean atmosphere.
  • Puntarenas & the central Pacific : The most common gateway on the Pacific side, providing easy access to the Tárcoles River, suspension bridges, beaches, and several nature parks.
  • Gulf of Nicoya & Pacific islands : Best for a more ocean-focused experience, with Tortuga Island, small beaches, cruising in the gulf, and a tropical coastal atmosphere.
  • Combined Panama & Central America itineraries : A good choice if you want to combine Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Colombia, Mexico, or other Central American ports of call on a longer journey.

2. Choose your cruise style

Top experiences for your Costa Rica cruise

Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is lush, humid, and full of life, with canals, tropical forest, unspoiled beaches, plantations, and Afro-Caribbean culture.
Tortuguero canals

Tortuguero canals

Cruise close to the water to take in the jungle and spot birds, sloths, or monkeys when conditions are favorable.
Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park

Walk along the beach, through the forest, and on coastal trails for an accessible nature-focused port call.
Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

Stroll around downtown, the market, and the waterfront to get a feel for the port's Caribbean atmosphere.
Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park

Enjoy an accessible trail, with options for wildlife watching, beach time and a break in the shade.
Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

Keep the port call simple with a market, tropical fruit, small shops, and an easy return to the ship.
Tortuguero canals

Tortuguero canals

Choose an engaging boat ride where everyone can spot wildlife, trees, and the reflections of the forest.
Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

Try a local spot, sip fresh juice, or take a break over Caribbean flavors before moving on.
Tortuguero canals

Tortuguero canals

Share an immersive excursion, ideal for seeing Costa Rica from the water rather than from the road.
Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park

Combine walking, time by the sea, and wildlife watching in a wilder setting than a conventional beach.
On the Pacific side, Puntarenas often serves as a gateway to rivers, parks, suspension bridges, and tropical inland landscapes.
Tárcoles River

Tárcoles River

Take a boat excursion to spot crocodiles, birds, and mangroves on an outing that captures the essence of the central Pacific coast.
Carara Forest

Carara Forest

Explore a transition zone between dry forest and rain forest, known for its birds and dense vegetation.
Puntarenas waterfront promenade

Puntarenas waterfront promenade

Round out the day on the waterfront with local ice cream and the relaxed atmosphere of this port city.
Carara Forest

Carara Forest

Choose a short trail or a guided outing to learn about biodiversity at a relaxed pace.
Puntarenas waterfront promenade

Puntarenas waterfront promenade

Enjoy a low-key break near the port, with time on the waterfront, snacks, and a quick return to the pier.
Tárcoles River

Tárcoles River

Choose a lively boat ride, with a good chance of spotting wildlife without a long walk.
Puntarenas waterfront promenade

Puntarenas waterfront promenade

Share ceviche, a granizado, or a seaside break before returning to the ship.
Tárcoles River

Tárcoles River

Take a photography excursion focused on crocodiles, mangroves, and large tropical birds.
Carara Forest

Carara Forest

Add a more active dimension to the port call with a guided walk or a nature trail.
The Gulf of Nicoya gives Costa Rica a more ocean-focused side, with islands, pale-sand beaches, quiet crossings, and tropical coastal landscapes.
Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island

Head to an island beach for a day of calm water, pale sand, and tropical scenery.
Golfo de Nicoya

Golfo de Nicoya

Enjoy cruising among the islands, coastal villages, and green hills along the shore.
Paquera

Paquera

Discover a more peaceful area, often used as a gateway to beaches and short excursions around the gulf.
Golfo de Nicoya

Golfo de Nicoya

Enjoy a gentle cruise that lets you admire the coast and offers a change of pace from land-based excursions.
Paquera

Paquera

Plan a quieter port call, with generally shorter travel distances for a family day.
Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island

Choose an appealing beach outing, with swimming, time on the sand, and simple water activities when conditions allow.
Paquera

Paquera

Plan a more local outing along the coast, to nearby beaches, or around a nature activity suited to the port schedule.
Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island

Spend a relaxing day at the beach, snorkeling and enjoying a simple lunch by the sea.
Golfo de Nicoya

Golfo de Nicoya

Make the crossing part of the experience, with island views and a tropical Pacific atmosphere.
Many cruises include Costa Rica in a broader itinerary around the Panama Canal, combining tropical nature, major ports, and an iconic sailing experience.
Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Experience the lock passage as a highlight of the voyage, with views of Gatún Lake, jungle, and engineering marvels.
Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

Enjoy a lush port call before or after the transit, with canals, plantations, and a Caribbean atmosphere.
Puntarenas

Puntarenas

Add variety to the trip with a Pacific port call providing access to rivers, suspension bridges, and nature parks.
Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

Choose a short boat excursion or forest outing to see wildlife without tiring the group too much.
Puntarenas

Puntarenas

Plan an accessible nature day featuring a river, wildlife, and an easy return to port.
Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Watch the ship rise and fall in the locks, a vivid, easy-to-understand experience.
Puntarenas

Puntarenas

Combine wildlife watching, a taste of local life, and a seaside atmosphere in one well-paced day.
Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Spend the day on deck taking photos and enjoying slow cruising around the locks.
Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

Take a more immersive excursion through the canals or toward Cahuita to give the trip a jungle feel.

Best times for a Costa Rica cruise

January–April & December

Weather & swimming

The most comfortable period. Days are often sunnier, conditions are better for excursions, and the selection of cruises is generally wider.

Expert advice

The best option for a first cruise to Costa Rica, especially if you want to combine Puntarenas, Puerto Limón, the Panama Canal, and nature excursions.

May–June

Weather & swimming

More tropical and still appealing. The landscape grows greener, and showers are possible but often alternate with sunny spells.

Expert advice

A good compromise for travelers willing to accept more variable weather in exchange for lusher scenery and a sometimes quieter atmosphere.

July–August

Weather & swimming

Hot, humid, and very green. Rain may be more frequent, but the biodiversity and scenery remain just as compelling.

Expert advice

Best approached with a flexible schedule. Boat excursions, canals, and targeted tours can still be excellent choices if you plan around the weather.

September–November

Weather & swimming

Conditions vary more by coast. The Pacific can be very rainy, while stretches of pleasant weather are still possible on the Caribbean side.

Expert advice

Choose this period mainly if the itinerary, price, or region is a particularly good fit. For maximum comfort, the dry season is still the easiest choice.

SeasonWeather & swimmingExpert advice
January–April & December
The most comfortable period. Days are often sunnier, conditions are better for excursions, and the selection of cruises is generally wider.The best option for a first cruise to Costa Rica, especially if you want to combine Puntarenas, Puerto Limón, the Panama Canal, and nature excursions.
May–June
More tropical and still appealing. The landscape grows greener, and showers are possible but often alternate with sunny spells.A good compromise for travelers willing to accept more variable weather in exchange for lusher scenery and a sometimes quieter atmosphere.
July–August
Hot, humid, and very green. Rain may be more frequent, but the biodiversity and scenery remain just as compelling.
Best approached with a flexible schedule. Boat excursions, canals, and targeted tours can still be excellent choices if you plan around the weather.
September–November
Conditions vary more by coast. The Pacific can be very rainy, while stretches of pleasant weather are still possible on the Caribbean side.Choose this period mainly if the itinerary, price, or region is a particularly good fit. For maximum comfort, the dry season is still the easiest choice.

Cruise hotspots in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's top attractions are not always in the port cities themselves. Much of the appeal lies in short excursions that quickly take you from the pier to forests, rivers, beaches, or canals.

From Puerto Limón

From Puerto Limón

The Tortuguero canals offer views of the rain forest from the water and a true sense of immersion.

From Puntarenas

From Puntarenas

The Tárcoles River is popular for spotting crocodiles, birds, and mangroves.

Around Cahuita

Around Cahuita

Coastal trails combine forest, beach, monkeys, sloths and a Caribbean atmosphere.

From Puerto Limón

From Puerto Limón

The Tortuguero canals offer views of the rain forest from the water and a true sense of immersion.

From Puntarenas

From Puntarenas

The Tárcoles River is popular for spotting crocodiles, birds, and mangroves.

Around Cahuita

Around Cahuita

Coastal trails combine forest, beach, monkeys, sloths and a Caribbean atmosphere.

On Tortuga Island

On Tortuga Island

This port call has a stronger beach focus, with pale sand, calm water, and cruising on the Gulf of Nicoya.

In Cahuita

In Cahuita

It is easy to combine beach time with a forest walk, making for a more varied day than a simple swim stop.

In Puntarenas

In Puntarenas

The waterfront is ideal for a low-key break near the port, especially if you want to avoid a long excursion.

On Tortuga Island

On Tortuga Island

This port call has a stronger beach focus, with pale sand, calm water, and cruising on the Gulf of Nicoya.

In Cahuita

In Cahuita

It is easy to combine beach time with a forest walk, making for a more varied day than a simple swim stop.

In Puntarenas

In Puntarenas

The waterfront is ideal for a low-key break near the port, especially if you want to avoid a long excursion.

From the suspension bridges

From the suspension bridges

Views across the canopy offer a different perspective on the tropical forest.

On the Gulf of Nicoya

On the Gulf of Nicoya

Interisland crossings offer beautiful views of the hills, beaches, and sea.

In the Tárcoles area

In the Tárcoles area

The river, mangrove, and forest landscapes offer opportunities to capture scenery that is unmistakably Costa Rican.

From the suspension bridges

From the suspension bridges

Views across the canopy offer a different perspective on the tropical forest.

On the Gulf of Nicoya

On the Gulf of Nicoya

Interisland crossings offer beautiful views of the hills, beaches, and sea.

In the Tárcoles area

In the Tárcoles area

The river, mangrove, and forest landscapes offer opportunities to capture scenery that is unmistakably Costa Rican.

In Puerto Limón

In Puerto Limón

Tropical fruits, Afro-Caribbean influences and small local spots offer an authentic glimpse of the Caribbean coast.

In Puntarenas

In Puntarenas

Ceviche, ice cream, and waterfront snacks pair perfectly with a quieter port call.

On the plantations

On the plantations

Tours centered on coffee, cacao, or bananas reveal another side of the country, rooted in agriculture and local life.

In Puerto Limón

In Puerto Limón

Tropical fruits, Afro-Caribbean influences and small local spots offer an authentic glimpse of the Caribbean coast.

In Puntarenas

In Puntarenas

Ceviche, ice cream, and waterfront snacks pair perfectly with a quieter port call.

On the plantations

On the plantations

Tours centered on coffee, cacao, or bananas reveal another side of the country, rooted in agriculture and local life.

What our guests loved:

Must-see highlights on a cruise to Costa Rica

Cruise the Tortuguero canals from Puerto Limón

Travelers often remember this outing as one of Costa Rica's most memorable cruise experiences. The boat moves slowly between jungle-lined banks, with a chance to spot birds, monkeys, iguanas, or sloths depending on the season and conditions.

Spot wildlife around the Tárcoles River

From Puntarenas, the Tárcoles River offers a direct way to experience Costa Rica's wildlife without venturing far from port. Travelers appreciate seeing crocodiles from the boat, spotting mangrove birds, and the contrast between the coastal road and nature close at hand.

Combine rainforest and beach in Cahuita

Cahuita is often praised as a well-balanced port call because it offers more than either a beach visit or a hike alone. Travelers enjoy walking under the trees, hearing monkeys, glimpsing the sea through the branches, and then settling into a more relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.

Hidden gems off the beaten path

Try ceviche on the Puntarenas waterfront

In Puntarenas, travelers often enjoy simple breaks as much as major excursions. Ceviche, local ice cream, or fresh juice near the waterfront offers an authentic glimpse of the port, with the sea, local families, and the ship in the background.

Look for sloths in the trees around Limón

Around Puerto Limón, travelers often recall simply stopping to scan the trees. Spotting a motionless sloth in the canopy, a toucan, or a monkey in the vegetation provides a direct sense of the local biodiversity.

Cross the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island

This outing appeals to travelers because it retains the seafaring spirit of a cruise while completely changing the scale of the experience. The crossing, island views, and Tortuga Island's beach offer a gentler interlude, with less emphasis on an action-packed excursion.

Learn more about your Costa Rica cruise

Luxurious, preserved nature


The capital of Costa Rica, San José is home to a third of the country's population and is its economic heart. Here you can discover the late 19th-century National Theater, with its Carrara marble and Venetian chandeliers, as well as the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, with its anthropomorphic and zoomorphic amulets. The city also boasts a national museum with a fine pre-Columbian hall, a jade museum and the Metalica building designed by Baltard in 1890. The central market is also a great place to pick up souvenirs from your trip.

In the old town, the Pueblo Antigua recreates life in Costa Rica in the 1900s. Moving deeper into the country, you can discover the Poas volcano, whose crater is filled with an acid lake. Nearby, you can visit the Doko Estate coffee plantation, or admire the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a tropical garden with beautiful waterfalls. Later, the Arenal volcano rises proudly in front of you, surrounded by its national park. From the Arenal Observatory Lodge, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding region.

If you enjoy volcano tourism, head for Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Here you can see an active crater, geysers, hot springs and pools of burning mud. A number of signposted hiking trails are accessible, some offering unique views of the Pacific Ocean. If you'd like to soak up the local flora, head for Monteverde and Santa Elena, to admire some important nature reserves. Don't miss the Reserva biologica bosque Nubesco with its beautiful orchid garden. On the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park offers mangrove walks and dream beaches. Also popular for its coastline, the village of Montezuma will surprise you with its Zen atmosphere inspired by hippie philosophy. A paradise for yoga, relaxation and ecotourism, the village is a true relaxation paradise. The Tortuguero Park is a favorite attraction for tourists visiting the country, offering the chance to see turtles laying their eggs. This natural paradise is particularly appealing for its black sand beaches, accessible via water channels. Off the coast of Costa Rica, more than 500 kilometers away, head for Isla del Coco. This protected volcanic island is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling.

A tropical climate for a pleasant country

Costa Rica has a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: a wet season between May and November, and a dry season between December and April. The weather varies, however, depending on the territory you visit, and the best times to visit are between December and April, and particularly between February and March for the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. In the center of the country, regardless of the period chosen, the region enjoys eternal spring, with temperatures hovering around 20°C all year round, while the Caribbean coast experiences very humid, hot weather between December and April. It's worth noting that the dry season is the busiest time for tourists in Costa Rica, bringing large crowds to the country's tourist sites.

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