The transport contract offers Charterers and Owners massive savings on their cruise
November 1, 2021Ashton Robinson joins the Charter team at Tutino Yachts in the USA!
November 9, 2021Costa Rica is extraordinary – Wild and untamed. Somewhere to unwind and recharge, to embrace life and discover something deeper. A place for unlimited adventures.
A small nation with nature on a grand scale, within its magnificent landscapes is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. An astounding array of habitats host half a million different species of wildlife – there is no better, or more eco-conscious, place to be enveloped in the majesty of the natural world. And when it comes to exploring it, the possibilities are endless, from hiking untouched rainforests and soaring over fiery volcanoes, to rafting on wild rivers and voyaging the spectacular coastline.
Across the country, from coffee plantations and farmland to some of the most isolated stretches of rainforests and mountains, indigenous cultures continue to survive, with communities practicing the traditions and speaking the languages of their ancestors. This is just part of Costa Rica’s rich tapestry of heritage, which contributes to a vibrant and fascinating culture that is a joy to discover.
So it’s no surprise that the Costa Rican people are some of the world’s happiest. Their warmth and hospitality is fuelled by ‘pura vida’, the very essence of Costa Rican life. A palpable and positive force, it will grab hold of you and have you relaxed and wholeheartedly throwing yourself into a laidback way of life as soon as you arrive.
CHAPTER 1 – OCEAN PLAYGROUND
A stretch of coastline studded with secluded bays, deserted beaches and rugged islands, the Gulf of Papagayo is Costa Rica’s most spectacular and accessible ocean destination.
Plunge headlong into iridescent waters that are calm, clear and abundant in marine life, perfect for an endless array of ocean activities. Voyage along the coast discovering hidden bays and stretches of warm, empty sand to relax on, learn to surf on gentle swells or venture out on a paddle board to explore rocky islets.
The adventures continue on land, where there are beach picnics to be had and towering trees to climb in untamed tropical dry forest that is teeming with bird and animal life.
For this area, we have hand-picked the best anchorage location:
ANCHORAGE #1 / 3 NIGHTS
PENINSULA PAPAGAYO
The Gulf of Papagayo the ideal playground for local dives as it offers some of the Pacific Ocean’s most interesting marine diversity within a 20-minute cruise range from Four Seasons. It is among the best and most easily accessible ocean destinations in the country. Located in the province of Guanacaste, one of the least populated parts of Costa Rica, and home to the enchanting and endangered tropical dry forest providing a unique atmosphere. Secluded inlets and coves that line the emerald green waters of the North Pacific Coast make the views here particularly stunning and are home to abundant marine life. We are fortunate to have many beautiful local snorkeling and diving sites just a few miles offshore to choose from. Some of the selected bays provide calm waters and beautiful scenery. They as well are great playgrounds. Sunny days, excellent surf and stunning beaches best describe this paradise…
PROPOSED ITINERARY
DAY 1
ARRIVAL DAY
Today, the clients will be arriving to Guanacaste International Airport. Our Origen Expert Hosts and custom designed adventure vehicles will be ready to proceed with all the required transportation services from the airport to the Marina.
ON SITE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
The following on site experiences are available for the clients entertainment while the entire group arrives (If arriving at different times). These experiences take place just minutes away from the Marina and the duration is 2hrs approximately, each client can engage in one of the below mentioned experiences today. Clients can also use the onboard water sports equipment accompanied by our expert hosts.
Magical Mangrove Experience
Few experiences are more magical than touring a protected mangrove by kayak or Paddle Board. We begin on Playa Pochota, and then cross the bay to enter the mangrove of Palmares — one of the secret jewels of the peninsula where wildlife is abundant.
- Driving time: 5min each way
- Experience duration: 2 hours
- Age Restriction: 5 years old
Mountain Biking
The estuaries, magnificent ocean views and surrounding dry forest are a wonderland for mountain biking. Choose from Santa Cruz mountain and cross-country bikes and the new electric-assist off-road bikes by Haibike, a new way of moving and a new way of having fun with friends and family.
- Driving time: 5min each way
- Experience duration: 2 hours
- Age Restriction: 10 years old for regular bikes – 15 years old for Haibikes
- Minimum Height: 5’0”
Outrigger Canoes
Explore the surrounding turquoise waters in a traditional Hawaiian-style canoe. An excellent opportunity for a full body workout and team work as you experience the wonders of marine life along the coastline—under the sun or the stars.
- Driving time: 5min each way
- Experience duration: 2 hours
- Age Restriction: 5 years old
DAY 2
ROOTS TO THE SKY + DUST ON THE HORIZON
Head off-road in pursuit of adventure, racing up and down mountainsides, over rocky terrain and through forest. With both hands firmly on the steering wheel, experience nature with a side of adrenaline, accessing remote and hidden areas of incredible landscapes and visiting Estación Experimental Forestal Horizontes, a conservation programme working within a nature reserve.
Climb aboard your buggy and set off into the rocky terrain of the tropical dry forest. Following trails and dry river beds, explore the landscape in-depth stopping to look for wildlife, admire incredible views and learn about the surrounding habitats and ecosystems from your knowledgeable guide. Part of the adventure will be a stop at Estación Experimental Forestal Horizontes. Here, you’ll hear their inspiring story and discover more about the work that they do, reclaiming areas of forest that have been taken for agriculture or ranching and giving them back to nature through regeneration and rewilding.
Then hike through the forest to reach a majestic strangler fig that towers over its surroundings. This tree is yours to climb, a chance to recapture the freedom of childhood, to summon all the strength of your body and mind to clamber your way from roots to treetop. With a helmet, harness and ultra-safe top rope belay system, make your ascent through the labyrinth of roots. Hang out high up for as long as you wish, taking in the views of the forest and distant volcanoes, before floating back down to earth. Once back on solid ground, cold coconut water and hammocks wait to help you catch your breath and reflect on the great thrill that tree climbing brings.
- Driving time: 40min each way
- Experience duration: 4-5 hours
- Age Restriction: 3 years old
DAY 3
UNTAMED RIVER RAFTING
River rafting is an adrenaline-fuelled, rollercoaster ride through the wilderness, and one of the most exhilarating ways to explore Costa Rica’s epic landscapes. Winding its way through thick, wildlife-filled rainforest, the river’s calm stretches will give you time to sit back and admire your surroundings; drifting past waterfalls, spotting colourful birds flying overhead, peering into the trees for a glimpse of an exotic creature or two. When your ears pick up the sound of rushing water ahead, it’s time to steel yourself for another wild ride through the rapids!
Soar high over beautiful panoramas on a scenic flight/helicopter, passing over rolling, forest-shrouded hills and volcanic mountain ranges to reach the untamed river within.
On arrival, you’ll meet your guides, all rafting pros, for a briefing and safety talk before a short hike down to the river itself. Out on the water it’s just you, the river and the wilderness – you’ll not see another soul for the whole three hours you’re out tackling class three and four rapids in the rip-roaring ride of a lifetime. Paddling through the calmer stretches and riding out the thrilling ones, you’ll stop midway to portage around the point where the water gets really rough, and have some time to leap off the cliffs into the refreshing river pools below. Lunch will be freshly prepared on the river bank; backed by the wild jungle, even eating will feel like an adventure.
- Transportation: By land or air
- Driving time: 1hr 40min driving time each way
- Experience duration: 5-6hrs
- Age Restriction: 12 years old
DAY 4
FOLKLORIC FIESTA
Many of Costa Rica’s great traditions were born in ‘cowboy country’ among Tico ranchers and cattle farmers. They are kept alive today by those very same communities, who celebrate them with spirit and style. In a proud celebration of this culture, join a community of cowboys, ranchers and farmers, who will embrace you as one of their own, for a day of folklore, food and dance. Be prepared for the locals to show you what a real fiesta looks like!
Travel out into the beautiful countryside, arriving at a picturesque village. Here, you’ll spend the day with truly local characters, listening to fables, sharing stories and living the ‘pura vida’ life in a more traditional way. Enjoy live music and try some traditional dances, learn ranching techniques and watch the bull riding and cowboy games, and head out on a ‘caballo’ – trail riding on horseback, and so much more. All this excitement will be rounded off with an authentic fiesta feast, full of rich, Costa Rican flavours.
- Transportation: by land
Driving time: 1hr40min each way - Experience duration: 8hrs
- Age Restriction: None
SUNSET-NIGHT CRUISE
Get ready for some cruising during the vibrant sunset and through the night. The next day, clients will wake up in a different location closer to the Central Pacific of Costa Rica.
ANCHORAGE #2 – 1 NIGHT
TORTUGA ISLAND
Journey onward through the intense blue waters of our Pacific Coast on your way to the Golden Coast of Costa Rica. On your way, several wildlife encounters may occur since these waters are the home of hundreds of marine species. Tonight, you will anchor in Tortuga Island, an uninhabited island inside Gulf of Nicoya with breathtaking views to wake up in paradise and journey onward to our fourth anchorage.
DAY 5
Discover the wonderful marine wildlife, white sand beaches and exuberant vegetation that you can find in this island. Take advantage of this leisure time to engage in some water-sports like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling or simply swimming in this intense blue waters accompanied by our expert guides.
SUNSET-NIGHT CRUISE
Tonight, cruise forward to wake up in a brand new anchorage point. Get ready for some wildlife encounters and intense vegetation.
CHAPTER 2 – WILDLIFE HOTSPOT
On the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, nature is at its most intense and awe-inspiring. Here, vast tracts of rainforest remain wild and remote and shelter an astounding array of wildlife. Exploring it, winding through the towering trees on seldom-trodden trails, is an all-encompassing experience.
Where the forest and the Pacific Ocean collide, you’ll find exhilaration in the wild surf, a playground for spinner dolphins, and tranquillity on the calm waters of the maze-like mangrove channels. Magical encounters await in the Golfo Dulce, its glassy, emerald waters a safe haven for sea turtles and a nursery for humpback whales.
ANCHORAGE #3 – 2 NIGHTS
DRAKE’S BAY
Once inhabited by the indigenous, pre-columbian Diquis tribe, Caño Island is an oasis to discover the underworld playground of caves, cliffs and reefs that surround the island. Its marine area is one of the best diving spots and its home to Pacific green sea turtles, humpback whales, spotted dolphins, bottle nose dolphins. and spinner dolphin mega pods. This biological reserve is also the perfect base to explore the surrounding coastline.
DAY 6
ISLA DEL CAÑO EXPLORATION
Discover the hidden secrets of the ocean and the abundant marine life. Enjoy marine life unique encounters spotting dolphins, whales, manta rays, big sea turtles and more! Today we will journey onward to Caño Island Biological Reserve. Before inhabited by the indigenous, pre-columbian Diquis tribe, Caño Island is an oasis to discover the underworld playground of caves, cliffs and reefs that surround the island. Its marine area is one of the best diving and snorkeling spots and its home to Pacific green sea turtles, humpback whales, spotted dolphins, bottle nose dolphins and spinner dolphin mega pods. This biological reserve is also the perfect base to explore the surrounding coastline.
No driving time involved
Experience duration: half or full day
Age Restriction: 5 years old for snorkeling and 12 years old for diving
DAY 7
SPINNER DOLPHIN MEGA POD
Off Costa Rica’s coast, the deep, rich waters of the Pacific host regular gatherings of wild spinner dolphins, huge pods coming together to socialise and play. You could find yourself at the heart of one of these megapods, the largest in the world, thousands of dolphins leaping, flipping, spinning and twisting as they rush around you.
After receiving the location of the pod from the spotter plane, you will cruise close to the pod location. Then, you’ll switch to a smaller, faster boat to get right in among the action, dolphins streaking past, leaping and twirling just for the thrill of it. Their joy is contagious and you’ll feel it as you admire their acrobatics up close. With a team of dive instructors beside you, you can join the dolphins in the water, either to swim or with a seabob, for the exhilarating ride of a lifetime.
No driving time involved
Experience duration: Full day
Age Restriction: none
DAY 8
CHASING WATERFALLS
Journey into the rainforest on foot, following hidden trails deep into the wilderness. Hike through the trees to reach a clifftop where a river tumbles dramatically into a blue-green pool below. Jump off the rocks and enjoy a refreshing dip in the plunge pool, surrounded by glorious nature and looking back up at the cliff you just conquered.
Driving time: 25min drive each way
Experience duration: 3-4hrs
Age Restriction: none
SUNSET-NIGHT CRUISE TO GOLFO DULCE
Take advantage of the amazing sunset to cruise to the last destination of this journey inside a tropical fjord.
ANCHORAGE #4 – 2 NIGHTS
GOLFO DULCE
Golfo Dulce is one of only four tropical fjords on the planet. Is in fact, the only place on the globe where populations of both Northern and Southern Humpback whales breed. Surrounded by an unparalleled amount of land, marine species and diverse ecosystems that remain almost untouched, the Golfo Dulce offers a unique playground for the adventurous and nature lovers alike. At least three stunning points for anchorage have been carefully selected.
DAY 9
Take advantage of this leisure time to engage in some water-sports like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling or simply swimming in this intense blue waters accompanied by our expert guides. Clients can also engage in some soft adventures that could be coordinated by the host. Below you can find some of the experiences available in the area.
Magical Mangrove Kayaking
Paddle along remote canals through dense mangrove forest where clear and salt water meet. Aside from absorbing and storing carbon up to 10 times more than other ecosystems, the mangrove roots provide underwater nursing environments for juveniles of thousands of fish species, making the travel a great chance to spot many other species that feed from this source including reptiles and mammals. The diverse terrain allows for some of the best birdwatching in the area. Embark on a peaceful excursion and experience the magic of nature while cruising down the river on kayak.
No driving time required
Experience duration: 4-5 hours
Age Restriction: 8 years old
*Bioluminescense Phenomenon and Magical Mangrove Kayaking can be scheduled in one single day.
Bioluminescence Phenomenon
The calm, warm waters of the Golfo Dulce are a haven for all kinds of magnificent wildlife, from huge humpback whales, right down to the teeniest organisms. At night, disturbing the dark waters can cause these tiny creatures to use a chemical reaction to emit a soft luminous glow, often as a defence mechanism, which is known as bioluminescence.
As darkness falls you’ll board a skiff and cruise out into the middle of the Golfo Dulce, far from the light of the coast. Just dabbling your fingers in the water creates an otherworldly glow, but swimming is an altogether magical experience. You’ll bathe in blues and greens, every movement you make causing lights to shift and swirl around you. A mask will allow you to plunge beneath the surface, to surround yourself in clouds of dancing light, leaving a trail of luminosity wherever you dive. Then, float quietly with a sky full of stars above, and a whole galaxy glowing below, to feel a glorious connection with nature like never before.
No driving time required
Experience duration: 2-3 hours (nocturnal experience)
Age Restriction: 8 years old
*Bioluminescense Phenomenon and Magical Mangrove Kayaking can be scheduled in one single day.
DAY 10
WATERFALL RAPPEL, TREE CLIMBING AND HORSEBACK RIDING
Greet your gentle steed with a friendly pat or a rub on the nose before settling into the saddle for a ride through spectacular landscapes. On the beach, amble gently along the golden sand, the sun warm on your face or go for a gallop feeling the wild joy of speed, the fresh breeze and salty ocean spray kissing your skin. Turning inland, you’ll ride leisurely through grassy meadows, passing cattle pasture and farmland, the green lushness and serenity of nature a pleasure like no other.
Then, follow secret pathways through the forest to a clearing in the trees where a towering strangler ficus reaches high into the sky. This tree is yours to climb, so squeeze through a hole in its labyrinth of roots and clamber your way upwards to a viewing platform about 30 metres above ground. Here, incredible views await over the treetops to the ocean beyond. When it’s time to return to earth, a leap of faith awaits as you rappel your way down through the branches to land back on solid ground.
Continue into the rainforest on foot, following hidden trails deep into the wilderness. Hike through the trees to reach a clifftop where a river tumbles dramatically into a blue-green pool below. Here, get harnessed up, stand on the edge, take a deep breath and lean back. Lower yourself slowly over the edge and follow the rushing water down the sheer cliff face, letting the thrill wash over you as you make your way downwards. There’s time for a refreshing dip in the plunge pool, surrounded by glorious nature and looking back up at the cliff you just conquered.
Driving time: 25min each way
Experience duration: 5-6 hours
Age Restriction: 8 years old
DAY 11
DEPARTURE DAY
After a delightful breakfast onboard, clients will journey onward to Golfito or Puerto Jimenez to board their private scenic flights above Costa Rica’s mountain range to Juan Santamaría International Airport right in time for their International flights.