Can Oasis Of The Seas Fit Through The Panama Canal
The Oasis class, which will include the slightly larger Harmony of the Seas, indeed fits within the lock dimensions. However, the ships’ 236-foot height above the water line will not clear the Bridge of the Americas, which spans the Pacific Ocean entrance of the canal with a height of 201 feet below.Dec 18, 2015
Related
What Adventures Can You Enjoy In Costa Rica Once You Arrive
At Costa Rica Rios, we can help you plan a week of exhilarating adventures in Costa Rica, whether you reach us by boat or plane. For ease of reference, weve divided up our most popular tours by travel style:
Honeymoon & Romance: Given that Costa Rica is such a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, it wont surprise you to know that romantic adventures are among our most popular offerings. Because we know that no two couples are alike, however, our array of active honeymoon itineraries is extensive and includes super luxe, adult-only resorts, barefoot romance immersed in wilderness and weeklong itineraries that perfectly balance rest, relaxation and romance with oodles of outdoor activities for adrenaline junkies as well.
Family Vacations: With a culture that literally embraces children and a country that is tailor-made for family fun, Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the best family-friendly destinations on the planet. On our family adventure vacations, we love to showcase the greatness of this nation and its wonderful people, planning itineraries that are unique, fun and budget-friendly, whilst focusing on activities and adventures that are suitable for everyone. For quality time together in nature, enjoying each others company and our wonderful country, our Costa Rica Rios family vacations are unparalleled.
Can I Drink The Water In Costa Rica
Tap Water. It’s generally safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except in the most rural and undeveloped parts of the country. However, if you prefer to be cautious, buying bottled water is your best bet. If you have the means, vigorous boiling for one minute is the most effective means of water purification.
Related
Don’t Miss: Dress Code On Seabourn Cruises
Costa Rica To Open For Cruise Ships September 1
Costa Rica will be opening to cruise ship tourism from September 1, 2021. The country hopes to stimulate the ailing tourism industry, which has seen a sharp decline in visitors over the last 1,5 years. Opening up for tourists will stimulate tourism and provide employment to thousands of people who have traditionally worked in the industry in places like Limón, Puntarenas, Caldera, Quepos, and Golfito.
Gustavo J. Segura, Minister of Tourism:
The resumption of this tourist activity will benefit the ports of Limón, Puntarenas, Caldera, Quepos and Golfito. Each passenger spends an average of $137 per day, which has an important impact on the reactivation of local economies in coastal communities,
So far, nine cruise lines have included Costa Rica in their ships itineraries the cruise lines and ships that will visit include Windstar, Lindblad, Sea Cloud, Seabourn Quest, Celebrity Millennium, Carnival Pride, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, and Seven Seas Mariner. Five vessels will sail to Limón, while other vessels will be visiting ports on the Pacific side of the country.
Costa Rica has always been a popular spot for cruise lines to sail to. During the 2019-2020 season, 239,566 cruise ship guests visited the country 113 cruise ships visited ports in the Pacific, while 84 ships visited the ports in the Caribbean.
Is There A Cruise Through The Panama Canal
- PanamaCanalCruises. Ships that cruise the PanamaCanal usually go through the first set of locks, then turn around in Gatun Lake and exit the canal the way they entered. Full transits typically sail from coast to coast, beginning in Florida and ending in one of several ports on the West Coast, such as Los Angeles or San Diego .
Recommended Reading: Seabourn Dress Code
Costa Rica & Panama Cruise Tips
Bring bug spray. Don’t forget the bug spray at home and slather it on whenever you head out into the rainforest, especially during the rainy season The area can have mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue and Zika make sure your spray has DEET. With so much of an expedition cruise’s activities located near or on the water , it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Stay hydrated. Central America is hot and humid, all year long. And being in the rainforest makes the heat and humidity seem even stronger. Always have at least one bottle of water with you when you leave your ship and keep sipping from it, especially if you’re hiking or kayaking or doing anything else physically strenuous.
Follow instructions. Most of the places you’ll visit on a Costa Rica & Panama expedition cruise are untamed and there is lots that can hurt you . Your expedition guides know exactly how to keep you safe, so follow any and all instructions and you should be just fine.
Bring a disposable underwater camera. Much of the activity on a Costa Rica & Panama expedition cruise centers around water activities from kayaking to snorkeling. If you don’t have an underwater camera or waterproof case for your phone, invest in a disposable underwater camera before your cruise so you can capture some of the most beautiful scenery you’ll see during your journey.
Adventure Cruises In Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests and coastline host one of the most bio-diverse regions in ‘Manuel Antonio National Park’. A nature lovers paradise.
In Costa Rica, cruises offer travellers the chance to explore more secluded spots of the beautiful coastline. The Costa Rican coast is home to a number of excellent national parks and wildlife refuges. These parks are home to huge tropical rainforests and a range of wildlife such as monkeys, lizards and parrots. These rainforests are predominantly dry which makes them ideal for hiking and photography.A great number of people also cruise Costa Rica for the calm, clear coral rich waters.
Costa Rica is a watersports haven with excellent marine life and coral reefs for snorkelling and scuba diving with fish and turtles aplenty. Paddleboarding and kayaking are also very popular, offering guests the chance to get into the less accessible spots. If relaxing is more your style, then you can take a seat on one of the long quiet beaches and enjoy the sunset while sipping a drink on the deck.
Also Check: Seabourn Cancellation Policy
More About The Panama Canal & Central America
What is the best time to cruise to the Panama Canal & Central America?
Panama Canal and Central America cruise season is from October through April. The rainy season doesn’t end until November, so cruises here are more popular from December onward. For more: Best Month to Cruise to the Panama Canal
Which cruise lines go to the Panama Canal & Central America?
Most major cruise lines, including Princess and Holland America, feature at least a few Panama Canal sailings in addition to expedition lines like Tauck and Lindblad. Cruisers can choose from a partial or full transit of the canal . Cruises that specifically explore countries like Costa Rica are on offer, from small-ship lines like Windstar Cruises.
What are some things to do in the Panama Canal & Central America?
In addition to either a full or partial crossing of the Panama Canal, most cruises in this region include stops in popular ports throughout Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. That means you can do anything from lounge on the beach to explore ancient ruins or enjoy some duty-free shopping. If you can, trek Arenal Volcano from Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.
Do you need a passport to take a cruise to the Panama Canal & Central America?
Yes, a passport is required for travel throughout Central America, including Panama.
What should I pack for a cruise to the Panama Canal & Central America?
Windstar Cruises: Puerta Caldera Round
Windstar Cruises offers a seven-day round-trip cruise from Puerto Caldera in Costa Rica that features five other destinations in Costa Rica and one in Nicaragua. The first ports of call are San Juan Del Sur, a fishing village on southern Nicaragua’s Pacific coast Playas del Coco, a scenic bay and Quepos, a gateway to the rain forest of Manuel Antonio National Park. The cruise continues to Bahia Drake near Corcovado National Park, the Curu Wildlife Refuge, where you may spot monkeys and sloths, and Tortuga Island, an ideal spot for snorkeling and spending time on the beach. Passengers are transferred to most of these destinations from the Wind Star sailing yacht via Zodiac.
You May Like: Msc Cruise Alaska
How To Get To Costa Rica
Costa Rica has two international airports for those who want to fly into the country, San Jose and Daniel Oduber. San Jose is the larger of the two and receives flights from the U.S.A and Europe, it is an hour and a half to two-hour drive from there to Caldera Port and Punta Arenas where cruises depart from. Daniel Oduber is a little further away, around a 3 hour drive and does not have as many scheduled flights. Most of the flights here are from the USA.
Where do Costa Rica cruises depart from?
Many Costa Rica cruises depart from Caldera and Arenas ports near San Jose offering easy access from both of the international airports. There are also a few catamarans that leave from Herradura, particularly those going to Tortuga Island. Some cruises will take guests from Costa Rica to Panama or vice versa. Panama and Costa Rica cruises starting in Panama depart from Flamenco Marina near Panama City. Cruises from Costa Rica, on the other hand, will begin in San Jose. From the airports to the ports it is possible to take a taxi but much more cost effective to book a shared shuttle bus in advance.
Costa Rica Cruise Ports
Generally speaking, there are two Costa Rica cruise types. You can cruise to Costa Rica on either a Panama Canal voyage, or on a Central America and/or Caribbean cruise. Some South America cruises that start in North America also stop in Costa Rica.
Since the country lies on the narrow isthmus of Central America, it has a coastline on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It, therefore, also has one or more cruise ports on either coast. The main cruise port on Costa Ricas Caribbean coast is Limon, while Puerto Caldera near Puntarenasthe largest cargo port in the countryis the Pacific coasts premier cruise port in Costa Rica.
Caribbean cruises to Costa Rica stop only at Limon, while some Panama Canal cruises call at both of the countrys ports, offering you the opportunity to explore both sides of the country.
You May Like: What To Do In Nassau On A Cruise
The Time Of Tourists On Costa Rican Soil May Vary Due To The Size Of The Boats
Generally, the large ships, their stay in the country is less than twelve hours, and these small boats also dock in the bay generally, arrive at the port, do some kind of small tour, leave in the afternoon and go to another destination Alvarado finished.
The current dynamics of the cruise lines will be to start with small boats and it is expected that by the month of November, larger cruises and with more travelers will be added. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute pointed out that the operation will be quite controlled in relation to contact with other people who do not come on the boat.
Last July it was reported that nine cruise lines have incorporated Costa Rica into their itineraries: Windstar, Lindblad, Sea Cloud, Seabourn Quest, Celebrity Millenium, Carnival Pride, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess and Seven Seas Mariner.
Five of these cruise lines would arrive in Limón and the rest in Pacific ports. For the 2019-2020 season, Costa Rica received a total of 197 cruises, which led to the arrival of 239 thousand tourists. On average, each cruise passenger spends a total of $137.
Get Updates On Upcoming Retreats & Events in Costa Rica
to the TCRN Newsletter& Stay Up-To-Date With Upcoming Costa Rican Retreats & Events
How To Sail To Costa Rica
You can cruise to Costa Rica on our Panama Canal and Caribbean cruise itineraries that include stops in Central America. You can also embark on Costa Rica on a South America cruise, which sails up the east coast of South America to California .
When sailing a Panama Canal cruise, youll do a half loop from the Atlantic to the Pacific sides of the United States, typically departing from San Diego, California, sailing down through the Panama Canal and ending in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida . Along the way, youll get an epic day spent in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, with your Celebrity Cruises ship pulling right into Puntarenas proper.
Cruises to Chile sail from Southern California to San Antonio, Chile . Along the way, youll cruise to Costa Rica as well as visit other ports of call along the west coast of North and South America, such as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Manta, Ecuador and Lima, Peru.
To visit Puerto Limón, look for one of our Caribbean and the Americas itineraries that combine ports of call at Caribbean islands with stops at some of Central Americas most popular cruise destinations, including Costa Rica. These itineraries typically leave from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and sail for eleven or twelve nights.
Caribbean
Read Also: Mobile Alabama Cruise Lines
Best Time For A Costa Rica & Panama Expedition Cruise
The best time to cruise to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama is between December and April, which are the countries’ dry seasons, though temperatures and humidity are high year-round. It is during this time that cruisers will find the most sunshine and the driest conditions inside the rainforests. During the wet season, June and July are better months as the rain is not as frequent, but the forests are vibrant with new foliage. The Caribbean coast is rainy all year long, though more sporadic during the “dry” season.
Which Cruise Line Is Best For Panama Canal
Set sail with Princess® the best Panama Canal cruise line We’re the number one cruise line sailing to this bucket list destination, and as awe-inspiring as it is to travel through one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 7 Cruise Wonders of the World, we’ll help you explore equally fascinating places along the way.
Don’t Miss: Most Expensive Cruise Lines
Can You Take A Boat To Costa Rica
Getting to Costa Rica by boat Costa Rica borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Hence, both Caribbean and South America cruises call at Costa Rica. Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean are just three major operators that include the country on their itineraries.
How Many Days Is A Panama Canal Cruise
Most of the full-transit cruises through the Panama Canal take 11 days or more, but not all travelers have the time to take such a lengthy vacation. For that reason, some cruise ships offer partial transits of the Panama Canal, usually as part of a larger cruise of the western or southern Caribbean.Jan 22, 2020
Related
Don’t Miss: 14 Port Terminal Boulevard Bayonne Nj
Helpful Tips Before You Go
With Costa Rica’s many beaches and rainforests to explore, you will want to pack accordingly for this tropical paradise. It shouldnt be a surprise to hear it rains a considerable amount in Costa Rica. However our cruises sail to Costa Rica during the dry season from October to March, so you wont have to worry about any summer downpours during your vacation. To be safe, you may want to pack waterproof shoes and jackets anyway, just in case you get wet at some point.
Bring swimsuits appropriate for lounging on the beach and enduring in any water sports, such as surfing those famous Costa Rica waves. Pack comfortable closed-toe shoes for exploration, not just flip flops or sandals. These will especially come in handy on certain shore excursions, such as hiking or ziplining the rainforests of Costa Rica. Dont head for your cruise to Costa Rica without proper sunscreen, strong bug spray and a solid camera for capturing Costa Ricas landscape and wildlife.
Its always smart to carry local currency when traveling internationally, which in this case is Colones, but dont stress too much about exchanging it all beforehand. US dollars are readily accepted in Costa Rica and can be used in majority of touristic destinations, such as our Puntarenas and Puerto Limon cruise ports.
Explore Special Offers
What Youneed To Know
- Port Name & LocationShip will DOCK at this port.
- Time Zone
- The local language is Spanish. Say “good afternoon” in Spanish “buenas tardes.”
- Currency & ShoppingCoffee, souvenirs, local crafts and oxcarts.
- Best Way to Get AroundTaxi ride to anything around town is very affordable yet, organized shore excursions are probably the best option!
- Famous ForOne of Puerto Limon’s most intriguing inhabitants was Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a champion of African-American causes in this region having founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
- Fun Fact #1Surround yourself in the natural beauty of the 3,400-acre Veragua Rainforest mountain reserve, which National Geographic Traveller called “The Cream of the Cream of the Rainforest.”
- Fun Fact #2Puerto Limon was founded in 1870 as a port city to export bananas and grains from Costa Rica to various parts of the globe.
Read Also: Grand Celebration Ship Reviews
Can You Take A One
Taking a one-way cruise to Costa Rica to enjoy an extended adventure vacation with a difference is an option thats becoming increasingly popular. Not only does cruising offer an extra adventure in its own right but it also offers a stellar travel option for those who simply dont wish to fly. Having said that, it may surprise you to know that whilst roundtrip cruises abound, one-way cruises to Costa Rica are much harder to find.
Below, we detail all your Costa Rica cruising options so you can best decide which one is right for you.