For many people, cruising is the preferred method of exploring the Caribbean. You can enjoy leisurely days at port, experiencing a new town or beach every day, while only having to unpack once. All your transport is taken care of, there are plentiful excursions to enjoy and someone else handles all the logistics. What many people don’t realize – or at least what I didn’t realize -  is that you can also explore Costa Rica this way. Star Clippers recently added two Costa Rica itineraries to their small-ship cruises and I was invited to come aboard and check out their offerings.

The Star Clippers sailing vessels are nothing like the ships you’ll see in the Caribbean. For starters, they aren’t traditional cruise ships, they’re working sailing vessels. The ship that currently plys the waters off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is the Star Flyer, which holds about 170 passengers, so it’s not exactly the floating mall you might associate with your average cruise. Six and seven night cruises visit northern Costa Rica and Nicaragua or southern Costa Rica and Panama, departing from Puerto Caldera, a tiny port town about two hours by car from San Jose.

The seven night Costa Rica and Nicaragua itinerary includes one day at sea as the ship makes its way from Puerto Caldera to the sleepy surf town of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. There, passengers can choose from a range of excursions that include a day trip to Granada and a visit to the Masaya volcano. Or, they can simply explore the town, hit the beach or arrange their own activities, like horseback riding or surf lessons.

From there it’s on to another beach town, this one popular with surfers and expats, and blessed with a dark sandy beach that gives the town its name – Playa del Coco. A main drag bisects the beach, with both areas lined with souvenir shops, tour outfitters, and inexpensive  bars and restaurants. Sample some ceviche or kick back with a local Imperial beer, which goes for about $2. Many passengers on the ship choose to linger here, while others go white-water rafting or ziplining through the canopy.

The next stop is Santa Rosa, Costa Rica’s oldest National Park. Guests who aren’t taking the guided walk of the park can hop in a zodiac and be ferried to the shores of an empty dark sand beach. Here the Star Flyer is often the only ship on the horizon, as there’s not much to the beach aside from a few ramshackle houses and thousands of shells strewn along the shoreline. One of the benefits of a small ship cruise is the ability to go places where larger ships simply can’t.

After Santa Rosa, the ship continues south to Samara where guests can choose from a kayaking adventure or a coffee tour, and then it’s on to Isla Tortugua, a private island that serves as a day playground for locals and tourists who come to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear water, lounge on the sand with a cold beer, or go for a hike or horseback ride through the jungle. At noon, the ship’s crew sets up a massive lunch spread on shore and takes small groups out to a rock formation for snorkeling. On shore, you can also book banana-boat rides and jet ski rentals. On the final day of the cruise, the ship returns to Puerto Caldera early in the morning.

Because the itinerary is so new (Star Clippers has been cruising Costa Rica since November, 2010), there are still some kinks to work out. Our group was the first to be ferried directly to the beach at Santa Rosa; previous groups were tendered into town and then walked 45 minutes to the beach. On day five, on which we were supposed to go on a coffee tour, large swells made getting onto the tenders too dangerous and our day in port became a second day at sea. Luckily, the Star Flyer offers plenty of activities on board, like nature lectures, organized nightly entertainment and games, mast-climbing, spa treatments and full library of DVDs for when you just need to relax in your cabin.

Despite a few hiccups, I would recommend cruising as an alternative way to see more locations in Costa Rica in a shorter amount of time. Because the roads in the country tend to be of the nausea-inducing twisty variety, it can take a long time to get from place to place. On a cruise like this, you’re able to see smaller towns and national parks while transitioning from place to place each night. The downside for night owls of course is that you miss out on seeing a town’s nightlife, but if nature, relaxation and luxurious accommodations are your primary concerns, a Star Clippers cruise can help you see Costa Rica in comfort and style, without the crowds found on a larger cruise ship.

What you need to know

Length of cruise - 6-7 days, depending on which itinerary you choose
Dates of availability - November to March
Number of passengers - 170
Ports of call - (on northern cruise) San Juan del Sur, Playa del Coco, Santa Rosa, Samara, Isla Tortuga
Days at sea - One planned, though the schedule is subject to change due to weather
On board activities - Two pools, fitness classes, library/DVDs, snorkeling, waterskiing, nightly entertainment, nature lectures, sailing instruction, spa, engine room tours, Captain’s story time
Costs – starting at $1875 per person, not including alcohol, flights, and $215 in port charges

Disclaimer – Star Clippers hosted me on the cruise, but my opinions are my own.

Original article can be found here: See Costa Rica by Cruise

How does relaxing in secluded, warm hot springs while watching lava flow out of a volcano sound for a vacation? Costa Rica is a traveler’s paradise, with hidden black sand beaches, incredible surfing, and jungles at your doorstep. The country has a stable political system, many people speak English, and you can get incredible deals when you travel there! So in addition to all of the gorgeousness that Costa Rica already has to offer, let us add one more item to your itinerary.

What to Expect

If you are in the Arenal area, you really have to check out the Baldi Hot Springs. Baldi is made made up of 30 hot and cold pools of varying temperatures. The cooler pools are great so that when your body gets too hot, you can cool off for a little while before getting back in. Baldi is cheaper than any of the other hot springs in the Arenal area, but just as opulent. There are plenty of hidden away coves and pools that are perfect for honeymooners, and Baldi Hot Springs also has terrific views of the nearby Arenal volcano!

Baldi Hot Springs has the largest and most expansive set of hot spring in the Arenal area. In addition to the hot springs, there are many different walking paths and gardens, large and small cool water pools, and cascading waterfalls. The bulk of the Baldi Hot Springs is made up of man made hot tubs and pools that are much more contrived than Tabacón and Eco Termales offer. Tabacón and Eco Termales both offer a more natural, open atmosphere. However, if this natural atmosphere is what you are looking for, there are pools at the back of Baldi that are more like this. Many people do not even know about these other five pools because they are so well hidden. So when you go, make sure you walk up past the water slides to get to these hot springs, which are deeper, hotter, and less crowded.

Baldi Hot Springs offers all the amenities you could ever want. There are three swim-up bars, two waterslides, a restaurant, a Spa, and rooms to change your clothes in. There are lockers for rent, and the parking is locatd behind a guarded gate, so you do not have to worry about theft. There is a large variety of pools at Baldi, two functional waterslides, and the gardens are beautiful. Baldi Hot Springs is a perfect place to play with all of your kids, and it is also a romantic place to be alone with your spouse. At night, Baldi Hot Springs gets much quieter, and you may even be able to see the Arenal lava flows! Finally, there is also a large pyramid in the hot springs, and when you go in it, you can get a really great views of the Arenal Volcano, as well as of the whole San Carlos region.

Tips for Visiting

If you are going to be visiting the Baldi Hot Springs in the near future, here are some tips to help your trip be as fun as possible. It costs $25 per person to go to the hot springs, however, there are several hotels and travel agencies from which you can pre-purchase your tickets for only $17 each. While Baldi is less expensive than either Tabacón or Eco Termales, it is still not the cheapest activity ever. If you purchase a drink at the bar, it will cost you around $10, and just a bottle of water costs $5.

However, the hot springs give you a wristband so that you can leave and re-enter the park at your leisure. So if you do not wish to spend a lot on dinner, you do not have to eat at the Baldi Hot Springs restaraunt.

Original article can be found here: Baldi Hot Spring

A vacation like no other awaits you at the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa in Costa Rica. There are relaxing and intriguing natural environments for you to explore, and although tourists flock to Tabacon to enjoy the exciting attractions, the amount of tourists will not distract you from recharging your body and your mind. Look forward to a memorable experience due to the unique nature of the hot springs, heated by the Arenal volcano, and stay in the resort the entire time as you explore the fact that the majority of attractions are right within arm’s reach. This beautiful and tropical resort is situated on a volcano, so the hot springs and pools are heated naturally from within. You will find Tabacon in a rain forest setting with many pools, springs, spas, a swim up bar and other relaxing and interesting attractions; there will never be a boring moment.

What to Expect

The hot springs themselves are next to the main lodge of the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa, and you will find that your room overlooks the Arenal volcano. You will actually be able to hear the sounds of the volcano as steam and lava come out of its vents, so be sure to watch it at night for the spectacular display of red lava to be seen from your room window. It is recommended that you come to Tabacon during the dry season so that the Arenal volcano is easy to see. Enjoy the hot springs during the evening, a relaxing retreat from the tropical temperatures during the day, as well as Pina Coladas or other favorites. Tourists enjoy the Tabacon hot springs all year around, and while your first thought may be that playing on a volcano might be something for thrill seekers, this volcano is purely for relaxation.

There are pools of different temperatures and sizes for you to try, all with massaging waters that are mineral enriched, as well as a waterfall and interesting and exotic plants. You will also find some exciting guided tours to locations such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Lake Arenal. You are guided through the Monteverde Cloud Forest by a tour-guide, beginning with the 70 acre Cloud Forest reserve and being informed about old forest and new forest growth.

Then, prepare to be taken up into the tree tops where you will cascade back to the ground safely after listening to educational information about the rainforest and wildlife. Lake Arenal has a 2 hour tour by boat where fishing for trophy rainbow bass and a spectacular view of Arenal Volcano are enjoyed. Watch the eruptions of the Arenal Volcano from the boat – a truly amazing and unique experience to enjoy.

Tips for Visiting

Be sure to plan your trip ahead to book your room at Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa, many tourists seek the relaxation of the hot springs and you may be disappointed if you try to book your room on short notice. Spa treatments should also be booked a day in advance to ensure your appointment. Be sure to bring water shoes that will help you walk safely on the rocks inside the hot springs, you will want to take precautions to keep yourself safe while in the water, a smart thing to do at any resort or pool.

Book your trip during the dry season for volcano views. Come alone or bring your spouse, Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa in Costa Rica will quickly become one of your favorite vacation spots with plenty to do and see both in the resort as well as out on the town.

Original article can be found here: Tabacon Hot Springs and Resort