Discover the treasures of Costa Rica and Nicaragua aboard a luxurious floating hotel during this 9 day Caribbean sailing adventure. Explore the best of both land and sea as you cruise on a lavish Windstar sailing yacht stopping at exotic ports, tranquil beaches, numerous tropical nature reserves and an active volcano along the way. Enjoy countless onboard amenities, gourmet meals, a feast of cultural activities and a combination of private guided and shared shore excursions. Visit Carara Biological Preserve near Puerto Caldera, home to the famous scarlet macaw and rare blue morpho butterflies. Hike along the Perezoso Trail in Manuel Antonio Park amidst a concert of chattering capuchin, spider and white-face monkeys. Spot sloths, marmosets, ocelots and more during treks through the colourful jungle. Feast at a beachside BBQ before exploring Curu Reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula. See laughing hawks, macaws, motmots, ocelots, anteaters, or a colony of capuchin monkeys while leatherback and hawksbill turtles roam the waters below. Visit San Juan del Sur, a tranquil, coastal region along the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Feel like cooling off? Go snorkelling, windsurfing, waterskiing, sea-tubing, scuba diving or even on a search for dolphins.

Enjoy private shore excursions at a number places throughout the cruise and in the company of professional Guides as you are taken to some of the best spots.

Windstar's ships are officially motor-sail-yachts (msy), but the designation belies the vessels' unique rigging. Unfurling in two minutes at the push of a button, billowing white sails reach to the sky. The cruise ship carries only 148 passengers and has 94 crew on board. This means that you receive a very high level of personal service throughout your sea voyage.
SEASONAL DEPARTURES: This cruise only runs between December and March.
2011 departures are as follows:
FEB. 5, 12, 19, MAR 26.
NOTE: A deposit of 1250 USD per person or 30% (whichever is greater) is required at the time of booking to guarantee your reservation.

San José was founded in 1737 and is a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture. Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional, the Legislative Assembly building, and the Parque Central, east of which is the Cathedral. The National Museum and the Museum of Gold are also worth a visit.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with vehicle, and professional driver. The transfer is approximately 30 mins (22km/14mi).

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the East side of San Jose, the first thing you will see is the Democracy Place and the National Museum, the Courts, Los Yoses, San Pedro Mall, Hispanidad Fountain and the Rodrigo Facio Campus in the University of Costa Rica. After you have seen the capital’s main attractions, your next stop will be in the impressive Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the beautiful National Theater where you will have a guided visit through these cultural gems. After your visit, the tour continues to the western section of San Jose: La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Costa Rican Contemporary Art Museum or the first International Airport in Costa Rica, the National Gymnasium, the Comptroller’s office, residential area of Rohrmoser, Nunciatura, Nobel Peace prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez’s home, Rohrmoser Boulevard and Pavas section. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity of visiting an interesting shopping place where you will be able to buy a souvenir of your visit of San Jose. On Sunday, the National Theater is closed and you will only see the outside portion and then visit the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum. Morning or Afternoon Departure, Duration 4 Hours, Return to the hotel after the tour.

Seated in San Jose's downtown core, the Hotel Presidente is a modern hotel with exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. The 100 rooms are equipped with air conditioning and all the features of home. Rooms are clean, and comfortably appointed. One may dine at the hotel restaurant or visit any of a plethora of hotels in the city. The hotel bar is known for great people-watching, as it has a bar counter looking onto the street. The Presidente is located on the corner of the Central Avenue Pedestrian Boulevard and Seventh Street, just 20 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport. Guests staying at the Presidente will be gratified by its ideal location, only a few blocks from San José’s cultural and historical landmarks, including the National Theater, Gold, Jade and National Museums. Bustling downtown San José houses Costa Rica’s financial district, along with most governmental offices and institutions. The Central Avenue Boulevard and its surrounding parks and plazas have been called the biggest outdoor shopping center in Central America.

Overnight at Presidente.

Puerto Caldera is a very important port in the Pacific, and sits near the mouth of the Golfo de Nicoya. Located in the northern region of Puntarenas province on the Central Pacific Coast, this tiny town is a key port for ships from all across the globe. It is a hotspot for surfing and tourism.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Enjoy any number of optional private tours during your time in San Jose such as a private half day guided tour of the city, a tour of a coffee plantation, a tour into nature to explore Irazu Volcano, Lankaster Gardens and Orozi valley or a visit to a local waterfall. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you are interested in any of these options.

Avail of a transfer to Puerto Caldera by private vehicle.

An industrial port complex for both cruise ships and cargo vessels, Puerto Caldera belongs to the Esparza Puntarenas Province. There are no passenger amenities in Puerto Caldera except for a small, air-conditioned terminal with restrooms, information desk, public phones and a small selection of craft vendors. There is also an International Calling Center which accepts major calling cards. The unspoiled natural beauty of the region is one of Puerto Caldera's main attractions. Its rain forest, which starts just inside the coastline and continues up into the mountain ranges, contains rivers, waterfalls, parks and wildlife preserves.

All meals are included during your onboard experience, including room service 24 hours. Lunch is served daily between 12:30pm and 2:00pm in the Veranda Café. Afternoon snacks are served between 4:00pm and 5:00pm in Compass Rose. Appetizers are served from 6:30 to 7:30 in the Lounge. Dinner is at 7:30 to 9:30pm – open seating. Breakfast is served 8:00am to 10:00am in the Verandah / Continental breakfast is served 6:00am to 11:00am in Compass rose.

Port charges for your multi-day cruise are included.

See the world from a romantic sailing ship with luxurious accommodations, a casual yet elegant atmosphere, and exquisite service and cuisine. Windstar’s ships are operated from the bridge by computer micro-chips and navigational devices. Passengers are cradled in comfort as all staterooms and suites offer ocean views, sitting area, new LCD flatscreen TV, DVD, CD player, iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDocks systems, safe, mini bar/refrigerator, international direct-dial phones, bathroom with luxurious pampering toiletries, hair dryer, plush terry cloth robes, and an abundance of closet space. The library on board stocks an array of international newspapers, books and games, as well as a multi-media selection of more than 500 DVD titles and compact discs available for complimentary check-out. The 148 passenger Wind Star ship was built in 1988 and last refurbished in 2007.

Overnight at Windstar Cruise (Star).

The Pacific is filled with many islands off the coast of Costa Rica.

The crew of the Windstar Star/Spirit cruise is made consists of 94 international staff. The Captain and nautical staff are European. Senior hotel staff are American and European. Stewards and service personnel are Filipino and Indonesian. The following activities and equipment are offered on a complimentary basis; water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, ski-tubing and snorkel gear. Scuba diving is available for an additional fee.

Enjoy the amenities onboard the Windstar Luxury Yacht as you spend the day at sea. Indulge in a therapeutic spa treatment, lounge by the pool or play a hand of poker or slots at the Casino on board.

Enjoy a pleasant night on board your vessel.

Overnight at Windstar Cruise (Star).

San Juan del Sur is a coastal city on the Pacific Ocean, in south-west Nicaragua. The town is a popular tourist location because of its many nearby spectacular beaches. San Juan del Sur is popular among surfers and is a vacation spot for many Nicaraguan families and foreign tourists, who consider it an unspoiled alternative to Costa Rica. Its population is approximately 18,500, comprised largely of families engaged in fishing. San Juan del Sur, set aside a crescent-shaped bay, was a popular resting place for gold prospectors headed to California in the 1850s.

Explore the colonial city of Rivas and view the impressive volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua with your very own private guide. Rivas is a city, municipality, and department (subnational entity) in southwestern Nicaragua on the Isthmus of the same name. Rivas is located near the shore of beautiful Lake Nicaragua, the tenth-largest lake in the world. Upon arrival the guide will relate the history which traces back to A.D. 606 when various indigenous tribes gathered and settled in the area. The Spaniards first visited the area in 1522 and many of their colonial influences can still be seen today. The city is deeply rooted in colonialism, and you can see signs of this from the many colonial churches scattered throughout the town. Visit the first Catholic Church, built in 1607, prior to heading out of town to a view point for a closer look of Ometepe Island and its two majestic volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas.

Your Windstar cruise will resume it's course early evening today.

Enjoy another peaceful night on board.

Overnight at Windstar Cruise.

Playas del Coco is among the most well known beaches in the country. A very popular area for sport fishing, Playas del Coco is the largest village in Guanacaste province. Known primarily as the gateway for surfers, where the waves are superb, this busy beach is a prime scuba diving spot. Very popular among the locals, Playas del Coco has a well developed infrastructure, with good roads and plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, discos, casinos, hotels, resorts and markets. The beach of Playas del Coco itself is a grayish brown and the tide here often remains quite low. It is surrounded by steep cliffs and hills, and has a horseshoe shaped bay area. From Playas del Coco you can also head out to Pelonas Islands, Catalinas, Bat Islands as well, which are excellent sites to spot turtles, sharks and octopuses in the natural environment. The main attraction of this beach is its excellent variety of tourist facilities and great weather.

Arrive at Playas del Coco this morning. The view from the Bay includes Pelonas Islands, Cacique Point to the northwest and Centinela Point. The Wind Star will anchor and you will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing.

After a couple of hours on dry land, your cruise will leave Playas del Coco and continue onward.

After a great day, fall asleep in your comfortable cabin.

Overnight at Windstar Cruise (Star).

Quepos is a city in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. It is served by the Quepos-La Managua airport. It is home to approximately 14,000 people. Quepos is the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. There are numerous bars and restaurants in the city, and a vivacious nightlife. Located fewer than 100 miles (160 km) from San José, on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, are the very popular towns of Quepos and much smaller Manuel Antonio. The town is named for the native Quepoe that inhabited the place in the colonial era. A picturesque town with a small bit of the colonial era wall left. Excellent area bus service. Quepos offers fishing for numerous varieties of fish, especially bill fish.

After being met off your boat in Manuel Antonio, enjoy a private half day tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with a private vehicle and English speaking Guide. This scenic park attracts over 160,000 people each year to its wide beaches and troops of monkeys that frequent the area. The park consists of mangrove swamps, primary rainforests and marshy woodlands and is bordered by the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is a haven for over 100 mammal species including the highly endangered squirrel monkey, or mono titi. At the end of the tour you will be brought back in time to board your departing cruise.

Your cruise will leave Quepos and continue on its journey late tonight after dinner.

Spend another peaceful night on board your cruise.

Overnight at Windstar Star Cruise (Star).

Bahía Drake (Drakes Bay) is a small bay on the north side of the Osa Peninsula on the coast of southwestern Costa Rica. The main attraction is Corcovado National Park, it occupies about a third of the peninsula, and this is known for being one of the largest and without human intervention park of the country, there are a lot of endemic species, also the efforts made by the Costa Rican government through the MINAE for the preservation of this area are really admirable, the private enterprise has been really helpful in these conservation efforts. The area has been accessible only by sea until recently, and consequently remains a largely pristine low-land tropical rainforest. It is one of the last such remaining areas on the Pacific coast. Since about 1990, eco-tourism has been the principal economy of the area.

The Wind Star will anchor in Bahia Paraiso and you will be transferred to ashore to a floating pontoon in the river delta of Rio Agujitas.

Your cruise will continue on its journey late afternoon today.

After a great dinner, relax on deck or enjoy socialising with your fellow passengers before making your way to your cabin for another nights rest.

Overnight at Windstar Cruise (Star).

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 snorkeling in warm waters.

The Wind Star will anchor and you will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing.

Spend a morning exploring the Curu National Wildlife Refuge—a private reserve of which two-thirds is preserved as primary forest. The reserve includes 4.5km of coastline, with tiny coves and three beaches. Be on the lookout for sloths and anteaters.

After a morning anchored in Curu, the vessel will continue onwards towards Tortuga Island.

The Wind Star will anchor and you will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing.

Enjoy a wonderful barbeque lunch on one of Tortugua's beaches.

Enjoy some relaxation time on Tortuga island. 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. Isla Tortuga lies three kilometers offshore. The ship will relocate here for the day and you can spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, exploring the Curu biological Reserve or snorkeling.

Enjoy another night aboard.

Overnight at Windstar Cruise.

You will return to Puerto Caldera early this morning. After saying your farewells to your fellow guests and the ship's crew, sadly disembark.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to the San Jose Airport.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) .