cocos island - Costa Rica small ship cruise aboard pacific explorer

Day 1 - San Jose/Los Suenos

Arrive in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, and transfer to the resort city of Los Suenos where you’ll board your ship, Pacific Explorer. As we depart on our cruise for Cocos Island, bid adieu to the everyday world and prepare for a week of adventure.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - At Sea

Cocos Island lies about 300 miles off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica between the mainland and the Galapagos Islands. As we cruise to Cocos Island, you’ll have a chance to settle into your home on the Pacific Explorer. The ship holds just 100 guests and all staterooms offer ocean views. During the passage, our onboard Enrichment Program will enlighten you about various aspects of your upcoming destination.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3 - Explore Cocos Island

As our small ship cruise approaches Cocos Island, you’ll notice the rugged landscape topped by four peaks often obscured in clouds. An emerald evergreen forest coats the island right down to the water line, punctuated by over 200 streaming waterfalls, some plunging great distances into the beautiful cobalt sea.Depending on the tide, you may notice a tunnel or deep cave on the north side of the bay as we enter. It’s visible both above and below the water level, but the strong surges make it impossible to enter. Wafer Bay is home to the larger of two ranger stations on the island. Go ashore here and choose between a guided walk, or a Zodiac tour to the caverns with bird watching along the way. In the afternoon we’ll head to Chatan Beach. If you like, you can go kayaking or snorkeling in the waters where Jacques Cousteau once spent two months making a documentary. Butterfly and damselfish are just a few of the species that can be seen roaming the reef for food.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Explore Cocos Island

This morning you have two options: go ashore for a guided walk to Chatan Bay or take a Zodiac tour in the caverns with bird watching along the way. Among its many claims to fame, Cocos is the only oceanic island in the eastern Pacific region that has tropical moist forests and cloud forests. Admire the native flora as we walk—the many different types of Epiphytes as orchids, tree ferns, and stunted iron trees named for their dense wood. In the afternoon we’ll head over to Chatan Beach where you can go snorkeling or kayaking in the pristine waters. While snorkeling, be aware of the curious nature of the hammerhead sharks, which sometimes will follow the Exploration Leader on his or her ascent after free diving. While the hammerhead is the most sought-after prize to see on trips to Cocos, there are many other species of shark present as well. During the night the ship will reposition to Rio Genio.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Explore Cocos Island

This morning you’ll have a chance to explore the river of Rio Genio, including possible sightings of great blue heron and great egrets. We’ll also stop by Wafer Bay House, the main park ranger station. If you prefer, you can spend the morning again exploring the caverns and birdlife of Cocos Island. In the afternoon, you may choose to go snorkeling and kayaking in the small islands around Cocos. Many species of seagoing birds nest and roost here. As we leave the island, you’ll have a chance to observe the majestic waterfalls that drop dozens of feet from the cliffs on the windward side of the island. After dinner, enjoy a Farewell Latin Party on the sundeck.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - At Sea

Today is a day of leisure as we cruise back to mainland Costa Rica. Visit with your new friends or dive into that novel you’ve been too busy to read all week.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Los Suenos/San Jose

This morning you’ll disembark and transfer to San Jose for your return flight. If you have time, you might want to explore San Jose a bit before your departure. San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, situated high in the Central Valley between gorgeous green volcanic and tectonic mountain ranges. Built after the colonial period, it’s always been pretty modern and forward looking. Thanks to profits from the coffee industry, this was the second city in the Americas to install electricity. It has its quirks though. Even though the city has a million people, there is no home mail delivery and there are no street addresses here, or anywhere else in Costa Rica for that matter. People navigate by landmarks. Enjoy your visit, and your flight home.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast

Extending Your Trip:
2 Cruise West Options: Cruise + Costa Rica Highlights 5 day extension or Cruise + Monteverde Cloud Forest 2 day extension is available. Also call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips on one of our Between Two Seas and Tropical Volcano and Cloud Forest expeditions.

Notes on Itinerary: This itinerary is a 6 night, 7 day small ship cruise with options for extension. A private driver and guide ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency. There are many ways to customize this trip with additional activities or overnights, please call our Costa Rica experts to discuss your trip in detail.

Single Travelers: Single supplement added if single accommodations are requested.

Land Cost Includes: 6 nights lodging, all land, air and water transportation within Costa Rica, all airport/hotel transfers when arriving and departing on the stated arrival and departure dates of the group, meals as specified in the itinerary, hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking are included unless otherwise specified, guide services as specified in the itinerary, guides' expenses.

Not Included: Air Fair to San Jose, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to transfer and naturalist guides, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind. Small ship cruises mentioned in the itinerary.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Qualifications: This trip is available to any individuals or families with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

return to top of page