9 Days of Untamed Cruising Through Costa Rica and Panama

Touch down at Juan Santamaría International Airport, where your adventure begins. After a short transfer, arrive at Bahía Herradura, a polished marina surrounded by emerald hills and calm Pacific waters. Step aboard your yacht, meet the crew and enjoy your first sunset at sea with a welcome cocktail in hand.

Tortuga Island delivers the picture-perfect Costa Rican beach day. Start with a morning wildlife encounter tour, where monkeys, scarlet macaws, and iguanas steal the show. Surf some gentle waves or just relax on the sand before diving into clear waters to snorkel over volcanic rock formations. It’s barefoot bliss from start to finish.

Dock near the lively port town of Quepos, a jumping-off point for the vibrant Manuel Antonio National Park. Explore rainforest trails where sloths cling to branches and toucans flash through the canopy. You can chase waterfalls, visit local beaches like Playa Biesanz, or stop at a café for fresh empanadas. As the sun sets, the seaside promenade is perfect for a laid-back stroll.

Sail offshore to Isla del Caño, a protected marine reserve with rich biodiversity both above and below the waves. Watch for spinner dolphins on your approach, and snorkel alongside stingrays, barracuda, and dazzling reef fish in crystal-clear water. The island’s lush interior also hides native flora and pre-Columbian stone relics, adding history to the day’s wild rhythm.

Corcovado is the stuff of nature documentaries. Hike through the only remaining old-growth lowland rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America. Jaguars, crocodiles, scarlet macaws, monkeys, and a staggering number of insects and trees are all packed into one ecological hotbed. One moment you're tracking tapirs, the next you're watching sharks breach off the coast.

Cruise into Golfo Dulce, one of only a few tropical fjords in the world. The bay is hemmed in by rainforest, mangroves, and the hills of Golfito National Park. Spend the day kayaking through mangrove channels or hiking the trails of Golfito National Park. Dolphins are often spotted here, and the stillness of the bay makes it an ideal spot for a relaxed swim or paddle.

Enter Panamanian waters and anchor at Isla Parida, a remote island within the Chiriquí Gulf National Marine Park. With coral reefs, mangroves, and dense jungle, it’s a vibrant haven for wildlife. Snorkel in the shallows, explore the island’s forest trails, and look out for monkeys, iguanas, and nesting turtles. Don’t miss the local hilltop bar and grill for fresh ceviche and a panoramic view.

A giant in every sense, Coiba is the largest island in Central America and a protected UNESCO treasure. Once a penal colony, today it’s a pristine marine park teeming with life. Go diving or snorkeling with sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and maybe even a whale shark. On land, red and green macaws call from the canopy, while the coastline invites exploration or world-class sport fishing.

Your journey wraps up in Puerto Jiménez, a quiet village on the edge of the Osa Peninsula. Disembark in the morning and transfer to the nearby Puerto Jiménez Airport for your onward flight. Before you go, take one last look at the rainforest-lined coast — a final reminder of the wild, wondrous stretch you’ve just explored.