Catamaran Sailing Adventure, Gulf of Papagayo

Name: Catamaran Sailing Adventure, Gulf of Papagayo
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)

4.2 (5 reviews)

Cruise along the pristine Gold Coast and snorkel off the boat on a catamaran trip

Show all photos

Meg R.

Apr 23, 2024
We loved this! Snorkel was great and so nice To get On the water.

Lindsay N.

May 05, 2023
Overall a really great experience. Pros: shady interior on the boat, on board bathrooms, free drinks, friendly staff, lunch included. Highlight for us and our kids... Read more

See all reviews

Overview

Soak up the sun and enjoy a sailing adventure on the Pacific Ocean! On this excursion, you'll depart from a landing dock in one of three locations: Playa Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, or Playas del Coco. Board a catamaran and begin silently gliding along the Gold Coast past pristine bays, white sand beaches, and tropical jungles. You may spot dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and breaching whales. The crew will serve delicious tropical drinks as you make your way to a tranquil bay where you can swim or snorkel. A barbecue lunch with Costa Rican dishes will be served onboard before you head back to the starting point.

Highlights

Cruise around the Gold Coast on a catamaran
Swim or snorkel off the boat in a quiet bay
Enjoy a relaxing barbecue lunch onboard
Spot dolphins, sea turtles, and breaching whales

Know before you go

Duration
4 hours

Recommended for
6 years old & up

Group
Group tour

Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

You'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the landing dock at one of three locations—Playa Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, or Playas del Coco—depending on which sailing spot is the closest. Climb aboard a catamaran and begin your adventure on the water.

Exploring the Gold Coast by boat, you'll pass by magnificent scenery, including quiet bays, lush forests, and white sand beaches. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and breaching whales as the crew serves refreshing tropical drinks.

Once the boat arrives at a particular spot, the captain will drop anchor. While the crew prepares a barbecue lunch (featuring chicken, yellow rice, fruit, chips, black beans, pico de gallo, and cookies for dessert), you'll have time to swim or snorkel in the clear water or walk on the nearby beach.

After lunch, sail back toward the starting point. You'll head back to your hotel to finish the trip.

Discover more unique experiences in the Gulf of Papagayo.

Start times

Daily

8:00 am, 1:30 pm

What's included

Transportation
Bilingual crew
Catamaran sailing
Barbecue lunch
Beverages
Snorkeling equipment

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

See alternatives

Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands

Small group · 5 hours

Explore an underwater world on this diving tour off the Catalina Islands! From a local dive shop in Playa Flamingo, you'll embark on a 40-minute ride to a group of volcanic islands and rock formations that rise above the ocean's surface in front of Flamingo Bay. If you're a beginner, your lesson begins now—find out how to breathe underwater, make communication signals, and more—before attempting two open-water dives. Certified divers can jump right in! Dive below the surface of the indigo waters (to a maximum depth of about 60 feet or 18 meters) to discover a menagerie of exotic wildlife congregating around colorful coral reefs. You'll see quickly why this is a world-famous diving location! You might spot white tip reef sharks, giant manta rays, stingrays, eagle rays, jewel and green morays, butterfly fish, and schools of damsels, jacks, and grunts. In the right season, you can even sometimes hear humpback whales singing.

Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)

(5)

Small group · 4 hours

Witness hundreds of green sea turtles coming onshore to lay their eggs. First, you'll register at the ranger station before waiting for the turtles to come onshore. Once they do, you'll observe as they dig a hole in the sand and lay between 65 to 90 eggs before covering the nest with sand to protect their offspring.

Safari Float Tour on Corobicí River

Small group · 6 hours

Embark on a Safari-style tour of the Corobicí River with a naturalist guide. Spend approximately 2 hours floating down the river on a raft boat, admiring the diverse ecosystem and spotting a wide variety of animals and plants. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, the tour's main highlight.

Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay

(1)

Small group · 3 hours

You will paddle out over the azure waters of Playa Tamarindo and eventually reach Capitán Island, located about a 20-minute paddle offshore. There, you'll have the opportunity to do some snorkeling and observe the underwater coral reef, which is home to exotic fish. After snorkeling, you'll return by kayak to the mainland. With short paddling distances involved, this trip is perfect for the entire family, or for introducing your children to kayaking.

Self-Guided visit to Playa Conchal - The White Shell Beach

(1)

Self guided · 4 hours

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Playa Conchal, renowned for its unique seashell beach and turquoise waters. This beach, which is made up of crushed shells instead of sand, is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica! Start your day early or visit during the shoulder season for a crowd-free experience.

Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo

(2)

Small group · 4 hours

Adventure at a family-owned "hacienda" or ranch where you will enjoy a spread of tropical fruits and fresh coffee or tea. From there, you will embark on a private boat safari of the wetlands, where you'll encounter an abundance of tropical birds, reptiles, and monkeys. You'll then return to land for a rum tour and tasting, where you'll learn about the process of creating high-quality rum from pure sugar cane and end with a delicious cocktail and stunning views of exotic birds along the banks of the lagoon.

Please note that transportation is not included, but can be added for an additional cost.

Traveler photos

See all photos

Traveler reviews

5 total ratings, 4 with reviews

4.2

Feature ratings

Quality of Experience
4.3

Food
4.0

Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.5

Transport
5.0

Meg R.

South Windsor, CT | Reviewed on Apr 23, 2024

We loved this! Snorkel was great and so nice
To get On the water. Read more

Lindsay N.

Canada | Reviewed on May 05, 2023

Overall a really great experience. Pros: shady interior on the boat, on board bathrooms, free drinks, friendly staff, lunch included. Highlight for us and our kids was the stop in the middle to swim and snorkel in a secluded bay. It was a great way to get away from beach activities. Would 100% recommend. Read more

Jaya C.

Hermosa Beach, CA | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2023

Catamaran sailing adventure was good. Boat was clean and crew was quite friendly. Bar served drinks all the time. We got to see couple whales and sting ray but not much other wild life. It was more of party boat with music and alcohol. Would not recommend highly for kids. Snorkeling was ok. Was hoping to get some help from crew but there were lot of people on the boat so guess not possible. Food was basic but tasty. Sunset was very beautiful.
It’s worth for a relaxed sailing and drinks and... Read more

Wei S.

Bellevue, WA | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2022

The water wasn't clear so we couldn't see any fish. It was fun being on the catamaran, but we've done it a number of times before. We saw one sea turtle on this tour. If you have done catamaran at other places, I would just skip this one. Read more

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

Itineraries with Catamaran Sailing Adventure

Classic Costa Rica: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

Taking a road trip through Costa Rica gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore where you want. You'll pass through stunning natural scenery — from lush cloud forests to...

Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & the Pacific Coast - 13 Days

This 13-day itinerary is perfect for travelers who like to combine their mountain adventures with a bit of a beach holiday. After arriving at the airport in Liberia, you'll head...

Coast to Coast Adventure: Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano & Guanacaste - 9 Days

Experience both Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts on this nine-day adventure. From the capital of San José, you'll make your way to Tortuguero National Park to watch sea...

Coast to Coast: Beach and Cloud Forest Adventure - 9 Days

Experience both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica — and all that's in between — on this 9-day adventure. Starting in the bustling capital of San Jose, you'll make...

Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure: Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, & Tamarindo - 15 Days

Enjoy a 15-day honeymoon adventure that covers several of Costa Rica’s greatest outdoor destinations. Begin in the capital city for a welcome dinner, before heading to the...

Rafting, Rappelling & Hiking in Costa Rica - 16 days

Over an immersive 16 days, you'll alternate between adventure and leisure in Costa Rica. Some days will be filled with culture in the capital of San José, others you'll spend...

Discover Costa Rica's Cultural & Natural Highlights - 8 Days

Delve into Costa Rica's fascinating traditions and magnificent landscapes on this eight-day tour that blends culture and nature. Highlights along the journey include a cooking...

Active Adventure on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast - 11 Days

Enjoy waterfall hikes, horseback riding, a sunset sail, and snorkeling with tropical fish on this active 11-day trip around Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. You'll begin the journey...

Gulf of Papagayo Experiences

Show more Gulf of Papagayo experiences

Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience

4.8

(5)

Witness hundreds of green sea turtles coming onshore to lay their eggs. First, you'll register at the ranger station before waiting for the turtles to come onshore. Once they...

Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands

3.5

(12)

Discover an underwater world on this half-day snorkeling tour off the Catalina Islands! From a local dive shop in Playa Flamingo, you'll take off on a diving boat for a...

Leatherback Turtle Nesting Experience

Witness the awe-inspiring arrival of endangered leatherback turtles at Playa Grande, where they have returned to lay their eggs for thousands of years. With an expert guide,...

Ziplining, Horseback Riding & Hot Springs at Hacienda Guachipelin

You'll have an exhilarating day at Rincón de la Vieja National Park! You'll start with an early morning pick-up from your hotel before transferring to the park. You'll spend the...

Safari Float Tour on Corobicí River

Embark on a Safari-style tour of the Corobicí River with a naturalist guide. Spend approximately 2 hours floating down the river on a raft boat, admiring the diverse ecosystem...

Show more Gulf of Papagayo experiences

Costa Rica Experiences

Show more Costa Rica experiences

Tabacon Hot Springs with Lunch or Dinner

3.0

(2)

Spend several hours at Tabacon Hot Springs, Costa Rica's most extensive network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs, on this half-day excursion. Located inside a...

Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike

4.9

(7)

Venture into Tenorio Volcano National Park for a refreshing hike along the Río Celeste, one of the most stunning natural attractions in Costa Rica. As the legend goes, after God...

Turtle Nesting & Hatching in Tortuguero National Park

Unlike many national parks in Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is unique in that it almost exclusively revolves around the water. The best way to explore this 120-mile (312...

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

4.8

(24)

Venture into the cloud forest for a thrilling day exploring the treetops at Treetopia Park Monteverde. You'll start by boarding the park's open-air cableway to ride up to the...

Sky Adventures Tram & The Hand of Arenal

4.0

(1)

Ride high up into the mountains on this short excursion to the Hand of Arenal. Board the Sky Tram gondola with a guide for a 15-minute transfer to the monument and lookout...

Show more Costa Rica experiences

Best of Gulf of Papagayo

The Best Turtle Nesting & Hatching Experiences in Costa Rica

One of the most popular experiences in Costa Rica is observing the mighty sea turtles. For thousands of years, several turtle species have used Costa Rican beaches to safely lay...

Best Places to Eat in the Gulf of Papagayo

On the north end of Costa Rica's Pacific coast lies the Gulf of Papagayo, a tropical beach-laden region that's still relatively undiscovered. As remote as Papagayo is, you'll...

Best Things to Do in the Gulf of Papagayo

Enjoy the incredible scenery of Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo, a large stretch of coastline offering some of the best beaches in the country. Set along the Guanacaste region,...

The 5 Best Boutique Hotels in the Gulf of Papagayo

The hidden coves and beaches along the Gulf of Papagayo's rugged coastline offer a relaxing and active stay. Spend your days sunbathing at the beach or enjoy ventures like...

Top Family Experiences in Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers adventures suitable for all ages, making it an excellent choice for a family vacation. Kids and adults alike love spotting wildlife, ziplining through cloud...

Best of Gulf of Papagayo

Catamaran Sailing Adventure, Gulf of Papagayo

Cruise along the pristine Gold Coast and snorkel off the boat on a catamaran trip

Overview

Highlights

Know before you go

What you'll do

Start times

What's included

Like what you see?

See alternatives

Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands

Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)

Safari Float Tour on Corobicí River

Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay

Self-Guided visit to Playa Conchal - The White Shell Beach

Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo

Traveler photos

Traveler reviews

Like what you see?

Itineraries with Catamaran Sailing Adventure

Gulf of Papagayo Experiences

Costa Rica Experiences

Best of Gulf of Papagayo

Trip Planning Essentials