7 Nights Costa Rica & Panama Canal: Puerto Caldera to Colon and reverse

Type of Vessel

Wind Star is a sleek, 4-masted sailing yacht accommodating 148 guests. With four decks and a gross tonnage of 5,307, Wind Star feels like your own private yacht. Wind Star features wide open, teak decks, that are quite unusual for small ships. Guests will find hidden nooks for private moments giving them a feeling of being on their own private veranda.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica: Absorb Costa Rica’s magnificent biodiversity by adding a land package to your cruise. Venture to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where 300-year-old trees and orchids form a spectacular backdrop to resplendent quetzals, tapirs, monkeys, sloths, and other rainforest residents. Or travel to Tortuguero National Park, one of the most remote places in Costa Rica, known for being a primary nesting site of endangered green turtles.

Day 2 | Quepos, Costa Rica: The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and abundant animal life.

Day 3 | Bahia Drake, Costa Rica: Bahia Drake, a UNESCO site, offers a wide variety of activities for you. Explore the vast rainforest and expansive mangroves that are home to monkeys, crocodiles, and more. Traverse the rainforest’s canopy on a zip line tour or join a naturalist guide on a horseback ride. Snorkel the waters off Cano Island, where sea turtles, dolphins, parrot fish, manta rays and more reside. Join a hiking tour through the peaceful green world of the Osa Biological Corridor listening for red macaws, toucans and other small mammals.

Day 4 | Golfo Dulce (Puerto Jimenez), Costa Rica: Picture Jurassic foliage growing down steep hillsides all the way to the waterline, the hoots of monkeys echoing through trees choked by orchids. Golfo Dulce is one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse areas, where both the jungle and the sea brim with life. Explore the canals by kayak in search of javelinas, butterflies, and more bird species than in all of North America.

Day 5 | Isla Parida, Panama: Located within a Nature Preserve of 50 islands, and part of Chiriqui Marine National Park lovely Isla Parida boasts magnificent white-sand beaches, one of which is over 1,300 feet long. The crystal clear waters stay at 82 degrees year round and are filled with marine life. This island is close to some of the best big game fishing of marlin, sailfish, tuna and jacks in the world. There are numerous hardwood trees like teak, mahogany, and eucalyptus, and fruit trees like mango, banana and coconut trees. Wildlife here includes white-faced and howler monkeys, parrots and toucans. Here you will be treated to a delicious barbecue hosted by Windstar on a secluded beach that faces the Pacific Ocean.

Day 6 | At Sea: Enjoy the wonders of the Star Breeze while traveling through Panama.

Day 7 | Panama Canal, Panama: Over the 10-hour transit through the Panama Canal you will enter three sets of locks that raise and lower the vessel 85 feet between the calm Pacific Ocean and the shimmering waters of the Atlantic. Your voyage features a daylight hour’s transit with numerous observation vantage points for outside viewing and comfortable indoor air-conditioned lounges. Expert onboard commentary enhances your journey as you watch the day to day workings of this bucket list experience.

Day 8 | Colon, Panama: Explore the inner workings of the Panama Canal, head into the jungle to meet with Embera Indians, or take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy.

Food and Dining

All meals in all venues at all times, including room service menu available 24 hours. All non-alcoholic beverages, including cappuccino, espresso, and other specialty non-alcoholic drinks are offered to guests. There is also a welcome cocktails reception as well.

Onboard Activities/Events

Guests are allowed unlimited access to use all water sports equipment and there is also on board entertainment. A casino, library/business center, lounge, pool, whirlpool, and screening room are also available for guests at their leisure.

Staterooms or Cabins

Guests can enjoy amenities including a queen size bed with luxurious linens, a waffle weave robe and slippers, a flat screen TV with DVD player, a full stocked minibar and refrigerator, safety deposit box, direct dial phone, luxury bath amenities, Wi Fi access, fresh flowers and fruit, granite vanity with makeup mirror, wake in closet with ample drawer space, bathroom with granite countertop, full size tub and a shower, and hairdryers.
Gracious Balcony and Ocean View Suites are where stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed, which can be separated as twins if you prefer, features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.
Classic Suites allow you to relax in 400 to 530 spacious square feet. Your living area offers beautiful views from the forward-facing window and French doors onto your private veranda. Two spacious closets give you plenty of room to unpack.
Owner’s Suites with 575 square feet, your Owner’s Suite offers separate living room and dining areas. A veranda, two flat-screen TVs and DVD players, and a full master bath and separate powder room indulge you in spacious comfort.

Spa

WindSpa is available to guests who wish to take time and relax after an adventurous day out exploring Panama or Costa Rica.

Fitness

There is a fitness center on board for guests who want to continue their workout while sailing.