Nature focus for Windstar’s Costa Rica

**Ally** · 08-02-2006, 03:00 AM

Windstar Cruises returns to Costa Rica this winter with the 148-passenger Wind Star sailing 15 seven-night nature-oriented voyages along the Pacific Coast. A local naturalist accompanies each trip.

Sailing roundtrip from Puerto Caldera, Wind Star first heads north to its only stop outside Costa Rica—San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, where excursions visit the colonial city of Granada, Masaya Volcano and an Indian craft market. In Playas del Coco, passengers can dive, fish and sail in the bay, float down the Corobici River or soar through the treetops on a zip-line tour.

Quepos serves as the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, a rain forest that opens onto white sand beaches. Other excursions include horseback riding, deep-sea fishing and a cooking class at a ranch and private reserve.

Marenco on Drake Bay is near Corcovado National Park where tours include a hike through the park, beach horseback riding and a trip to Isla del Caño for snorkeling. When the ship anchors off the Curu Reserve on Nicoya Peninsula, passengers tender ashore to explore the home of 220 species of brids, three-toed sloths, coati and anteaters. In the afternoon, Wind Star visits Tortuga Island for a beach picnic and complimentary watersports.

The ship sails in Costa Rica from December through March. Fares start at $1,749.

**Ally** · 08-09-2006, 11:42 AM

More detailed itinerary highlights are...

n most ports of call, the msy Wind Star is at anchor while guests are tendered to shore in zodiac boats for an adventurous wet landing on the beach.

Sailing roundtrip out of Puerto Caldera, the ship first sails north to its only stop outside of Costa Rica-San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. A tranquil fishing village with white-sand beaches invites guests to swim and relax in the sun. Shore excursions visit the important colonial city of Granada, Masaya Volcano, and an Indian craft market.

In Playas del Coco, the horse-shoe shaped bay is popular for scuba diving, fishing and sailing. Shore excursions take guests on a float down the Corobici River or soaring through the treetops on a zip-line tour through the rainforest.

A day in Quepos, a former banana-exporting town, brings a myriad of adventures within reach. Guests may choose a nature walk and swim in famous Manuel Antonio National Park, a dense rain forest that opens up onto white sand beaches.

Monkeys and other animals thrive in the park. Another excursion explores the intricate ecosystem of the mangroves with monkeys, spoonbills, and a variety of other birds living in the upper canopy.

Other adventures available out of Quepos include horseback riding in the rainforest, a rainforest exploration via an all-terrain vehicle, deep-sea fishing or a private cooking class at a nearby ranch and private reserve.

Marenco, located on Drake Bay, is the southernmost port on the itinerary. It's proximity to Corcovado National Park, known for its biological diversity, allows Windstar guests plenty of time to explore the 500-hectare reserve composed of mountains, cloud forest, pristine beaches and rushing rivers. Organized shore excursions include a guided hike through the park, beach horseback riding, and an excursion to Isla del Caño for snorkeling and exploration.

Anchored off the Curu Reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula, guests are tendered ashore to explore the wildlife refuge, home to 220 species of birds; capuchin, spider, white-face and squirrel monkeys; three-toed sloths, coati and anteaters.

Guests may elect to join a tour with an expert naturalist for a peaceful walk along the trails. In the afternoon, the ship sails to Tortuga Island for a beach picnic and complimentary water sports activities including sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, water skiing, ski tubing and wind surfing.

Complimentary water sports are a highlight of the ship which has an aft water sports platform that lowers into the water for swimming and water sports activities.

After a full day of adventure, guests will appreciate Windstar's atmosphere of casual elegance. Guests are free to relax in comfort aboard their own private yacht -no ties, jackets or cocktail dresses required.