https://costaricasailing.net/An independent guide to sailing in Costa Rica: day sails and sunset catamarans, crewed yacht charters, sportfishing, marinas, cruises and water sports on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.https://costaricasailing.net/serendipity-charters/https://costaricasailing.net/serendipity-charters/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Serendipity Charters runs private and small-group sails on a 50-foot Beneteau Oceanis out of Flamingo Marina in Guanacaste. It suits couples, families and groups who'd rather be on a real sailing yacht than a crowded party boat, and it also offers overnight trips up the coast.https://costaricasailing.net/adventure-tours-costa-rica/https://costaricasailing.net/adventure-tours-costa-rica/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Adventure Tours Costa Rica is a Jacó-based tour company whose water trips are a full-day catamaran run to Tortuga Island and private sportfishing charters from Los Sueños Marina. It suits families and groups staying around Jacó and Herradura, and anglers who want a choice of boats.https://costaricasailing.net/bahia-escondida/https://costaricasailing.net/bahia-escondida/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Marina Bahía Golfito is a full-service marina in Golfito on the Golfo Dulce, taking boats from 40 feet up to large superyachts, with high-speed fuel, a crew lounge and help with Port Captain clearance. It's the project that was first promoted as Bahía Escondida, and it suits cruisers and yachts arriving from or heading to Panama.https://costaricasailing.net/jaco-vip-tour/https://costaricasailing.net/jaco-vip-tour/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000JacoVIP is a concierge and vacation rental company in Jacó that arranges private party boat charters, fishing trips and Tortuga Island catamaran days alongside villas and tours. It's built for groups: family reunions, celebrations and friends' trips who want one team to handle the whole stay.https://costaricasailing.net/puerto-azul-hotel-yacht-club/https://costaricasailing.net/puerto-azul-hotel-yacht-club/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Puerto Azul is a hotel with an attached marina in El Cocal, on the Puntarenas side of the Gulf of Nicoya. It suits cruisers with boats up to about 60 feet who want a berth with a pool and restaurant on hand, and travelers who want a base near the Puntarenas cruise terminal and ferries.https://costaricasailing.net/crocodile-bay-resort-and-marina/https://costaricasailing.net/crocodile-bay-resort-and-marina/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Crocodile Bay is a long-running sportfishing operation and marina at Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula, where Golfo Dulce meets the open Pacific. Guests fish inshore and offshore with the in-house fleet and stay at the Botánika Osa Peninsula resort next door. It suits anglers first, plus partners and families who want rainforest and wildlife tours on the days off the water.https://costaricasailing.net/windstar-cruisesa/https://costaricasailing.net/windstar-cruisesa/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Windstar runs small-ship cruises that pair a Panama Canal transit with several days on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The sailing ship Wind Star calls at Golfito, Quepos and Herradura and starts or ends at Puerto Caldera, and the line's all-suite motor yachts add stops such as Isla Tortuga and Playa Flamingo. It suits travelers who want a cruise with real time ashore and a ship small enough to use local anchorages.https://costaricasailing.net/adventuresmith-explorations/https://costaricasailing.net/adventuresmith-explorations/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000AdventureSmith Explorations is a US-based travel company that books small-ship and yacht cruises, and Costa Rica is one of its regular destinations. It matches you with expedition ships of 66 to 184 guests or an 18-guest private yacht, many of them pairing the Pacific coast with the Panama Canal. It suits active travelers who want hiking, kayaking and snorkeling every day instead of big-ship port days.https://costaricasailing.net/princess-cruises/https://costaricasailing.net/princess-cruises/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Princess Cruises is a large ocean cruise line, and Costa Rica shows up on its Panama Canal sailings. Full ocean-to-ocean transits between Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale stop at Puntarenas on the Pacific, while round trips from Fort Lauderdale with a partial canal visit call at Puerto Limón on the Caribbean. It suits people who want a taste of Costa Rica as one stop on a longer trip, not a sailing holiday.https://costaricasailing.net/yellow-fin-charters/https://costaricasailing.net/yellow-fin-charters/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Yellowfin Sportfishing (once listed as Yellow Fin Charters) has run fishing charters on Costa Rica's Pacific coast since 2002, mainly out of Playa Flamingo in Guanacaste. It offers inshore half days and offshore full days on a fleet of sportfishing boats, and it suits everyone from first-timers to anglers chasing marlin.https://costaricasailing.net/caribe-shuttle-costa-rica/https://costaricasailing.net/caribe-shuttle-costa-rica/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Caribe Shuttle is a shared van service that began in 2008 on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast, linking Puerto Viejo with Bocas del Toro in Panama. It's the easy way for crew, boat owners and travelers to get between the Costa Rican Caribbean and the Bocas marinas, and it also runs routes to San José, La Fortuna, Tortuguero and beyond.https://costaricasailing.net/iguana-tours/https://costaricasailing.net/iguana-tours/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Iguana Tours is a Quepos-based tour company that has been operating since 1989. Its own catamaran sails from Marina Pez Vela along the Manuel Antonio coast, and it also runs Damas Island mangrove boat and kayak trips, which makes it a handy one-stop shop for families and groups staying in Manuel Antonio.https://costaricasailing.net/kayak-jaco/https://costaricasailing.net/kayak-jaco/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Kayak Jaco has been running paddle and snorkel trips on the Central Pacific coast since 1998, from its base at Playa Agujas just south of Jacó. It suits beginners, families and groups, and its small trimaran gives couples and small parties a private sail out of Playa Herradura.https://costaricasailing.net/the-king-catamaran-party-boat-costa-rica/https://costaricasailing.net/the-king-catamaran-party-boat-costa-rica/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The King Catamaran books shared and private catamaran trips, mostly from Los Sueños Marina near Jacó, with more options in Quepos, Flamingo, Tamarindo and Playas del Coco. It's aimed at groups: birthdays, bachelorette parties, weddings and company outings, as well as couples joining a sunset cruise.https://costaricasailing.net/star-clippers/https://costaricasailing.net/star-clippers/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Star Clippers sails real square-rigged tall ships, and in winter its Star Clipper is based at Puerto Caldera on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The 7-night Costa Rica and Panama loops suit travelers who want a cruise under sail with small-port stops instead of a big-ship experience.https://costaricasailing.net/fish-hook-marina-lodges/https://costaricasailing.net/fish-hook-marina-lodges/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Fish Hook Marina & Lodge is a compact marina and hotel on the waterfront in Golfito, on the Golfo Dulce. It suits cruisers who want a protected berth near Costa Rica's southern port of entry, and anglers who want to sleep steps from the dock.https://costaricasailing.net/491/https://costaricasailing.net/491/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Undersea Hunter runs multi-night dive expeditions from Puntarenas to Cocos Island National Park, about 312 miles offshore. Its 115-foot Sea Hunter is the boat on the Cocos run right now, and the trips suit experienced, well-insured divers who want hammerheads, tigers and open-ocean diving.https://costaricasailing.net/aggressor-fleet/https://costaricasailing.net/aggressor-fleet/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Aggressor Adventures, once called the Aggressor Fleet, runs 2 dive liveaboards to Cocos Island National Park, about 36 hours offshore from Puntarenas. Trips last 8, 10 or 12 nights, with all dives made from tenders around the island's seamounts and pinnacles. It suits experienced divers who want hammerheads, white-tips and big pelagics.https://costaricasailing.net/sea-cloud-cruises/https://costaricasailing.net/sea-cloud-cruises/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Sea Cloud Cruises is a German small-ship line that sails traditionally rigged windjammers. Its newest ship, Sea Cloud Spirit, runs winter voyages between Panama and Puntarenas that stop along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, with 2027 sailings listed. It suits travelers who want to see the coast under real sails, with a small ship that can anchor off quiet bays.https://costaricasailing.net/panache-sailing/https://costaricasailing.net/panache-sailing/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Panache Sailing runs catamaran trips from Marina Flamingo on Guanacaste's Gold Coast, about 30 minutes from Tamarindo. You can join a shared morning or sunset sail, or book the boat privately for a half or full day, with snorkeling, food and drinks included. It suits couples, families and groups staying between Flamingo and Tamarindo.https://costaricasailing.net/trimaran-sunset-sail-tours/https://costaricasailing.net/trimaran-sunset-sail-tours/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Sunset Sails Tours, the company behind the old Trimaran Sunset Sail Tours name, is a family business that's been sailing the Manuel Antonio coast since 1997. It runs morning and sunset trips from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos on a 49-foot trimaran and a 54-foot monohull, with a snorkel stop and a meal. It suits groups on the trimaran and couples or small parties on the sailboat.https://costaricasailing.net/planet-dolphin/https://costaricasailing.net/planet-dolphin/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Planet Dolphin runs large catamaran trips along the Manuel Antonio coast from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, and a second boat from Marina Flamingo in Guanacaste. Trips combine wildlife watching, a snorkel stop in a sheltered bay, a meal and an open bar, with sunset timing on afternoon departures. It suits families and groups who want a stable, social day on the water.https://costaricasailing.net/supstand-up-paddle-boarding/https://costaricasailing.net/supstand-up-paddle-boarding/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the easiest water sports to pick up in Costa Rica, as long as you choose sheltered water and go early before the wind builds. The best spots are protected bays in Guanacaste and southern Nicoya, the calm Golfo Dulce in the south, river estuaries and, for confident paddlers, Lake Arenal on still mornings.https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-scuba-diving/https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-scuba-diving/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Costa Rica is a big-animal dive destination rather than a calm coral one: think rays, sharks, turtles and schooling fish around Pacific islands and pinnacles. The main areas are Guanacaste (including the Bat and Catalina Islands), Caño Island off the Osa Peninsula and, for experienced divers on liveaboards, Cocos Island, with smaller reef diving on the Caribbean.https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-surfing/https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-surfing/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Costa Rica has surf all year: the Pacific gets its biggest, most consistent south swells from about May to November, and the Caribbean comes alive with winter swells from roughly December to March. Beginners do best at sandy beach breaks like Tamarindo, Playa Guiones in Nosara, Playa Carmen in Santa Teresa and Jacó, with a lesson from a certified instructor.https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-snorkeling/https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-snorkeling/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Costa Rica's best snorkeling is around offshore islands and protected reefs: Caño Island off the Osa Peninsula, Cahuita's coral reef on the Caribbean, Marino Ballena near Uvita and the rocky islets of Guanacaste. Conditions change with rain, swell and wind, so pick your coast by month and go with a licensed boat or guide where the rules require it.https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-kayaking/https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-kayaking/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Costa Rica has calm mangrove channels, sheltered gulfs, lakes and whitewater rivers, so there's kayaking for nearly every level. Beginners do best on guided mangrove or bay tours in the morning, while experienced paddlers can try sea kayaking in the Gulf of Nicoya or Golfo Dulce, or whitewater on rivers like the Pacuare.https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-sportfishing/https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-sportfishing/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Costa Rica is best known for Pacific sailfish and marlin, with roosterfish, snapper, tuna and mahi-mahi closer in, and tarpon and snook on the Caribbean side. You'll need a sport fishing license from INCOPESCA, and marlin and sailfish are released alive, ideally without being lifted out of the water.https://costaricasailing.net/hotel-giada-samara-sailing-tours/https://costaricasailing.net/hotel-giada-samara-sailing-tours/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Hotel Giada is a hotel on the main street of Sámara, about 200 meters from the beach on Guanacaste's Nicoya Peninsula. It doesn't run its own sailboat these days as far as we can tell, but its activities pages point guests to dolphin and whale boat trips, catamaran outings and the paddle-and-snorkel tour to Isla Chora. It suits couples and families who want a walkable town base for a few days on the water.https://costaricasailing.net/banana-bay-marina/https://costaricasailing.net/banana-bay-marina/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Banana Bay Marina is a small marina and sportfishing center on Golfito Bay, inside the sheltered Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica's far south. It's an official point of entry and exit for the country, which makes it a common first or last stop for boats coming from or going to Panama. It suits cruising sailors, anglers and travelers who like sleeping a few steps from the docks.https://costaricasailing.net/marina-pez-vela/https://costaricasailing.net/marina-pez-vela/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Marina Pez Vela is the full-service marina in downtown Quepos, a few minutes from Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific coast. It has over 250 wet slips, a fuel dock, dry rack storage and a waterfront plaza. It suits visiting yachts, sportfishing anglers and anyone booking a catamaran or sailing trip along the Manuel Antonio coast.https://costaricasailing.net/los-suenos-marina/https://costaricasailing.net/los-suenos-marina/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Los Sueños Marina sits inside the Los Sueños Resort and Marina community on Herradura Bay, on the Central Pacific coast. It's now run under the Safe Harbor marina brand and offers wet and dry slips, a fuel dock and a ship's store. It suits visiting yachts, sportfishing crews and anyone chartering a boat out of Herradura or Jacó.https://costaricasailing.net/jaco-tours/https://costaricasailing.net/jaco-tours/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Jaco Tour Sportfishing is a Jacó-based charter office that books a fleet of more than 20 fishing boats, from 28-foot center consoles to 50-foot sportfishers, for inshore and offshore trips out of Jacó, Herradura Bay and Marina Los Sueños. It also arranges sunset cruises, snorkeling and island days, so it suits anglers and non-anglers staying on the Central Pacific.https://costaricasailing.net/kuna-vela-playas-del-coco/https://costaricasailing.net/kuna-vela-playas-del-coco/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Kuna Vela Sailing Tours runs morning and sunset sail and snorkel trips on a 47-foot monohull from the beach at Playas del Coco, with a maximum of 15 guests. Private 4-hour and 8-hour charters are also available. It's a good fit for couples and small groups who want a real sailboat and a local Costa Rican crew.https://costaricasailing.net/seabird-sailing-exursion/https://costaricasailing.net/seabird-sailing-exursion/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Sea Bird Sailing Excursions takes guests out on a classic sailboat from Playas del Coco into the Gulf of Papagayo. Choose a morning sail and snorkel, a sunset sail or a full private day with lunch on a quiet beach. It suits people who want real sailing rather than a party catamaran.https://costaricasailing.net/manta-ray-sailing-catamaran/https://costaricasailing.net/manta-ray-sailing-catamaran/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Manta Ray Sailing runs private catamaran charters from Playa Flamingo with a small fleet, from the original 12-guest Manta Ray to a 41-foot Bali that also does overnight trips. Charters come as morning, sunset or full-day trips with snorkeling, paddleboards, fishing gear, a meal and drinks, and they suit families and groups who want their own boat.https://costaricasailing.net/blue-dolphin-sailing/https://costaricasailing.net/blue-dolphin-sailing/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Blue Dolphin Sailing is a Tamarindo catamaran company that's been running since 2004. It has 2 boats, a 40-foot and a 50-foot catamaran, and offers a shared afternoon sunset tour plus private morning, afternoon and brunch charters along the Tamarindo coast.https://costaricasailing.net/lazy-lizard-sailing/https://costaricasailing.net/lazy-lizard-sailing/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Lazy Lizard Sailing has run catamaran trips out of Playa Flamingo since 2002. Every trip is about 4 hours, morning or sunset, shared or private, with snorkeling, kayaking, drinks and a meal included, and pickup from hotels around Flamingo and Tamarindo. It's an easy pick for families and first-timers on the Gold Coast.https://costaricasailing.net/papagayo-sport-fishing/https://costaricasailing.net/papagayo-sport-fishing/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Papagayo Sport Fishing Charters runs half-day, full-day and custom fishing trips on the Gulf of Papagayo, with boats from 31 to 50 feet. They pick up from a long list of beaches in northern Guanacaste, and also offer snorkel, sunset and beach barbecue trips for groups who want a day on the water without the rods.https://costaricasailing.net/marina-papagayo/https://costaricasailing.net/marina-papagayo/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Marina Papagayo is the deep-water marina inside the Peninsula Papagayo resort community on Bahia Culebra. It has 180 serviced berths for yachts up to 250 feet LOA and sits about half an hour from Guanacaste International Airport, which makes it a practical base for cruisers, sportfishing boats and crew changes in the north.https://costaricasailing.net/sailing-in-costa-rica/https://costaricasailing.net/sailing-in-costa-rica/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Costa Rica's sailing happens almost entirely on the Pacific coast, from the Gulf of Papagayo and Flamingo in Guanacaste down to the Gulf of Nicoya, Los Sueños, Quepos and Golfo Dulce. The dry season (December to April) brings sunshine and, in the north, strong Papagayo winds, while the green season brings calmer mornings and afternoon showers.https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-sailboats/https://costaricasailing.net/an-introduction-to-sailboats/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Most sailboats you'll step aboard in Costa Rica are either catamarans (two hulls, stable and roomy) or monohull sloops (one hull, one mast, more of a classic sailing feel). Knowing the basic types, rigs and parts helps you choose the right day sail or charter and understand what the crew is doing.