Los Sueños, Herradura · Catamaran tour
The King Catamaran
Party and sunset catamarans from Los Sueños
The 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.
What they offer
The King Catamaran started out as a Herradura Bay party boat (older guides called it "Party Boat Costa Rica"), and it's grown into a catamaran tour outfit covering several stretches of the Pacific coast. The Los Sueños side near Jacó is still its home base.
There are three main ways to go:
- Shared tours: daily group departures where you buy a seat and sail with other guests. Sunset trips are the most popular.
- Private charters: the whole boat for your group, with the timing and stops worked out with the crew.
- Events: weddings, bachelorette and birthday parties, and corporate outings, with extras arranged on request.
According to the company, tours include drinks, snacks, snorkel gear, crew and safety equipment. Expect music on board: these are social trips, not quiet nature sails.
The boats
In the Jacó and Los Sueños area, shared tours run on a 50-foot catamaran. The company also lists boats in Quepos and Manuel Antonio (including a 100-foot catamaran), and several catamarans in Guanacaste for trips out of Flamingo, Tamarindo and Playas del Coco. Boat names and sizes change with the season, so ask which boat your date is on if it matters to you.
Where you leave from
Most trips leave from Los Sueños Marina at Playa Herradura, about 15 minutes north of Jacó and roughly 1.5 hours from San José by road. The bay is fairly sheltered, which makes for a comfortable ride compared with the open coast. Outside the Jacó area, departures are from the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area and from Guanacaste beaches including Flamingo, Tamarindo and Playas del Coco.
Who it suits
- Groups celebrating something: birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette weekends, reunions
- Couples and families who want an easy afternoon on the water with a sunset
- Event planners who want a boat as part of a wedding or company trip
If you'd rather have a quiet sail with a small group, look at a private charter or a smaller boat, such as the trimaran run by Kayak Jaco from Playa Herradura.
Good to know before you book
- Morning trips usually have calmer water and better snorkeling. Afternoon trips trade that for the sunset.
- Snorkeling visibility on the Central Pacific depends on recent rain and swell. It's generally better in the dry season (December to April).
- Humpback whales pass this coast in two seasons (roughly July to October and December to March), so sightings are possible but never guaranteed.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and a towel, and plan on getting wet.
For more boats on this part of the coast, see the Central Pacific section.
Frequently asked questions
Where does The King Catamaran leave from near Jacó?
Most departures are from Los Sueños Marina at Playa Herradura.
Can we book the boat just for our group?
Yes. Private charters are offered, and the company also handles events like weddings and parties.
Is food and drink included?
The company says tours include drinks and snacks, plus snorkel gear. Confirm the menu for your specific trip.
Do they run tours in Guanacaste too?
Yes. The company lists catamaran trips from Flamingo, Tamarindo and Playas del Coco, as well as Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
