Explore: Costa Rica
Costa Rica has coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the latter being the more attractive for cruising.
The hilly interior and attractive capital San José can be visited from either Puntarenas or Limón. There are active volcanos, cloud forests, hot springs and an abundance of national parks.
The marina which is part of the Los Suenos Resort, a luxury development at Herradura, in the eastern part of the Gulf of Nicoya, is a good base from which to explore the country.
Compared to Panama and Mexico, Costa Rica is expensive. Diesel, marina fees ($2 – 3 per foot) and provisions can be costly.
The beautiful Isla del Coco, situated 532 km from the Costa Rican coast in the Pacific Ocean, is a National Park and sought-after diving paradise. It must be noted however that no vessel coming from a foreign port can stop here (i.e. en-route Panama – Marquesas). Only vessels that have cleared in to Costa Rica with the Authorities including Immigration can apply for a permit to visit Isla del Coco. See this report for more details.
Costa Rica now employs a force known as the Policia Turistica who keep a serious eye out that tourists are well protected and assisted as petty theft is very common here. As with all South America countries, keep your valuables under lock and key and padlock or secure down below any valuable loose items on deck. Cruisers who have visited recommend not leaving your boat unattended at night.
Golfito continues to have problems with outboard and dinghy theft. Take maximum precautions. Lock your outboard and dinghy at all times (even in daylight when on board) with a big chain so thieves cannot just cut the cables and pry things off with crowbars.
Last updated August 2016.
The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is drier, while the Atlantic coast has heavy rainfall. Both coasts are hot and humid. December to April are the dry months, while May to November is wet, hot and humid. The east coast is under the influence of the NE trade winds during the winter months, but the west coast has light winds and often calms. Costa Rica is rarely affected by tropical storms.
Costa Rica Weather Forecast
Report on East Pacific Offshore Waters Forecast.
For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page
Main Ports
Region: Atlantic Coast (Costa Rica)
Ports of Entry:
Puerto Limon
Region: Pacific Coast (Costa Rica)
Golfito,
Marina Papagayo,
Playa de Coco,
Puntarenas,
Other Ports:
Playa Herradura