Silversea Expedition Cruises À PUNTARENAS

Discover the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica during this panoramic, half-day eco-trek in an exquisite cloud forest.

San Luis Park and Hummingbird Garden

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.75-hour drive to San Luis Park. Upon arrival, a comfort stop is made before starting your guided eco-trek through the lush, verdant trails of the cloud forest. Your journey begins with a short downhill walk leading into an open hummingbird garden, where many species of these tiny, vividly-coloured birds gather around and amaze you with their spectacular acrobatic aerial manoeuvers.

Guided Eco-Trek

After this beautiful experience, continue on to the first of four suspended bridges. Each of these bridges stretch between 95 and 253 feet (29 and 77 metres) in length, up to 126 feet (38 metres) above the ground and offer amazing bird's-eye views of the cloud forest. As you continue your way past rivers and cascades, take in spectacular panoramic vistas of your surrounds whilst your naturalist guide points out the most outstanding features of this misty forest. Included are diverse bird species, butterflies and small mammals, along with flora such as orchids, heliconias, ferns, bromeliads, and many other varieties of aerial plants and vegetation.

At the end of your nature walk, you will be able to taste the delicious 'agua dulce' (a traditional drink) with a hearty typical Costa Rican lunch.

Welcome Centre and El Jardin

After lunch, re-board the bus and start the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier. On the way stop at El Jardin where some time is made available to browse for souvenirs.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of hiking for approximately 1.1 miles (about 1.8 kilometres), at times on uneven and gravel surfaces, with over 60 steps to negotiate. This tour is recommended for guests who are in good physical condition, and is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, and a light sweater or jacket from the ship. Guests must be at least eight years old to participate on this tour. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Experience the beauty and talent of purebred Andalusian horses during this captivating, full-day equestrian excursion to Rancho San Miguel.

Farmland, Forests and Mountains

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to Rancho San Miguel. En route, pass by mango and watermelon farmlands and lush forests, then take in stunning mountain views on the approach to the highlands of Alajuela Province, where the hacienda is located.

Rancho San Miguel and Andalusian Show

A school of high equestrian arts, Rancho San Miguel has been exhibiting horse fiestas for over 30 years, and is now famous throughout the Americas for its purebred Andalusian horses. Upon arrival, learn about the equine world of mares and stallions. Afterward, take in an unforgettable show combining dressage training of the magnificent Andalusian horses with young Amazonian female riders performing masterfully choreographed equestrian exhibitions.

Orotina and Shopping

Next, re-board your coach and continue on to a private venue, Valle del Sol, for a Costa Rican-style buffet lunch. After lunch, your last stop is at El Jardin souvenir market in Orotina. Here, some free time is made available for you to browse the shop, sample their delicious fruits or simply relax with a Costa Rican cup of coffee. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 109 yards (about 100 metres), on paved surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection and insect repellent from the ship.

Explore one of the largest coffee-growing regions in Costa Rica during this scenic and informative, half-day sightseeing excursion to Puntarenas.

Puntarenas, Countryside, Farmland, Forests, Naranjo Highlands, Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately two-hour drive to the Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation. En route, traverse the rustic countryside and pass by a variety of landscapes, including rich farmland, lush forests and mountain views, as you approach the highlands of Naranjo, an area famous for its coffee production. Upon arrival, marvel at the sheer size and natural beauty of the farm, which comprises approximately 640 acres (about 259 hectares) of prime coffee plantation. During a guided walking tour of the Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation, discover the growing and production secrets that ensure the delicious taste of Costa Rica coffee.

Guided Tour, Nursery, Processing Plant, Local Home Visit, Brewing Demonstration, Coffee Tasting

Your guided tour begins with a nursery visit, and demonstration of the different stages of the coffee plant during its first year. The coffee is dried under the sun, using centuries-old methods to produce top quality coffee. From here, head to the processing plant. Here, view workers fertilizing the soil with the same organic solids produced during the cleaning and peeling processes, and sweeping the coffee under the sun to ensure it dries evenly. Meanwhile, other workers take care of the final process of preparing and packing the coffee for export. Following your tour and a visit to the gift shop, re-board your coach and drive to an old, authentic Costa Rican home for a coffee-brewing demonstration utilising a handmade, 200-year-old 'chorreador' instead of an electric coffeemaker. Afterward, sample the freshly-brewed, Costa Rican coffee.

Sarchi, Don Lolo Restaurant, Oxcart Factory and Production, Shopping

Next, re-board your coach for a delightful countryside drive to Sarchi. Situated on the outskirts of San Jose, Sarchi is known as the birthplace of Costa Rican craftsmen. It is most widely recognized for its colourful and decorative oxcarts, or 'carretas', that have been produced here for over a century. Upon arrival, proceed for a buffet lunch at the Don Lolo restaurant. After lunch, a visit is made to a famous oxcart factory. Observe skilled artisans produce handmade oxcarts, whose intricate painted sides and wheels are the epitome of Costa Rican folk art. Following your tour, browse the Eloy Alfaro Gift Shop for local and handmade arts and crafts, designs and Costa Rican souvenirs. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.75-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 547 yards (about 500 metres), at times over unpaved, natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible, nor recommended for guests prone to motion sickness. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, and cash or credit cards for additional purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least three years old to participate on this tour. The driving distance between the pier and coffee plantation is approximately two hours in each direction.

Explore the pristine natural beauty and abundant wildlife along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica during this picturesque and relaxing eco-tour along the Guacalillo Estuary and Tarcoles River.

Guacalillo Estuary

Depart the pier for the scenic drive along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast en route to the Guacalillo Estuary, located near Carara National Park. Upon your arrival board your boat and start your mangrove riverboat adventure.

Mangroves are a group of unrelated woody plants that grow in protected tropical coasts and that provide a great habitat for many endemic birds like the cuckoo, hummingbirds, vireo, Panama flycatchers and many herons and egrets. These areas are also home to over 250 species of birds, mammals and insects, with the Tárcoles River's mouth to be considered as one of the richest sites for sea and shorebirds, mainly during their migration period between October and April.

Tarcoles River

The mouth of the Tárcoles River is considered by birdwatchers to be one of the richest sites for seabirds and shorebirds, especially during their migration from October to April. The osprey, gull, cormorant, pelican, and frigate birds are among the most common species in the delta. You will receive a birding guide which will help you to recognize them.

The river's shores are home to one of the largest crocodile colonies, with some specimens exceeding 9.8 feet (three meters) in length. Although Iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards and birds that include herons, egrets, ducks, spoonbills, and storks are sighted on the majority of these outings, their cooperation cannot be guaranteed. During your tour, learn about the mangrove, the species and wildlife it supports, and the importance of its preservation.

At El Jardin Market

On the way back to the ship, stop at El Jardín Market, where you can browse around souvenirs, sample delicious tropical fruit, taste a cup of freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee or an iced cold beer while the beautiful sounds of the marimba music plays.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking and is suitable for guests with limited mobility and those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests will be required to embark/disembark the coach via the bus steps. Wear light-weight clothing, sun protection and insect repellent. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. A minimum number of guests per guide is required for operation of this tour. The sequence of the events might vary.

Experience the spectacular rainforest and wildlife of Costa Rica from the treetops during this panoramic, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Puntarenas, Costa Rican Rainforest, Rainforest Adventures Pacific

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to Rainforest Adventures Pacific, ranked by National Geographic in 2015 as one of the 'Top Ten Adventure Destinations in the World'. This panoramic venue offers a unique opportunity to experience Costa Rica's only tropical rainforest-guided Aerial Treetop Flight Tram tour, and discover this breath-taking private reserve. As one of Costa Rica's most impressive conservation projects, Rainforest Adventures Pacific has been awarded the Blue Ecological Flag by the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Tourism's highest recognition as the only theme park in the country that has been awarded the 'Five Leaves' distinction under the certification for tourism sustainability.

Aerial Treetop Flight, Lush, Tropical Flora

Upon arrival, proceed for check-in and a comfort stop, then board a comfortable, eight-seat aerial gondola and commence your approximately one-hour Aerial Treetop Flight. As you glide through the treetops of this lush, tropical paradise, take in spectacular panoramic views of your surrounds. Along the way, your naturalist guide points out plants and life-forms usually hidden from the human eye. This is also one of the few areas in Costa Rica where you can occasionally see spectacular scarlet macaws majestically soaring above the treetops, or sitting in one of the trees.

Nature Walk, Butterfly Garden, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, Animal Exhibits, Nature Café

Following your Aerial Treetop Flight, take a guided nature walk on an all-access path that provides an opportunity to explore the first layer of the forest floor. Visit the Butterfly Garden, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, and terrariums with a variety of snakes, frogs, turtles, and caimans set in the heart of the tropical forest. Next, proceed for a traditional Costa Rican lunch at the Nature Café. After lunch, some free time is made available to browse the Forest Congo Shop, where you can find a variety of local and handmade arts and crafts, designs and Costa Rican souvenirs. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately one mile (about 1.6 kilometres), with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and aerial gondola. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible, nor recommended for guests prone to motion sickness and guests with a fear of heights. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, and cash or credit cards for additional purchases from the ship. The driving distance between the pier and venue is approximately 1.5 hours in each direction. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence may vary.

Experience the exquisite beauty of Costa Rica from a unique perspective during this exhilarating, half-day zip-line excursion.

If walking through a tropical forest is exciting, then imagine the experience of traveling on cables on top of it. The tropical forest is one the most complex ecosystems on Earth, more species of flora and fauna inhabit in this type of forest than in any other on the planet.

Upon arrival your guides will outfit and brief you for your day`s activities. You will then take a short walk through the forest to the base of the Original Canopy Tour. It consists of 11 horizontal traverses up to 1155 feet long. It has 7 platforms and 6 decks, working with a binary string and special system that makes no sonic impact on the environment.

Scarlet Macaws, howler monkeys, white tail deer and several other variety of aquatic birds are common in this areas. Also, endangered tree species such as Mahogany trees are protected at the park.

The last traverse brings you to a ground platform where the tour ends and a refreshing drink and tropical fruit snack awaits you.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking and strenuous activity and is only recommended for guests in good physical condition. It is not suitable for pregnant women, guests with back/neck problems or limited mobility, sufferers of vertigo, or those who utilise a wheelchair. Wear light-weight clothing with sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes, sun protection and insect repellent. A helmet is provided. A parent or guardian must accompany participants under the age of 18; minimum age to participate is 12 years of age. Maximum weight for participants is approximately 235 pounds (107 kilograms). A signed waiver is required to participate. The drive to/from the canopy facility is approximately 1-hour and 15-minutes. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Grande Hotel is for those who want to begin or prolong their Silversea holiday - luxury accommodations, exclusive service and impeccable attention to detail in style. Grande Hotel guests appreciate the finer things in life. These properties have been chosen not only for their prime location but for their outstanding service and their exceptional quality.

For your convenience, we can easily organise transfers between the airport and hotel or between the hotel and the pier so that you only have to decide how much or how little you wish to do.

Hotel groups that are frequently featured in our program include Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Peninsula or Fairmont to name just a few.

Our Simply Hotel selection is the perfect choice for those who want a centrally located setting from which to discover - or rediscover - the city. Rooms in these 4.5 and 5-star properties are generally Standard Double or King rooms that provide comfortable accommodations and superior service for those who wish to extend their trip with a cultural or shopping experience in some of the world's most iconic cities.

For your convenience, we can easily organise transfers between the airport and hotel or between the hotel and the pier so that you only have to decide how much or how little you wish to do.

Hotel brands that we consistently feature include Intercontinental, JW Marriott, Fairmont or the Conrad Group.