Silversea Luxury Cruises A PUERTO LIMÓN

Experience the traditional lifestyle and commercial operation of a unique, century-old hacienda during this memorable, full-day excursion to the mountains of Turrialba.

Hacienda Tayutic

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximate two-hour drive to the Hacienda Tayutic. Nestled in the mountains of Turrialba, this unique, century-old hacienda offers splendid views of the valley, magnificent Reventazon River and its impressive dam, sugarcane and coffee plantations, macadamia trees, tropical flowers, and regal fields dotting the landscape. The owners of the hacienda, the Ortuño family, have been involved in sugarcane and coffee production for generations.

Sugarcane Processing

Upon arrival, learn about the traditional methods employed in the processing and cultivation of coffee, macadamia and sugarcane produced in the Hacienda. First, observe how the extract of the cane is cooked, poured into moulds and converted into a deliciously sweet treat with macadamia nuts.

Coffee Cultivation

Next, receive an introduction to coffee cultivation. See the process as it progresses from the red coffee berry to the peeled coffee bean covered with the inside parchment, then to the roasted coffee bean. Your coffee introduction culminates in a coffee-tasting session. From here, a visit is made to the Orchid House, one of the country's largest and most exotic collections of orchids, followed by a stop at the macadamia drying and peeling plant.

Lunch, Chapel Visit and Hacienda Store

Lunch is served in a covered hall surrounded by flowering exotic gardens. After lunch, visit the picturesque Colonial chapel brought by German pilgrims in 1880, then proceed to the hacienda's store. Some time is made available here to browse for products produced at the hacienda, including coffee, macadamia nuts, organic sugarcane products, cooking recipes, and other local keepsakes at factory prices. Following your visit, commence the approximate two-hour drive back to the pier.

Discover the plants, trees and animals of the Costa Rican rainforest during this picturesque, half-day excursion to the Botanical Garden & Rescue Centre.

Scenic Drive

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to the approximately ten-acre (about four-hectare) Botanical Garden and Rescue Centre. Upon arrival, a comfort stop is made before taking a guided stroll through the Botanical Gardens and Rescue Centre.

Rescue Centre

The Rescue Centre's main objective is to protect and rehabilitate displaced wildlife in Costa Rica's Caribbean region by providing a safe haven to animals that need refuge because of habitat loss, accidents, and the pet trade or hunting. The Rescue Centre hosts species such as sloths, iguanas, monkeys and deer. Many of these animals are nursed back to a healthy condition, and released once again into their natural habitat. However, for animals that must stay for additional care, the Rescue Centre provides an environment similar to their natural habitat.

Botanical Gardens and Shopping

The Botanical Garden features a wide array of plant species, including palms, heliconias, bromeliads, calatheas, and aroids, among others, with many of them being indigenous to the Talamanca region. Different spices found in the botanical garden include vanilla, black pepper and cinnamon, and tropical fruit trees bearing papaya, banana, cocoa and pineapple also thrive on this property. Following your stroll through the Botanical Gardens, some free time is made available to browse for souvenirs and seasonal fruit. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

The pristine natural beauty of Costa Rica is yours to discover during this picturesque, half-day eco-cruise along the Tortuguero Canals.

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximate 30-minute drive to the Moin private dock of Eco Jungle Cruises. Upon arrival, embark a jungle pontoon boat specially-designed to cruise in comfort through the jungle canals, part of a river system that parallels Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.

Eco-Cruise

The Tortuguero Canals are known as Costa Rica's Amazon because of their surrounding rainforest. The heavy annual rainfall fills the area with an extremely rich flora and fauna. During your eco-cruise, you may see birds, monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, and toucans in this unique system of natural and man-made canals used as waterways for transportation and exploration. Orchids, water lilies and lush jungle foliage mirrored in the canal's waters are truly a sight to behold.

Following your eco-cruise and a comfort stop, some free time is made available to relax with a complimentary soft drink and fruits.

At the conclusion of your relaxation time, re-board the coach for the approximate 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Spend an unforgettable day in a scientific research station and private reserve located in the Central Caribbean region of Costa Rica, where visitors can experience the rainforest and participate in our investigations to learn about biodiversity and conservation.

Veragua Foundation operates its Biological Research Station in conjunction with the Biology School of the University of Costa Rica. Since 2012, Veragua biologists have performed numerous studies to understand how environmental variables such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and moonlight affect the reproductive behavior of different animal populations.

Since 2009, we have been continuously researching the flora and fauna in the Central Caribbean region of Costa Rica. In Costa Rica there are still many areas unexplored by science, where the records of its biodiversity are mostly anecdotal.

During your visit, a local biologic expert and your tour guide will lead you through the live snake, frog and butterfly exhibits to learn about different topics; continuing behind the scenes to an exclusive bioterium, where laboratory animals are raised and maintained, in environmental, nutritional and health controlled conditions to be used or produced for research, testing and teaching.

You will then enter the open-air aerial tram system that will take you on an enchanting ride above the treetops in the rainforest. As you pass by giant, 300-year-old trees on the way down to the riverbanks, you will be surrounded by uninterrupted views of a virgin rainforest within the largest natural park in Central America: "La Amistad International Park", a trans-boundary protected area shared by Costa Rica and Panama.

Upon reaching the river, you will be able to disembark and enjoy a stroll through an exploration for research trail alongside the Victoria River where if you are lucky enough, witness the discovery of a new plant or animal species.

After this fascinating experience, a delicious typical lunch will be awaiting for you before return to ship.

Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest during this panoramic, half-day excursion via off-road vehicle.

Scenic Drive and Riverside Picnic

Depart the pier in a comfortable, air-conditioned, 6X6 'Monster Bus' all-terrain vehicle for the scenic, approximately 1.75-hour drive to the Costa Rican rainforest. En route, pass through small towns and take in majestic views through your off-road vehicle's wide, panoramic windows. After a comfort stop, proceed along a winding road near the Banano River. Alongside the riverbanks, enjoy a Costa Rican-style picnic (weather-permitting) with seasonal fruits, soft drinks, bottled water and 'bizcocho' snacks with 'lizano' sauce.

Rainforest Trek and Banana Plantation

Next, take a guided nature trek through the lush rainforest, where poison dart frogs, monkeys and diverse bird species are commonly observed. Afterward, re-board your off-road vehicle and travel past small creeks and difficult access areas en route to a small valley. Here, a stop is made in a local community to visit a banana plantation and learn about banana production. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your off-road vehicle and commence the approximately 1.75-hour coastal drive back to the pier.

Experience the natural splendour of the rainforest canopy in a unique new way during this exhilarating, half-day zip-lining excursion.

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Operations Centre. Upon arrival, receive your safety instructions and equipment, and begin your thrilling zip-lining excursion.

Ride along 11 suspended cable lines and 12 platforms in the middle of the rainforest. With the longest zip-line at almost 900 feet (274 metres) in length and heights of up to 265 feet (80.7 metres) above the ground, you can marvel at the amazing panoramic jungle views whilst travelling at full-speed. Your guides are on-hand to assist you throughout the tour, and a few platforms enable you to leave the tour before finishing if desired.

Following this exciting excursion and a comfort and souvenir stop, relax with refreshments and tropical fruit before commencing the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Navigate the Reventazon River in a fun-filled and exciting new way during this memorable white water rafting adventure.

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Outdoor Explorers' private station. After a comfort stop, drive to the river rafting launch site. Upon arrival, receive your safety instruction and equipment before launching your raft and commencing your white water rafting excursion.

The new 'El Carmen' Class II+ section on the Reventazon River offers the thrill of moderate white water rafting and gets you wet but keeps you safety in your raft. This area is a great introduction to river rafting because the river enters the true lower-Caribbean Sea at this point. As a result, the river maintains very good water levels, the rapids are gentler and the surroundings take on a true jungle character.

Paddle on the wide-open waters of the river through small waves with little manoeuvring, and take in scenic views of the flora, fauna and abundant bird-life. Following your river rafting experience, drive from the take-out site to the main station. After changing into dry clothes, some time is made available for shopping and snacks before commencing the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

A half-day walking tour discovering the richness of the rainforest with a naturalist guide accompanying you into a hummingbird garden and across the forest canopy over hanging bridges to admire the tropical vegetation and wildlife.

Hummingbird garden

Depart the pier for a 30-minute drive to the Caribbean Park. After a brief restroom stop, the forest tour begins with an easy short walk to an open hummingbird garden, where many species of these tiny lively colored birds gather around and charm you with their spectacular aerial acrobatics.

Rainforest canopy skywalk

After this magical experience your guide will take you along beautiful trails where the most amazing shapes of lush green vegetation appear before your eyes. Next, you will ascend to the first of the four hanging bridges stretching between 55 and 200 feet in length suspended up to 165 feet above the ground. From this unique perspective amongst tropical plants and giant trees your naturalist guide will point out the rainforest's exuberant wildlife including monkeys, sloths, several species of birds and butterflies, the beautiful blue jeans frog and the green and black frog.

Tortugero canals

Your next adventure will be take you over an exciting pontoon boat ride through the world-famous Tortuguero canals. You will admire the rich flora and fauna, wonderful views of the lush jungle foliage that mirrors on the water; orchids, water lilies, birds, monkeys, sloths, and toucans are common in this unique system of natural and artificial canals that are used as waterways for transportation and exploration.After this relaxing boat tour, you will enjoy complimentary soft drinks and refreshing tropical fruits.

Experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Costa Rica from a unique perspective during this memorable excursion to the Veragua Rainforest and Research Centre.

Veragua Rainforest and Animal Exhibits

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to the Veragua Rainforest and Research Centre, a world-class, sustainable development private reserve and Costa Rica's newest private rainforest adventure. Upon arrival, your naturalist guide leads you through the live snake, frog and butterfly exhibits. This unparalleled interactive set-up was designed by the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio), a world-renowned research and conservation organisation and operated by the University of Costa Rica.

Aerial Tram and Nature Walk

Next, enter the open-air tram system for an enchanting gondola ride through the canopy level of the rainforest, a nature walk on the 'Trail of the Giants' and, for those in good physical condition, a visit to the Puma Waterfall. Along the way, take in breathtaking panoramic views of the vibrant rainforest.

Afterward, take the aerial tram back to the main station for a comfort stop, a snack at the cafeteria and an opportunity to browse the souvenir shop for a memento of your visit. Your tour concludes with an approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.