Costa Rica cruising

Tall ship cruising specialist Star Clippers, in conjunction with Lotus Dial a Flight is offering a spectacular Costa Rica cruise and stay tour that combines a 7 night tour of the country’s volcanoes and national parks with a luxurious seven-night sailing cruise along the Pacific coast on the 170-passenger square rigger, Star Flyer.

Departing November 14, 2010, the 14 night holiday includes two nights at the Hotel Naraya, where the balcony of each luxurious casita faces the spectacular Arenal volcano, one of the most active in the region, erupting dramatically nearly every day. There are hot, sulphuric springs in the vicinity of the mountain with healing properties and uninterrupted views of the fireworks. Other activities in the area include an aerial tram, guided rainforest hikes and a daredevil ‘sky trek’ tour through the forest canopy.

The itinerary also includes four nights at the Hotel Parador in Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast, a beautiful and varied landscape of beaches, sea caves, rainforest, mangrove swamps, marshes, lagoons and woodland. Even within the hotel grounds, guests are likely to spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas and many bird species and there are numerous excursions on offer, among them a full day visiting a local conservation project, included in the tour price.

The seven-night cruise from Puerto Caldera visits exquisite bays and anchorages in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, regions renowned for beautiful white-sand beaches and unique cloud forest ecosystems, giving passengers ample chances to spot some of the world’s most diverse wildlife: humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, angel fish, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws and iguanas. There are all kinds of opportunities for adventure, too, from surfing to zip-lining over the forest canopy, hiking and rafting. The voyage includes an overnight and beach barbecue at the pristine Isla Tortugas – and a day at sea to enjoy the experience of sailing on a fully-rigged tall ship.

The tour departs November 14 and costs from £2,670pp including economy class flights with Iberia; transfers in Costa Rica; B&B hotel accommodation; a seven-night cruise on Star Flyer; port taxes; all meals, free use of water sports equipment and low-key entertainment.

For more information and bookings, visit dialaflight.com.