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Puerto Caldera to Puerto Vallarta

Live out your dreams of ziplining and hiking through the Costa Rican rainforest, and explore the Mexican Riviera from Mayan ruins to mezcal and mole on this 8-day voyage. Costa Rica’s biodiversity and natural beauty is astounding, and you’ll experience it at its best with three Costa Rican ports, two of which are Windstar exclusives: Playas del Coco and Curu Wildlife Reserve. Wade ashore in a “wet landing” at Curu, then follow your guide in search of rare rainforest creatures including spider monkeys and scarlet macaws, both of which have been successfully reintroduced into this private refuge. Snorkel the pure waters of Playas del Coco with its 2-mile-long beach of dark sand. Go sportfishing in the “sailfish capital of the world,” Manzanillo. And get a 3-D picture of Mexico’s wonderful culture and history as you travel from Mayan temples to small fishing villages and coffee plantations high in the Sierra Madre. Outdoor and culinary adventures keep you enthralled: discover crocodiles and turtles in the mangroves, taste chocolate that’s nothing like the candy bars you know and learn to cook authentic Mexican dishes from the freshest local ingredients. From creatures to culture, this cruise has it all. As an added bonus, you’ll cruise this region in April, one of the best months to visit, as the dry season is ending, and waters are at their clearest. It is a wonderful time for watersports and for wildlife watching, as everything from turtles to birds are nesting or raising young.

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Day 1: Puerto Caldera

Located on the Gulf of Nicoya, the small town of Puerto Caldera is one of Costa Rica’s top attractions, perfect for travelers who like more off the beaten path destinations where the native Tico lifestyle can be experienced. It is the gateway to San Jose, Jaco and the big city of Puntarenas, plus Los Suenos and Tortuga Island. Carara National Park is nearby, the rainforest home to crocodiles, over 400 species of birds and is considered the most likely place to see scarlet macaws.

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Day 2: Curú, Costa Rica

Located along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, the Curu Wildlife Reserve is an impressive nature reserve spanning 12 square kilometers. This biodiverse paradise is a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike looking for a responsible way to experience Costa Rica’s forest and pristine beaches. Wander through dense tropical dry forests teeming with howler monkeys, capuchins, and a plethora of exotic birds or relax and bask in the sun on the beach.

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Day 3: Playas del Coco

Playas del Coco, with its unspoiled cocoa-colored beaches, is a jumping off point for rainforest canopy tours, nature walks, and other inspiring eco-adventures. It is one of the more popular beach towns in the country for both locals and tourists and is well-known for being a family friendly town. This port is accessed with a wet landing.

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Day 5: Puerto Chiapas

Puerto Chiapas is an important commercial port for agricultural produce and the gateway to Tapachula and the Izapa Mayan ruins. The Izapa played a major role in the creation of the Mayan calendar and the settlement here is 3,500 years old. The ruins include the Mayan Tree of Life carving, several plazas, pyramids and ball courts. The fertile fields produce high-quality cocoa beans and bananas. In Tapachula visit the planetarium for information on Mayan astronomy and cosmology. See the architecture and town square with its diverse influences from German, Chinese, Japanese and French cultures over the years and shop for handcrafted goods like leathers and ceramics.

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Day 6: Huatulco

Santa Maria Huatulco is one of the few places on earth to earn the pure air EarthCheck Gold Certification. It is known for the nearby pre-Hispanic ruins found at Parque Eco-Arqueologico Copalita, including a large stone temple. Huatulco is home to nine bays together called Bays National Park, a protected reserve. The coral reefs provide excellent diving opportunities and kayaking the rapids and sport fishing are also popular activities here. A visit to the Museum of Oaxacan Art will provide an chance to purchase traditional clay creations known as “Barro Negro,” and date back several centuries. Each piece is unique and hand sculpted.

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Day 8: Manzanillo

Recognized as Mexico’s busiest seaport, Manzanillo was also the location for the filming of Bo Derek’s slow-motion jog down the beach in the movie “10.” The large blue sculpture at the waterside plaza is a tribute to Manzanillo’s self-proclaimed status as “Sailfish Capital of the World.” The waters off Manzanillo offer a high concentration of marlin and other deep-sea fish and excellent dive sites with numerous coral reefs, shipwrecks. With 350 days of sunshine a year any day can be a beach day and Miramar Beach will attract with its waterfront promenade, golden sand and spectacular view of the twin bays here.

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Day 9: Puerto Vallarta

A popular resort town, visitors come here to relax and rest on the lovely sandy beaches or take up activities like strolling the picturesque boardwalk, horseback riding, snorkeling and boat trips. The quaint cobblestone center of Puerto Vallarta is home to boutiques, restaurants, bars and the ornate Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church.
Puerto Vallarta’s biodiversity is home to hundreds of species including orchids, birds, ocelots, jaguars and iguanas. The sea is full of wildlife as well including dolphins and humpbacks.