Costa Rica’s “Pure Life” Up Close: Wildlife You May See on an UnCruise

We couldn't be more excited to return to the fascinating land of Costa Rica. Launching in 2026, our Costa Rica Pure Life Costa Rica Adventure cruise, takes visitors by small ship, skiff, kayak, and on foot through habitats that pack astonishing life into a compact slice of the Pacific coast. This route moves through tropical dry forest, mangrove estuaries, and one of the planet’s rare tropical fjords. Daily outings bring chances to spot monkeys, macaws, dolphins, sea turtles, and more.

Where We Explore

This adventure sails roundtrip from Liberia aboard the Safari Voyager. Highlights include Murciélago Bay in Santa Rosa National Park, the Curú Wildlife Refuge, Isla San Lucas National Park, the Golfo Dulce, and the Osa Peninsula.

Murciélago Bay, Santa Rosa National Park

Santa Rosa protects one of the last great stretches of tropical dry forest in Central America, plus marine sectors near the Bat Islands. On hikes and beach landings, listen for howler monkeys, watch white-faced capuchins, and scan the canopy for trogons and magpie-jays. In the water, seasonal snorkeling reveals schooling fish, rays, and sea turtles within the greater Guanacaste Conservation Area UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn more about the Murciélago sector.

Curú Wildlife Refuge

Curú blends deciduous forest, mangroves, and pocket beaches, which makes it a guest favorite for wildlife. It is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to see capuchin, spider, and howler monkeys. Scarlet macaws, motmots, herons, and iguanas are common sights along trails and coves. Explore Curú’s habitats and frequently seen species on the refuge’s site here.

Isla San Lucas National Park

Known for its historic prison, Isla San Lucas National Park also shelters dry forest, mangroves, and coastal habitats in the Gulf of Nicoya. Expect a wild soundtrack of howler monkeys and seabirds during guided walks. For natural history notes, see this National University of Costa Rica field report in Spanish here.

Golfo Dulce

South along the Osa, the Golfo Dulce is a tropical fjord with layered waters that fuel rich productivity. Mangrove nurseries and nearshore reefs support spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins year-round. The gulf is also a calving and nursing area for humpback whales. Southern Hemisphere whales are typically present July through November, and Northern Hemisphere whales December through March. Conservation science also points to the gulf’s role as a nursery for scalloped hammerheads within protected mangroves. Learn more about the hammerhead sanctuary and consult the International Whaling Commission’s Costa Rica profile here.

Osa Peninsula

The Osa concentrates outsized biodiversity into a compact landscape. Guests often scan for toucans, scarlet macaws, sloths, and four species of monkeys during shore excursions. For approachable overviews, start with Cornell Lab’s feature on Osa’s biodiversity here and a peer‑reviewed look at nearshore ecosystems here.

When You Might See Whales and Other Ocean Wildlife

Humpback whales visit Costa Rica from two hemispheres at different times, which is rare and very special. Southern whales usually arrive July through November. Northern whales are typically seen December through March. Dolphins are frequent residents along the Osa coast and inside the Golfo Dulce. For planning around whale timings, the International Whaling Commission provides a helpful overview here. Read more about the Guanacaste World Heritage Site as well.

Special Sailings

• Photography Cruise: Bring a fresh eye to rainforests, fjord waters, and wildlife with guided instruction on our Photography Cruise: Costa Rica’s Pure Life Adventure. Check dates and pricing here.
• Kids in Nature: Family‑forward departures with flexible activities and learning built in. See Kids in Nature: Costa Rica’s Pure Life Adventure Cruise for what is included and current family savings.

Why Small Ship Matters

These habitats reward unhurried time and small footprints. Our vessels anchor in protected bays, our skiffs slip into mangrove channels, and our guides help you listen for howlers and watch for macaws long before a crowd would. If your goal is to meet Costa Rica’s “pura vida” where it lives, this is the way to do it.