Seeing Costa Rica the eco-tourist way
Note: Temptress Cruise Lines is o longer in business.
Imagine if you can, peacefully hiking along a dirt path glistening from the juices of the rainforest’s constant secretions. You are enveloped by the fragrances of the earth, of lush vegetation and the faint sweetness of ginger blossoms. Your mind is tranquil, your senses are awakened, you feel alive and amazed at the physical beauty and pure wonder at the intricate balance Mother Nature has provided. The noises of the jungle provide a rhythmic humming broken by the occasional band of noisy howler monkeys who move boldly through the tall canopy high over your head in search of fruits and vegetation — pausing here and there to check out the colorful band of eco-tourists down below. You walk a little further and you notice two Amazon kingfishers playfully flying in and out of the thick deep green foliage of a giant Kapok tree. This is a daily reality in the rainforests of Costa Rica.
I recently had the pleasure of sailing aboard the M/V Temptress Voyager, a small ship that sails the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and northern Panama and stops at remote national parks and sensitive ecological zones that can only be reached by small vessels. I experienced the above and so much more.
The focus of this “adventure” cruise is to expose its passengers to the beauties of Costa Rica’s natural heritage and help them comprehend the delicate balance of nature while fostering respect and the need for preservation.
Rudy, center, the ship’s birding expert, briefs two avid birders.
There are four naturalists on board, each offering a slightly different area of expertise, from botany to bird watching. They were enthusiastic and had a deep level of knowledge, understanding and respect for the environment. They conveyed their subject matter in an informative, articulate and stimulating manner. Nightly lectures were given to help us fully appreciate the varied ecological habitats we were to explore the following day. That was also a time for the Hotel Manager to communicate the schedule for the following day and to advise us on what to expect. Questions and comments were always welcomed.
Shore excursions were informative and all hikes were done in small intimate groupings. The hikes varied in length and terrain, but were generally guided at a leisurely pace and not overly strenuous (I’m 46 and moderately fit). There is something of interest for everyone including birders, biologists, and those who are just curious and appreciate beauty. We saw a band of howler monkeys, white face monkeys, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards (they literally walk on water), anteaters, scarlet macaws, kingfishers, parrots, toucans, and a myriad of other species of birds and animals, while hiking through the various jungle habitats, it was amazing. Sailings take place at night so that you can fully enjoy the hikes and water activities during daylight hours.
Water activities are varied and include swimming, snorkeling (masks, snorkel and fins are available), kayaking, skiing, knee boarding at no extra charge while, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing are an additional cost.
The M/V Temptress Voyager is a small cruise ship sleeping 63 passengers in comfortable air-conditioned cabins with private baths, large picture windows, electrical outlets and adequate storage space under the bed. The crew is warm, friendly, and professional. The high level of service and congeniality far surpassed my expectations. We were made to feel truly special (the ratio of passenger to crew is an amazing 3:1). Complimentary laundry service was provided two times a week and there is a clothes dryer available to all. At the end of your daily adventures you can leave your muddy or sandy shoes behind on the aft deck and have them magically returned in the morning clean and dry. My hiking shoes have not looked that good since I bought them!
We must not forget the food! The chefs on board did an excellent job of providing us with a wide variety of international cuisines that were well prepared and quite delicious. I was impressed that there was always a vegetarian entree available for those who preferred it and a seemingly endless supply of tropical fruits. Wine was included with lunch and dinner. Bar service is available from 9:30 am to late night and, unlike most cruises, all domestic beer, wine, liquor, and tropical specialty drinks are complimentary. The pina coladas were particularly yummy. Hors d’oeuvres were also plentiful during evening happy hour. There is no assigned seating nor is there a formal night.
It was an outstanding adventure despite the unseasonably heavy rains and rough seas the week of my trip. I would strongly recommend this cruise to anyone who wants to explore this remote and pristine part of the world and enjoy the comforts of an all-inclusive ecologically oriented vacation. The atmosphere is relaxed, casual, and intimate – allowing you to sit back and thoroughly enjoy all that the Temptress will tempt you with. All I can say is, if I enjoyed it as much as I did, with less than optimal conditions and a head cold, then I can only imagine how incredible it must be under normal circumstances. It was the perfect combination of adventure and comfort.
Sadly, Temptress Cruises is no longer in business.
For more on the Temptress experience, see Temptress Tips.
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Liz Stroh-Coughlin, is the owner of Off the Beaten Path Travel in Los Gatos, CA. When last heard from, Liz was touring Japan and Bali. She specializes in family adventure travel and would love to help you take your own Costa Rican adventure. She will be happy to answer questions about the Temptress experience, toll-free, at 877-353-9591 or 408-353-9591 or by e-mail at Lizfamilytravel@aol.com.
