Private Yacht Charter

The benefits of private yacht charter

In order to make things as simple as possible, we’ve assembled a complete guide to explain exactly what a private yacht charter vacation is, and why you should book one right away. Giving you the freedom to discover the world’s most remarkable destinations in style, a private yacht charter vacation is unlike any other kind of experience you can enjoy out on the water. With your own captain and crew on hand to ensure that every last detail and demand is taken care of, and with a series of exciting features enjoy, you’re able to relax in superior comfort as you visit one fascinating hotspot after another. As the name suggests, a private yacht charter allows you and your guests to spend time together in a highly exclusive environment far away from anyone else. Of course, should you decide to disembark at the destinations you visit, the company you encounter will often be made up of A-listers and VIPs.

What is a private yacht charter? In the most straightforward terms, a private yacht charter simply means ‘yacht rental’. Whether it’s a small catamaran or a 100m+ superyacht, the expression refers to the hiring of a yacht for the purposes of vacationing with family and friends, or entertaining clients in style. A vital distinction to be aware of is the difference between bareboat and crewed yacht charters. As the name implies, a bareboat charter is when guests are simply provided with a ship or a boat without any crew or provisions. A crewed yacht charter, on the other hand, is when the yacht rental includes the services of a captain, chef, stewardesses, and deckhands. All of these members of crew ensure that everything you require is taken care of, and every need is expertly anticipated. Some superyachts even feature members of crew who serve as yoga teachers, beauty specialists, and water sport instructors. Allowing those on board to maximize their options out on the water, a larger variety of trained staff ultimately promises to satisfy each and every kind of guest. Naturally, due to the size and complexity of superyachts, they are only available for crewed yacht charters.

Why should I book a private yacht charter? As a bespoke experience, a private yacht charter promises to be a vacation unlike any you’ve ever been on before. Some people will rent superyachts in order to network with clients, or reward staff in a truly exceptional way. Known as an ‘event charter’, these kinds of typically take place at prestigious sporting or social events like the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. What is more common, however, is for groups to charter a yacht simply to get away from everyday life and refresh themselves in the best way possible.

What are the benefits of a private yacht charter? The key benefit of a private yacht charter vacation is that you’re able to enjoy a getaway that is as unique as it is exclusive. That is, you will embark on the most bespoke of getaways that is shared only with the friends and family that you welcome on board. What’s more, unlike a vacation on board a cruise ship, a private yacht charter provides you with complete control over your itinerary. Rather than following a set plan, it’s up to you which destinations you visit, what you do there, and how long you stick around for. Similarly, a private yacht charter promises to deliver a level of luxury that even the most prestigious hotels and villas simply cannot compete with. More specifically, when you’re on board a superyacht, you’re provided with all the comforts and entertainment options of a prestigious resort, with the additional advantage of being able to visit as many or as little destinations as you please.

How do I charter a yacht? In order to charter a yacht, you’ll need to speak with a qualified charter broker who has access to all which are available to you. Understanding the fleet as well as the best cruising grounds, a charter broker ultimately serves to manage your vacation and ensure that everything goes to plan.

Interested in Chartering a Private Yacht?

Finding a private yacht to rent is not as simple as booking a hotel online as they move around and are often booked well in advance. Contact your Charter Broker, it's free!I need help

Things to do in Guanacaste

1- Tamarindo Beach

Tamarindo Bay is formed by the union of Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas. The bay is traversed by the Matapalo River and in the southern part of the horizon; you can see a rocky area and Captain Island. It is an area known for its beautiful beaches but also by its mangrove area or the Tamarindo estuary characterized by the vegetation of the area (oak savanna, tamarind and coconut, among others). Within the tourist area, you will find many restaurants with a wide range of international cuisine, plus hotels for all budgets and a very active nightlife. It is also one of the most famous surfing beaches. Playa Tamarindo has been awarded for many years with the Blue Flag Award, which recognizes the commitment to the environment by providing a clean and safe for visitors.

2- National Park Rincón de La Vieja

The National Park Rincon de la Vieja has an area of 14,083 hectares. It is a volcanic massif of 9 cones and a lagoon called La Jilgueros. The park can be accessed through both Liberia and Upala Buenos Aires. The massif has two distinct sectors: Las Pailas and Santa Maria. The first includes a set of trails that take you to various points of the volcano, including the path to the craters (Von Seebach and Rincon de la Vieja), the path to Las Pailas, the trail to the falls La Cangreja and Escondidas, the path to the White River pool, and the trail to fumaroles and mud volcanoes. The second sector, Santa Maria, includes a set of paths among which are: the path to the waterfall enchanted forest, the path to the Pailas sector, the path to the pails of cold water, and the trail to the hot springs.

3- National Park Marino Las Baulas

The National Park Marino Baulas is located on the Nicoya Peninsula and includes several attractions that will catch your eye as Carbon Beach, Ventanas and Langosta, the Morro and Hermoso hills and mangroves San Francisco and Ventanas. It is a place of special importance because in this sector spawns the leatherback turtle, hence the name of the national park which translates to ‘The Leatherback Marine National Park.’ The leatherback is the world's largest sea turtle and is in danger of extinction. Costa Rica protects these turtles to keep their populations healthy and growing number of individuals.

4- Samara Beach

Samara Beach is a bay about 4 kilometers long, with clear sand, gentle waves and an area of mangroves. It is recognized as one of the safest and most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. On the horizon is Chora Island, right in front of the Punta Indio, where one can spot an area of coral reefs. The vegetation of the area is landlocked, so you can appreciate trees like the manzanillo, coconut palms, and creepers such as beach bean plants, among others. This beach, like Tamarindo, has received the Blue Flag Award for its commitment to the environment. In addition to its beautiful beach, the town of Samara offers many attractions and water activities such as surfing, fishing, snorkeling, diving, etc.

5- Nosara Beach and Guiones Beach

These beautiful beaches are characterized by their size and clear sand, in addition to its strong waves. Nosara Beach has a length of 3 kilometers and forms a beautiful mangrove in the Nosara River. One of the most outstanding tourist attractions in the area is Nosara Point, formed by a set of rocks where the waves break. Both Guiones and Nosara beaches have a good tourist offer that will allow you to enjoy horseback riding and boat trips through the estuary. Their strong waves make these beaches an ideal place for surfing, thanks to their beautiful landscape they have become a home for yoga and spiritual tourism.

6- Hornillas y Miravalles Volcano

Miravalles Volcano is located in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range, at an altitude of 2028 m.s.n.m. It is protected within the Protected Area. Near the town of Guayabo, several places offer hot springs of a yellowish color, laden with volcanic minerals to help you relax. In addition to its natural attractions, the Miravalles volcano is also used for geothermal energy, because it is one of the 7 active volcanoes of the country. In the Hornillas sector you can walk by a volcanic crater where you can see hot mud, fumaroles, and Sulfur Rivers while enjoying the healing benefits of these minerals.

7- Llanos del Cortez Waterfalls

Costa Rica is a country rich in natural beauty and because of its many rivers you can find beautiful waterfalls. One of the most beautiful in the country is the series of waterfalls, Llanos del Cortez. They are located near the town of Bagaces on the way to Liberia. To enter the place, one must detour on a dirt road for a few kilometers, and walk through a transitional forest. Among the peculiarities of this waterfall is the white sand beach that is formed by the sedimentation of the river and the pool of clear water to enjoy the sun and nature.

8- Cavernas de Barra Honda

The Barra Honda National Park, in addition to offering several trails within the dry forest, also features one of the most beautiful caves in the country. It is a cave located a few kilometers from Nicoya and 450 meters high; therefore, in order to visit, one must descend several meters on a vertical ladder. The cave system of Barra Honda combines ancient coral reefs that emerged from normal lifting of the tectonic plates and the stalactite and stalagmite formations. Although the cave system has not yet been fully explored, one of which is open to the public (Velvet sector).

9- Santa Rosa National Park

Located in the northern part of Guanacaste, Santa Rosa National Park protects a very important area of dry forest, characterized for being unique in Central America. It also has two sectors: Murciélago and Santa Rosa, each has beautiful beaches rarely visited, among which are: the Hachal, Danta, Coquito, Santa Elena, Blanca Naranjo and Nancite. The park is recognized for its wildlife; thus, in the vicinity there is a biological station that monitors animals such as white-tailed deer, howler and white-faced monkeys, sea turtles, reptiles and amphibians, among others. On the other hand, the park has great historical importance for the country, because here is where we find Casona de Santa Rosa, where the Battle of Santa Rosa occurred, and the Monument to the Heroes of 1856 and 1955.

10- Reeds and archaeological site El Farallon

The Reeds sector and its surroundings are rarely visited by foreign tourists but it is an area rich in tourist attractions. The city of Reeds is located in the plains of Guanacaste, on the road to Liberia. Some of the activities available in the area are: rafting on the Corobici River, hikes in the Pelado Volcano, and visit the archaeological site El Farallon which has great historical importance for the petroglyphs located on the stone wall near a river. It is a place that surely allows you to connect with the history of our people.

Planning your Trip to Costa Rica

SENSORIA LAND OF SENSES

This full day tour entices all your senses. At the base of an active volcano you’ll hike the well-maintained trails for a 3-4 hour adventure. Discover three natural pools, three waterfalls with thermal waters, a canyon and two Celestial blue waterfalls!

This tour is ideal for adventurers and nature lovers looking for an off-the-beaten-track location.

Surround yourself in the majestic rainforest of Costa Rica at Sensoria, the Land of Senses, and widen your perception of nature. Follow your guide for an unforgettable hike through richly green vegetation hidden away in the countryside, and discover stunning waterfalls, gorgeously blue swimming holes and breathtaking flora all around you. Wind down with a delightful dip in a hot spring and enjoy a healthy lunch to conclude a sensational adventure in Central America’s paradise.

Take in the allure of Sensoria, the Land of Senses

Your day begins early in the morning with transportation from your resort to the rustic countryside of Guanacaste province, where you’ll take in views of the imposing Rincon de la Vieja volcano and its diverse landscape. Make a stop at a bakery to purchase freshly made goodies, and bask in the hospitality of the locals as you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Then return to your vehicle to continue your ascent into the mountains until finally arriving to the rainforest of Sensoria, the Land of Senses.

Meet your friendly bilingual guide at the entrance and walk through an arch of trees, which opens up to the greenery of the forest that will soon envelop you. The home base of Sensoria is a country house, in which your guide will prep you for the hike ahead by giving you a walking stick and a poncho — it’s the rainforest, after all, and precipitation will most likely be a very charming part of this experience. Fill your water bottle, apply insect repellent, adjust your walking shoes and get ready for the hike of your life!

View rainforest flora, waterfalls and natural pools

Once you’re geared up, enter the forest and listen to your guide tell you fascinating facts about the forest’s diverse flora and fauna. Nature is as undisturbed as possible at Sensoria because no more than 50 people are allowed each day, and the walking trails are only a small portion of the entire property. As one of the select few who get to trek into this intact Costa Rican beauty, you’ll get to visit amazing natural wonders, such as a series of marvelous waterfalls.

Watch how the inconceivably alluring greenery of the rainforest adorns the cascading waters, giving you unbelievable photo opportunities at almost every turn. Continue your hike and view small canyons, and feel total zen as you listen to the sounds of secluded nature. At the end of the trail, you’ll find natural pools of bright blue water and your guide will give you some fresh fruit so you can replenish your energy.

Relax in a hot spring and enjoy a fresh lunch

When you make your way back to the home base of Sensoria, you’ll revisit the same series of beautiful cascades and flora so you can get that perfect photo you might have missed. Then your reward for all the walking will be a sublime swim in a hot spring pool, which is formed by a thermal river that flows with the volcanic warmth of the Earth’s core. This experience will surely awaken all your sensations.

After you’ve dried yourself, conclude your hike through the rainforest with a short walk to the main house, where you’ll savor the freshest natural ingredients of the region with a magnificent lunch. Refresh with a tropical soft drink and delight in the peaceful sounds of nature that become more magical with the murmurs of a gentle rain. When your excursion wraps up, say goodbye to the friendly people of Sensoria and return to your vehicle for the drive back to your resort.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel deep into Central America’s rainforest at Sensoria, the Land of Senses, and take in lush tropical landscapes

• Hike the volcanic forest near Rincon de la Vieja National Park to witness waterfalls and stunningly blue natural pools

• Relax after your hike by taking a dip in a delightful hot spring pool

• Enjoy a healthy lunch in an outdoor dining room with views of the forest

• Activity duration: Full day

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off included with the Tour option

GOOD TO KNOW

Tour language: English / Spanish

Location(s): Guanacaste

Season: All year long

Duration: Full day

Hotel pick-up available: Yes

Good physical condition required: Yes

Minimum age requirement: 8 years

Suitable for children: Yes

Suitable for the elderly: No

Pregnant women allowed: No

INCLUDED IN THE EXCURSION

• Round-trip, air-conditioned transportation

• Bilingual tour guide

• Fruits

• Lunch

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Wear comfortable clothes (preferably long pants) and walking shoes

• Bring your own water bottle, insect repellent, sunglasses, and a waterproof camera

• Bring plastic bag, rain gear, sandals and shorts, an extra change of clothes, towel, bathing suit and cap or hat

• Bring money for baked goods, tips and souvenirs (tipping is optional)

• Only 30 people maximum are allowed into Sensoria each day

• Not recommended for pregnant women, people with heart problems, spinal problems or physical limitations

• This is an outdoor activity and external weather conditions can impact the flow of the excursion

• Be aware that travel time to the activity may change depending on your hotel location

• Because the road to Sensoria can be bumpy and winding, motion sensitive guests are encouraged to take medication as recommended by their physician

• Make your trip a sustainable one: help us keep Costa Rica beautiful and green by disposing of trash in its proper place

Please note: All Costa Rica excursions must meet a minimum capacity of passengers. Upon check-in at their villa, guests should meet with an AlKa Concierge Services representative to confirm their chosen excursion will take place.