Public Sunset, Open Bar, Meal

Overview

This afternoon sail puts you on Caballo Del Mar, a catamaran that caps at 30 passengers, smaller than the other group charter boats working Tamarindo Bay. The point of the smaller size is service: crew bring drinks to wherever you are lounging on board, including the trampoline net, so nobody queues at a bar.

The trip runs five hours and follows a simple rhythm. You sail up the Costa Rican coast for an hour and a half, watching for whales, dolphins and turtles along the way, then anchor at a secluded bay for swimming, snorkeling and paddle boarding. After the water stop there is a burrito bar built to order, with rice, chicken, beans, sautéed vegetables, cheese, corn, sour cream, guacamole and salsas, in a wrap or a bowl, and adjustable for vegan, vegetarian or low carb. The sail home is timed so the sunset follows you into Tamarindo Bay.

It suits families who want a boat where the kids are easy to keep an eye on, and anyone who would rather have a drink delivered than fetched. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen; everything else is on board.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Tamarindo beachCheck in at Caballo Del Mar Adventure Charters on Tamarindo beach in Guanacaste. There is no hotel pickup for this tour.
2. Coastal sailTamarindo Bay sailing for 1.5 hours, cruising the coastline and watching for whales, dolphins and turtles.
3. Water activities1.5 hours anchored at a secluded bay for swimming, snorkeling and stand up paddleboarding. Paddle boards, pool noodles and life jackets are provided.
4. Meal on boardAround 30 minutes for the burrito bar, served on deck. This stop is optional, so skip it or linger as you like.
5. Sunset sail backA final 1.5 hours sailing back toward Tamarindo, timed to catch the sunset on the way in.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing will shape how the afternoon goes, from what to pack to how the drinks service works.

• Getting there. Pickup is not included. You make your own way to the Caballo Del Mar Adventure Charters spot on Tamarindo beach.
• What to bring. The listing asks for a hat, camera, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen and a charged smartphone. Towels and swimsuits are on you too, along with anything else personal you want on the water.
• Drinks and food. The open bar covers beer, wine, highballs, pop, juice and water, and crew bring orders to you on deck rather than making you line up. Snacks of fresh fruit, tortilla chips and dips come out while sailing, and the burrito bar follows the swim stop.
• Boat and group. Capacity tops out at 30 passengers, which the operator describes as the smallest of the group charter catamarans. Families often prefer this setup since children stay within sight on a smaller deck.
• Seasickness. The listing is blunt on this point: if you are prone to seasickness, take a dimenhydrinate or gravol tablet 30 minutes before boarding. Once you feel sick it is too late for the tablet to work.
• On the water. Snorkeling gear, paddle boards, pool noodles and life jackets for play are all included, so no need to pack your own. Marine life sightings, whales, dolphins and turtles, are common but not promised on any given sail.

Common issues. There is no hotel pickup, so every traveller arranges their own way to the meeting point on Tamarindo beach. Sunscreen, towels and swimsuits are excluded and must be brought along. Smoking and nudity are not allowed on board. Marine life sightings are described as frequent rather than guaranteed, so anyone booking purely for whales or dolphins should keep that in mind.

Common Questions