Royal Charters Costa Rica

Tours & Activities in Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Royal Charters Costa Rica offers private catamaran tours and yacht charters on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast. Trips are crewed and oriented around Playa Flamingo in Guanacaste, with additional departure and exploration areas at Playas del Coco, Playa Tamarindo, and the Papagayo Peninsula.

This guide separates the charter offering from general planning help. Use the first sections to understand what is available, then use the later sections to prepare questions, timing, and gear. Confirm the boat, meeting point, inclusions, and schedule for your own date before you rely on any plan.

Private catamaran and yacht excursions

The distinctive product is a private Playa Flamingo catamaran tour, together with yacht charters and yacht excursions along Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Private means your party is not combined with other guests on the same outing. That format suits families, small groups, and anyone who wants to set the pace.

A catamaran and a yacht are not the same platform. If stability and deck space matter, ask whether you will be on a catamaran. If you have a different vessel in mind, ask for the boat name, how many guests it is meant to carry, and whether shade, a restroom, and easy water access are available.

Crewed charters mean a team handles the boat and local routing. You still need to say what you want from the day: swimming, time at anchor, coastal views, or a later return. Do not assume snorkeling, fishing, food, or drinks are included until those items are listed for your booking.

Four Guanacaste starting points

Royal Charters Costa Rica works from four named areas: Playa Flamingo, Playas del Coco, Playa Tamarindo, and the Papagayo Peninsula. All are in Guanacaste province on the Pacific. They sit close enough that many visitors treat them as one region, but a charter day is simpler when you start near where you sleep.

Playa Flamingo is the named base for the catamaran tours. If your lodging is in Flamingo, this is usually the first option to discuss.

Playas del Coco sits farther into the inner gulf area. If you are already staying in Coco, ask whether a Coco start is available for your date so you can avoid a longer transfer.

Playa Tamarindo is the southernmost of the four. Confirm whether the boat truly meets in Tamarindo or whether you are expected to travel to Flamingo or another port.

The Papagayo Peninsula is a separate headland with resort lodging. Peninsula guests should ask about a local pickup. Guests staying in Flamingo or Tamarindo should weigh transfer time before choosing a peninsula start.

Matching the departure to your stay

As a planning rule, start the charter as close as possible to your hotel or rental. Guanacaste transfers can look short on a map and still take longer than expected after rain, road work, or peak traffic.

Ask for a precise meeting point. A town name is not enough. You want a marina, dock, beach, or hotel name, a time to arrive, and a day-of contact. Beach pickups can involve wet feet and tide timing. Dock pickups are usually easier with children, older adults, or extra bags.

If your group is split between two towns, choose one meeting point and share a transfer. Multiple pickups are rarely realistic on a private day trip.

If you have a same-day flight, say so when you inquire. A realistic return time matters more than adding another stop.

General timing, weather, and packing

The notes in this section are general advice for boat days in Guanacaste, not a description of a set itinerary.

The region is typically drier from about December through April and wetter from about May through November. Mornings on the Pacific are often calmer than afternoons. People who get seasick usually do better with an earlier start and medication taken before leaving the dock.

Sun exposure on the water is intense. Pack a hat, light long sleeves, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen you are comfortable using around the ocean. A dry bag protects phones and documents. Water shoes help on docks and rocky entries.

Bring a refillable water bottle and ask whether drinking water is provided. Confirm food and alcohol rules in advance, including child meals and allergies. If you want to swim or snorkel, ask whether gear is on board and whether the forecast supports a calm stop. Conditions change; treat wildlife sightings as possible, not planned.

Questions to confirm before you pay

Which vessel will we board, and how many guests is it meant to carry?

Is the charter fully private, and is the price for the whole boat or per person?

What time do we meet, where exactly, and when do we return?

What is included: crew, fuel, food, drinks, snorkel gear, transfers, and taxes? What costs extra?

Can the route be adjusted, and who makes the final call if the sea builds?

What is the cancellation and weather policy?

Are non-swimmers, young children, or guests with limited mobility a good fit for this boat?

Do we need cash, a signed waiver, or any ID at check-in?

Is crew gratuity customary, and in which currency?

Answers to those questions will tell you whether a Flamingo catamaran, a Coco departure, a Tamarindo meeting point, or a Papagayo pickup is the practical choice for your group.

Getting there and arranging the morning

Most visitors reach this coast through Liberia's international airport. From there, Playa Flamingo, Playas del Coco, the Papagayo Peninsula, and Playa Tamarindo are all common next stops, with different drive times. Ask your hotel or driver for current travel time to the meeting point rather than relying on a single estimate.

If you drive yourself, ask whether parking is available at the meeting point and whether a taxi is simpler. Build a buffer so you arrive early. Confirm your meeting time when you book rather than assuming a walk-up schedule. Charter days run on marine schedules, not restaurant flexibility.

Residents booking a local outing should still lock in the date early around holidays and dry-season weekends. A weekday is often easier. Have a backup beach or indoor plan if weather forces a delay.

Once the boat type, meeting point, inclusions, and timing are confirmed, you can enjoy the day without filling gaps at the dock.

Phone: 506 8466 9999