Playa Fantasia Catamaran Tour: Secluded Beach & Lunch

Summary

Quiet escape from Herradura to Playa Fantasia with wildlife and fresh food

You’ll cruise from Herradura to Playa Fantasia by catamaran with a small group, landing on a secluded beach surrounded by jungle and wildlife. Enjoy freshly grilled lunch, open bar drinks, hammocks or paddleboards—all included. The vibe is relaxed and unhurried, perfect if you want nature without crowds or noise.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water to be that clear—almost like someone turned up the color just for us. We left from Playa Herradura after a quick shuffle with the crew (one guy cracked a joke about my sunhat looking like his grandma’s), and then it was forty minutes of wind and salt on my lips as we headed toward Playa Fantasia. The boat wasn’t packed—maybe 20 people?—and everyone seemed relieved it wasn’t some loud party cruise. I could actually hear the gulls instead of speakers for once.

Our guide, Diego, pointed out a pair of scarlet macaws overhead just as we reached the cove. He said they come here every afternoon, but I’m not sure if he was just being nice because I kept staring at them. Playa Fantasia is only reachable by water, so when you step onto the sand it feels like you’re getting away with something. There was this smell—half jungle, half seaweed—that stuck to my skin in a good way. Some kids ran straight for the paddleboards; I mostly flopped into a hammock and let myself listen to the waves and distant monkey calls (or maybe that was someone’s ringtone, hard to tell sometimes).

The chef grilled chicken and steak kebabs right there on the beach—smoke curling up through palm leaves—and served them with roasted potatoes and salad. I tried both Tico Locos and mojitos (not at the same time), which felt required somehow. At one point Li, one of the crew, teased me about how badly I pronounced “Pura Vida.” She laughed so hard she almost dropped her tray of fruit. It was all pretty casual—no pressure to do anything except maybe try boogie boarding or just watch hermit crabs scuttle by.

I still think about that ride back—the sun dipping low even though it wasn’t quite sunset season (green season means earlier hours). Everyone got quiet for a bit, just watching light flicker on the Gulf of Nicoya before we pulled into Herradura again. It’s not fancy or showy, but honestly that’s what made it stick with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Catamaran cruise and beach activities

• Depart Playa Herradura at 1:30 pm
• Cruise 40 minutes to Playa Fantasia
• Enjoy jungle and beach scenery
• Use boogie boards and paddleboards
• Relax on hammocks and lounge chairs
• Have a light lunch prepared by chef
• Return cruise to Playa Herradura

Top questions

Is Playa Fantasia accessible only by boat?

Yes, Playa Fantasia can only be reached by water via catamaran or boat transfer.

What food is included on the Playa Fantasia tour?

The tour includes chicken and steak kebabs, green salad, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit, dips with chips, plus vegetarian options if requested in advance.

Are drinks included in the catamaran tour?

Yes, alcoholic drinks (for 18+) like mojitos and Tico Locos are included along with soft drinks and juices.

How long is the boat ride from Herradura to Playa Fantasia?

The catamaran cruise takes about 40 minutes each way across the Gulf of Nicoya.

What activities are available at Playa Fantasia?

You can use paddleboards, boogie boards, surfboards, snorkel gear (with ID), hammocks and loungers for free; banana boat rides cost extra.

Is pickup included in this day trip?

Yes, private transportation pickup is included; you’ll be notified of your time before departure.

Is this tour suitable for families or children?

Yes—it’s designed for families with kids as well as couples or solo travelers seeking a quieter experience.

Does this tour run during rainy season?

The tour operates during daytime hours (11am–3:30pm) from May 15 to December 15 due to green season rain patterns; there’s rarely an actual sunset then.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation pickup from designated points near Jaco or Herradura before boarding the catamaran for Playa Fantasia. Onboard you’ll have access to an open bar serving cocktails and soft drinks. Once at the beach you can use paddleboards, boogie boards, surfboards (with ID), hammocks and loungers at no extra charge. Lunch features grilled chicken and steak kebabs with salad and roasted potatoes plus fresh fruit and handmade dips with chips before cruising back in the afternoon.