Playas del Coco · Sailing tour
Kuna Vela
47-foot sloop sails and snorkeling from Playas del Coco
By Monirul Hoque on , updated on
Kuna Vela Sailing Tours runs 4-hour morning and sunset sail and snorkel trips, plus private half-day and full-day charters, on Kuna, a 47-foot Dynamique monohull sloop. Trips leave from the beach at Playas del Coco with up to 15 guests. It's the pick in Coco for people who want the sailing itself to be part of the day, not just a ride to a snorkel spot.
What Kuna Vela is
Kuna Vela Sailing Tours is a sailing and snorkeling outfit based in Playas del Coco, in northern Guanacaste. Everything happens on one boat, Kuna, a 47-foot Dynamique sloop built in France. That's a single-masted monohull, a real sailing yacht rather than a big motor catamaran, and it's the reason most people pick this company over the other boats in Coco.
The business is American owned, with a Costa Rican crew that knows the Gulf of Papagayo well. Captain Israel Chacón has been at the helm of Kuna for well over a decade. The company still runs its full program of shared and private trips, with current tours and online booking on its official tour page.
The trips
- Morning snorkel and sail. About 4 hours. Check in at 8:15 a.m. for an 8:30 departure.
- Sunset snorkel and sail. About 4 hours. Check in at 1:30 p.m. for a 2:00 departure, with the sail home timed for the sunset.
- Private morning or sunset trip. The same 4 hours with the boat to yourselves and a naturalist guide for the snorkel.
- Private full day. About 8 hours, with snorkeling, beach time and a sunset sail back.
Shared trips are capped at 15 guests. The crew rotates between several coves and beaches around the gulf depending on wind and weather, so the snorkel spot isn't fixed. Punta Gorda, a rocky point near Coco with reef fish like puffers and angelfish, is one of the places the boat uses.
For current prices and availability, check the official Kuna Vela booking page.
The boat
Kuna is a sloop with a mainsail, a furling genoa and a staysail, so on a day with wind you'll feel the boat lean a little and move under sail alone. The crew tries to get the sails up on every trip, though light air or a tight schedule can mean using the engine for part of it. If time under sail matters a lot to you, ask about the forecast for your day.
On deck there's a teak cockpit with cushioned benches, a Bimini top for shade and open space on the foredeck. A wide swim platform at the stern makes it easy to get in and out of the water, and there's a freshwater deck shower. Below deck there are 2 guest bathrooms. Guests are welcome to take a turn at the helm, and the crew speaks English and Spanish. You can read more on the company's boat page.
A monohull isn't the same ride as a wide catamaran. It heels under wind and has less flat deck space, which some people love and others don't. If you want a large party boat with a slide and a sound system, a catamaran will suit you better. If you want to actually sail, this is the boat.
Where you leave from
Trips meet at the beachfront entrance to Claudio & Gloria's Restaurant on Coco Beach. Look for crew in Kuna Vela shirts with a bright yellow smiley face. There's no marina in Playas del Coco, so after check-in you'll wade into shallow water and climb into a small dinghy that takes you out to the boat. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet and keep your phone in a dry bag.
Transport to the beach isn't part of the standard booking on reseller listings. If you're staying in Playa Hermosa, Ocotal or the Papagayo resorts, plan a taxi or drive to Coco, or ask the company when you book whether it can help arrange a ride. Parking in town can be busy, so leave some extra time.
If anyone in your group has limited mobility, talk to the company before you reserve. The beach and dinghy boarding are the hard part, more than the boat itself.
What the day is like
The boat heads out along the Guanacaste coast into the Gulf of Papagayo, where headlands, islands and small coves take the place of the town's busy beach. At the snorkel stop you'll swim with a guide or on your own, and there's often time on a quiet beach too. The crew then serves food while the boat sails back to Coco.
Included on board:
- An open bar of rum punch, local Costa Rican beer and soft drinks
- A fresh seasonal fruit platter
- Corn chips with guacamole and bean dip
- Finger sandwiches
- Snorkel gear
- Photos taken by the crew on deck and underwater, at no extra cost
The company says its main food is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan friendly. Tell them about allergies and preferences when you book, not on the boat.
Sea turtles, dolphins and rays are regular sightings in the gulf, and humpback whales pass through in season. None of them run on a schedule, so treat any sighting as a bonus.
Wind and seasons
Northern Guanacaste gets the strong Papagayo winds in the dry months, roughly December to April. They make for lively sailing but can also bring chop and gusts, which matters if anyone in your group gets seasick. Mornings are often calmer. In the green season the hills turn bright and afternoon clouds and rain are common; the reseller Two Weeks in Costa Rica notes the afternoon trip isn't booked in September and October, the rainiest months, and that there are no trips on Sundays. Confirm both with the company for your dates.
Who it suits
- Couples and small groups who want a quieter boat
- First-time sailors curious about a real monohull
- Families: the company welcomes guests of all ages
- Groups who want a private full day on the gulf
Another Coco option is Sea Bird Sailing Excursions, which also sails a classic monohull from the same beach. For more boats on this coast, see our Guanacaste section.
What to bring
A swimsuit, towel, hat, reef-friendly sunscreen and a dry bag. Arrive at the check-in time on your confirmation. If you're prone to seasickness, take precautions before you board, not once you're on the water, and don't book a tight connection right after the trip in case the return runs late.
Where to stay near the Guanacaste coast
Live prices from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuna Vela a catamaran?
No. Kuna is a 47-foot Dynamique sloop, a monohull sailboat.
Where does Kuna Vela leave from?
From the beach at Playas del Coco, at the beachfront entrance to Claudio & Gloria's Restaurant. You board by dinghy.
How many people go on each trip?
Up to 15 guests on the shared morning and sunset trips.
Do I need to know how to sail?
No. The crew sails the boat, though guests are welcome to take a turn at the helm.
Can I book the boat privately?
Yes. There are private morning and sunset trips of about 4 hours and a private full day of about 8 hours.
