Pacific Passage – Puntarenas to Vancouver

Your Pacific voyage ends in Costa Rica

Puntarenas is a historic port city on Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya, and the starting point of your crossing. Before departure, wander the waterfront, grab a coffee, and visit the art gallery at the Casa de la Cultura. This is a city that's been welcoming travellers for generations, and today it sends you off on a 17-day journey up the Pacific coast.

Once aboard MS Roald Amundsen, settle into your cabin and meet the Expedition Team. They'll be your guides for the voyage ahead.

Three days at sea

Enjoy a relaxing first stretch at sea as we sail south to Mexico. Get to know the ship: hot tub, pool, sauna, open decks, the Explorer Bar & Lounge. The Expedition Team will open their lecture programme, covering anything from marine ecosystems to the geology of the coastline ahead. Find your rhythm. These are the first of twelve sea days on this voyage, and there's no rush to be anywhere but here.

A protected Pacific coastline in Oaxaca

Huatulco sits on one of Mexico's most ecologically intact stretches of Pacific coast. Sheltered bays, coral reefs, and dry tropical forest create a landscape rich in life, from reef fish and turtles to endemic birdlife found nowhere else. The region also carries centuries of Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous heritage, woven into the culture and daily life of the communities here. Whether you're drawn to the water, the forest, or the stories this place holds, Huatulco rewards those who wander with an open mind.

Sailing north to Baja California

Enjoy three more days at sea as you sail towards one of the richest marine environments on Earth. Keep an eye on the water and the coastline as you approach. Head to the observation deck as the landscape begins to change: lush green giving way to desert.

The magical aquarium of the world

Welcome to La Paz, a coastal city that sits on the Sea of Cortez. Oceanographer and naval officer Jacques Cousteau declared this region the “aquarium of the world” – and today you’ll have the chance to see why.

This is a place where desert meets ocean, creating landscapes and ecosystems unlike anywhere else. Explore the rugged coastline, discover how local communities have thrived in this arid environment, and take plenty of peaceful moments to appreciate the vast, shimmering waters that stretch out around you.

Days on the open Pacific

This is the longest stretch of your voyage, with almost a week at sea between Baja California and British Columbia. This is when the crossing comes into its own. Watch the climate shift from warm desert air to the cool, mist-edged Pacific Northwest. Find a quiet corner to read, join a workshop, or simply watch the ocean. These are often the days passengers remember most.

Your Pacific crossing ends in British Columbia

Your voyage ends in Vancouver, British Columbia. Head to Granville Island for the public market, where stalls are stacked with local produce, baked goods, and seafood. Hire a bike and ride the seawall, or take the gondola up Grouse Mountain for a panoramic view of the city, ocean, and coastal peaks you've been sailing past. After 17 days and thousands of nautical miles, it's a fitting place to step back onto land.

You also have the option to continue the adventure by joining an expedition cruise in Alaska.