Private Yacht Charter Costa Rica: How to Sell M/Y Wayra
A trade guide to selling a full private charter of M/Y Wayra in Costa Rica and Panama: who it suits, sample routes, logistics and the questions to ask.
Aura Selections
11/13/20266 min read
A full private charter of M/Y Wayra lets you sell one closed, fully crewed expedition yacht to a family, a group of friends or a small incentive group – with one contract, one set of dates and an itinerary built around your clients. This guide covers who a charter suits, how the routes work, what is included and the questions to settle before you quote.
Why a private charter, and why Wayra
Most small-ship sales in Central America are cabin by cabin. A charter changes the conversation: your clients are not sharing the ship, the pace is theirs, and you are selling a single high-value booking rather than nine separate ones.
According to Kontiki Expeditions, Wayra is a 40-metre expedition yacht with nine staterooms for a maximum of 18 guests, looked after by a crew of 14, with two naturalist guides leading the excursions. Four of the staterooms interconnect, which matters for families. On board there are outdoor lounges, an interior lounge, indoor and outdoor dining, a wine cellar, a spa treatment area, a gym and a hot tub. Every stateroom can be set up with a king bed or two twins, so you can mix couples, siblings and friends without awkward room allocation.
You can see the yacht, its spaces and its sailing areas on our M/Y Wayra page.
Who it's for
Multigenerational families
Interconnecting staterooms, shared meals and short guided outings that can be split by energy level make Wayra a natural fit for three generations. Kontiki strongly recommends that children are six or older at departure, and guests need reasonable fitness for moderate hikes and zodiac transfers – worth flagging early for older travellers.
Groups of friends and milestone celebrations
Significant birthdays, anniversaries and reunions work well when the whole group wants to travel together but does not want a large ship. A closed yacht removes the "other passengers" variable that often worries this type of client.
Small incentive and leadership groups
For a top-performer reward or a board retreat of up to 18 people, a charter gives a private, contained setting with nature days built in. It is not a conference venue, so position it as a reward or retreat rather than a meeting programme.
Who it's not for
Clients who want nightlife, large resort amenities or guaranteed calm seas every day. Kontiki notes that moderate movement is possible, so anyone prone to seasickness should be prepared.
Sample itinerary: Costa Rica's southern Pacific
A charter is shaped around your group, but Kontiki's eight-day Pura Vida expedition is a useful base to quote from. It runs Sunday to Sunday, embarking at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos and finishing at Marina Bahía Golfito:
Day 1 – Gulf of Nicoya: boarding, safety briefing and first evening on board.
Day 2 – Alcatraz Island: kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling.
Day 3 – Savegre River: rafting on Class II–III rapids for those who want it; a gentler day for others.
Day 4 – Caño Island: snorkelling and, for certified guests, diving.
Day 5 – Corcovado National Park: guided walks from La Sirena station.
Day 6 – Punta Adela and Puerto Jiménez: snorkelling and a visit to an organic cacao farm.
Day 7 – Los Mogos: mangroves by kayak or paddleboard in the Golfo Dulce.
Day 8 – Golfito: disembarkation and transfer.
Kontiki also runs a five-day version that ends in Puerto Jiménez, useful for clients with less time.
Sample itinerary: Panama's Gulf of Chiriquí
Kontiki's Panama Island Odyssey sails from Boca Chica, with a Boquete excursion on day one. As listed by Rainforest Cruises, the eight-day route includes Islas Secas, Canales de Afuera, Coiba Island, the Río San Juan mangroves, Isla Contreras and the Paridas–Gámez islands. Coiba National Park and its marine protection zone are a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a strong selling point for clients who care about protected, uncrowded places.
The question we hear most from advisors is "Costa Rica or Panama?". Our short answer: Costa Rica for clients who want rainforest wildlife and land activities such as Corcovado and river rafting; Panama for clients who want island time, reefs and a remoter feel.
Logistics & seasonality
Seasons: sailings run throughout the year. The Pacific dry season in Costa Rica and Panama generally runs from December to April (Plan South America), and humpback whale sightings around Caño Island are most likely from July to September (Rainforest Cruises). Departure dates and positioning between the two countries are set by Kontiki each year, so check the calendar with us before you promise a month.
Getting there: international flights and domestic transfers are not included. Kontiki provides a shuttle from the hotel or airport to the port and back on embarkation and disembarkation day.
Before and after: the hotel night before boarding and any pre- or post-trip stay are not included, so build them into your quote. This is also where you add value – a city stay, a rainforest lodge or a few nights in the highlands.
What is included: per Kontiki, all meals and snacks, soft drinks, wine, beer, spirits and cocktails, two naturalist guides, transfers and access to protected areas, and water-sports gear (kayaks, SUPs, snorkelling equipment). Fine wines, premium spirits and spa treatments are extra.
Practical details: the onboard currency is the US dollar, power is 120V (European plugs need an adapter), and guests should pack a small to mid-size suitcase.
How to sell it
Lead with privacy and flexibility, not the boat. Clients buy a charter because they want their own people, their own pace and no strangers at dinner. The yacht's spaces support that story; they are not the story.
Do the per-person maths for them. Kontiki publishes a weekly charter fare, so you can show the group what a full charter costs per guest against booking individual cabins. For larger families, the comparison often makes the decision easier.
Book early. Kontiki's charter terms work on staged deposits, with the balance due 120 days before departure, so peak holiday weeks go first. Start Christmas and Easter conversations a year or more ahead.
Match activities to the group. Rafting, diving and longer hikes can be offered as options, with a gentler choice running in parallel. Tell us the group's ages and interests and we will help shape the days.
Questions to ask before you quote
Which weeks are open for charter in the year your clients want, and in which country is the yacht that week?
How are holiday-period rates and deposit terms different?
Which drinks and experiences are included, and what will appear as extras?
What are the rules for children, dietary requirements and medical conditions?
What is the cancellation policy, and what travel insurance do you recommend?
What commission and trade terms apply to charters?
Work with us
Aura Selections represents Kontiki's M/Y Wayra for the travel trade. We can check charter availability, share deck plans and fact sheets, and help you build the land stays either side. Request fact sheets, trade rates or a training session: sales@auraselections.com – or reach us through our contact page.
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