Highlights of Costa Rica & Panama

Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

San Jose - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Morning departure from San Jose, driving through the beautiful scenery of Arenal Lake and the Tilarán Mountain Range and arriving in Monteverde. We arrive to our hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening spent at your leisure.

Breakfast included.

Cloud Forest Tour
Morning tour of the Monteverde cloud forest, a habitat for rare flora and fauna such as the quetzal. We visit the Tree Top walkway which is the ideal way to explore the beauty of the canopy and appreciate the incredible array of vegetation and exotic bird life that the region has to offer.

Afternoon is at your leisure or take one of the optional excursions on offer including the Santa Elena Reserve.

Breakfast included.

Monteverde Cloud Forest - Arenal Volcano
In the morning we will make our way to the Arenal Volcano, enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery and crops of pineapple, bananas and sugar cane.

Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano sits on the shore of Lake Arenal. Separating two mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán, the lake was created by a hydroelectric dam. The volcano, once quite active, has been dormant since the beginning of 2011 but still is a dramatic backdrop to the town of La Fortuna. During the day, its reflection on Lake Arenal is truly enchanting.

Evening at leisure.

Breakfast included.

Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
This morning is at your leisure. This beautiful and diverse region holds an abundance of incredible experiences for all to enjoy, from adrenalin adventure activities to more relaxed, leisurely walks and hot springs.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a visit to the Arenal Volcano, where you will observe the natural beauty of flowers, lush vegetation, howler monkeys and exotic birds as you walk along the beautiful trails. Later, you will have the chance to unwind in the natural hot springs with views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. This experience finishes with a delicious meal before we transfer you back to your hotel.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Arenal Volcano - Tortuguero National Park
We'll get an early start for a transfer from Arenal Volcano to the canals of Tortuguero National Park by coach through banana plantations and lush forests. As we approach the coast you will notice a change in the climate as the weather becomes warmer and more humid. A two hour boat ride to your lodge will take you through the canals, surrounded by lush rainforest, where you will have the chance to see different birds.

Upon arrival, there will be a short briefing of the lodge and the activities included during your stay, followed by lunch.

This afternoon you have a choice of wildlife excursions. In the evening, if you are lucky, you will have the opportunity to witness the Green sea turtles nesting on the beach (between July-September only).

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero is a great place for ecotourism lovers. During this day and depending on the weather conditions, you can enjoy a guided hike through the jungle where you will learn how the different animals, insects and birds interact with forest plants, thus achieving a perfect balance of each species, or you can explore the secondary canals of this paradisiacal place, where you can see different species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Tortuguero offers a full contact with Mother Nature. Much of the National Park extends along its unspoiled beaches that serve as refuge for spawning of the sea turtles, this event occurs between the months of July to September.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Tortuguero - Puerto Viejo de Limon
After breakfast you will be transferred south to Puerto Viejo de Limon, a region that will welcome you with the traditional style of Caribbean culture and a relaxing beach atmosphere.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day at Leisure
Day at leisure in Puerto Viejo. Relax on one of its many beaches, go snorkelling, learn to surf or take a walk through one of the many nature reserves in search of howler monkeys and sloths which are common in this area. There are also many day trips on offer such as to nearby Parque Nacional Cahuita or to the Jaguar Rescue Centre which is doing great work to protect Jaguars and other wildlife in the area.

In the evening you can dance the night away to reggae and calypso at one of the many beachside bars or relax in the silence of your eco lodge.

Breakfast included.

Puerto Viejo - Bocas del Toro Island, Panama
Today you will take your transportation to Bocas del Toro, Panama. Along the way you will be transferred to the border where you will complete migration procedures and be taken by boat to Bocas del Toro where you will continue your Central American adventure.

Please note that from the pier in Bocas del Toro we cannot include a transfer and a short taxi must be organised locally at your expense.

Breakfast included.

Leisure Day
Breakfasts will be served at the hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure.

The South Caribbean is rich in culture and activities: snorkelling, boat tours, dolphin-viewing, canopy, turtle nesting, kayaking, just to name some of the optional activities.

You can relax on the magnificent jungle beaches and its golden sand, or you can walk through peaceful fishermen villages with their typical Caribbean architecture of small colourful wooden houses. Don't forget to try the great Caribbean cuisine and its exotic flavours and spices while the rhythms of their music complement this unforgettable experience.

Breakfast included.

Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Panama City Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Panama City is considered the most cosmopolitan capital city in Central America with it's vibrant citylife, chic clubs, underground bars and cobblestoned streets not to mention its ease of access to tropical destinations.

Panama City & Miraflores Locks Tour
Your English speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks.

You will start the tour with a 30 minutes drive to Miraflores to see the huge vessels passing the Panama Canal. The busiest hours are from 9am to 10am and from 2pm to 5pm, so you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. You will enjoy the view on the Locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations of your guide.

To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal – a masterpiece of engineering. You will also learn about the history of the canal and its significance for Panama and the entire world trade as well as on the current expansion project.

After the visit to the Canal you continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views on the Canal on one side and on the skyline of Panama City on the other side. After lunch which will be served in an Panamanian restaurant, the tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City's colonial quarter. At the Casco Viejo you feel set back in time as you admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. You will get a good idea about Panama's history by driving or walking through the main attractions of this quarter.

To continue the tour you will be taken to Panama Viejo, the Old Panama. Panama Viejo was the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. This first Panama City was looted and destroyed by the notorious English bucaneer Henry Morgan in 1671 and therefore abandoned. Today there are only ruins left. Still, the tower of the ancient cathedral is standing and has become a landmark of the town. After the tour you will be taken back to your hotel.

*For an additional cost this tour can be upgraded to a partial or full transit of the Panama Canal, traversing Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Upgrade options are available most Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays.

Lunch included.

Embera Indian Village
In the morning your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you up north towards Lake Alajuela. There you will board small boats which will carry you up the Rio Chagres. A fascinating and dense jungle will accompany you on your boat trip. Upriver, you will step out of the dugout canoes and enjoy a short hike (can be a bit muddy) to a beautiful waterfall in midst of the rain forest (this stop will be made depending on the weather conditions). Now you are ready to visit the village of the Embera Indians, one of the seven indigenous tribes in Panama. The people of the Emberá tribe will welcome you at the pier and gladly give you an insight in to how they live today. The villages chief will give you a brief explanation on the history of the tribe, its traditions, cultures, believes and handicrafts. Then, a traditional lunch of fish and plantains prepared by the Embera women will be served. In the afternoon you will experience a traditional Embera dance and have the opportunity to shop for handicrafts. The sale of local products directly benefits the village and helps to pay the school fees for the children. You can also get a temporary Embera tattoo painted on your arm or leg before heading back to Panama City.

Lunch included.

Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.