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Multi-country

Caribbean Costa Rica & Panama

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

from US$ 5,395.00

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VISIT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF CARIBBEAN COSTA RICA AND PANAMA, TWO AMAZING COUNTRIES!

DISCOVER COSTA RICA & PANAMA IN ONE AMAZING TOUR – PRIVATE TOUR – GUIDED IN ENGLISH

Discover the best Caribbean Costa Rica and Panama have to offer!

Begin your Caribbean vacation trip to Costa Rica by visiting two absolute highlights of this country. The Arenal Volcano is situated inland, on the side of the American Cordillera, facing the Caribbean. The Tortuguero National Park is a perfect specimen of the Caribbean lowlands. With its expansive, branched canals it serves as an excellent opportunity for wildlife watching.

Puerto Viejo on the southern Caribbean coastline provides a relaxing stopover before continuing to the Bocas del Toro islands, located just off the coast of Panama. A domestic flight takes you from the Atlantic coast to Panama City, where your journey concludes with a visit to the impressive Miraflores Locks and a Partial Crossing of the Panama Canal.

Tour start: San José, Costa Rica
Tour end: Panama City, Panama

Bocas del Toro islands in Panama

TOUR MAP

TOUR ITINERARY

CARIBBEAN COSTA RICA & PANAMA

DAY 1

SAN JOSE – TRANSFER IN (-)

Individual arrival at the international airport of San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO). Here you will be welcomed by an English-speaking airport guide and receive your travel documents. Afterward, a driver will take you to your hotel in the city center, where you will stay for the first night.

DAY 2

SAN JOSE – MONTEVERDE (B)

In the morning we will pick you up at your city hotel and take you to Monteverde (about 3 1/2 hrs), along a partly bumpy road.

But it’s all worth it to see Costa Rica’s most famous cloud forest reserve. Along the way, enjoy the views of green mountains and the Gulf of Nicoya.

DAY 3

MONTEVERDE – CLOUD FOREST RESERVE – LA FORTUNA (B)

Today you will visit the famous Curi Cancha Reserve, where a hike is planned on well-maintained paths. This region is famous for its lush greenery and extraordinary variety of birds – you may even spot the colorful quetzal, the Mayan bird of the gods.
You then continue your journey towards La Fortuna. The route takes you along the picturesque Lake Arenal. On arrival, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the thermal springs.

DAY 4

ARENAL NP & NIGHT TOUR (B/D)

Today, hike through the Arenal National Park, always with a view of the majestic volcano. The trail takes you through a small section of forest to an impressive lava field that was formed during the eruption in 1968.
Afterwards, adventurous guests can take part in an optional zipline tour (not included).
In the late afternoon, you will set off on another exciting excursion: a night walk with cultural exchange. Experience the fascinating diversity of the tropical rainforest at night. Look out for colourful tree frogs, lizards, insects, birds, and other nocturnal animals. During the tour, a delicious refreshment awaits you: freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. Finally, you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner, prepared in a wood-fired oven.

DAY 5

LA FORTUNA – TORTUGUERO (B/L/D)

Today, you set off at around 05:30. In Guápiles, you will enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast.
Afterwards, you will set off in the lodge bus towards La Pavona and Caño Blanco. On the way, you will learn interesting facts about the banana cultivation that characterises this region. Boat transfer to the lodge through a wide network of rivers and canals amidst lush nature. Lunch at the jungle lodge.
In the afternoon, you can either relax by the pool or visit the village of Tortuguero with your guide. There, you can visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy (entrance fee: USD 2 per person, not included), which is dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles.
Between July and September, you can take part in an optional beach walk in the late evening to watch the sea turtles lay their eggs. An unforgettable experience!
Info: Transfers to/from and all tours in Tortuguero National Park (days 5-7) are shared and not private.

DAY 6

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK (B/L/D)

Early in the morning, your guide will take you on a boat tour through the narrow canals. With a bit of luck, you will see crocodiles, monkeys, turtles, sloths, bats, iguanas and lots of birds.

Later, a walk in the hotel’s reserve is on your schedule and in the afternoon, another boat tour awaits you.

From July to Sept, you can book an optional night tour to the beach where the endangered Green Sea Turtles lay their eggs in the sand.

DAY 7

TORTUGUERO – PUERTO VIEJO DE LIMON (B)

The boat takes you back to La Pavona or Caño Blanco. Here, change to the comfortable tour bus, which will take you further along the Caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo de Limón, a small village with a relaxed, Caribbean flair.
Check-in and afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a drink in a reggae bar and soak up the atmosphere. There are numerous local restaurants in the village for dinner, which you can discover individually. The beaches of the Caribbean coast are also perfect for enjoying the tropical climate and relaxed atmosphere of this unique region.

DAY 8

PUERTO VIEJO – COCOA PLANTATION- BOCAS DEL TORO (B)

Visit a cocoa plantation that is over 100 years old. Here, you learn everything you need to know about the cultivation of the cocoa fruit and also get to taste it!
Then drive via Bribrí to the border in Sixaola, where you cross to Panama on foot over a bridge. In Guabito, the journey continues to the harbour town of Almirante. Water taxi ride of about 30 minutes to the main island of Colón in the small town of Bocas.Bocas del Toro is a group of idyllic islands lapped by the clear, fish-rich Caribbean Sea. In Bocas town, you will find cozy bars, restaurants, souvenir stalls, and shops. Enjoy the relaxed, typically Caribbean atmosphere. The main attractions are the secluded beaches and the underwater world, which is great for diving or snorkelling.

DAY 9

BOCAS DEL TORO – BOAT TOUR (B)

Today’s full-day boat tour takes you through mangroves and later to Coral Cay. Try some delicious seafood (not incl) or go swimming or snorkeling. Isla Bastimentos is your next stop. The island consists mainly of jungle, there are no roads. It is the perfect place for adventure and nature lovers. Here, you also find the island’s famous “Red Frog Beach”, named after the red arrow-poison frog. Explore the area or just relax before you will be taken back to the main island.

DAY 10

BOCAS DEL TORO – PANAMA CITY – PANAMA CITY TOUR (B)

Today, fly to Panama City, a 1-hour flight. This is also the end of your Caribbean vacation, as Panama City lies on the Pacific Coast.

After your arrival, your guide will take you on a city tour. See the ruins of the old city, destroyed by pirate Sir Henry Morgan in 1671, and the beautifully restored old town of Casco Antiguo. But no visit to Panama is complete without a visit to the world-famous Panama Canal. At the Miraflores Visitor Center, you will gain a first insight into how the famous Panama Canal works and its dimensions. The Panama Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world.

DAY 11

PARTIAL CROSSING OF THE PANAMA CANAL (B/L)

Discover the world-famous Panama Canal on our most popular Partial Transit Cruise—a one-day Panama Canal boat tour featuring the Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, the Culebra Cut, and stunning views of Panama City and the Pacific entrance of the Canal.

Info: The tour takes place every Saturday, in high season also most Fridays and Sundays. Other dates on request. Complete crossings are possible on certain dates. Please ask us.

DAY 12

PANAMA CITY – TRANSFER OUT (B)

During the day, we transfer you to the international airport Tocumen in Panama City (PTY), where our services end.

Time to say goodbye and to start planning your next vacation :).

Price: from US$ 5,395.00 per person in a double room

Included services

All transfers and transportation during the roundtrip in comfortable vehicles with a/c and by boat according to program
Accommodation with private bathroom
Meals as per description
Flight from Bocas del Toro to Panama City in eco class (without guide)
English-speaking guide during the tour (not on flight). Guide changes for Panama.
All entrance fees for the mentioned excursions and activities
Travel documentation with useful information

Not included

International airfare to SJO and from PTY
Departure tax from Costa Rica to Panama, currently US$8 per person
Border fees CR-PAN, currently US$ 4 per person
Optional tours
Voluntary tips
Beverages
Additional meals
All extras in the hotels

Please note: The partial and complete transits of the Panama Canal are not daily! Partial transits take place every Saturday, more dates on request. Complete transits are usually 2-3 times per month (on a Saturday).

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