Best of Costa Rica and Panama 12 days.
Price per person from: $ 1 700 :-
This trip gives you the best of Costa Rica and Panama. The tour starts in Costa Ricas capital San Jose and then moves on to the famous canals around Tortuguero. Here we can see their work to preserve sea turtles. We visit the Arenal area and the famous volcano where we walk on the lava trail from 1968. At Bocas del Toro we relax and enjoy the white sandy beaches and the turquoise water. We also take a tour to see dolphins in their natural environment. At Boquete we visit a coffee plantation and explore the beautiful national park. Our tour ends in Panama City where we get to see big freight ships being lifted or lowered a total of 16 meters at the Miraflores locks which is a part of the Panama Canal.
This is included:
Local flights San Jose – Bocas del Toro/David – Panama City.
Meet and greet at the airport.
All transfer during the tour in busses with A/C.
11 nights in standard class hotel room on bed and breakfast basis. It’s possible to buy an upgrade to Comfort Class.
Excursions according to program.
Meals according to program.
Tax and service charges.
Travel guarantee via Swedish Kammarkollegiet.
Day to day presentation:
(B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Day 1: Arrival San Jose.
Arrive by air into San Jose International airport. Upon arrival a representative from our ground operator will meet you at the gate and will provide you with a welcome kit on Costa Rica. Transfer will be provided to the hotel for your first night in Costa Rica. Evening free to relax at the beautiful and calm hotel and enjoy San Jose’s active night life.
Day 2: San Jose – Tortuguero.
Early morning departure for Tortuguero. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Braulio Carillo National Park and then a boat trip through the canals of Tortuguero. Breakfast is served on the way. Upon arrival to the lodge, enjoy a welcome cocktail and a hearty lunch. Afternoon visit to the Tortuguero village. This tour will provide detailed information on its history, culture and work in favor of conservation of the sea turtles and the flora and fauna in general.
In the evening, after a delicious meal, you will relax along the canals edge with a cocktail and enjoy the night sounds of the jungle. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Tortuguero.
After breakfast, guests will enjoy a guided boat tour along the canals of Tortuguero national park. Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park included. Visit the canals within the National park to discover a large variety of birds and receive detailed information on the flora and fauna of the area. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afterwards take a hiking trip around the hotel property. It is amazing how so nearby your room you can find different kinds of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, poison arrow frogs and many birds and insects including the blue butterfly (Morpho peleides). (B,L,D)
Day 4: Tortuguero – Arenal.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride back to pier and by bus to Guápiles where lunch will be served. Then shuttle transfer to the Arenal area. Arenal’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a sightseer’s dream, while its abundance of outdoor activities makes it an easy place to check things off your “must-do in Costa Rica” list. So visit one of the nicest volcanoes in Costa Rica, cloud forests, a lake world-famous for windsurfing and an incredibly diverse population of wildlife is just part of what you will find in this amazing area of Costa Rica. Afternoon arrival to the Volcano Lodge & Gardens, your home-base for this night. (B,L)
Day 5: Arenal – San Jose.
Enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a gentle Hike along the base of this marvelous volcano. The hike begins in one the trails close to the volcano, this trail will take us through the forest over recent lava flows and the area destroyed in 1968 now in the process of regeneration. We are going to be on this trail for about 2 ½ hours.
In the afternoon shuttle transfer back to San Jose. (B)
Day 6: San Jose – Bocas del Toro.
Morning pick up and transfer to the local airport. Take local flight to Colon Island in Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the Caribbean surroundings.
Colon Island is the biggest Island in the archipelago and also the most populated. Here you find the provincial capital of Bocas del Toro which is made up of several colorful wooden houses built in the early 20th century. From the Island you can take a water taxi to get to paradise beaches or amazing snorkeling sites. (B)
Day 7: Bocas del Toro.
Your eco-adventure begins at Dolphin Bay to observe dolphins playing in their natural habitat. The mainland coast and the mountain regions of Panama serve as an exquisite background for photo opportunities. You will venture to Crawl Cay for snorkeling and time for lunch (not included) at an “over-the-water” restaurant providing beautiful views of the archipelago islands of Bocas del Toro. The afternoon will be spent at Red Frog Beach one of the premier beaches of the region. Spend a few hours at this oceanfront beach with waves, sand and sun. On the late afternoon your adventure returns to Bocas town. (B)
Day 8: Bocas del Toro – Boquete.
Transfer on you own to the Bocas pier. After arriving to Almirante, enjoy a transfer up to the cloud forest mountains in Boquete. This is a small and charming mountain village known to produce some of the sweetest oranges and richest coffees in Panama. The town is home to an abundance of birds equal to those found in the cloud forests higher on the mountain. One of the most famous is the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. This bird is nearly extinct there but has found a refuge in this area. Mid afternoon arrival to Finca Lerida Hotel, located within a coffee plantation. Rest of the day free to explore the town. (B)
Day 9: Boquete.
Today, enjoy hiking at Finca Lerida’s natural reserve, a unique place to study and experience the cloud forest environment and to discover the flora and fauna hidden within. Many of the birds found in Panama can be seen in Finca Lerida’s Estate, as well as many species of plants and trees. Hike through the forest to a hidden waterfall leaving civilization behind and relax listening to the sound of birds. The trails vary in degree of difficulty and one is handicap accessible. (B,L)
Day 10: Boquete – David – Panama City.
Transfer to David to catch your inland flight back to Panama City. After your arrival our representative will pick you up and take you to your city hotel. Explore the cosmopolitan Panama City during your free afternoon. (B)
Day 11: Panama City – Panama canal – Panama City.
Enjoy an interesting tour through Panama City and to the Panama Canal. On your city tour you will first see the enormous sky scrapers, the beautiful mansions and a traditional market. Continue towards the so called “Casco Antiguo”. Here in the colonial part of the city you will have the chance to see several historical buildings and learn more about the interesting history of Panama City. Afterwards you will visit the Causeway and enjoy the magnificent views of both, the canal and the city. The last stop will be at the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. This is a unique spot to see the huge ships being lifted or lowered a total of 16 meters. (B)
Day 12: Departure.
You will be picked up at your hotel for the transfer to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.
This is not included:
International flight. (Can be bought on your own or via us)
Local airport taxes.
Excursions not mentioned in the program.
Meals not mentioned in the program.
Drinks.
Tips.
Travel insurance.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
A minimum of 2 Persons is required to book this package.
Domestic flights & boat transfers have a luggage restriction of 25 pounds per person. (12 kg)
Flight don’t operate daily, in this case you can take a land transfer to Bocas del Toro instead. Please observe we might have to rearrange the order of the visits in Costa Rica to fit it with the land transfer.
The prices are based upon the lowest booking class and season. Prices are calculated per person in shared double room.
We reserve ourselves against changes in currencies and increased flight taxes. The airline tickets have to be paid immediately following a booking.
