Wonders of Costa Rica & Panama

Wonders of Costa Rica & Panama

from £1,130 per person

On this 10-day trip, visit Costa Rica and Panama for the perfect mix of nature, beaches, mountains, forests, and culture. Explore the Panama Canal and Casco Antiguo, the oldest district of modern and thriving Panama City. Observe dolphins as they play in their natural habitat, and relax on the white sands of Bocas del Toro.

Then, it's on to Costa Rica to experience a blend of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri, and hippy cultures in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. Go white water rafting in the Pacuare River, famous worldwide for its sheer beauty. Hike through trails marked with the remains of lava from the majestic Arenal Volcano, and visit La Fortuna Waterfall to take a swim in cool, pristine waters.

Services

Included:

  • Nine nights accommodation in double rooms
  • Nine breakfasts, two lunches
  • Domestic flight Panama - Bocas del Toro
  • Airport & land transfers as per the itinerary
  • Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
  • Full-day Panama Canal & city tour with English-speaking guide, lunch & transport
  • One-day tour of Coral Cay, Dolphin Bay, Red Frog Beach & Hospital Point with English-speaking guide & transport
  • Punta Uva sea kayaking & rainforest hike with English-speaking guide & transport
  • Pacuare River white water rafting tour with English-speaking guide, transport, rafting gear & cold lunch
  • 24-hour call assistance

Excluded:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips & gratuities

Optional:

  • Cahuita snorkeling & rainforest hike
  • Indigenous experience
  • Big 12 zipline tour
  • Unique Caño Negro tour
  • Peñas Blancas River safari float by kayak

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Panama City

Welcome to Panama!

Day 2

Panama City

Get to know the secrets of Panama City

Day 3

Panama City - Bocas Del Toro

Journey to beautiful Bocas del Toro

Day 4

Bocas Del Toro

A day of dolphin-spotting

Day 5

Bocas Del Toro - Puerto Viejo De Talamanca

Journey to chilled-out Puerto Viejo

Day 6

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca

Kayaking adventures off Punta Uva beach

Day 7

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca - Pacuare River - La Fortuna

Rafting adventure on the Pacuare

Day 8

La Fortuna, Arenal

Hike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano

Day 9

La Fortuna, Arenal - San Jose

Journey to San José

Day 10

San Jose - Juan Santamaria International Airport

Farewell, Costa Rica!

Detailed Itinerary

Welcome to Panama!

Panama City

Day 1: Welcome to Panama!

Welcome to Panama! Upon your arrival, a representative will be waiting for you at the airport to provide you with all the necessary travel documents. A private transportation service will then take you to your accommodation in Panama City, where you'll check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing or getting to know your surroundings.

Get to know the secrets of Panama City

Panama City

Day 2: Get to know the secrets of Panama City

Today, your English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel for a tour of Panama City and the historical Miraflores Locks.

Panama City is equal parts vibrant, cosmopolitan and beautiful, and you will have the opportunity to explore its most interesting sights and sounds - among them Casco Antiguo, the oldest district of this modern capital. As the next part of your tour, journey to quite possibly the best attraction this country has to offer: the Panama Canal. Witness the magnificent Miraflores Locks and learn about how they're operated, then finish off with a visit to the local Artisan Market, where indigenous art and handcrafted treasures are on display.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Journey to beautiful Bocas del Toro

Panama City - Bocas Del Toro

Day 3: Journey to beautiful Bocas del Toro

Today you will be transferred to Albrook Gelabert Airport for your domestic flight to Colón Island, in the Bocas del Toro archipelago on Panama's Caribbean coast. The town itself is a colourful display of wooden houses built in the early 20th century, and offers a wonderful laid-back atmosphere. Take some time here to slow down and soak up the Caribbean vibe, as you make yourself at home. A representative will be waiting at the airport to take you to your accommodation for check-in, upon which you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast
A day of dolphin-spotting

Bocas Del Toro

Day 4: A day of dolphin-spotting

Today's adventure begins with a short boat ride to Dolphin Bay to observe dolphins playing in their natural habitat. The coast and the mountains of Panama serve as an exquisite background for unique photo opportunities. Venture on to Coral Cay for an immersive snorkelling experience and lunch break, then spend your afternoon at Red Frog Beach, one of the region's premier beach destinations. Fill your time here with blissful sea, sand and sunshine, before heading back to your accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast
Journey to chilled-out Puerto Viejo

Bocas Del Toro - Puerto Viejo De Talamanca

Day 5: Journey to chilled-out Puerto Viejo

After soaking up the best that Panama has to offer, it's time to move on to Costa Rica! Your driver will pick you up in Bocas del Toro for a transfer to Puerto Viejo, on Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean coast. Known for its laid-back vibe and surfing opportunities, Puerto Viejo also boasts a most unique heritage: here you'll uncover a wonderful melting pot of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri, and hippy cultures.

Meals: Breakfast
Kayaking adventures off Punta Uva beach

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca

Day 6: Kayaking adventures off Punta Uva beach

Embark on one of the best and most scenic experience tours in the area, combining hiking with ocean and river kayaking adventures along the shores of Punta Uva. This beautiful and quiet beach is known for its calm, reef-protected waters and white sands, perfect for a day of coastal relaxation. Be sure to soak up the endless beauty of the Caribbean coast on this very special day out.

Meals: Breakfast
Rafting adventure on the Pacuare

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca - Pacuare River - La Fortuna

Day 7: Rafting adventure on the Pacuare

Today, leave the coast behind as you make tracks for Arenal Volcano National Park. Along the way, you'll stop to experience the sheer adrenaline rush of white water rafting on the Pacuare River - a scenic site and quite possibly the best choice for adventure experiences in Costa Rica. Flanked by steep, green walls, here you can enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the bliss of being connected with nature.

Watch waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colourful, tropical birds fly right over your head. This is not an overly challenging river to raft on, but it features plenty of rapids for an exhilarating and fun day out. Make the most of your time here, before continuing on your journey into the shadow of Arenal Volcano.

Meals: Breakfast
Hike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano

La Fortuna, Arenal

Day 8: Hike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano

Today, set out from the town of La Fortuna to take an unforgettable hiking tour down trails marked with the remains of previous 1968 lava flows from the majestic Arenal Volcano. The volcano itself is a real sight to behold, with its near-perfect conical shape. Throughout the hike, you will discover abundant flora and fauna, and your guide will tell you all about the volcano's history and activity. Continue the day's adventure with a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, a beautiful site surrounded by lush vegetation, for a chance to swim in pristine waters before stopping for lunch.

Meals: Breakfast
Journey to San José

La Fortuna, Arenal - San Jose

Day 9: Journey to San José

Today you will spend a leisurely morning in La Fortuna, with the option of enjoying further activities in the area surrounding Arenal. In the afternoon, a shuttle service will transfer you to San José, the Costa Rican capital that's filled with vibrancy and charm. You'll journey past coffee plantations and soak up memorable views of the mountains, before arriving at your hotel in the city to check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Meals: Breakfast
Farewell, Costa Rica!

San Jose - Juan Santamaria International Airport

Day 10: Farewell, Costa Rica!

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. At the appropriate time, you will check out and prepare for your transfer to the airport, where your onward flight awaits. Have a safe journey home and visit again soon!

Meals: Breakfast

Map

Wonders of Costa Rica & Panama
Costa Rica - 10 Days
from £1,130 per person

from £1,130 per person

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Trips to Costa Rica need to be planned at least 4 weeks before departure, as accommodation and experiences book up quickly.

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