On our Panama & Costa Rica tour you'll see that this bounteous Central American region is one that is often overlooked by the traveller, a factor which, for many, only adds to its allure.
We begin at Panama's most famous attraction; the Panama Canal, an tremendous feat of engineering and human endeavour.
Boarding a ferry, we pass through locks that use not water pumps, but gravity to facilitate our voyage and we cross the Continental Divide before taking to land again and heading to Soberania National Park, whose trails tell stories abundant nature and colonial and history.
We spend time in Amerindian villages and cast off on boats that have been used by the indigenous peoples for centuries before taking to the tracks on the Interoceanic Train, which follows the Canal though spectacular scenery to Portobelo, once the port of entry and exit for all of South America and a city stepped in pirate legend.
We see Panama's nature at its best as our tour leads us through the Chiriqui Highlands with its cloud forests and astonishing arrays of flora and fauna, and when we cross into the Caribbean side of the country to witness the tropical paradise of Bocas del Toro, whose pristine beauty that bewitched Columbus when he first happened upon it centuries ago has changed little.
Coral reefs, white-sand beaches and tropical forest keep us occupied in Bocas del Toro until we head to Panama City for a spot of exploration before crossing into Costa Rica.
With a remarkable 25 per cent of the country protected by national parks and reserves, Costa Rica offers a nature experience like no other.
We amble through lush jungles that come alive with the chattering of monkeys and the squawking of colourful birds and embark on a riverboat cruise to see the remote and untouched areas that other tour companies cannot reach.
From relaxing in the bubbling hotsprings near the magnificent Arenal Volcano, to being spellbound by the mystical atmosphere as we take a canopy walk above Monteverde Cloud Forest, we see the best of Costa Rica and marvel at its nature.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
The above prices are subject to an additional $100 for taxes/fees levied on flights that occur as part of the tour. The internal airfares ARE included (any exceptions are listed in red below), but we list the taxes separately on your invoice as they are beyond our control and can change at any time.
Optional Single Supplement: $1400 USD (number of singles limited).
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Day 1 Arrival in Panama City
Arrival at Tocumen International Airport, Panama City.
The most cosmopolitan capital in Central America, Panama City is both vibrant metropolis and gateway to tropical escapes. Welcoming both east and west, Panama is a regional hub of trade and immigration. The resulting cultural cocktail mix leads to a refreshing attitude that's dynamic and fluid.
Overnight in Panama City.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Partial Canal Transit
We have an early morning pick-up at the hotel for the 15 minute drive to the port of Balboa where we board the passenger ferry that will take us on the world famous journey through the Panama Canal ("partial" transit; one-way). For many, this tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At the MiraFlores Locks we experience how ships are raised 16 m / 54 feet in a two step process. This activity is achieved by sending water from Pedro Miguel's lake by gravity to fill the chambers where the ship is locked. Once the first set of locks is transited, the vessel arrives at the Pedro Miguel locks to be raised up to 26 m / 85 feet. Again no water pumps are used; they take advantage of gravity to transfer water from Gatun Lake, filling the last Chamber of the Pacific site. We cross the Continental divide and narrowest part of the Panama Canal arriving at the town of Gamboa, home to the dredging division, an important part in the functioning of the canal.
The tour includes breakfast and lunch and a specialist guide. Light clothes, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen and very comfortable shoes, are suggested. Do not forget your camera!
Overnight in Panama City.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 Panama City & Interoceanic Train*
Today we travel by bus to Portobelo, once the main port of entry and exit for all of South America. The exchange of merchandise took place annually at Portobelo in the form of a fair which lasted from 30 to 60 days. During this time, this sleepy little place was a beehive of activity. Transactions frequently totaled from 10 to 12 million gold pesos. These fairs took place once each year until 1738 when, as a result of continual attacks by pirates, Spain was forced to abandon the Isthmian route for the longer but more secure one around Cape Horn. The frequent pirate attacks forced the Spaniards to adopt a convoy system. Each year two fleets of 40 to 70 ships sailed from Spain, one bound for Veracruz, the other for Portobelo. Our visit / tour also includes the Maria Chiquita coastal area.
For our return to Panama City, we proceed to Colon where we board the Interoceanic Train for a scenic one hour journey back to the capital.* The Panama Railroad became the first transcontinental railway when it was completed in 1855 -- of course, a "transcontinental" line is a lot easier to make when you've only got 50 miles to cross! The California Gold Rush brought the new railway lots of business; eventually it was sold to first the French, and then
the Americans, in conjunction with the efforts to build the Panama Canal, and it eventually passed to Panama in 1979 under the terms of the Panama Canal treaty. Now it's a private venture, completely rebuilt, with elegantly refurbished passenger coaches. The passenger trade is just a sideline, though. The real business of the railway is freight, moving containers between the Atlantic and the Pacific in less time and at lower cost than a canal passage. The train follows the canal and runs across narrow artificial causeways in Lake Gatun that are indeed spectacular, and the ambiance of the train is very pleasant. We will also go to Aguas Claras to see the new set of locks with their fascinating overflow tanks.
* PLEASE NOTE: The above described excursion was discontinued due to pandemic and, though we were hopeful that this service would resume starting from late 2022, it is quite possible/probable that this situation may be indefinite. If service has not resumed for your chosen departure, we will accomplish this distance by bus instead. Should this suspension go beyond 2023, we may remove mention of the train from this day's description (current as of July 2023)
Overnight in Panama City.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 Parque Metropolitano & Amerindian Village
Today we head north of downtown to Parque Metropolitano, which protects vast expanses of tropical semi-deciduous forest within the city limits and serves as an incredible wilderness escape from the trappings of the capital. Our walking route takes us to 150m-high mirador (lookout) with panoramic views of Panama City, the bay and the canal all the way to the Miraflores Locks.
This afternoon we visit an Embera / Choco Amerindian village. We take a boat along the route commonly used by the Indians for their daily transport along the river. A short walk through a forest follows, with a local guide to explain botanical novelties and the culture of this authentic village. We return to Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Panama City Touring - Fly to David, Chiriqui Highlands
This morning, still in Panama City, we include a visit to the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Viejo (the old city compound) dating back to the late 1600's.* We will learn of the events in history leading up to the eventual movement of the capital city to its present location. Casco Viejo is home to monuments to Ferdinand de Lesseps and others who were instrumental in the ill-fated French attempt to construct a canal through Panama. Here we visit the Altar de Oro at the San Jose church. As it's name would suggest this large barouque altar is made of pure gold. The church was built soon after the first Spanish settlement was established on the Pacific Coast in 1519. In the 17th Century this settlement was abandoned and moved to it's present location on the small peninsula that that contains the San Felipe district of the city. When the church itself was moved so was it's most famous possession. Our tour ends with a visit to the Panama Canal Museum.
Later today we'll transfer to Panama City's Albrook domestic airport where we board the scheduled flight to David in the province of Chiriqui.**
This enchanted land is the Chiriqui Highlands, the part of the Cordillera Central that defines the northern border of the province of Chiriqui. Primeval rainforests bedecked with clouds, noisy, chattering birds flash brilliant iridescent colours as they dart about their daily chores, flowering epiphytes bloom en masse high above the forest floor while gurgling streams glisten and tumble hurriedly over great boulders in their dance towards the sea. It is a beautiful landscape of cloud forests, volcanic peaks, coffee plantations and home to most of Panama's Guaymi Indians.
* Flight schedules may have us flying to David this morning in which case the above listed Panama City sightseeing will be accomplished on Day 9.
** Due to 12 kilo weight restriction on this flight and on the flight from Bocas back to Panama City, we strongly recommend that you pack a smaller bag for the next few nights and leave excess baggage in storage at our Panama City hotel.
Overnight in Chirqui Highlands.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 Chiriqui Highlands
Today we will travel to Cerro Punta to explore the area with a local naturalist guide on a nature walk.
This area is good for resplendent quetzal, black and yellow silky flycatcher, prong billed barbet, and the volcano hummingbird. From here we'll travel to the area of La Amistad International Park Headquarters. La Amistad is a bi-national park that stretches from Costa Rica into Panama, a small portion of which extends into the Chiriqui province encompassing mostly cloud forests. Here the land rises in excess of 1500 m / 4,950 feet and warm air ascends the mountains where it meets with cooler air and condenses into a persistent cloud cover. Cloud forests exhibit a unique ecosystem with an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna.
We also tour Haras Cerro Punta, a thoroughbred breeding farm in a mountain valley between Cerro Punta and Guadalupe – the highest inhabited part of Panama. The 100-hectare farm is surrounded by one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the country. With an average population of 200 animals, the farm turns out racehorse champions for Panama and beyond.
NOTE: The order of our Chiriqui sightseeing may vary due to weather, accommodation availability, and other logistical considerations.
Overnight in Chirqui Highlands.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Chiriqui Highlands - Bocas del Toro
After a leisurely morning we prepare for our drive to Almirante on the Caribbean side of the country. En route we stop to view the impressive Fortuna Dam and spectacular waterfalls along the Continental Divide. We will be crossing the Palo Seco Protected Area that serves as buffer zone to La Amistad International Park. The transition from the cloud forests to the coral reefs of Bocas del Toro is impressive. In Almirante we are met by our boat and transferred to the island.
Five hundred years ago, Christopher Columbus arrived at a tropical paradise he named Bocas del Toro. Overwhelmed by the most incredible contrasts of vivid colour and sheer unspoiled natural surroundings, Columbus decided to drop anchor and spend a bit of time in this idyllic place. Not much has changed since that pristine time with the exception of the provocative Calypso beat and the alluring accent of the Caribbean inhabitants. Bocas is the best place to sink your toes in the white sand, to explore lush tropical rainforests and coral reefs and to look for the faithful sea turtles that have come to these islands for millennia.
Overnight in Bocas del Toro.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Bocas del Toro
Ninety-two percent of this island is covered by tropical forest that helps keep a natural balance of the ecosystem. This huge national patrimony has 200 species of plants, 55 amphibious and reptiles, 57 mammals, 200 types of birds, 1500 bugs, and more than 58 species of corals.
Bocas del Toro Province is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Veraguas Province to the east, Chiriqui Province to the south and Costa Rica to the west. Most of the province is on the slopes of the Talamanca and Central mountain ranges, but the majority of its 93,000 inhabitants live in low-lying areas along the coast and on islands.
The province contains the large Archipielago de Bocas del Toro at the mouth of the Laguna de Chiriqui, beginning 35km from the Costa Rican border. The chain consists of 68 islands and numerous mangrove keys. Around them are fields of coral, a titanic variety of marine life and water so emerald in colour that Christopher Columbus named the region Veraguas, a contraction of verdes aguas (green waters).
Today we have a boat tour to the surrounding attractions of the island so you can appreciate the incredible beauty of this place. There will be time for swimming in the surf and walking along the coastline to Red Frog Beach where you will be amazed by a sort of symphony of rather non-musical chirping that sounds like it must be coming from crickets. When you look closer, however, you will be surprised to find that this strangely beautiful noise is coming
from a small frog, about the size of your thumbnail.
Overnight in Bocas del Toro.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Bocas de Toro - Fly to Panama City: Panama City Touring
This morning we hope to have some leisure time in Bocas before flying back to the capital this afternoon.
Balance of the day at leisure prior to reconvening for our evening meal.
Overnight in Panama City.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Panama City - San Jose, Costa Rica
Today we fly from Panama City to San Jose, Costa Rica.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is on a plateau in the Central Valley at 1200m (3,700 ft), ringed by lush green mountains and valleys. The population of this city is probably half of the whole country! The main downtown area is a bustling collection of well-laid-out streets filled with bustling traffic and lined with eclectic, historic architecture. On the surface, it is a gritty downtown area, but you'll also find friendly people, quirky spots, and the historic side of San Jose which might just change your initial impression.
Overnight in San Jose.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 San Jose - Boat to Tortuguero
This morning we travel by bus from San Jose through Braulio Carillo National Park, one of Costa Rica's largest. If season/harvest time permits, we will visit a working banana plantation and then pass through a region known for its cocoa production. We then board our riverboat* and spend the afternoon journeying through myriad interconnecting rivers and canals that take us finally to the Caribbean coast and Tortuguero Park.
The park is a water thoroughfare which is a 160 km (100 mile) stretch of natural rivers, lagoons and estuaries, and connecting man-made waterways that run almost to the Nicaraguan border. The canal is the main "highway" of the northern coastal region, complete with directional signs and branches from the main trunk route.
As we go along the canal, keep a keen lookout for views of pastel-coloured toucans and monkeys of various type; if we're lucky, a lazy sloth hanging from a branch, and maybe a coati or two roaming the forest. Stands of mangroves and water hyacinth appear here and there. Scattered along the way are people, too -- fishers and farmers whose dugouts serve all the purposes of pickup trucks elsewhere. Mostly the banks remain wild, and the calls of monkeys and whistles of birds predominate over the noises of humans.
* We strongly recommend that travellers bring a smaller bag to take to Tortuguero due to limited sapce on the boat and the lack of personnel to help you with baggage. Your luggage will be securely stored until we are reunited with it upon departure from Tortuguero.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 Tortuguero: Forest Walk & Village
Tortuguero Park is a fascinating place to explore. An early morning boat ride offers an opportunity to observe an awakening coastal rain forest full of lush vegetation and unique bird life.
After lunch we visit the village of Tortuguero accessible only by river boat; you may choose to walk on the Caribbean beach where several turtle species lay their eggs each year. We will visit the Tortuguero Museum with its excellent displays pertaining to the ecology of the area and an informative video presentation specific to turtle conservation in Tortuguero and the entire Caribbean region (the Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles' nesting season runs from July to October with the peak in August, and the Leatherback turtles nest from February to April. It is possible to see individual turtles at any time of the year).
NOTE: The exact order of our activities in Tortuguero may vary depending on weather and other variables.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13 Tortuguero - Baldi Hotsprings - Arenal/La Fortuna Area
After an early breakfast we travel by boat 1½-hour to reunite with our land transport and then continue by road to the La Fortuna/Arenal area.
We travel through rolling hills covered with sugar cane fields to overnight near Arenal Volcano. We make a stop at the Baldi Hotsprings (located near Arenal and outside the Risk Zones established by the National Prevention of Risks and Emergency Commission). Here a geothermally-heated river flows through beautifully landscaped grounds featuring many plant and tree species and great birdlife. We will have time to relax in or around the various pools (bring a towel). The springs feature several hot pools with different temperatures fed by individual springs and three swim-up bars.
This evening (weather & volcanic activity permitting) we can view the volcano.
Overnight at Arenal/La Fortuna.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14 Arenal - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Today we travel through a rustic rural countryside to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve area (+/- 4 hours).
Covered in a mantle of moss, ferns and orchids, this private reserve is home to over 400 species of birds and a great number of animals. The forest is created by the winds, particular temperature and moisture conditions, and mountainous topography which combine during the dry season to hold a steady cloud cover along the continental divide. The rains and the moisture in the air nourish trees and plants rooted in the ground, as well as many plants that live at the upper levels of the forest, and take their nutrients directly from the mist and dust that pass through the air. The result is an enchanted fairy-tale environment where trees are laden with orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns that obscure their branches, where the moisture and mild temperatures and sunlight filtered by the forest canopy encourage the exuberance of begonias, heliconias, philodendron and many other tropical plants in every available space on the ground.
This afternoon we have a guided tour of the "Butterfly Garden" where butterflies and other endemic insects are raised and protected in a controlled environment allowing scientists to study them -- their place in the food chain and their response to things like increased pollution and climate change.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 Monteverde Cloud Forest
We have a full morning exploring the cloud forest reserve with the help of a local naturalist guide. There is more to the forest than the trees and lesser plants. Of over 320 bird species, the most notable is the quetzal with its long arc of tail feathers. Assorted trogons in addition to the quetzal inhabit the reserve, along with more than 50 varieties of hummingbird. About 500 kinds of butterfly are found at Monteverde. Among the more than 100 mammalian species are howler, white-faced and spider monkeys, coatis and their cousins, raccoons; as well as the rarely observed pumas, ocelots, jaguars, tapirs, and kinkajous.
This afternoon you may choose to go on an optional "Canopy Walk" excursion, located within the cloud forest. Suspension foot-bridges are strung across deep gorges allowing one to get a bird's eye view of the forest from a totally different perspective than we experienced this morning. At a leisurely pace, one can complete this easy and fascinating walk in about 90 minutes. Your Tour Leader can help you plan this activity (your Tour Leader will advise re the current price while on tour).
REMEMBER: This can be a wet and windy place by definition; you should be prepared for varied conditions.
Overnight at Monteverde.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 16 Monteverde - San Jose
Today we return by road to San Jose.*
Time-permitting, we recommend a visit to the Gold Museum in downtown San Jose (optional), easily the country's best with thousands of different examples of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts (the museum closes at 16:30).
* Today's road transfer to San Jose will not be accompanied by your tour leader, who will be continuing with travellers who have chosen a longer tour option. Your evening meal and departure will be managed by a local guide in San Jose. If you'd like to consider an upgrade to the longer version, which also includes Nicaragua, please refer to tours CR2 and PA3 on our website.
Overnight in San Jose.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 17 Depart
Departure from San Jose.
BUEN VIAJE!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants).
All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available).
Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving/late departing land & air customers who book both their air AND their extra hotel nights through us.
This tour can be EXTENDED to include beautiful Granada, Nicaragua and a stunning cruise on Lago Nicaragua - please refer to tour code PA3
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour.
Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable).
Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
Optional trip cancellation insurance.
Seasonality and Weather
PANAMA: This tour is offered during the northern winter and outside hurricane season. Temperatures are high across the whole country throughout the year, though cooler at higher altitudes. The rainy season lasts from May to November.
COSTA RICA: In the Central Valley (San Jose) the average temperature is 22C (72F). In the coastal areas the temperature is much hotter and humid. The "green" season runs May-November. The warm dry season is Dec-May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Road transport by private air-conditioned motor coach, 12-32 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Internal flights in Panama via scheduled domestic carriers in smaller aircraft with limited space for luggage. Panama City-San Jose via scheduled airline.
As this is primarily nature-focused experience, most of our activities will occur outdoors and involve walks on uneven/rocky surfaces at a leisurely pace. You should be prepared with the right footwear and be capable of being on your feet for several hours in order to fully enjoy what this destination has to offer.
Our difficulty level "2" rating refers to the above-mentioned busy days, walking tours on uneven terrain, lack of handrails (public and elsewhere, ie shower stalls), and fatigue that can be caused by heat and humidity in coastal locations.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Accommodation
Well-located, heated/air-conditioned, mid-range (3 star) hotels with en suite toilet and bath throughout (probably shower only). Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than doubles. Hotel porter service is sometimes available (see 'inclusions') though you should be independent with your luggage. Some hotels have outdoor swimming pools.
For more information, please clcik on the "Map & Hotels" table
Staff and Support
Tour Leader, driver/s, and local step-on guides at various locations.
Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader
Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 2 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
This Panama and Colombia tour is a nice combination of our highlight-packed tour of Colombia and our ever-popular tour of Panama in one nice three-week package.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
On our Panama, Costa Rica & Nicaragua tour you'll find yourself gliding through the waters of one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Panama Canal, is the first of many adventures on this exciting 23-day tour through Panama and the naturalist dreamlands of Costa Rica & Nicaragua.
Taking 34 years to reach completion, the Canal stands today as a marvel of design, engineering and human enterprise and is one of the must-see attractions on a tour of the fascinating country. That said, the nation's bounties are by no means restricted to the Canal alone and we discover that Panama in fact has a wealth of other lesser-known attractions, from the historic trails in Soberania National Park and the natural wonder inherent in the primeval rainforests Chiriqui Highlands and Boca del Toro, to the bustling streets of the capital, Panama City.
Crossing into Costa Rica, we begin this stimulating leg of the journey by casting off for a boat trip along interconnecting rivers and canals through remote and untouched wilds to the Caribbean coast. Lush vegetation and unique bird life line the narrows of our course in the Tortuguero region and then it's back onto land for a visit to the museum to learn about the local ecology and to witness it for ourselves with later expeditions into the fairytale-like Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Our time in Nicaragua features beautifully-located Granada, with views of multiple volcanic islands, charming colonial architecture, and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.
Regions visited: Central America
Countries visited: Panama and Costa Rica
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
