We are currently experiencing high call volumes with longer than usual wait times. We appreciate your patience!
Alaska
Australia & New Zealand
Canada
Central & South America
Eastern USA
Europe, Africa & Asia
Hawaii
Southern USA
West & Mid-West USA
View All Destinations
Hosted By: Bob Quinn
WHO Radio Broadcaster
WHO Radio
View Biography
Immerse yourself in tropical treasures and rich culture within two spectacular Central American countries. Our adventure begins by exploring Costa Rica’s extraordinary tropical rainforests and unique wildlife. Embark on a scenic hike through Arenal Volcano National Park, relax on a riverboat ride in Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, and set your sights upon the lush forests and towering waterfalls in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. In Panama, take a scenic boat ride to Embera Quera to learn about their indigenous culture as our friendly hosts demonstrate their way of life with music, dance, and handmade crafts. Explore vibrant Panama City with a guided tour to discover the historic attractions and fascinating architecture. Enjoy traveling through the famous Panama Canal with a partial transit before driving to the northernmost Agua Clara Locks and viewing the newly constructed Atlantic Bridge.
You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!
March 25th, 2023 - April 3rd, 2023
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$5699
Single
$6699
Final Payment Date: 12/20/2022
Day 1 : Fly to San José
Today we board our flight to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. Upon arrival we meet our local guide and check in to our beautifully-appointed hotel in San José.
Day 2 : Doka Coffee & Butterfly Gardens
Enjoy a delicious breakfast every morning of our tour! Our sightseeing begins at the Doka Coffee Estate where we discover the history of traditional coffee growers. Begin with picking ripened coffee berries and follow production to the roasting hall where fresh heavenly scents fill the air. Costa Rica’s rich history with coffee dates back to the 1700s, and the celebrated bean is a centerpiece of Costa Rican economics and culture to this day. Here you get access to some of the best coffee in the world. After, witness the metamorphosis of 15 species of butterflies from egg to adult at the Doka Butterfly Gardens. Have a chance to get a close-up look at these colorful, incredible creatures. Enjoy views of the tropical landscape on our way to Arenal.
Day 3 : Wildlife Refuge Tour
Offering a glimpse into one of the richest and most biologically diverse ecosystems in Costa Rica, the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Rio Frio is home to monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turtles and more. This wildlife sanctuary is one of the world’s most important wetlands for protecting endangered species. We gain access to the refuge via the village of Los Chiles near the Nicaraguan border, then board a riverboat for an adventurous photo safari through tropical rainforest and along pastures en route to a fascinating marshland. We return to the Arenal area with dinner on our own this evening.
Day 4 : Arenal Volcano National Park
Keep your camera handy as we join our Costa Rican guide for a hike in Arenal Volcano National Park. We take in spectacular views of Lake Arenal, mountain ridges covered in verdant rainforest, and search for extraordinary wildlife. Next, we go on a scenic motorcoach journey across the continental divide towards the Pacific Ocean for a one-night stay in Monteverde.
Day 5 : Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
You may choose to enjoy an included hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Be sure to keep an eye out for beautiful wildlife and a spectacular waterfall. Next, learn about the unique amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica at Herpetarium Adventures. View exotic frogs, toads, and snakes up close. Afterwards, explore the pleasant oceanside town of Puntarenas on our way to San José.
Day 6 : Welcome to Panama
Say adios to the lush beauty of Costa Rica and board a short flight to Panama. We arrive in Panama City and are greeted at the airport by our local guide. Then, we check in to our Panama City hotel and enjoy an evening of relaxation.
Day 7 : Embera Quera Community
Captivating culture and striking scenery await us today. We reach the Embera Quera Indigenous Community by a scenic boat ride. Upon arrival in the village, a local narrator teaches us about their culture, language, and way of life. Captivating local music and dances are demonstrated before shopping their selection of handmade crafts.
Day 8 : Panama City Tour
Expansive Panama City lays out before us as we take in a city tour. Tour the Miraflores Locks Museum and watch ships pass through the chambers of this iconic feat of engineering. Go on a walking tour of historic Casco Viejo, Panama City’s Old Quarter originally founded by the Spanish and later plundered by the infamous pirate Henry Morgan. On our tour, appreciate parks and plazas that seamlessly combine Italian, French, and Spanish colonial architecture including the magnificent golden altar at San José Church. Our tour ends with a visit to Panama City’s colorful Biomuseo, its galleries filled with artful exhibits showcasing the area’s biodiversity and natural history. We return to our hotel with dinner on our own.
Day 9 : Panama Canal
We board the Pacific Queen to begin our incredible journey through the locks where lakes and rivers traverse the waterway. Take in the sweeping sands of the Bay of Panama and the towering skyline of Panama City before passing under the Bridge of the Americas. Our day ends with an included Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner and folkloric show with traditional Panamanian music and dancing.
Day 10 : Return Home
Fly home with marvelous memories of our vacation in Central America.
WHO Radio Pickup Locations:
Des Moines, IA - Des Moines International Airport
Bob Quinn has been a part of the WHO Radio farm family since 1983. Bob joins Van and Bonnie weekday mornings bringing Iowa producers the latest farm news, farm weather and farm markets. Bob also hosts the WHO Radio Big Show each mid-day.
Bob’s broadcast career started as a student at Iowa State University. Over the next 35 years, Bob has covered ag-issues from the Iowa fields to the halls of Congress, including interviewing three U.S. Presidents. Bob’s relaxed style and brand of home spun humor have made him a favorite of WHO listeners.
Bob and his wife, Ann, have previously hosted several Holiday Vacations tours. They invite you and WHO Radio listeners to travel with them on this wonderful adventure.
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.