Costa Rica & Panama Canal Adventure

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. We then check in to our hotel in the Arenal area for a two-night stay.

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 houses 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 and 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

Choose your own adventure with a leisurely hike on paved trails along the base of the Mountain of Fire, or choose a more active trail for avid hikers. This evening we check in to our accommodations in the Monteverde area.

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 : Panama City Tour

Expansive Panama City lays out before us as we take the day for a city tour. Begin with a visit to the striking Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. Tour the Miraflores Locks Museum and watch ships passing through the chambers of this iconic feat of engineering. Witness 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 8 : Panama Canal Full Transit

Travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean all in the same day! On the Pacific side, 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. We then board the Pacific Queen to begin our incredible journey through the locks where lakes and rivers traverse the waterway. Our full-day trip through carved sections of the Continental Divide provides immense history and geological wonder.

Day 9 : 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. 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.