Costa Rica & Panama Adventure

Day 1 : Arrive in 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 well-appointed hotel in San José.

Day 2 : Doka Coffee & Butterfly Gardens

Enjoy a delicious breakfast every morning of our tour! Our sightseeing begins at Doka Coffee Estate. Here we discover the history of the Chorrear or traditional coffee growers. Begin with the picking of the ripened coffee berries and follow the production to the roasting hall where heavenly scents of fresh coffee fill the air. After, witness the metamorphosis of 15 species of butterflies from egg to adult at the Doka Butterfly Gardens. We have a chance to get a close-up look at these colorful, incredible creatures. Later, we depart for Poas Volcano. This magnificent natural wonder has one of the biggest craters in the world, showcasing a breathtaking steaming lake that is sure to amaze. 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 the Rio Frio houses monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turtles and more. We access this wildlife sanctuary via the village of Los Chiles, near the Nicaraguan border. Board a river adventure boat and lazily float along on a safari through a brilliant tropical rain forest and pastures en route to a fascinating marshland.

Day 4 : Arenal Volcano National Park

Hike along the base of the Mountain of Fire on today’s amazing journey. Follow a trail through the lush forest and learn about the active period of 1968 that turned a once thriving canopy of vegetation into the small patches of green and the towering summit we see today. This evening we check-in to our accommodations overlooking the gorgeous Nicoya Gulf at El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde.

Day 5 : Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Today we learn about the unique amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica at Herpetarium Adventures. View exotic frogs, toads and snakes up close. Afterwards, the afternoon is free in Monteverde to go on a guided hike, walk among the tree tops or relax at the spa in the hotel.

Day 6 : Welcome to Panama

Today we say adios to the resplendent beauty of Costa Rica and board our short flight to Panama. We arrive in Panama City and are greeted at the airport by a local guide. We check-in to the Golden Tower Hotel Panama located in the heart of the city with local dining and shopping within walking distance.

Day 7 : Panama City Tour

Expansive Panama City lays out before us today as we set out on a full day city tour. Begin with views of the historical ruins of Old Panama, originally founded by the Spanish and later famously plundered by the dreaded pirate Henry Morgan. We also visit Casco Antiguo, seamlessly combining Italian, French and Spanish colonial architecture including the magnificent Golden Altar. Our tour concludes with a visit to the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. Tour the museum and take in the views of the ships passing through this feat of iconic engineering.

Day 8 : Panama Canal Full Transit

Travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean all in the same day! From the Pacific Ocean, 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 this waterway. Our full-day trip through carved sections of the Continental Divide provide 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 at one of the best restaurants in the city.

Day 10 : Return Home

We fly home with marvelous memories of our vacation in Central America.