Itinerary Highlights
- Tropical Panama City
- Abundant wildlife on the Nicoya Peninsula
- Imposing Arenal Volcano
- Pristine Pacific Coast
- Explore the cloud forest of Monteverde
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
13 nights from £4,295 per person
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
This itinerary is a superb introduction to Costa Rica and Panama. The tour combines a trip to the Panama Canal with exploration of the pristine rainforest of Costa Rica and the active volcano of Arenal whilst ending up on the with a few nights' relaxation on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
Itinerary
Day 1 UK - Panama City
Depart the UK today on your chosen flights into Panama City. You are met by a local guide on arrival and driven to your hotel.
Day 2 - 3 Panama City
Over the next two days you explore Panama City. You are taken for a visit around the
Canal Zone of the city at the foot of The Ancon Hill, to the Amador Causeway, for one of the most spectacular panoramas of the city before then continuing to the Old Quarter of the city. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, you walk the cobbled streets between the emblematic colonial buildings, churches and palaces ending up at Plaza Francia.
On your second day there is the opportunity to navigate on the Panama Canal itself. Observe the actual workings of the locks as the way water fills the basins in order to allow vessels to pass through from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. You travel by boat on the waterways for some stunning views of the Bridges of the Americas, the city seafront and then end up in Gamboa where you disembark.
Day 4 Panama City - San Jose - Arenal
Take the short flight to San Jose in Costa Rica where you are met and transferred to the Arenal Volcano region. You are based at a hotel with views of the Volcano from some of the rooms and gardens, and you have the next days based in Costa Rica's capital for adventure tourism.
Day 5 - 6 Arenal
The next two days are an opportunity to take advantage of a variety of trips around the Arenal Volcano Region. One option is paddle through the wildlife rich rapids of the Balsa River, on a whitewater rafting excursion. Alternatively, you can hike the lava trails of the Volcano or bathe in the thermal waters of the hot springs.
Day 7 Arenal - Monteverde
Today cross Lake Arenal to Monteverde. This journey is the quickest and most scenic way to cross the lake, and arrive in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Arenal Lake is the largest and most important in Costa Rica, man made in 1974 to provide hydroelectric energy for the country.
Day 8 - 9 Monteverde
You have the next two days based in Monteverde to choose from a range of wildlife and activity focused excursions. Options would include a night walk in the forest looking for nocturnal animals, zip lines through the canopy or perhaps a coffee tour to learn about the bean to cup process of one of Costa Rica’s most famous exports.
Day 10 Monteverde - Nicoya Peninsula
Transfer from Monteverde to the tropical Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast. The next three nights are based at the coast, at your lodge that overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by its own nature reserve.
Day 11 - 12 Nicoya Peninsula
Your final two full days are at leisure to relax by the pool, explore the nearby beaches, and take advantage of the easily accessed nature trails within the subtropical dry forest eco-system you are staying in. There is an array of wildlife, with numerous bird species, howler monkeys, anteaters, iguanas, butterflies and insects.
Day 13 Nicoya Peninsula - San Jose - UK
Travel back to San Jose for your chosen international flights back to the UK.
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
13 nights from £4,295 per person
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
