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Panama + Costa Rica

Vacation in Costa Rica

This is a 9 days / 8 nights tour to visit the main attractions of two Central American countries: Panama and Costa Rica.


9 Days

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Panama City

Arrival at Tocumen International Airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Panama City.

Day 2 - City tour + Canal

Breakfast. Departure with professional guide for City tour. Departure to the Miraflores Locks and its visitor's center, where you can appreciate the operation of the Canal. You will see the boats moving through the locks and enjoy the high technology audio-visual that explains its operation. Departure to the "Casco Viejo" is one of the oldest and most cultural parts of Panama City. It became the second site of the city after the original site (Panama La Vieja) was destroyed by the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. The neighborhood was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Today, it is an ideal place to walk and take pictures. Its cobblestone streets are lined with Spanish colonial buildings, old churches and elegant cafes. Visit the financial district, Punta Paitilla and Balboa Avenue to the historic center. Tour of the Independence Square, a World Heritage Site, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza de Francia, Las Bóvedas and Plaza Bolivar. Panoramic tour of Albrook ex-military base, now a beautiful residential and commercial area and what is today the most popular tourist area, the Amador Causeway Return to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Panama City.

Day 3 - Chagres / Embera Indigenous Community

Breakfast. Departure and transfer to Chagres National Park to visit the Embera Community, the most important indigenous community in the area. Panama has seven indigenous groups that survived the conquest and the struggle to reserve their culture, territory and institutions. Among them are the living Kuna in the islands of San Blas in the Caribbean of Panama, and the Embera who live in the Darien jungle and the Chagres River. Our transportation takes us to the port of El Corotú on the shores of Lake Alajuela. Here, the Embera Indians will be waiting for us to take us in their narrow canoes called piragua, a typical boat of the first inhabitants of the Panamanian jungle. On our way, we will enjoy sightings of birds, mammals, locals and a spectacular waterfall can only be reached after a short walk through the jungle. After a refreshing swim, we will continue our journey towards the Embera indigenous community. Upon arrival, they will welcome us in their traditional way and share their dances, music, crafts and history. Then, we will be served a delicious lunch of fish and fried plantain. Here we will have the opportunity to buy handicrafts directly from local artists and rest before returning to Panama City. Return to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Panama City.

Day  4 - Panama City - Excursion to San Blas

05:30 am pick up for excursion to San Blas Departure to San Blas, arrival and departure from the port of Cartí by boat, arrival to Isla Perro, activities or lunch on the island with the catch of the day, typical food (rice with coconut and salad) visit to the natural swimming pool. Departure from Cartí to Panama City. Overnight at hotel in Panama City.

Day 5 - Panama - San Jose Costa Rica

Breakfast. Reception by a local representative at the international airport and transfer to your hotel in San Jose. Overnight at SLEEP INN or similar hotel in San Jose.

Day 6 - San Jose - Arenal

Breakfast at the hotel. Tour to the northern part of the country to the Arenal Volcano, one of the most impressive volcanoes in Costa Rica. Lunch included and after lunch, you will visit the hot springs of Baldi Spa, to relax in its waters and gardens until dinner time (included) and then return to your hotel in San Jose around 11:00 pm. During this tour you will also visit the town of Sarchi, known for the beauty of its handicrafts. Overnight at hotel SLEEP INN or similar in San Jose.

Day 7 - San Jose - Tortuguero Nacional Park

Breakfast. Transfer San José - Tortuguero (bus - boat). Departure from San Jose to the north coast of the Caribbean, bound for Tortuguero National Park. Stop for breakfast in Guápiles and continue by bus and then take the boat to Tortuguero. The boat trip is a naturalistic tour where you can appreciate the flora and fauna of the rainforest. Arrival around noon for lunch. Then you will enjoy a walk through the town of Tortuguero, visiting the Turtle Museum (donation $1). Free afternoon. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at PACHIRA LODGE or similar (Tortuguero).

Day 8 - Tortuguero Nacional Park - San Jose

Early in the morning and before breakfast, you can take a boat excursion through the Tortuguero canals to admire the abundant flora and fauna. Park entrance fee (not included)Breakfast at the park. After breakfast, you will take the boat back to San Jose. Stop in Guápiles for lunch and you will be arriving in San José around 16:00 hrs. Free afternoon. Overnight at SLEEP INN or similar hotel in San Jose.

Day 9 - San Jose - Airport to country of origin

At a convenient time, our representative will come to pick you up to transfer you to the international airport in San Jose for your flight back home.

 

 

Included/Excluded


Transfers in and out of the country
Air ticket from Panama City to San Jose in Costa Rica
Shared transfers between zones
Lodging in hotels in the mentioned destinations
4 nights in Panama City with breakfast included
2 nights in San Jose with breakfast and dinners included. 2 nights in San Jose with breakfasts included. 5 lunches (2 lunches in Panama + 3 lunches in Costa Rica).
Excursions included in the program
Hotel taxes
Local tax in San Blas ($20 per person)
Departure tax from San Jose airport ($29 per person)
Tortuguero National Park entrance fee ($17 per person)
Personal expenses, tips and extras
Additional tours not mentioned
Beverages