On the way to Panama and Costa Rica


Trip description

An itinerary combining culture and nature in two neighbouring countries:  culture with the discovery of Panama City, its channel and its history;  then nature in Costa Rica with its volcanoes and regions rich in flora and fauna.

 

Rates per person in a double room:

Based on 5 persons: 5,120 Euros per person - Total: 25,600 Euros 

Based on 4 persons: 5 500 Euros per person - Total: 22 000 Euros 

Based on 3 persons: 6 110 Euros per person - Total: 18 330 Euros 

Base 2 persons: 7 400 Euros per person - Total: 14 800 Euros

Discover the agency :
TERRA CARIBEA PANAMA


18 days

From : €5,120*



Laura G.

Includes :

24-hour French-speaking assistance from our team during the stay.

All breakfasts (no guarantee of breakfast if you leave the hotel early).

Lunches and dinners mentioned in the "included" section of each day.

Nights in the mentioned establishments or equivalent.

Guides, entrance fees and activities included in each day's package.

Car rental or transport as indicated.

 

Not included:

International flights (return).

Cancellation/repatriation/multi-risk insurance: see "insurance" section below.

Lunches and dinners not mentioned (count 10$ per person for a local lunch and 15$ for a lunch in an "international" restaurant and about 20$ per person for a dinner).

Drinks are not included.

Tips (restaurants, guides and driver).

Bank charges.

Personal expenses.

Day 1: Tocumen Airport - Panama City - Casco Antiguo

Day 2: Panama city - Miraflores Locks - Casco Antiguo

Day 3: Panama city - El Valle de Anton

Day 4: El Valle de Anton

Day 5: El Valle de Anton - Boquete

Day 6: Boquete

Day 7: Boquete

Day 8: Boquete - Almirante - Bocas del Toro - Isla Bastimientos

Day 9: Bocas del Toro - Isla Bastimientos

Day 10: Bocas del Toro - Isla Bastimientos

Day 11: Bocas del Toro - San José - Juan Santamaria Airport - San José - Volcan Arenal

Day 12: Arenal Volcano

Day 13: Arenal Volcano - Monteverde Reserve

Day 14: Monteverde Reserve - Monteverde - Monteverde Reserve

Day 15: Monteverde Reserve - Punta Islita

Day 16: Punta Islita

Day 17: Punta Islita

Day 18: Punta Islita - San José - Juan Santamaria Airport

Day 1 : Tocumen Airport - Panama City - Casco Antiguo

Ciudad de Panama. ©Danielho - iStockphoto


Welcome at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.

First contact with the country and then your driver will take you to your hotel.

Overnight at the Central Hotel Panamá.

Deluxe room.

Includes: private transportation, room & breakfast




Day 2 : Panama city - Miraflores Locks - Casco Antiguo

Une ruelle du Casco Viejo. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


Your driver will pick you up for a one-day city tour of Panama City.

First stop is Panama La Vieja, which was the first capital of the country before being destroyed by the famous pirate Henry Morgan.

Then it's on to the Panama Canal and the Miraflores Locks. The visitors' centre offers a bird's eye view of all kinds of ships in transit (container ships, liners or tiny sailing ships...).

There are also exhibitions on the history of the construction of the locks and how they work.

Afterwards, you will go to the Casco Antiguo. This bohemian district plunges you into the country's historical past, between typical alleys and colourful buildings that lead to the Place de France.

Discover the art-deco architecture and the cathedral.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the hotel.

Note 1: Panama La Vieja site closed on Mondays.

Note 2: The visit to the Miraflores locks is scheduled according to the boat passage schedule.

Night at the Central Hotel Panamá.

Deluxe room.

Includes: private transport , entrance(s) mentioned in the programme , room & breakfast




Day 3 : Panama city - El Valle de Anton

Paysage volcanique autour d'El Valle. ©Inspired By Maps - Shutterstock.com


Departure by vehicle to reach the province of Coclé, and more precisely the Anton Valley nestled in the heart of an extinct crater.
On the way, you will see magnificent landscapes between fields and luxuriant forests.

Check-in at the hotel and end of the day free to enjoy the attractions of the region.

Note: 2 hours drive.

Night at Hotel Los Mandarinos.

Standard room.

Includes: room & breakfast




Day 4 : El Valle de Anton

El Valle de Anton ©Josanel Sugasti - Shutterstock.com


Half day dedicated to Panamanian culture and traditions with a visit to the community.

You will start with a visit to the local market and then discover the places called El Chorro del Macho and La Piedra Pintada and their stories. You will have the opportunity to see a petroglyph, an engraving on the stone, which is an imprint of the Panamanian indigenous past.

Afterwards, you can take a swim in the Pintada waterfall if you wish.

Overnight at Hotel Los Mandarinos.

Standard room.

Included: entrance(s) mentioned in the program, local guide, private transport, room & breakfast




Day 5 : El Valle de Anton - Boquete

Le café est omniprésent à Boquete. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


Departure to Boquete, in the province of Chiriqui.

You will take the Panamerican Highway and enjoy the changing landscapes along the way.
On the way, we suggest a short diversions to the province of Veraguas, to visit the baroque church in the picturesque village of San Francisco de la Montaña.

Check in at the hotel in Boquete, famous for its flowers and coffee.

Note: 6 hours drive approximately

Overnight at the Finca Lerida

Honey Mountain Deluxe.

Including: room & breakfast




Day 6 : Boquete

Café de Boquete. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


Visit a coffee plantation to learn everything about coffee, from seed to cup!

The visit consists of a professional explanation of the processing plant, an introduction to the growing, harvesting and roasting processes of organic coffee.

Overnight at the Finca Lerida

Honey Mountain Deluxe.

Includes: local guide, room & breakfast




Day 7 : Boquete

Canyon du Rio Cochea. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


Free day to enjoy Boquete and its surroundings. Situated at an altitude of 1,600m and with ideal temperatures all year round, the village of Boquete with its beautiful mountains and flower-dotted roads will delight nature lovers. Boquete is also famous for its excellent coffee.

Suggested activities:

- Visit a coffee plantation

- Visit to botanical gardens (orchids)

- Bird watching

- Hiking and horseback riding

- Climbing the Barù Volcano

- Rafting

- Exploration of the canopy (zip line)

- Kayaking on the Chiriqui golf course

- Meeting with a Ngobe community

Overnight stay at the Finca Lerida

Honey Mountain Deluxe.

Includes: room & breakfast




Day 8 : Boquete - Almirante - Bocas del Toro - Isla Bastimientos

Plage sauvage de Bocas del Toro. ©SimonDannhauer


Departure by vehicle to the port of Almirante, gateway to the Caribbean archipelago.

On the way, you will encounter a variety of landscapes from the Talamanca mountain range to the Caribbean coast and see the dwellings of the Guayamies Indians.

Note: Approximately 4 hours drive.

At the port of Almirante, take a motor boat to the Al Natural Lodge.
Note: about 45 minutes of navigation.

Meals provided by the lodge.

Overnight stay at Al Natural Lodge.

Al Natural room.

Includes: private transport , dinner (excluding drinks) , lunch (excluding drinks) , room & breakfast




Day 9 : Bocas del Toro - Isla Bastimientos

Un soir à Bastimentos. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


Free day to rest your feet in the water, enjoy the Afro-Caribbean atmosphere of Bocas, explore the Bastimentos National Marine Park, swim among the starfish, watch dolphins, look for the little red frogs, or meet the Ngobe Buglé Indians...

Suggested activities - consult us:

- Playa del Drago

- Starfish watching at Playa de las Estrellas

- Snorkeling and scuba diving

- Dolphin watching

- Surfing

- Sport fishing

Meals provided by the lodge.

Overnight stay at Al Natural Lodge.

Al Natural room.

Includes: dinner (excluding drinks) , lunch (excluding drinks) , room & breakfast




Day 10 : Bocas del Toro - Isla Bastimientos

Voyage en lancha à la tombée du jour. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


Free day to rest your feet in the water, enjoy the Afro-Caribbean atmosphere of Bocas, explore the Bastimentos National Marine Park, swim among the starfish, watch dolphins, look for the little red frogs, or meet the Ngobe Buglé Indians...

Suggested activities - consult us:

- Playa del Drago

- Starfish watching at Playa de las Estrellas

- Snorkeling and scuba diving

- Dolphin watching

- Surfing

- Sport fishing

Meals provided by the lodge.

Overnight stay at Al Natural Lodge.

Al Natural room.

Includes: dinner (excluding drinks) , lunch (excluding drinks) , room & breakfast




Day 11 : Bocas del Toro - San José - Juan Santamaria Airport - San José - Volcan Arenal

TEATRO NACIONAL ©Mihai-Bogdan Lazar - Shutterstock.com


Transfer from the lodge to the airport in Bocas del Toro.

International flight to San José, Costa Rica.

Note: $15 Panama exit tax to be paid at the airport.

 

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Pick up at Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an altitude of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley.

First contact with Costa Rica and your English-speaking guide who will give you your travel documents before your driver takes you to the hotel.

Drive from San José to Arenal.

Departure to the region of La Fortuna and the majestic Arenal volcano (1,635 meters).

Approximate driving time: 3 hours.

Thermal waters

At the end of the day, you will enjoy a moment of relaxation in the Ecotermales thermal spa, in an intimate setting.

The hot waters come directly from the hot springs of the Arenal volcano, without ever coming into contact with the magma.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Overnight stay at the Amor Arenal Hotel.

Villa Canyon Casita King.

Included: international flight , English speaking guide , private transport , entrance(s) mentioned in the program , room & breakfast




Day 12 : Arenal Volcano

Volcan Arenal. ©Nstanev - iStockphoto


Sensations above the Arenal canopy!

The day begins with a 1,800-metre trail through the rainforest using bridges suspended above the canopy. You will enjoy a breathtaking view of the biodiversity while crossing 5 bridges (from 20 to 37 meters above the ground)!

Then, after a ride in a cable car to observe the fauna and flora, you will have a thrill in complete safety... You will explore the treetops by sliding along cables from one platform to another. This is a network of platforms and cables suspended from the tree tops, totalling nearly 3 km in length!

Approximate duration: 6 hours.

Overnight stay at the Amor Arenal Hotel.

Villa Canyon Casita King.

Included: entrance(s) mentioned in the program , equipment rental , tour (grouped service) , local guide , room & breakfast




Day 13 : Arenal Volcano - Monteverde Reserve

Ponts suspendus autour de Monteverde. ©Julie OLAGNOL


Route from Arenal to Monteverde.

Departure to the Monteverde region, whose reserve offers alpine pasture landscapes in the heart of the Tilarán mountain range. Known around the world for its tropical cloud forest, which helped promote Costa Rica's reputation in ecotourism, Monteverde is home to extraordinary vegetation and wildlife.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours.

Overnight at the Belmar Hotel.

Forest room.

Includes: room & breakfast




Day 14 : Monteverde Reserve - Monteverde - Monteverde Reserve

Canopy dans les environs de Monteverde. ©Julie OLAGNOL


Santa Elena Biological Reserve

Morning hike in the heart of the Santa Elena Biological Reserve and its "Cloud Forest", located in one of the most humid areas of the country.

You will walk through an abundant vegetation with a prehistoric decor where every tree is covered with moss.

This is an ideal opportunity to observe the many birds and animals that inhabit the forest, and enjoy the wonderful views of the Arenal Volcano and the plains of Guanacaste that the walk offers.

Approximate duration: self-guided tour (about 2.5 hours).

 

Discover the Monteverde region.

Enhance your stay by booking one of the following activities:

Nature reserves: Monteverde, Santa Elena, Curi Cancha, Bosque de los ñinos, with a naturalist guide

Orchid garden

Agricultural tours: coffee plantation, sugar cane, cheese factory

Exploration of the canopy (suspension bridges, cable car, zip line)

Hiking and horseback riding

Visit to the local market (Friday afternoon)

Overnight stay at the Belmar Hotel.

Forest room.

Included: entrance(s) mentioned in the programme, room & breakfast




Day 15 : Monteverde Reserve - Punta Islita

Playa Samara. ©Mlenny - iStockphoto


Route from Monteverde to Punta Islita.

Departure for the Pacific coast and the Gulf of Nicoya.

Approximate driving time: 3 hours.

Overnight at the Punta Islita Hotel.

Junior Suite with ocean view, terrace and small private pool.

While staying at Punta Islita you will benefit from a large number of included excursions (canopy, hiking, horseback riding, Costa Rican cooking classes etc).

Included: room & breakfast




Day 16 : Punta Islita

Isla del Coco. ©Instituto Costarricense de Turismo


Free time to relax in an idyllic setting.

You can also, if you wish, explore the mangroves and try your hand at deep sea fishing...

Suggested activities (Hotel Punta Islita) - consult us:

- Ridley olive ridley turtle nesting (June to December)

- Dolphin watching

- Kayaking (sea, river, mangroves)

- Barra Honda National Park (caves)

- Fishing, surfing, horse riding, golf (9 holes)

- Observation of the sea bed (mask and tubas)

Night at the hotel Punta Islita.

Junior Suite with ocean view, terrace and small private pool.

While staying at Punta Islita you will benefit from a large number of included excursions (canopy, hiking, horseback riding, Costa Rican cooking classes etc).

Included: room & breakfast




Day 17 : Punta Islita

Surfeur sur le plage de Samara. ©Norbert Achtelik_Mito _ Photononstop


Free time to relax in an idyllic setting.

You can also, if you wish, explore the mangroves and try your hand at deep sea fishing...

Suggested activities (Hotel Punta Islita) - consult us:

- Ridley olive ridley turtle nesting (June to December)

- Dolphin watching

- Kayaking (sea, river, mangroves)

- Barra Honda National Park (caves)

- Fishing, surfing, horse riding, golf (9 holes)

- Observation of the sea bed (mask and tubas)

Night at the hotel Punta Islita.

Junior Suite with ocean view, terrace and small private pool.

While staying at Punta Islita you will benefit from a large number of included excursions (canopy, hiking, horseback riding, Costa Rican cooking classes etc).

Included: room & breakfast




Day 18 : Punta Islita - San José - Juan Santamaria Airport

Coucher du soleil à Santa Teresa. ©Nicolas LHULLIER


In the morning, departure to San José.

On the way, you will take the Tempisque Bridge to cross the Gulf of Nicoya, before joining the Inter-American Highway.

Note: 4 to 5 hours drive

Connection with your international flight.




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