Best of Costa Rica & Panama - 13 Days

On arrival in Costa Rica’s capital - set in the Central Valley and surrounded by green mountains - you clear customs and immigration and make your own way to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

San Jose - Arenal. Today we travel to the Arenal region, driving through the Central Valley’s mountain scenery, with views over plantations and cattle farms. We aim to reach La Fortuna around midday, with Arenal Volcano rising above the town. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and explore at your own pace.

Spend the day at leisure in Arenal, surrounded by unspoilt rainforest and views of the Arenal Volcano. You may choose to relax or take part in one of the optional activities available in the area.

Optional Tour: Mistico Hanging Bridges You may visit the Mistico Hanging Bridges, one of the most popular attractions in the Arenal region. Located within a private rainforest reserve, this guided walk takes you across a series of suspension bridges set high above the forest floor, offering excellent views of the canopy and the volcano. A naturalist guide explains the region’s rich biodiversity as you explore the trails. Starting time: 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Duration: approximately 4 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and snacks.

Optional Tour: Arenal Volcano National Park and Boat You may enjoy a short boat ride from Lake Arenal followed by a guided walk through the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park. The route passes forested areas, viewpoints ideal for photography and birdwatching, and sections shaped by historic lava flows that are now regenerating.

Optional Tour: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge by Boat including Lunch You may take a full-day boat tour through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, one of Costa Rica’s most important wetland ecosystems. The area is renowned for its birdlife and offers opportunities to spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles and caimans along the riverbanks. Starting time: 7:30 AM. Duration: approximately 8 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, lunch, and beverages.

Optional Tour: Safari Float Peñas Blancas River You may join a gentle safari float along the Peñas Blancas River, paddling quietly through rainforest scenery while looking out for wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, iguanas and tropical birds. After a safety briefing, you float downstream with occasional light rapids that add a touch of adventure. Starting time: 7:30 AM or 1:00 PM. Duration: approximately 5 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, and snacks.

Optional Tour: Arenal Volcano and Ecotermales Hot Springs including Dinner You may visit Arenal Volcano National Park for a guided walk focusing on the area’s geological and natural history, before heading to Ecotermales Hot Springs to relax in the thermal pools. The evening concludes with dinner. Starting time: 3:00 PM. Duration: approximately 6 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and dinner.

Optional Tour: Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall You may explore the rainforest surroundings of Arenal on horseback, following scenic trails that lead to viewpoints over La Fortuna Waterfall. There is time to enjoy the natural setting and, if conditions allow, cool off with a swim at the base of the falls.

Optional Tour: Balsa River Rafting Class II-III including Lunch You may take part in a half-day white-water rafting experience on the Balsa River, suitable for beginners and families. The route combines fun rapids with calmer sections, followed by lunch at a traditional countryside estate. Starting time: 10:00 AM. Duration: approximately 6 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, snacks, beverages, and lunch.

Optional Tour: Rappelling Pure Trek including Lunch You may enjoy an active canyoning adventure featuring multiple rappels down waterfalls and rock walls, along with zip-line elements, all set within a rainforest canyon. Starting time: 7:00 AM or 12:00 PM. Duration: approximately 4 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, and lunch.

Optional Tour: Sky Tram and Sky Trek You may ride the Sky Tram to an observation platform with sweeping views of the rainforest, lagoon and Arenal Volcano, followed by a series of zip-lines that pass above the treetops. Starting times vary throughout the morning. Duration: approximately 6 hours. Participants must be at least 8 years old. This tour includes transportation and the services of a bilingual guide.

Arenal - Monterverde. In Monteverde, you will have free time to explore the area. You may choose to visit the famous Cloud Forest or take part in one of the optional tours available, time permitting.

Optional Tour: Don Juan Coffee Tour You may join a guided experience covering three of Costa Rica’s most important products - coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane. During the tour, you learn about the history and production processes, from seed to finished product, with opportunities to taste each along the way. Departure options are available throughout the day. Duration: approximately 2 hours.

Optional Tour: Frogs Tour You may visit an exhibition showcasing a wide variety of frog and toad species native to Costa Rica, including the famous red-eyed tree frog and blue jeans frog. The covered terrariums recreate natural habitats, making this an ideal option in the evening or during rainy weather. Starting time: 8:30 PM. Duration: approximately 1 hour. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, and entrance fees.

Optional Tour: Children’s Eternal Rainforest You may explore the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, the largest private reserve in Costa Rica and part of a UNESCO biosphere. This guided experience focuses on conservation, biodiversity, and the importance of protecting tropical ecosystems, with walks along forest trails within the reserve. Starting time: 5:15 PM or 7:15 PM. Duration: approximately 2.5 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, and entrance fees.

Optional Tour: Night Walk Kinkajou You may take part in a guided night walk through the forest, offering the chance to observe nocturnal wildlife such as sloths, armadillos, porcupines, opossums, coatis, and kinkajous. The experience highlights the forest’s nighttime activity, including insects, amphibians, and reptiles. Starting time: 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, or 8:30 PM. Duration: approximately 2 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, and entrance fees.

Monterverde - Manuel Antonio. Today we drive to Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s best-known coastal areas for beaches and wildlife. We aim to arrive around 1:30pm. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, enjoy the beaches, or explore the national park area. You may also choose to add an optional experience such as a boat trip through the mangroves near Damas Island, or a visit to a local spice plantation.

Spend the day at leisure in Manuel Antonio. You may choose to relax on the beach, explore the surrounding area independently, or take part in one of the optional tours available.

Optional Tour: Savegre River White Water Rafting including Lunch You may join a white-water rafting experience on the Savegre River, travelling through scenic countryside before reaching the river. After a safety briefing, you navigate class III rapids with calmer sections in between, allowing time to enjoy the surrounding rainforest and wildlife. Starting time: 8:00 AM. Duration: approximately 5.5 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, fruits, snacks, and lunch.

Optional Tour: Naranjo River White Water Rafting including Lunch You may experience a more challenging rafting adventure on the Naranjo River, flowing through steep jungle gorges and rural landscapes. The route offers an adrenaline-filled experience during the rainy season, with time to rest and enjoy the scenery along the way. Starting time: 8:00 AM or 11:30 AM. Duration: approximately 4.5 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, fruits, snacks, and lunch.

Optional Tour: Manuel Antonio National Park You may take a guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, walking along scenic rainforest trails while learning about the area’s diverse flora and fauna. The route includes a leisure stop at one of the park’s beaches and offers strong chances of seeing monkeys, sloths, birds, and reptiles. Starting time: 7:30 AM. Duration: approximately 3.5 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and snacks. Please note the park is closed on Tuesdays.

Optional Tour: Catamaran Tour including Lunch - Manuel Antonio You may enjoy a coastal catamaran cruise departing from Quepos, sailing along the shoreline of Manuel Antonio National Park. During the journey, you may spot marine wildlife and seabirds, with time to snorkel or relax at anchor in a sheltered bay. Starting time: 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM. Duration: approximately 5 hours. This tour includes transportation, the services of a bilingual guide, snacks, and lunch.

Manuel Antonio - San Jose. We transfer back to San Jose today. The rest of the day is at leisure, with the option to book an additional activity if you’d like.

San Jose - Panama City. At the appropriate time, we transfer to San Jose airport for our flight to Panama City. On arrival, we meet our guide and transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, we meet our guide and head to the ruins of Old Panama to explore the early colonial roots of the city. We climb the cathedral tower for views across the site, then visit the museum for a clearer picture of Panama’s history. We continue to Casco Antiguo, walking through its narrow lanes and visiting key landmarks including the Cathedral, Las Bóvedas and the French Plaza. Along the way, we hear about the French attempt to build a canal and the events that shaped the capital’s development. We return to the hotel by private transfer.

This morning we head to Flamenco Marina and board the Pacific Queen for a partial transit of the Panama Canal. We cruise past Panama City’s skyline and under the Bridge of the Americas, then enter the Miraflores Locks where the vessel is raised in stages. We continue through Miraflores Lake and the Pedro Miguel Locks, with views of the Centennial Bridge, before travelling through the Gaillard Cut - a dramatic, historically significant section carved through the Continental Divide. We disembark at Gamboa and return to Flamenco Marina by coach.

Panama City - Soberania National Park Early this morning, we travel to Soberanía National Park, where city scenery gradually gives way to dense rainforest. We pass key canal landmarks before boarding a boat on Gatun Lake, sharing the waterway with enormous cargo ships. As we circle forested islands, we keep watch for wildlife such as iguanas and birds of prey, and we look out for monkeys including howler monkeys, capuchins and tamarins. After the boat journey, we take a guided walk on one of the park’s trails.

After breakfast, we transfer to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake and board a motorised dugout canoe for a journey up the Chagres River. Travelling through the wider Chagres National Park - a key protected area within the Panama Canal watershed - we may spot herons, egrets, anhingas and kingfishers along the riverbanks. We arrive at an Embera indigenous village and are welcomed with traditional music and dancing. We learn about Embera life and craftsmanship, with time to view handwoven baskets, masks and wood carvings, and you can choose to have traditional jagua body paint applied. After a traditional lunch, we return to our accommodation.

At the appropriate time, make your own way to Panama City airport for your flight home.