Across Panama and Costa Rica

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Tocumen Airport - Panama City - Casco Antiguo

  

  Welcome at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. First contact with the country, then your driver will take you to your hotel. Overnight at Central Hotel Panamá. Deluxe Room. Included: private transport, room and breakfast.

• day 2

  Panama City - Miraflores Locks - Casco Antiguo

  

  Your driver will pick you up for a full-day city tour in Panama City. First stop at Panama La Vieja, which was the country's first capital before being destroyed by the famous pirate Henry Morgan. Then, head to the unmissable Panama Canal and the Miraflores locks. The visitor center offers a bird's-eye view of all kinds of ships in transit (container ships, cruise liners, or tiny sailboats...). In addition, exhibitions trace the history of the construction of the locks and describe how they work. Next, you will head to the Casco Antiguo. This bohemian district immerses you in the country's historical past, with typical alleys and colorful buildings leading to the Plaza de Francia. Discover the art deco architecture and the cathedral. At the end of the afternoon, transfer to the hotel. Note 1: Panama La Vieja site is closed on Mondays. Note 2: the visit to the Miraflores locks is scheduled according to the boat passage times. Overnight at Central Hotel Panamá. Deluxe Room. Included: private transport, entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 3

  Panama City - El Valle de Antón

  

  Departure by vehicle to reach the province of Coclé, and more specifically the Valley of Anton, nestled in the heart of an extinct crater. On the way, you will see magnificent landscapes, between fields and lush forests. Check-in at the hotel and free time at the end of the day to enjoy the attractions of the region. Note: about 2 hours by road. Overnight at Hotel Los Mandarinos. Standard room. Included: room & breakfast.

• day 4

  El Valle de Anton

  

  Half-day dedicated to Panamanian culture and traditions with a visit to the community. You will start with a visit to the local market, then discover the sites known as El Chorro del Macho and La Piedra Pintada, as well as their stories. You will have the opportunity to see a petroglyph, an engraving directly on the stone, a trace of Panama's indigenous past. You can then swim, if you wish, in the Pintada waterfall. Overnight at Hotel Los Mandarinos. Standard room. Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, local guide, private transport, room & breakfast.

• day 5

  El Valle de Anton - Boquete

  

  Departure to Boquete, in the province of Chiriqui. You will take the Pan-American Highway and enjoy the changing landscapes along the way. On the way, we suggest making a small detour 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, renowned for its flowers and coffee. Note: about 6 hours of driving. Overnight at Finca Lerida hotel Honey Mountain Deluxe. Included: room & breakfast.

• day 6

  Boquete

  

  Visit a coffee plantation to learn everything about coffee, from the seed to the cup! The visit consists of a professional explanation of the processing plant, as well as an introduction to the processes of growing, harvesting, and roasting organic coffee. Overnight at Finca Lerida hotel Honey Mountain Deluxe. Included: local guide, room & breakfast.

• day 7

  Boquete

  

  Free day to enjoy Boquete and its surroundings. Located at 1,600 m altitude and benefiting from an ideal temperature all year round, the village of Boquete and its superb mountains, as well as its flower-lined roads, will delight nature lovers. Boquete is also renowned for its excellent coffee. Suggested activities: - Visit a coffee plantation - Visit botanical gardens (orchids) - Birdwatching - Hiking and horseback riding - Climbing Volcan Barù - Rafting - Canopy exploration (zipline) - Kayaking on the Gulf of Chiriqui - Meeting a Ngobé community Night at Finca Lerida hotel Honey Mountain Deluxe. Included: room & breakfast

• day 8

  Boquete - Almirante - Bocas del Toro - Bastimentos Island

  

  Departure by vehicle to reach the port of Almirante, gateway to the Caribbean archipelago. On the way, you will cross varied landscapes, from the Talamanca mountain range to the Caribbean coast, and see the homes of the Guayami Indians. Note: about 4 hours of driving. At the port of Almirante, boarding a motorboat bound for Al Natural Lodge. Note: about 45 minutes of navigation. Meals provided by the lodge. Overnight at Al Natural Lodge. Al Natural room. Included: private transport, dinner (excluding drinks), lunch (excluding drinks), room & breakfast.

• day 9

  Bocas del Toro - Bastimentos Island

  

  Free day to rest your feet in the water, enjoy the Afro-Caribbean atmosphere of Bocas, explore the Bastimentos Marine National Park, swim among the starfish, observe dolphins, search for the little red frogs, or meet the Ngobe Buglé Indians… Suggested activities – contact 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 at Al Natural lodge. Al Natural room. Included: dinner (excluding drinks), lunch (excluding drinks), room & breakfast.

• day 10

  Bocas del Toro - Bastimentos Island

  

  Free day to rest with your feet in the water, enjoy the Afro-Caribbean atmosphere of Bocas, explore the Bastimentos Marine National Park, swim among the starfish, observe dolphins, look for the little red frogs, or meet the Ngobe Buglé Indians… Suggested activities – contact 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 at Al Natural lodge. Al Natural room. Included: dinner (excluding drinks), lunch (excluding drinks), room & breakfast, shared transport service.

• day 11

  Bocas del Toro - San José - Juan Santamaría Airport - San José - Arenal Volcano

  

  Transfer from the lodge to Bocas del Toro airport. International flight to San José in Costa Rica. Note: $15 Panama exit tax to be paid at the airport. Welcome to Costa Rica! Reception at Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at 1,150 meters altitude, in the heart of the Central Valley. First contact with Costa Rica and your French-speaking guide, who will give you your travel documents before your driver takes you to the hotel. Route from San José to Arenal. Departure to reach the region of La Fortuna and the majestic Arenal volcano (1,635 meters). Approximate travel time: 3 hours. Thermal waters At the end of the day, you will enjoy a moment of relaxation at the Ecotermales hot springs, 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 at the Amor Arenal hotel. Villa Canyon Casita King. Included: international flight, French-speaking guide, private transport, entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 12

  Arenal Volcano

  

  Sensations above the Arenal canopy! The day begins with a 1,800-meter trail through the rainforest, crossing suspension bridges above the canopy. You will safely enjoy breathtaking views of the biodiversity while crossing 5 bridges (from 20 to 37 meters above the ground)! After a cable car ride to observe the fauna and flora, guaranteed thrills in complete safety... You will explore the treetops by ziplining from one platform to another along cables. This is a network of platforms and cables suspended at the top of the trees, totaling nearly 3 km in length! Approximate duration: 6 hours. Overnight at the Amor Arenal hotel. Villa Canyon Casita King. Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, equipment rental, excursion (group service), local guide, room & breakfast.

• day 13

  Arenal Volcano - Monteverde Reserve

  

  Route from Arenal to Monteverde. Departure towards the Monteverde region, whose reserve offers alpine pasture landscapes in the heart of the Tilarán mountain range. Known worldwide for its cloud rainforest, which has 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. Included: room & breakfast.

• day 14

  Monteverde Reserve - Monteverde - Monteverde Reserve

  

  Santa Elena Biological Reserve Morning hike in the heart of the Santa Elena Biological Reserve and its "Cloud Forest," located in one of the wettest areas of the country. You will walk through abundant vegetation with a prehistoric setting, where every tree is covered in moss. An ideal opportunity to observe the many birds and animals that inhabit the forest, and to enjoy the wonderful views of the Arenal Volcano and the Guanacaste plains offered by the walk. Approximate duration: self-guided visit (about 2 and a half 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 Niños, with a naturalist guide Orchid garden "Agricultural" tours: coffee plantation, sugar cane, cheese factory Canopy exploration (hanging bridges, cable car, zipline) Hiking and horseback riding Visit to the local market (Friday afternoon) Night at the Belmar hotel. Forest Room. Included: entrance(s) to site(s) mentioned in the program, room & breakfast.

• day 15

  Monteverde Reserve - Punta Islita

  

  Route from Monteverde to Punta Islita. Departure for the Pacific coast and the Gulf of Nicoya. Approximate driving time: 3 hours. Overnight at Punta Islita hotel. Junior Suite room with ocean view, terrace, and small private pool. By staying at Punta Islita, you benefit from a large number of included excursions (canopy, hiking, horseback riding, Costa Rican cooking class, etc.). Included: room & breakfast.

• day 16

  Punta Islita

  

  Free stay for you 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) – please consult us: - Observation of the nesting of olive Ridley turtles (from June to December) - Dolphin watching - Kayaking (sea, river, mangroves) - Barra Honda National Park (caves) - Fishing, surfing, horseback riding, golf (9 holes) - Observation of the seabed (snorkeling) Night at the Punta Islita hotel. Junior Suite room with ocean view, terrace, and small private pool. By staying at Punta Islita, you benefit from a large number of included excursions (canopy, hiking, horseback riding, Costa Rican cooking classes, etc.). Included: room & breakfast.

• day 17

  Punta Islita

  

  Free stay for you 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) – please consult us: - Observation of the nesting of olive Ridley turtles (from June to December) - Dolphin watching - Kayaking (sea, river, mangroves) - Barra Honda National Park (caves) - Fishing, surfing, horseback riding, golf (9 holes) - Observation of the seabed (snorkeling) Night at the Punta Islita hotel. Junior Suite room with ocean view, terrace, and small private pool. By staying at Punta Islita, you 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 Santamaría Airport

  

  In the morning, departure to reach San José. On the way, you will take the Puente (bridge) Tempisque to cross the Gulf of Nicoya, before joining the Interamerican. Note: 4 to 5 hours of driving Connection with your international flight.