From San Jose, visit Monteverde cloudforest and Tortuguero in Costa Rica. Continue to Panama City, visit this vibrant capital, its canal, and take a day trip to San Lorenzo and meet the Embera indigenous tribe.
Destinations and highlights: Monteverde, La Fortuna, Tortuguero, Panama city and surroundings.
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Read full reviewUpon arrival at San Jose international airport, meet your driver for transfer to your hotel in the mountain area of Monteverde.
Overnight at Hotel Monteverde Lodge & Gardens 3* sup – 1 Forest view room. Meals: None
Note: works for airport arrivals no later than 2pm.
This morning you enjoy three exciting activities in the Monteverde cloud forest. Be amazed by the flora and fauna of the area by walking through and over the treetops in the hanging bridges. Later, explore the world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest in a tram ride that would lead you up to Costa Rica Continental Divide. Finally, time for some adrenaline! Fly over the treetops through different safe cables. An exhilarant experience!
In the afternoon meet a peasant family whom will show you a bit of the Costa Rican rural culture. Visit a farm, see plantations of bananas, cocoa, coffee and learn about the process involved in sugarcane, coffee and cocoa cultivation. To finish this unforgettable experience, you will be shown and explained the “guaro” process (cane liquor) and typical trapiches (sugar cane mills with oxen).
Morning transfer to La Fortuna in a very original way! Transfer by van down to Lake Arenal, then by boat cross Lake Arenal and again by van reach La Fortuna enjoying a nice scenery way in the mountains.
Overnight at Volcano Lodge & Springs 3* – 1 Superior room. Meals: B
Enjoy an outstanding tour on the quiet waters Peñas Blancas river, floating on an inflatable rafts. Experience a relaxing half day tour in a safe environment admiring the beautiful flora and fauna of this region. Animals like sloths, monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, Jesus Christ Lizards, and turtles might cross your way. End the tour with a short visit to a garden where we will learn about coffee, chocolate and sugar cane.
In the late evening, you will have the chance to explore the wildlife of a rainforest at night. Enjoy a unique experience, from another point of view. Visit the rainforest and witness the night life of many animals. Our naturalist guide will share with you lots of information of this area whilst experiencing the peace and sounds of nature at night.
Overnight at Volcano Lodge & Springs 3* – 1 Superior room. Meals: B & L
Early morning shared transfer to Guapiles enjoying a Tico breakfast on the way. On arrival you are transferred to a dock and by boat reach your hotel located on the Caribbean Coast on a sand strip between the Tortuguero Canals and the Caribbean Ocean and surrounded by lush gardens, rainforests, pristine beaches and the amazing Tortuguero canals. In the afternoon enjoy a shared tour to the village of Tortuguero.
Overnight at Mawamba Lodge 3* for 2 nights – 1 Standard room. Meals: B, L & D
This morning go on a shared guided walk along the trails surrounding the lodge to learn more about the flora and fauna of the jungle. Learn about the delicate ecosystem and learn how the Lodge’s bio-digester plays a very important effort in conservation of the Lodge.
Later, meet your guide and join the guided Canal Tour. Hop on board and witness a parade of tropical birds, reptiles and mammals as we motor through the black water canals of the Tortuguero National Park. Scan the trees for toucans; watch the shores for caimans, otters, iguanas and frogs, and look up to see monkeys sharing space with sloths.
Overnight at Mawamba Lodge 3* – 1 Standard room. Meals: B, L & D
Departure in the morning and travel again by boat back to the docks. Enjoy lunch and continue with a shared transfer to San Jose Airport. Upon arrival at the airport and depending on your next flight, you may rest at the Airport before taking the flight to Panama’s Tocumen International Airport (not included in rates).
On arrival at the International Airport in Panama City our driver will welcome you and will transfer you to your hotel. Time at leisure to enjoy the lively and thrilling atmosphere of the city.
Overnight at Central Hotel 4* for 3 nights – 1 Deluxe room. Meals: B
Today visit the impressive Agua Clara Visitor Center in the Panama Canal. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Gatun Lake, where cargo ships or other vessels transit every day and the view of the expansion of the Canal. Continue to the San Lorenzo Fort, located at the entrance of the Chagres River. It was through this river where the notorious pirate Henry Morgan arrived to the Old Panama, to burn and loot the city. End this experience with a visit to the Emberá Quera, an indigenous community based on the banks of Gatun Lake who still live in harmony with Mother Nature. Learn from them about its traditions, dances and enjoy a typical lunch.
Overnight at Central Hotel 4* – 1 Deluxe room. Meals: B
Start this cultural experience visiting the Panama Vieja (Old Panama), the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast for the Americans, looted and destroyed it in 1671 by the buccaneer Henry Morgan. Today there are only ruins left. Still, the tower of the ancient cathedral is standing and has become a landmark of the town.
Later, we take you to the Amador Causeway to visit the prominent Biomuseo which tells you this fascinating story of how the isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents, separating a vast ocean in two, and changing the planet’s biodiversity forever Panama. In addition, visit public atrium, a space for temporary exhibitions, a shop, a cafe, and multiple outdoor exhibits displayed in the botanical park.
Note: Panama Vieja is not open on Mondays.
Overnight at Central Hotel 4* – 1 Deluxe room. Meals: B
Today we transfer you to the Airport. You may continue your trip to other destinations in Panama, Costa Rica or fly back home.
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