Caribbean Costa Rica & Panama

Contrasting with the wilder Pacific coastline, the idyllic Caribbean coast is characterised by many picturesque beaches, mangroves and swamp forests. This region is sparsely populated, but enjoys a laid back and thoroughly Caribbean atmosphere.

Guide

GUIDE
•   This tour is escorted by local English speaking guides between Days 3 and 8.
•   In San José and Panama, local assistance will be provided.

MEAL PLAN
•   Price includes breakfast and dinner daily.
•   Lunch is included on Days 3, 4, 9 and 10.

•   The Breezes Resort & Spa (Panama Beach extension) includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

ACCOMMODATION
•   Four star hotels in San José and Gamboa.
•   The lodges in the Caribbean area are of a three star standard.
•   The Panama beach extension includesfour star hotels.

GROUP SIZE
•   Maximum 24 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers (please call for further information).

GRATUITIES
•   Tipping is at your discretion. We recommend you tip your driver and guide at the end of the tour.

TRAVEL TIPS
•   Visitors between July and September may have the opportunity to view green turtles as they lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero

NB

•   The flight from Bocas del Toro to Panama City has a luggage limit of 20kgs.

•   A voluntary donation to enter the Cahuita National Park is suggested.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO SAN JOSÉ
Fly Continental Airlines from Heathrow via Houston to San José. On arrival, transfer to the Crowne Plaza Coribici Hotel for a two night stay in a deluxe room.

DAY 2 - SAN JOSÉ
Enjoy a day at leisure to discover cosmopolitan San José which enjoys a scenic setting in the centre of the fertile Central Valley, surrounded by lush mountains, valleys and untouched cloud forests. Don't miss out on a visit to some of the capital's main attractions including the 19th Century Teatro Nacional. Replete with gold ceilings, marble staircases, gilt cherubs and splendid paintings, it is considered one of the city's finest historic buildings. Other attractions include the Poás Volcano National Park, where you can enjoy a scenic drive through coffee fields and dairy pastures to reach the summit of one of the world's largest active craters. The bright turquoise of the acidic rainwater crater lake makes a stunning contrast with the surrounding verdant rainforest.

DAY 3 - SAN JOSÉ TO TORTUGUERO
Early morning transfer by bus from San José through the Braulio Carillo National Park. Along the winding road you will pass through dense rainforest to the town of Guapiles, where you will stop for breakfast at a local restaurant. You will then descend down to the Caribbean lowlands via the many banana and pineapple plantations to Caño Blanco from where you will continue your journey by boat through the channels of Tortuguero. Catch a glimpse of local life as you pass the small village of Tortuguero itself before arriving at the secluded Turtle Beach Lodge, which is nestled in the jungle, for a two night stay. Relax in the afternoon in a hammock or by the pool, or take a tour of the many lush channels with your guide to seek out the exotic and abundant wildlife.

DAY 4 - TORTUGUERO
An early morning start will give you the best chance of spotting caimans, monkeys, sloths, turtles, iguanas and many different species of birds. Later in the day you can enjoy a walk through the jungle.

DAY 5 - TORTGUERO TO CAHUITA

Return by boat to Caño Blanco and travel via Siquirres and the harbour town of Limón to the small sleepy Caribbean village of Cahuita. Stay overnight at the tranquil Suizoloco Lodge. An afternoon stroll around the pretty village is recommended.

DAY 6 - CAHUITA TO BOCAS DEL TORO

Enjoy a morning walk in the Cahuita National Park, a mixture of rainforest and lovely remote beaches. As you follow the park's trails you may see capuchin and howler monkeys, sloths and racoons. Later, continue by road towards the border town of Sixaola where you will cross the adventurous and rickety bridge into Panama. Travel via Almirante where you will board a speedboat to the islands of Bocas del Toro (approx. 30 minutes) arriving at the main island of Colón for a two night stay at the Hotel Playa Tortuga.

DAY 7 - BOCAS DEL TORO
The waters off Bocas del Toro are exceptionally clear and are great for snorkelling. Relax on a boat excursion of Laguna Bocarotio where you can hope to encounter dolphins. Coral Cay is a small island surrounded by mangroves and an ideal place for snorkelling. In the afternoon you will continue to beautiful Red Frog Beach, named after the frogs whose skin produced venom which was used by local Indians as poison in their arrows. Enjoy time here to swim or explore the island. Pass Hospital Point and return to the hotel on the main island.

DAY 8 - BOCAS DEL TORO TO GAMBOA
Transfer to the island's airstrip and enjoy a one-hour flight to Panama City. Visit the ruins of the old city, the cathedral, National Theatre and the Miraflores Locks to view the famous Panama Canal. In the afternoon, transfer to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort for three nights (approx. 30 minutes). Enjoying a quiet setting on the bank of the Chagres River in the Soberania National Park, the resort offers a range of excursions including hiking to the Las Cruces trail, lagoon hiking, rainforest walks and kayaking.

DAY 11 - GAMBOA TO LONDON

Fly Continental Airlines via Houston to Heathrow.

PANAMA BEACH (BREEZES HOTEL)

Just outside of bustling Panama City lies a peaceful coastal retreat. Santa Clara, the country’s most beautiful Pacific Coast beach and the perfect place to unwind after a busy tour. Enjoy a relaxing beach stay at the all inclusive four star Breezes Resort & Spa overlooking pristine white sands lapped by clear turquoise waters and fringed by lush tropical vegetation.

DAY 11 - GAMBOA TO PANAMA BEACH

Transfer to the Breezes Resort & Spa for an indulgent five night stay. Choose from a fantastic range of facilities including a fitness centre, five swimming pools, a Miraflores spa, Jacuzzis, beauty salon, kids’ club, a piano bar, nightclub

and live nightly entertainment and an array of fabulous dining options. Enjoy activities such as tennis, volleyball, kayaking, table tennis, bikes, hiking, sailing, snorkelling and windsurfing.

DAY 16 - PANAMA BEACH TO LONDON

Transfer to Panama City and fly with Continental Airlines via New York to Heathrow.