: Best of Costa Rica & Panama

11 Days / 10 Nights

In this combined trip you will see the highlights of Costa Rica and Panama including the canals of Tortuguero National Park, the breathtaking active Arenal Volcano, the unspoiled tropical beaches of Bocas del Toro, and the misty cloud forests of Boquete.

Day : 1 - Arrival - San Jose :

Arrive by air into San Jose International airport. Upon arrival a representative from our ground operator will meet you at the gate and will provide you with a welcome kit on Costa Rica. Transfer will be provided to the hotel El Rodeo Country Inn for your first night in Costa Rica. Evening free to relax at the beautiful and calm hotel and enjoy San Jose’s active night life.

Overnight at hotel El Rodeo Country Inn, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 2 - San Jose - Tortuguero :

Early morning departure for Tortuguero. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Braulio Carillo National Park and then a three-hour boat trip through the canals of Tortuguero. Upon arrival to the lodge enjoy a welcome cocktail and a hearty lunch. Afternoon free to relax in the pool or take advantage of the hiking trails. In the evening, after a delicious meal, you will relax along the canals edge with a cocktail and enjoy the night sounds of the jungle.

Overnight at Mawamba Lodge, Standard Room, three daily meals included.

Day : 3 - Tortuguero Canals :

During the day enjoy a scheduled boat tour through the narrow canals for wildlife observation. This is the jungle adventure of your lifetime! Think of the Amazon, only on a smaller scale. Tortuguero National Park, with its 21,000 hectares of preserved tropical rain forest, provides one of the best opportunities to experience a bursting amount of tropical wildlife.

Overnight at Mawamba Lodge, Standard Room, three daily meals included.

Day : 4 - Tortuguero - Arenal :

Enjoy a scenic boat ride back to the Cano Blanco Port and by bus to Guápiles where lunch will be served. Then shuttle transfer to the Arenal area. The flawless silhouette of Arenal Volcano, its loud rumblings and frequent explosions of lava and ash are a sight not to be missed by any visitor to Costa Rica. Afternoon arrival to the Arenal Paraiso Hotel, your home-base for that night. Enjoy an invigorating spa treatment or just relax at the natural spring pool.

Overnight at the Arenal Paraiso Hotel, Superior Room, breakfast included.

Day : 5 - Arenal Volcano Hike - San Jose :

In the morning, pick up at the hotel and transfer to the far west side of Arenal Volcano, where you’ll spend about one hour exploring the Silencio Trail. Afterwards shuttle transfer back to San Jose.

Overnight at hotel El Rodeo Country Inn, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 6 - San Jose - Bocas del Toro :

Morning pick up and transfer to the local airport. Take local flight to Colon Island in Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival boat transfer to Playa Tortuga. Rest of the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the Caribbean surroundings.

Overnight at Playa Tortuga Hotel, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 7 - Dolphin Watch and Snorkeling Tour :

Today, you will enjoy a boat tour to Laguna Bocatorito, where you will be able to see dolphins. Then, in Coral Key you will do some snorkeling. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Red Frog Beach where you have time to swim or relax at the beach. Afterwards, you will pass Hospital Point for some snorkeling and then head back to the main island.

Overnight at Playa Tortuga Hotel, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 8 - Bocas del Toro - Boquete :

Today enjoy a transfer up to the cloud forest mountains in Boquete. This is a small and charming mountain village known to produce some of the sweetest oranges and richest coffees in Panama. The town is home to an abundance of birds equal to those found in the cloud forests higher on the mountain. One of the most famous is the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. This bird is nearly extinct there but has found a refuge in this area. Mid afternoon arrival to Finca Lerida Hotel, located within a coffee plantation. Rest of the day free to explore the town.

Overnight at Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 9 - Birdwatching Tour on the Quetzal Trail:

In the early morning you will depart from Boquete and start to hike the Quetzal Trail. This is one of the most amazing trails in Central America for bird watching, particularly to see the Resplendent Quetzal. Afterwards you will return to your hotel. The afternoon is free at leisure. Enjoy one of the many activities and tours offered in this area, or just relax at the hotel.

Overnight at Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 10 - Return to San Jose :

Transfer to David. Take local flight back to San Jose. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel El Rodeo Country Inn.

Overnight at Hotel El Rodeo Country Inn, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day : 11 - Departure :

A representative of Costa Rican Trails will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the International airport in San Jose for your flight back home.