Panamerican Highway

14 Days / 13 Nights

Are you seeking for diversion, adventure and new impressions? Then this excellent combination of exciting self-driving, scenic bus transfers, pristine beaches, untouched rainforest and thrilling cosmopolitan cities is made for you. The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads nearly 48'000 kilometres (29'800 miles) in total length. This fascinating road leads from Alaska in North America all the way to Chile in South America. According to Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the world's longest "motorable road". This program takes you from Panama City along the "Panamericana" up to San Jos?. Enjoy the selection we made for you and see a part of this very famous highway.

Day : 1 - Arrival in Panama City :

After you arrived in Panama, our representative will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your city hotel. Enjoy the free evening to relax at the hotel or go out to one of the city's delicious restaurants and enjoy the exciting night life of the cosmopolitan capital.

Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day : 2 - Panama City Tour :

Today you will explore Panama City and learn more about the fascinating history of the capital. This guided city tour will lead you to impressive spots such as the sky scrapers, the posh mansions and a traditional market. Continue to the colonial part of the city, the so called "Casco Antiguo". There you can see different historical buildings, squares and a beautiful church. Discover next the Causeway and be impressed by the magnificent views of both, the city skyline and the canal. To round up the tour you will then stop at the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. Watch how the huge ships are lowered or lifted a total of 16 meters. For sure you will understand why the Panama Canal is called an engineering masterpiece.

Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day : 3 - Panama City - Playa Blanca :

Today you will receive your rental car at the hotel. After a short briefing you will start your driving adventure and pass first the Bride of the Americas heading north on the "Panamericana". After a scenic drive of approximately 90 minutes you will reach Fallaron and the charming Playa Blanca Resort, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy the free afternoon and relax at the resort.

Overnight at the Playa Blanca Resort, all-inclusive.

Day : 4 - Playa Blanca :

Enjoy the free day at Playa Blanca Resort. Take advantage of the many activities the hotel offers. Or feel free to grab your car and explore the beautiful mountain village of El Valle, just about 45 minutes away.

Overnight at the Playa Blanca Resort, all-inclusive.

Day : 5 - Playa Blanca - Santiago :

Today you will drive on the Panamerican highway through the country's interior landscape. This area is hardly visited by tourists but nevertheless - or even especially because of that - worth to see. This region is the source of almost all folkloric traditions of Panama. You will drive around 2 - 3 hours to reach Santiago. The charming Mexican style hotel La Hacienda will be your hotel for tonight.

Overnight at the Hotel La Hacienda.

Day : 6 - Santiago - Boquete :

After breakfast you will start you 4 hours drive on the Panamerican highway to David, the second biggest city of the country. There you have to turn right. Enjoy the scenic uphill drive to Boquete, the mountain village of eternal spring. Enjoy the free afternoon to discover the village and the beautiful environment.

Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa, superior room.

Day : 7 - Boquete Panorama and Coffee Tour :

Your program of today will lead you to a panoramic tour in and around Boquete. You will visit a Coffee Plantation and learn more about the process of growing, harvesting and roasting coffee beans. Your guide will be happy to answer you any question. Boquete is famous for some of the most delicious coffees. At the end of the tour you will have the chance to taste the different types. A box lunch will be served on the tour.

Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa, superior room.

Day : 8 - Boquete - David - Paso Canoas - Lapa Rios :

Today you will drive back to David and return your rental car at the airport. Afterwards our representative will pick you up and bring you to the Costa Rican border in Paso Canoas, where you will have to get your passport stamped. Please be aware that Costa Rican time is one hour behind Panama time! Continue then to Golfito. A scenic boat trip of 30 minutes over the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jimenez is waiting for you. On the way you will have the chance to spot dolphins playing in the water. Lapa Rios will be your home base for the next three nights. This marvelous eco-lodge is set in a private nature reserve of 1'000 acres of Central America's last remaining lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. The lodge overlooks the pristine points where the Golfo Dulce meets the wild Pacific Ocean. You will feel just like in paradise.

Overnight at the Lapa Rios hotel, three daily meals included.

Day : 9 - -:

Enjoy these free days at Lapa Rios. Just relax at the lodge or take advantage of one of the provided tours at the hotel.

Waterfalls hike

A rain forest experience with adventurous hiking! Hike through untouched rain forest to sparkling waterfalls and splash back along the Carbonera River. This hike is tough but great fun and ideal for all those who are seeking for a challenge. Wet walking and some climbing included!

Plant a tree

Lapa Rios offers a reforestation program. They transplant a primary rain forest to an area of second growth. And you have the great and unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable development by planting your own tree. On this tour you will learn more about "your tree" and its role in the complex ecosystem. At the end of the tour you will receive a certificate to remember the efforts. It is possible to get gift certificates on behalf of others. You also can plant a tree in their honor. Planting hours are only at 7.00am and 4.30pm, when the soil is cold. For planting a tree you should calculate up to 10 - 20 minutes.

Local Medicine Tour

On this tour your guide will explain to you the traditional Indian medicines from the rain forest. Learn more about how the locals used leaves, barks and saps. Follow an old trail through primary forest and feel the sensation of the freshness and coolness of the forest.

Night walk

Experience the rain forest by night and listen to the incredibly sounds of the nocturnal fauna. You will depart from the lodge at 6.00pm equipped with nothing more the flashlights. Thus most of the animals are active during nighttime you will have great chances to spot various creatures.

Overnight at the Lapa Rios hotel, three daily meals included.

Day : 11 - Lapa Rios - Dominical :

After breakfast you will travel back to Golfito. Continue on the "Panamericana" in the northern direction. Your hotel "Whales and Dolphins" is situated just about 17 km before Dominical. Enjoy the free afternoon and relax at the hotel or explore the beautiful, wide beaches and take a refreshing swim in the sea.

Overnight at the Whales and Dolphins, breakfast included.

Day : 12 - Whales and Dolphins Watching :

After your breakfast, rather early, you will continue your trip in a comfortable van. You will drive down along the Pacific Ocean for about 90 minutes until you reach the town Sierpe. There you will board a boat and ride for another 45 minutes down the Sierpe River through the largest Mangrove swamp in Central America. Watch the abundant wildlife along the shores while traveling. As soon as you pass the Sierpe River Mouth and reach the Pacific Ocean, you will start to look out for some of the 5 species of Dolphins, Whales and possibly Sea Turtles. On this trip you will get much information from your guide about these mesmerizing mammals and their natural history. The views of Drakes Bay, Cano Island and Violines Island will take your breath away. A picnic lunch will be served on the way. Around 3.00 pm you will return you to Sierpe and to Dominical.

Overnight at the Whales and Dolphins, breakfast included.

Day : 13 - Dominical - San José :

In the morning you will be picked up for your shuttle transfer to San José. Following the Panamerican highway you will pass the city San Isidro del General and the Cerro de la Muerte (dead man's pass). Cross the Central Valley and reach San José. Enjoy the free afternoon in Costa Rica's capital and its fresh climate.

Overnight at Hotel Fleur de Lys, breakfast included.

Day : 14 - San José - Departure :

Today our representative will transfer you from the hotel to the International Airport Juan Santamaria to catch your flight back home - or wherever you want to travel.