27-day trip of Panama & Costa Rica
27 days – from €12,525 per person
culture – turtles – active – tropics – relaxation
- Wander through the streets of Casco Antiguo, the old quarter of Panama City
- Learn all about turtles, butterflies and frogs in the wildlife paradise of Tortuguero
- Explore the fairytale cloud forest of Monteverde
- Feel like Robinson Crusoe for a moment in the rainforests on the island of Isla Palenque
- Immerse yourself in the Caribbean atmosphere or dive into the Caribbean Sea in Bocas del Toro
Itinerary
Day 1 | Amsterdam – Panama City
Today you’ll depart from Amsterdam on your intercontinental flight to Panama City. You’ll arrive here in the late afternoon and be welcomed by one of our local staff, who will take you to your hotel in Casco Viejo. Panama City is a cosmopolitan city offering a mix of attractions; you’ll find modern skyscrapers, whilst you can also wander through the characteristic streets of the historic centre, Casco Viejo. The ruins of the original old town can still be found there, and to top it all off, the world-famous Panama Canal runs right through the city. You can stroll to the fish market and the souvenir market, but be sure to stop for a good cup of coffee (or an even better iced coffee!) at Bajareque Coffee House & Roastery.
Accommodation: Hotel La Compañia | bed and breakfast
Day 2 | Panama City
Today you will be collected from your hotel for a city trip of Panama City. First, you’ll visit the famous Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks. Here, you’ll see various large ships passing through. At the visitor centre, you’ll learn about the history of the Panama Canal. You’ll then head to the old part of the city known as Casco Antiguo. Here, you’ll visit the impressive Biodiversity Museum, the Iglesia San José and a bustling market. You’ll conclude your trip at Plaza de Francia, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s skyline.
Overnight stay: Hotel La Compañia | bed and breakfast
Day 3 | Panama City
Today you will be introduced to the way of life of the Embera Indians, a friendly people who live in small villages along the Chagres River in Chagres National Park. The only way to get here is by motorised canoe along the Rio Chagres, a river that winds deep into the jungle. During the boat trip, you’ll enjoy the stunning surroundings of the tropical rainforest. Once you arrive at the Embera village, you can admire their handmade crafts and experience their customs. Their bodies are adorned with brightly coloured necklaces, and they use the ink from a fruit called the jagua to paint all manner of symbols onto their skin. You’ll learn more about the local plants and discover the history and way of life of the Embera people. The locals will enthusiastically demonstrate their traditional dances and show you their handmade baskets and sculptures. Lunch is provided, and afterwards you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel La Compañia | bed and breakfast
Day 4 | Panama City – Bocas del Toro
Today you will be taken to the local airport in Panama City. Here you will board your domestic flight to Bocas del Toro. On arrival in Bocas del Toro, a local representative will be on hand to take you to your hotel. Over the next few days, enjoy the exotic sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, the jungle, the Caribbean atmosphere and, above all, the colourful reefs! Bocas del Toro offers plenty of water sports, such as surfing and kayaking, and you can even spot dolphins here!
Accommodation: La Coralina Island House | bed and breakfast
Days 5 & 6 | Bocas del Toro
Make the most of your days off! We highly recommend spending one of these days on a boat trip to the dolphin lagoon, going snorkelling at Coral Cay and visiting Zapatilla Island. You can also take a trip to one of the various nature reserves or to Salt Creek, where you’ll learn more about and see the Ngöbe Bugle community, an indigenous people who still live here.
Accommodation: La Coralina Island House | bed and breakfast
Day 7 | Bocas del Toro – Puerto Viejo
Today you will be collected from your hotel and cross the border into Costa Rica. You will be taken by sea and land to your accommodation in Puerto Viejo. There are several national parks and nature reserves in the vicinity of Puerto Viejo. You’ll be staying at the Shawandha Ecolodge. This lodge is situated 150 metres from Chiquita Beach, a snow-white beach with crystal-clear blue water. This beach is only accessible via a private road.
Overnight stay: Shawandha Ecolodge | bed and breakfast
Day 8 | Puerto Viejo
The area around Puerto Viejo is teeming with nature, and you’ll get to experience it first-hand today. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll go for a walk through Cahuita National Park. The trail is about three kilometres long and winds through the lush vegetation of the lowland rainforest. Animals you might spot include sloths, howler and white-headed capuchin monkeys, tarsiers, anteaters and the stunning morpho butterflies with their fluorescent blue colour. The guide will also tell you about the many plant species and their medicinal properties. At the end of the walk, you’ll arrive at a beautiful little beach where you’ll go snorkelling, so do bring your swimwear for a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear blue water.
Overnight: Shawandha Ecolodge | bed and breakfast
Day 9 | Puerto Viejo
Enjoy your day off! Today you can visit the Jaguar Rescue Centre. This centre takes in local animals that are sick, injured or have lost their parents. During your visit, you’ll learn more about the different species. Some of the animals you might encounter here include monkeys, sloths, birds and reptiles. You can also choose to hire bikes today. In Puerto Viejo, there are several beaches that are lovely to visit by bike. The roads are also lovely to cycle along. Along the way, you can make some nice stops at the various shops in the town or enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. A typical dish on the Caribbean coast is Casado, which consists of rice, chicken and beans!
Accommodation: Shawandha Ecolodge | bed and breakfast
Day 10 | Puerto Viejo – Tortuguero
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to your accommodation in Tortuguero. You’ll travel the final stretch to the village by boat, as it can only be reached by water or by air. In the afternoon, you’ll take a walk through the lodge’s gardens with a guide. Your guide will be happy to tell you more about the various plant and animal species you’ll encounter here.
Overnight stay: Mawamba Lodge | full board
Day 11 | Tortuguero
Tortuguero comes from the word ‘tortuga’, meaning ‘turtle’, and this little town owes its name to the sea turtles that come here to nest. Between July and October, the females lay their eggs, which hatch between late September and early December. In the morning, you’ll visit the town of Tortuguero and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. Here, you’ll learn about the fascinating life of the sea turtles and how they are protected here. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the rivers around Tortuguero with your nature guide. You’ll travel right through the tropical rainforest and have the chance to spot caimans, crocodiles and hummingbirds. Unique species found here include colourful poison dart frogs, no bigger than a thumbnail, and basilisk lizards. These are also known as ‘Jesus Christ lizards’ because of their ability to run across water. This makes for a perfect introduction to Costa Rica’s wildlife.
Accommodation: Mawamba Lodge | full board
Day 12 | Tortuguero – La Fortuna
Today you’ll return by boat to the pier at La Pavona. A local representative will be waiting for you there to take you to your accommodation in La Fortuna. You’ll reach La Fortuna via a stunning route through the highlands. The town owes its fame to the Arenal volcano, which, at 1,633 metres and with its perfect conical shape, towers majestically above the forests. The 1,633-metre-high volcano, with its almost perfect conical shape, rises majestically above the meadows and forests on the eastern side of the Laguna de Arenal. The volcano is currently dormant and its summit is often obscured by clouds, but when it is visible, it offers a magnificent view.
Accommodation: Hotel Arenal Manoa | bed and breakfast
Day 13 | La Fortuna
Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel to go canyoning past various waterfalls! Today’s spectacular trip begins with a journey of around 30 minutes by 4WD Jeep, taking you out of the town of La Fortuna and into the tropical rainforest. Here, you’ll go on a lovely guided walk that takes you past some of the country’s highest waterfalls. The first waterfall you come across is the one you’ll be abseiling down, from the top into the valley! There are around five descents during this trip, four of which are next to a waterfall and one next to dry rocks. You will then walk out of the canyon and be taken back to the hotel. An active, spectacular trip!
Overnight stay: Hotel Arenal Manoa | bed and breakfast
Day 14 | La Fortuna
This day is free to spend as you wish. La Fortuna offers everything you need for a wonderful trip in Costa Rica. Consider a visit to Arenal National Park, a walk through the jungle across suspension bridges, with stunning views of the volcano. You can also view the rainforest from above via a cable car with open gondolas. This gives you the chance to observe nature at treetop level. Even more spectacular is a zipline across a valley, right through the treetops!
Overnight stay: Hotel Arenal Manoa | bed and breakfast
Day 15 | La Fortuna – Monteverde
Your journey continues to the world-famous Monteverde cloud forest. This is one of the most beautiful landscapes and protected reserves in the world. Monteverde owes its fame to the cloud forest reserve and the farming community founded by American Quakers in the 1950s. A cloud forest is a specific type of rainforest situated on a mountainside and found mainly on the South American continent. In the evening, your private guide will take you on a special excursion. You will head to a small plantation, where you will go for a walk through the rainforest with torches. Once the sun has set, the diurnal animals go to sleep, whilst the nocturnal animals come to life. And that is precisely what you and your guide will be looking for. The walk will take around two and a half hours.
Overnight stay: Cloud Forest Lodge | bed and breakfast
Day 16 | Monteverde
Today you’ll visit Monteverde Park and see the rainforest from a different perspective. Your guide will provide an explanation and some safety instructions before you descend via the zip line. There are no fewer than 13 different lines, the longest of which is approximately 1 kilometre long. This unforgettable experience gives you the feeling of flying over the rainforest, with the lush green world of the jungle spread out below you. After the zip-lining, you’ll go for a walk across the various suspension bridges through the park. This offers another chance to see the park from a different perspective.
Overnight stay: Cloud Forest Lodge | bed and breakfast
Day 17 | Monteverde
This day is free, so you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of your accommodation at your leisure! We highly recommend taking a walk through the Monteverde Reserve today. The Monteverde cloud forest covers 10,500 ha and features kilometres of walking trails, which are open to the public wishing to experience this environment. Today, you can choose to go on a guided walk through this protected area. You’ll walk along one of the many trails, where you can spot various wildlife in the trees and bushes, such as birds, monkeys, snakes and insects. After the walk, we highly recommend visiting the little restaurant located near the reserve, where you can see lots of hummingbirds!
Overnight stay: Cloud Forest Lodge | bed and breakfast
Day 18 | Monteverde – Manuel Antonio
From Monteverde, you’ll head to the south of Costa Rica. You’ll stay on the Pacific coast between the town of Quepos and the tropical rainforest of Manuel Antonio. Here, the lush rainforest gives way to an idyllic coastline with beautiful little beaches. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the lovely climate in complete tranquillity. You’ll be treated to a stunning sunset in a setting rich in flora and fauna.
Accommodation: Hotel Mariposa | bed and breakfast
Days 19 & 20 | Manuel Antonio
Enjoy your days off! On one of these days, you can visit Manuel Antonio National Park at your leisure. Manuel Antonio is often regarded as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks. This 683 ha park consists of white sandy beaches fringed by rainforests, home to various species of monkeys and sloths, and where the poisonous Manzanilla tree grows. There are countless monkeys here (including the endangered squirrel monkey), iguanas and three-toed sloths. You can go on wonderful walks here and discover the rich wildlife. Do you love marine life? Then we definitely recommend exploring it in Manuel Antonio National Park. The national park’s underwater world is truly magnificent. It’s also very common to spot whales here during the season (from late July to October).
Accommodation: Hotel Mariposa | bed and breakfast
Day 21 | Manuel Antonio – Corcovado
You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to your accommodation, which is situated near Corcovado National Park. You will be staying at the Kunken Boutique Hotel & Spa for the next few days. This hotel is situated near Corcovado and Piedras Blancas National Parks.
Overnight stay: Kunken Boutique Hotel & Spa | bed and breakfast
Day 22 | Corcovado
Enjoy your day off today! You might choose to visit Corcovado National Park today. Corcovado National Park is regarded as one of Costa Rica’s most unspoilt national parks. The park protects one of the last remaining stretches of pristine tropical rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America. The vegetation here is extremely diverse, with over 500 species of trees, whilst the park boasts the most extensive fauna, including over 400 species of birds, jaguars, tapirs, squirrel monkeys and many species of frogs and reptiles.
Accommodation: Kunken Boutique Hotel & Spa | bed and breakfast
Day 23 | Corcovado – Boca Chica
Today you’ll continue your journey and cross the border back into Panama. You’ll be taken to your accommodation in Boca Chica. Boca Chica, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Chiriquí, offers picturesque surroundings and a relaxed atmosphere. The vast white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters make Boca Chica a true oasis for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts, including snorkellers and divers. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the excellent seafood restaurants this village has to offer. Discover the charm of Boca Chica, a lovely destination for those seeking a tropical paradise.
Overnight stay: Isla Palenque | full board
Day 24 | Boca Chica
Enjoy your day off! Today you can choose to take a boat trip around the beautiful islands, each with stunning beaches and the chance to explore the underwater world. Stop off at one of these islands during the boat trip. For example, Isla Bolaños, a snorkelling paradise with an idyllic beach, or Isla Gámez, where you can relax on a tropical beach and enjoy a lovely picnic. During the boat trip, you’ll also have the chance to spot various animals, such as dolphins, turtles or even manta rays!
Overnight stay: Isla Palenque | full board
Day 25 | Boca Chica – David – Panama City
You will be collected from your accommodation today and taken to David Airport. Here, you will board your domestic flight to Panama City. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by a local representative and taken to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.
Overnight stay: La Compañia | bed and breakfast
Day 26 | Panama City – Amsterdam
Your wonderful journey through Panama and Costa Rica comes to an end today. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Panama City Airport. Here, you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam, where you will arrive the following day.
Day 27 | Amsterdam
You will arrive in Amsterdam today.
Travel price
From €12,525 per person
- Based on 2 people travelling together
- Subject to the time of booking, availability of local flights, availability of accommodation and the travel period
Included:
- domestic flight, economy class (14 kg hold luggage)
- 23 nights’ accommodation, meals as stated
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Mawamba Lodge on a full-board basis, including all excursions led by professional guides
- all transfers and excursions as listed
- local taxes, where applicable
- entrance fees, where applicable
- Public levy Calamity Fund travel; €2.50 per booking
- SGR contribution of €5 per person per booking
- 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
- comprehensive travel pack with small gift
Not included:
- International flights, we will book them for you if required
- Early check-in/late check-out, based on availability sometimes given by hotel. If you want to make sure you have this, please enquire with us about the extra cost.
- travel and cancellation insurance
Request a travel proposal - Individual trip of Panama and Costa Rica
Would you also like to go on this combined trip of Panama and Costa Rica? We can, of course, organise the above trip for you, but we’d also be happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Please feel free to get in touch with us. Call us on +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a bespoke quote below. We’d be happy to help.
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