Tropical Paradise Tour from Costa Rica To Panama

Duration of this Trip 12 nights / 13 Days Priced From $3,710 per person

Exploring San Jose, Tortuguero, Arenal Area, Monteverde, Panama city, Quera Embera, San Blas

A Central American dream tour for adventure lovers, this trip from coast to coast takes you from Pacific Costa Rica to Caribbean Panama. You’ll explore cloud forests, pristine national parks, and beautiful tropical islands. Active volcanoes and restful beaches, bubbling hot springs and bountiful wildlife will add color and excitement to your journey. Excursions to learn about the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal and one of the Embera indigenous communities of the rain forest round out your experiences here in the heart of Central America!

At a Glance

Duration

12 nights / 13 Days

Priced From

$3,710 per person

Departures

    Contact us for tour dates

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival at San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Day 2: San Jose – Tortuguero
  • Day 3: Tortuguero
  • Day 4:Tortuguero – Arenal Area
  • Day 5: Arenal Area
  • Day 6: Arenal – Monteverde
    • Day 7: Monteverde
  • Day 8: Monteverde – Panama City
  • Day 9: Half day City Tour & Panama Canal
  • Day 10: Full day tour visiting the Embera Indigenous Community
  • Day 11: Panama City – San Blas
  • Day 12: Playón Chico, San Blas
  • Day 13: Departure

Day 1. San Jose, Costa Rica

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Jose. Overnight at Park Inn Hotel, Standard room

Day 2. San Jose – Tortuguero (B, L, D)

Morning departure from San Jose begins our drive through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park. Stop for a delicious local breakfast at Rio Danta Restaurant, and continue on through lush banana plantations to the pier. A two-hour boat ride through the Tortuguero Canals will take you to Mawamba Lodge just in time for lunch and then a guided tour of the small town of Tortuguero. Leisure time before dinner lets you enjoy the pool or just relax in a hammock. Mawamba Lodge is a peaceful haven for wildlife and travelers alike. Night at Mawamba Lodge, Standard room.

From July to September Optional night tour (fees applicable) to observe sea turtle nesting.

Important notes: Weather conditions may impact the itinerary, Luggage is limited to 25 pounds (12 Kg.) per person, Alcoholic beverages, sodas or bottled water are not included, Dinner is served at 6:30 pm during nesting season

Day 3.Tortuguero (B, L, D)

After breakfast, explore Mawamba Park. This guided visit along the lodge’s private trails includes the butterfly farm, the frog pond and garden, the iguana farm, and the biodigestor, part of the sustainability program here. Lunch is included at the pool restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat tour in the Tortuguero Canals. Tortuguero is a network of navigable lakes, rivers and canals (both natural and man-made) that are used for transportation and are teeming with local wildlife. The climate is warm and humid though tempered by trade winds and cool nights. 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, 60 species of mammals and more than 300 species of birds inhabit this region. The list includes sloths, jaguars, and peccaries, caiman, basilisk lizards and poison dart frogs. Free time before dinner. Night at Mawamba Lodge, Standard room

Day 4. Tortuguero – Arenal Area (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer back to the pier by boat, where the trip will continue by bus. Lunch is included at Rio Danta Restaurant. After lunch, shuttle transfer to the Arenal region. Estimated time of transfer is 3 hours.

San Carlos offers a landscape of exceptional beauty with its forests, lagoons, farm fields, rivers, hot springs, and one of the most historically active volcanoes of Costa Rica - Arenal. Night at Arenal Paraiso Hotel, Superior room

Day 5.Sky Adventure Park (B)

After breakfast, experience the Sky Adventure Park. This combination of nature and adventure includes the Sky Tram and Sky Trek. The smooth-paced Sky Tram gondolas soar above the rainforest, offering impressive views including the Arenal volcano and lake. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, the ride makes stops for photography or to spot a tropical bird. Once at the observation deck, you can opt for the Sky Trek zip line to take you down through the canopy. Duration: approximately 5 hours, 30 minutes

Important note: For security reasons, children under 8 years old cannot take the Sky Trek tour.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the area or take optional tours. Night at Arenal Paraiso Hotel, Superior room

Day 6.Arenal – Monteverde (B)

After breakfast, boat transfer to Monteverde across Arenal Lake. This half tour, half transfer is the fastest and most scenic way from Arenal to the Monteverde area. The town of Monteverde, located at the south end of the cloud forest, was founded in the early 1950s by Quakers from the United States. Night at Trapp Family Lodge, Superior Room

Day 7. Monteverde (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning guided visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. A local naturalist will be your guide. Visit the unique habitat of the Golden Toad, see birds like the endangered Resplendent Quetzal and the Three-wattled Bellbird, trees like strangler figs, avocados and cecropias, and epiphytes such as bromeliads, orchids and mosses. Look carefully, there’s a wide variety of insects, mammals and reptiles in this fabulous reserve! Includes: Entrance fee, tour with a bilingual naturalist guide, transportation and a short stop at CASEM (a local women’s handcraft cooperative). Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the area or take optional tours. Night at Trapp Family Lodge, Superior Room

Day 8. Monteverde – Juan Santamaria International Airport – Panama City (B)

After breakfast, shuttle transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport, meeting assistance and private transfer to your hotel in Panama City. Night at Hotel Hampton by Hilton, Standard room

Important: Please note that shuttle transfers are scheduled at set hours. Depending on flight schedules, additional costs for a private transfer may be needed. Check in at airline counter must be done three hours prior to flight departure. Flight tickets to Panama are not included

Day 9. Half day City Tour & Panama Canal (B)

Explore Old Panama and the canal after breakfast today. This historical tour will begin at the Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter), built in 1673 after Old Panama was sacked and burnt. French and Spanish Colonial are the predominant architectural styles here. Home to the famous Golden Altar of the Church of San Jose, the Presidential Palace, the Grand National Theater, the Bovedas (prison chambers), and the French Plaza decorated with murals depicting the history of the Canal. Independence Plaza houses the modern Museum of the Interoceanic Canal. The Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal are the closest ones to the city. Still operating a century later with the same hydraulic system, this engineering feat is a marvel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and handling roughly 14,000 ships every year. There will be a short audiovisual presentation and other exhibits at the Visitor’s Center. Night at Hotel Hampton by Hilton, Standard room

Tour includes: Transportation, admission fees, Spanish/English speaking guide, bottled of water. Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

Day 10.Full day tour visiting the Embera Indigenous Community (B, L)

Following breakfast today, this adventure takes us to the Quera Embera community at the end of Gatun River, on board a motorized dugout canoe. In this village surrounded by the meditative calm of the rainforest we will learn about the Embera culture and traditions and share a delicious local lunch. You’ll have the chance to visit a guided interpretive trail and learn about the importance of plants in the Embera culture and shop some of the handmade crafts of the community. Night at Hotel Hampton by Hilton, Standard room

Tour includes: Transportation, admission fees, English speaking guide, fruits, bottle of water and light lunch. What not to bring: High heels, skirts, jewelry or other valuables. Duration: 6 hours (approx.)

Day 11. Panama City – San Blas (B, L, D)

After breakfast, private transfer to Albrook Domestic Airport to take a local flight to Playón Chico, San Blas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Night at Yandup Island Lodge, Cabins. Yandup is a family owned seafront lodge with overwater cabins on a small private island near the Playón Chico community in Kuna Yala. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and crystal clear waters and has a small, white sand beach. The lodge offers tours to the rainforest, river, mangroves, waterfall, the Ukupseni (Playón Chico) community and to other uninhabited islands.

Day 12. Playon Chico, San Blas (B, L, D)

Day at leisure to relax and enjoy this small private island or the take an optional tour (fees applicable). Night at Yandup Island Lodge, Cabins.

Day 13. Departure (B)

Breakfast. Shared transfer to San Blas Airport for local flight to Panama City and private transfer to Tocumen International Airport.

Important: Check in at airline counter must be done two hours prior to flight departure. For domestic fights and boat transportation the maximum weight allowed per person is 25 pounds (12 kilos).

Land Tour Costs

From $3,710 for 6-10 travelers

Single Supplement

$1,290

Scheduled Departures

    Contact us for tour dates

Trip Highlights

  • Tortuguero National Park.  Its jungles, canals and abundant wildlife is the perfect place to begin, with Sea Turtle nesting season from July to September.
  • Mawamba Park. Stay in this unique, sustainable lodge with a guided visit to the butterfly farm, the frog farm and garden, the iguana farm, and the biodigestor along the lodge's private trails
  • Arenal Volcano. One of the most scenic areas, its thermal springs, local adventure, and community interaction makes Arenal the most visited place in the country
    • Sky Adventure Park - a combination of nature and adventure with the Sky Tram and Sky Trek zip line through the forest canopy
  • The cloud forest of Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota give visitors the opportunity to observe the area’s wild inhabitants including the Resplendent Quetzal
  • The Embera Indigenous Community visit is an opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of these rainforest people.

Visited Countries

Costa Rica, Panama

Visited Cities & Places

San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero, Panama City, San Blas, Panama Cana

Suggested Extensions

Nicaragua

Reading Lists

  • Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama Handbook: Travel guide to Costa Rica, Nicaragua & Panama 2009 by Peter Hutchison (Author), Richard Arghiris (Author)

What's Included

  • Private arrival transfers with English speaking assistance both in San Jose and Panama City
  • Daily breakfast
  • All meals, tours and entrance to the National Park while in Tortuguero (Costa Rica)
  • All meals while in San Blas (Panama)
  • Other meals as described in the itinerary
  • All transfers (private or regular as described in the itinerary)
  • Domestic flights: Panama City - San Blas / San Blas - Panama City
  • 1 night in San Jose
  • 2 nights in Tortuguero
  • 2 nights in Arenal
  • 2 nights in Monteverde
  • 3 nights in Panama City
  • 2 nights in San Blas
  • Sky Adventure Park in Arenal
  • Regular boat transfer to Monteverde through Arenal Lake
  • Guided visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  • Half day City & Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks)
  • Full day tour to the Embera Indigenous Community, light lunch included.
  • Lodging taxes
  • Private departure transfers

What's Not Included

  • International flights from the US
  • Travel Insurance
  • Some meals

Visited Countries

Costa Rica, Panama

Visited Cities & Places

San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero, Panama City, San Blas, Panama Cana

Suggested Extentions

Nicaragua

Reading Lists

  • Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama Handbook: Travel guide to Costa Rica, Nicaragua & Panama 2009 by Peter Hutchison (Author), Richard Arghiris (Author)

Thank you for your interest in Silk Road Treasure Tours. We're looking forward to providing you with the trip of a lifetime. Please take a moment to complete and submit the form below. You can also call us at 1-888-745-7670 (or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to discuss all the aspects of the tour and reserve your tour.

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Tropical Paradise Tour from Costa Rica To Panama

Duration of this Trip 13 days/12 nights

Scheduled Departures

    Contact us for tour dates

Land Tour Costs

From $3,710 for 6-10 travelers

Single Supplement

$1,290