Panama - Costa Rica One-way

Starting in Panama City, ending in San Jose - this itinerary leads you to the best spots of Panama and Costa Rica. A cosmopolitan capital, the stunningly beautiful Bocas del Toro archipelago, Puerto Viejo's Caribbean flair, the abundant Tortuguero Flora and Fauna and the active Arenal volcano: this itinerary includes the very best for you to enjoy both, Costa Rica and Panama.

Day 1 Arrival in Panama City :
Upon arrival to Panama our representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your first night in Panama. In the evening you are free to relax and enjoy one of Panamas fine restaurants and the lively night life of this cosmopolitan city.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 2 Panama City Tour :
Today you will enjoy a city tour through Panama City. First you will see the sky scrapers, mansions and a traditional market. Then you will head towards the colonial part of the city: 'Casco Antiguo', where you can see several historical buildings. Then you will continue to the Causeway with magnificent views of the city and the canal. A final stop will be held at the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal - a unique spot to see the huge vessels being lifted or lowered a total of 16 meters.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 3 Panama Canal Train Ride & Portobelo Tour :
Early morning you will depart to the train station to take the ride to the province of Colon. This is a historical ride alongside the Panama Canal. It takes about an hour through 70 kms. It remains the history of the Spaniards, pirates searching for gold as well as all the people who worked in its construction. The scenic ride passes by towns and lush rainforests. Once you arrive you will depart to the picturesque bay side town of Portobello with the ruins of four Spanish forts and restored customhouse. Besides, you will have the chance to visit the local church where the 'Black Christ' is exhibited. Portobello was the shipping point to Spain for all the treasures of the Inca Empire and the favourite target of the pirates like Sir Francis Drake.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 4 Panama City - Bocas del Toro :
In the morning you will be transferred to the local airport for your flight to Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airstrip in Bocas Town and transferred to lovely Bocas del Toro Hotel, your base for the next two nights. The rest of the day is free at your disposal. Enjoy the hotel's facilities, the marvellous beaches of the Caribbean archipelago or the lively atmosphere of Bocas town.
Overnight at Hotel Bocas del Toro, breakfast included.

Day 5 Bocas :
In the morning you will go to the pier and take the boat in order to start the excursion to Laguna Bocatorito to observe the dolphins swimming in the calm waters of Bocas del Toro archipelago. Afterward you will have the opportunity to snorkel around the Cayo Coral Reef and finally visit the Zapatilla Cays for some swimming and relaxing at the beach.
Overnight at Hotel Bocas del Toro, breakfast included.

Day 6 Bocas :
Free day in Bocas del Toro. Take an optional tour or just enjoy the lovely village or one of the marvelous beaches of the archipelago.
Overnight at Hotel Bocas del Toro, breakfast included.

Day 7 Bocas - Puerto Viejo :
Take the ferry from Bocas to the mainland where you will be expected and transferred to Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. You will stop at the border in order to get your passports stamped. Please note that Costa Rican time is one hour behind Panama time.
Overnight at the Hotel Escape Caribeño.

Day 8 Puerto Viejo :
Free day in Puerto Viejo. Enjoy the Caribbean flair of the village and relax at one of the precious beaches or take an optional tour in the zone.
Overnight at the Hotel Escape Caribeño.

Day 9 Puerto Viejo - Tortuguero :
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel, and have a shuttle transfer to Siquirres. There, a representative of Mawamba Lodge will pick you up and drive you to Caño Blanco Port. Then, you will enjoy a boat ride along the marvellous canals of Tortuguero National Park.
One of Costa Rica's most popular ecotourism destinations, the canals and rivers of Tortuguero National Park are a study in rainforest, freshwater and marine biology. The park and small town of Tortuguero can only be accessed by boat or small aircraft. Considered one of the world's major nesting sites for the Atlantic green turtle, you can see these great creatures between July and October.
Arrive at Mawamba Lodge for lunch. The lodge will schedule a tour to the village in the afternoon. This tour to the village of Tortuguero will provide detailed information of its history, culture and work in favour of conservation of the sea turtles and the flora and fauna in general.
Overnight at Mawamba Lodge, three daily meals included.

Day 10 Tortuguero :
After breakfast, you will enjoy a boat tour along the canals of Tortuguero. You will visit the canals within the National park to discover a large variety of birds and receive detailed information on the flora and fauna of the area.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Afterwards take a hiking trip to the Hill of Tortuguero: It provides impressive views on the whole valley of Tortuguero and from the trail it is easy to discover different species of inhabitants among which are three different kinds of monkeys, sloths, caimans, turtles, iguanas, poison arrow frogs and many birds and insects including the blue butterfly (Morpho peleides).
Overnight at Mawamba Lodge, three daily meals included.

Day 11 Tortuguero - Arenal :
After breakfast you will drive back by boat and bus to Siquirres where lunch will be served. Afterwards you will have a 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.
In the afternoon you will be picked up at your hotel for the Tabaón hot springs tour. At the hot springs you can enjoy a healthy and relaxing soak; it is also possible to see the Arenal Volcano erupting from the comfortable spa. After the relaxing experience you will have dinner at Tabaón.
Overnight at the Volcano Lodge, breakfast included.

Day 12 La Fortuna Waterfall :
Today you will enjoy a lovely horseback ride to the La Fortuna waterfall. A beautiful example of the Costa Rican country site will be found along the way, cattle farms and agriculture, also the chance to see some birds as oropendolas and toucans. After that you have to walk five hundred meters into the forest to get to the waterfall, which is 70 meters high. At the base of the waterfall there is a 'natural pool' where we can swim in the fresh water of La Fortuna River for about one hour.
The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.
Overnight at the Volcano Lodge, breakfast included.

Day 13 Arenal - San José :
After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and have a shuttle transfer to Hotel Fleur de Lys in the center of San José. Enjoy the afternoon walking through the main avenue and do some shopping.
Overnight at Hotel Fleur de Lys, breakfast included.

Day 14 San José - Departure :
You will be picked up at your hotel for the transfer to the Juan Santamaria Airport for your international flight back home.

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