Panamerican Highway

The Panamerican Highway - a fascinating road leading from Alaska all the way to Chile. During this two weeks itinerary you will be able to discover a small part of the "Panamericana": From Panama City to San José. The combination of driving yourself and bus transfers as well as the variation of beaches and rain forests to cosmopolitan cities make this itinerary a fascinating road and off-the-road trip between the extremes.

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 City - Playa Blanca :
Today your rental car will be delivered to your hotel. Start driving by crossing the Bridge of the Americas and heading north on the Panamerican highway for about 90 minutes to Farallon and the lovely Playa Blanca Resort. You will have the afternoon free to spend at this resort.
Overnight at the Playa Blanca Resort, all-inclusive.

Day 4 Playa Blanca :
Free day at the Playa Blanca Resort. Stay at the hotel and participate in one of the many activities offered by the resort or take your car and explore the beautiful mountain village of El Valle, approximately 45 minutes away.
Overnight at the Playa Blanca Resort, all-inclusive.

Day 5 Playa Blanca - Santiago :
Continue to drive on the Panamerican highway through the heartland of Panama. The country's interior is rarely visited by tourists but especially interesting. Almost all of Panama's folkloric traditions originate from this region. After 2 - 3 hours of driving you will reach Santiago and the charming Mexican style hotel La Hacienda.
Overnight at the Hotel La Hacienda.

Day 6 Santiago - Boquete :
Today a 4 hours drive is waiting for you. Continue on the Panamerican highway until you reach David, Panama's second biggest city. Turn right and enjoy the lovely uphill drive to the mountain village of Boquete. The afternoon is free to explore the village and its marvelous surroundings.
Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa, superior room.

Day 7 Boquete Panorama and Coffee Tour :
Today you will enjoy a panoramic tour in and around Boquete as well as the visit of a Coffee Plantation. In Boquete some of the finest Panamanian Coffee is cultivated. Learn about the process of growing, harvesting and roasting of the coffee bean and taste different coffees at the end of the tour. Your guide will be able to explain you every detail you want to know. A box lunch is included on the tour.
Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa, superior room.

Day 8 Boquete - David - Paso Canoas - Lapa Rios :
Drive back to David where you return your rental car at the airport. Then you will be transferred to the Costa Rican border in Paso Canoas. Please note that Costa Rican time is one hour behind Panama time! After you get your passport stamped you will be transferred to Golfito and enjoy a lovely boat ride over the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jimenez - with a bit of luck you can even spot dolphins on the way. From Puerto Jimenez it is another half an hour to your hotel for the next three nights. Set in a private nature reserve spread over 1,000 acres of Central America's last remaining lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge overlooks the pristine point where the Golfo Dulce meets the wild Pacific Ocean, making it the destination that matches everyone's idea of paradise!
Overnight at the Lapa Rios hotel, three daily meals included.

Days 9-10 Lapa Rios
Free days at Lapa Rios. Enjoy the rain forest and the sea or take one of the tours provided by your hotel.
Waterfalls hike
Hike up and down through virgin rain forest to pristine waterfalls and splash back along the Carbonera River - a rain forest experience with adventurous hiking. Difficult, but great fun. For all hardy hikers looking for a challenge (wet walking and some climbing).
Plant a tree
Contribute to sustainable development in the Lapa Rios reforestation program by transplanting a primary rain forest seedling to an area of second growth. Participants will learn about "their tree", its role in the ecosystem and receive a certificate to commemorate their efforts. Gift certificates can be purchased on behalf of others and the trees planted in their honor. Plan 10-20 minutes, planting is at 7AM or 4:30PM when the soil is cool.
Local Medicine Tour
This walk follows an old track through primary forest. It's an opportunity to view the cool, primary forest along with fascinating "local" explanations of medicinal uses of barks, leaves, saps. Our guide will teach you the traditional Indian medicines from the rain forest.
Night walk
Departing from the lodge at 6:00 PM., experience the sights and sounds of the rain forest after dark. With flashlights and use of "eye shine" the forest's nocturnal creatures come alive after dark
Overnight at the Lapa Rios hotel, three daily meals included.

Day 11 Lapa Rios - Dominical :
In the morning you will be transferred back to Golfito and then further north on the Panamerican highway to your next hotel, 17 km before Dominical. Free afternoon to spend at the beach or in your hotel.
Overnight at the Whales and Dolphins, breakfast included.

Day 12 Whales and Dolphins Watching :
Departing early in the morning in a comfortable van you will be driven down along the Pacific Ocean for about 1,5 hour to the town of Sierpe . Then you will board a cozy boat and cruise for 45 minutes down the Sierpe River through the largest Mangrove swamp in Central America, watching the abundant wildlife along the shores. Once through the Sierpe River mouth and into the Pacific Ocean we will start the search for some of the 5 species of Dolphins, Whales and/or possibly the Sea Turtles that inhabit these waters. Your guide will illustrate the trip with interesting facts about these fascinating mammals and their Natural History. The spectacular views of Drakes Bay, Cano Island and Violines Island will amaze you. When you get hungry your guide will prepare a delicious picnic lunch and then get back to Dolphins and Whales watching. Around 3:00 p.m. you will start to head back to Sierpe and to Dominical.
Overnight at the Whales and Dolphins, breakfast included.

Day 13 Dominical - San Jose :
After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel for the shuttle transfer to San Jose. The road leads up to San Isidro del General and on the Panamerican highway over the Cerro de la Muerte (Dead man's pass) to the Central Valley and San Jose. Spend a free afternoon in Costa Rica's capital.
Overnight at Hotel Fleur de Lys, breakfast included.

Day 14 San Jose - 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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