Cruising Costa Rica & Panama: Costa Rica to Panama
Cruising Costa Rica & Panama: Costa Rica to Panama
8 Days Starting in Puntarenas and ending in Panama Canal
Visiting: Estación de Puerto Caldera, Quepos, Biesanz Beach, Drake Bay, Granito de Oro, Coiba Island, Isla Iguana, Playa Muerto, Panama City, Panama Canal, Puerto de Cruceros
Tour operator:
Tour code:
QYKR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 49
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
7-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Cruise, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the Central American neighbours of Costa Rica and Panama on an eight-day Adventure Cruising experience. Central America is a place to fall in love with nature – be it dense, wildlife-filled forests, white beaches with irresistible waters, or vast jungle-ringed lakes – and you’ll get to experience it all on this memorable small-ship cruise. Aboard the M/S Panorama, set sail through the Pacific, passing by the thickets of Manuel Antonio National Park, the secondary forests of Corcovado National Park the stunning Coiba Island and Granito de Oro and onwards to Panama’s capital and its grand Canal. Discover a diverse range of wildlife, meet local indigenous groups at an Embera village, and sit back and relax on the sun deck between swims. This is truly a unique corner of Central America, and how better to explore it than on an idyllic cruising voyage.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Embarkation In Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
Location: Estación de Puerto Caldera
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Dinner
Embark on your journey between 3 and 4 pm. Once all passengers are on board, set sail for Quepos in the afternoon. Tonight, meet with your crew for a welcome briefing and enjoy an introductory meal with your fellow travellers.
Day 2 : Quepos And Playa Biesanz, Costa Rica
Location: Quepos, Biesanz Beach
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning take part in an optional excursion to Manuel Antonio – a jewel among Costa Rica's many national parks. Please note that this is a wet landing inside the reserve, and so you’ll use the Zodiacs. The fragile rainforest ecosystem shelters an abundance of wildlife including the easy-to-spot monkeys and a great variety of tropical birds. You are taken to the park entrance for a 1.5-hour guided walk in the dense rainforest. Local guides and a naturalist will lead you through small trails encountering native wildlife and over a thousand different species of flora. The trail is very well maintained and is easy walking with no uphill climbs. The hike ends with a swim at a park's beach before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, perhaps opt for a forest canopy tour, or continue on a cruise to Playa Biesanz. In the evening, enjoy a tropical themed dinner and party on board the ship. Tonight, sail towards Drake Bay..
Optional Activities:
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Day 3 : Drake Bay, Costa Rica
Location: Drake Bay
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive at Drake Bay in the morning and set off after breakfast for an optional excursion in the Corcovado National Park. A nature preserve and tropical rainforest that occupies almost a third of the Osa Peninsula, visitors are almost guaranteed to see some of the most incredible wildlife living in the jungles of the reserve including red-eyed tree frogs, quetzals, tapirs, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, monkeys, and scarlet macaws. Swimmers can have the amazing opportunity to share the warm waters with marlins, dolphins, and pilot whales. Early afternoon sailing to Golfito.
Optional Activities:
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Day 4 : Granito De Oro And Coiba Island, Panama
Location: Granito de Oro, Coiba Island
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive around midday to Granito de Oro for swimming and snorkelling. You have lunch on deck enjoying the view and the BBQ fare while sailing to Coiba Island. Here, you will embark on a walking tour with your on-board naturalist, who will take you to discover the local forest and animal life. Coiba Island is a World Heritage-listed site and the largest island in Central America – perfect for swimming and snorkelling in a pristine environment, and waters are teeming with marine life. Late afternoon, sail to Iguana Island and overnight at sea.
Day 5 : Iguana Island, Panama
Location: Isla Iguana
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning arrival at Iguana Island, a wildlife-rich territory, a bird-watching paradise, and key sanctuary for frigate birds. Snorkel the shallow reefs at the protected Isla Iguana Bay. You have the chance to see lots of colorful tropical fish, Morey Eels, Rays and even turtles swimming in the warm Pacific waters. On land you can spot crabs and iguanas. The island is a snorkeling and diving paradise as it has the biggest area of well-preserved coral reefs in the Gulf of Panama with 17 different coral species, more than 350 tropical fish and over 200 species of invertebrates. Late afternoon sailing to Playa Muerto. Overnight at sea.
Day 6 : Playa Muerto (Darien National Park), Panama
Location: Playa Muerto
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, travel into the wilds of Darien National Park on an optional excursion to an Embera village. Please note that landing at Playa Muerto by tender will be a wet landing. The Embera people are one of the seven indigenous groups of Panama, predominately living in the country’s Darien province. They are well known for their traditional handicrafts and well-preserved traditions. We return to the ship for lunch and sail to Panama City Flamenco Marina.
Optional Activities:
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Day 7 : Panama City - Panama Canal Crossing, Panama
Location: Panama City, Panama Canal
Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early in Panama City and join an optional Panama City Tour. Discover the old Panama City, Casco Viejo, its architecture, cathedrals and historical buildings. Return to the ship for lunch, and the ship is positioned at the Canal entrance for the Canal transit starting at 5pm. You will reach and cross the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks before entering the Gatun Lake and then cross the Gatun Locks.
Optional Activities:
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Day 8 : Colon 2000 Port, Panama
Location: Puerto de Cruceros
Meals Included: Breakfast
With no activities planned for today, you will disembark the vessel at 9 am, after breakfast. The disembarkation will take place at Colon 2000 Port in Colon, Panama.
What's Included
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Coiba Island Walking Tour
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
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Accommodation
Small Cruise Ship (7 nights)
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Transport
Small cruise ship
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Coiba Island Walking Tour
Accommodation
- Small Cruise Ship (7 nights)
Transport
- Small Cruise Ship
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.