Cruising Costa Rica and Panama - Panama to Costa Rica

Cruising Costa Rica and Panama - Panama to Costa Rica

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Cruising Costa Rica and Panama - Panama to Costa Rica

8 Days Starting in Panama Canal and ending in Puntarenas

Visiting: Colón, Panama City, Playa Muerto, Granito de Oro, Coiba Island, Golfito, Casa Orquideas Jardin Botanico, Drake Bay, Quepos, Biesanz Beach, Estación de Puerto Caldera

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

QYKS

Recommended For:

50 plus, Couples

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 49

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

7-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Central America is truly 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 adventure cruise. Aboard the M/S Panorama, cruise along the Pacific Coast and choose to explore lush nature reserves, snorkel among the marine life of idyllic islands, and indulge in beach barbecues. You can spend time with the indigenous locals, swim in crystal clear waters, and enter the locks of the famous Panama Canal. With stops at the likes of Gatun Lake, Playa Muerto Darrien, and Granito de Oro Island, this trip is a unique way to experience this diverse corner of Central America.

Highlights

  • Drop anchor in smaller port towns like Quepos away from the larger ships. Because of the size of your adventure cruise, your choices are endless on where to stop.

  • Discover the depths of the Costa Rican jungle in Manuel Antonio National Park, taking a guided walk through the thickets of the fragile rainforest with an expert naturalist.

  • On your cruising days, take regular swim stops off the boat, keep learning with on-board lectures from your naturalist guide, or simply laze on the sundeck with a good book – it’s up to you.

  • Meet with one of the seven indigenous groups of Panama on an excursion to an Embera village, discovering their handicrafts, sharing lunch and enjoying a dance with the locals.

  • Cruise into port at the mighty Panama City, a modern city full of history. As the major trading route connecting the Pacific and Adriatic, the Panama Canal is a marvel to see in action.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Embarkation In Colon At Colon 2000 Port, Panama

Location: Colón

Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small Cruise Ship

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Embark on your journey between 11am and 12pm in Colon at Colon Port 2000, Panama. Enjoy a light lunch before a welcome briefing and safety drill. Spend the afternoon at leisure on board getting settled in and perhaps an afternoon cocktail on the open deck. The ship will be positioned at the Canal entrance for the Canal transit starting at 5pm. You will cross the Gatun Locks and then enter the Gatun Lake. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers as you cruise towards the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks before reaching the Pacific side and Panama City in the early hours.

Day 2 : Panama City, Panama

Location: Panama City

Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small Cruise Ship

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning arrival at Flamenco Marina, Panama City. Enjoy an optional Panama City Tour to discover the old Panama City, Casco Viejo, its architecture, cathedrals and historical buildings. Return to the ship for a late afternoon sailing to Playa Muerto. Overnight is spent at sea.

Optional Activities:
-Panama City - Panama City Tour

Day 3 : 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. You then return to the ship for lunch and in the afternoon sail to Granito De Oro. Overnight at sea.

Optional Activities:
-Playa Muerto - The Embera Indigenous Community Visit

Day 4 : Granito De Oro - Coiba Islands, 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. Enjoy 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. It’s the perfect pristine environment for swimming and snorkelling and waters are teeming with marine life. In the late afternoon, sail to Golfito and overnight at sea.

Day 5 : Golfito - Casa Orchideas - Drake Bay, Costa Rica

Location: Golfito, Casa Orquideas Jardin Botanico, Drake Bay

Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small Cruise Ship

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the early morning, arrive at Golfito for immigration procedures before arriving at Casa Orchideas for a swim stop and optional shore excursion. Disembark by tenders for a wet landing at Casa Orchideas to visit beautiful gardens, an Orchid house and learn about all tropical and medicinal plants from all over the world. There will also be plenty of time for swimming before returning back to the ship by tender. Late afternoon departure towards Drake Bay arriving early evening and spending the night at anchor.

Optional Activities:
-Golfito - Casas Orchideas Tour

Day 6 : 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. Then sail towards Quepos for an evening arrival and overnight at anchor.

Optional Activities:
-Drake Bay - Corcovado National Park USD

Day 7 : Quepos And Playa Bisansz, Costa Rica

Location: Quepos, Biesanz Beach

Accommodation: M/Y Panorama Small Cruise Ship

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy an optional morning excursion to the Manuel Antonio Reserve which is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. This is a wet landing inside the reserve using the zodiacs. After lunch on board, you can take the optional forest canopy excursion. Afternoon sailing to nearby Playa Biesanz for an afternoon swim. Those customers doing the forest canopy tour excursion will rejoin the ship in Playa Biesanz). Tropical evening on board with a late- night sailing to Puerto Caldera, spending the night at sea.

Optional Activities:
-Quepos - Forest Canopy Tour USD
-Quepos - Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 8 : Disembarkation In Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Location: Estación de Puerto Caldera

Meals Included: Breakfast

With no activities planned for today, you will disembark the vessel at 9 am in Puerto Caldera, after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

  • Accommodation

    Small Cruise Ship 9 nights

  • Transport

    Small cruise ship

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Included Activities

  • Coiba Island Walking Tour

Accommodation

  • Small Cruise Ship 9 nights

Transport

  • Small Cruise Ship

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • 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

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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