Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with the Panama Canal

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - San Jose

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to San Jose. On arrival we’ll transfer you to our hotel for two nights. The remainder of the day is free.

• Day 2 • San Jose

  This morning, we explore Costa Rica’s cosmopolitan capital on a guided city tour. We travel through both business and residential neighbourhoods, gaining insight into the city’s diverse and attractive architecture. Along the way, we admire elegant colonial mansions, many now home to stylish museums and galleries. We also see the bright yellow turrets of Bellavista Fortress, where bullet marks still bear witness to Costa Rica’s past; today, the building houses the National Museum. In the heart of the city, we visit the National Theatre. You may find its appearance familiar – especially if you’ve visited Paris. Completed in 1897, the theatre takes inspiration from the Paris Opera House.

• Day 3 • San Jose

  Today is at leisure to enjoy the city or relax at the hotel.

• Day 4 • Tortuguero

  Today, we drive through the cloud-draped landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park en route to Tortuguero. As we pass volcanic mountains, untouched rainforest and expansive banana plantations, the scenery shifts dramatically. We then travel by boat through the Tortuguero Canals, weaving along narrow waterways rich with unusual plant and animal life. We arrive at our eco-lodge, set among rivers, lakes, wetlands and lush jungle. Later, we explore Tortuguero village and visit the Turtle Preservation Centre. Turtle nesting season usually runs from July to October, with hatching from September to December, so we may be lucky enough to spot them.

• Day 5 • Tortuguero National Park

  We begin the day exploring the remarkable Tortuguero Canals. This unique network of natural and man-made waterways supports an extraordinary range of wildlife, including birds, monkeys, sloths and toucans, alongside a vivid display of orchids. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at leisure. You may choose to relax at the eco-lodge or join a guided walk to discover more of this richly diverse environment.

• Day 6 • Arenal

  This morning, we leave the lodge by boat before continuing by coach through the San Carlos plains. This fertile region forms the agricultural heart of Costa Rica, dotted with small farms and livestock holdings. We then arrive in Arenal, dominated by its iconic volcano.

• Day 7 • Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

  We travel past local communities on our way to the small village of Los Chiles, the gateway to the Río Frío and the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. From here, we board a boat for a floating safari through rainforest and pastureland. Caño Negro ranks among Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse reserves. As we glide along the waterways, we look out for resident and migratory birds such as roseate spoonbills, green-backed herons and wood storks, as well as monkeys, sloths, ocelots and more.

• Day 8 • Monteverde

  This morning, we depart Arenal for Monteverde, perched along the continental divide at around 5,000 feet above sea level. We visit the Butterfly Gardens to observe and learn about these delicate creatures before enjoying free time to explore independently.

• Day 9 • Monteverde

  Today is free to relax or explore this lush setting at your own pace. Alternatively, you may choose an optional excursion into the cloud forest canopy. A Sky Walk of suspension bridges and forest trails reveals the different layers of the ecosystem and offers a closer look at how the forest thrives.

• Day 10 • Cloud Forest - San Jose

  This morning, we walk through a private cloud forest reserve to observe its diverse plant and animal life. This area offers one of the best chances to spot the vividly coloured quetzal. We then leave the cloud forest behind and return to San José, stopping en route in the picturesque town of Sarchí, known for its brightly painted traditional oxcarts.

• Day 11 • San Jose - Panama City

  This morning, travel to the airport and fly (possibly via an indirect route) to Panama and Panama City. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel and check in for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is free to relax or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

• Day 12 • Panama Canal

  Construction on the Panama Canal began under Spanish rule in 1534 and concluded more than three centuries later when the American Government completed the project in 1904. Today, the canal stands as one of the world’s great engineering achievements and offers a rare opportunity to cruise through its vast system of locks. We board our vessel and cruise along a section of the canal, sharing the waterway with enormous ocean-going ships as we pass through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel lock systems. We also travel through the Gaillard Cut, one of the canal’s most dramatic stretches. Lush rainforest lines the banks, and we keep watch for native wildlife as we continue our journey.

• Day 13 • Panama City

  Panama City offers a striking contrast to San José. As Central America’s most cosmopolitan city, it blends global influences with a strong sense of local identity, shaped by centuries of trade through the canal. This morning, we explore the city on a guided tour, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Panama Viejo Historical Monument Complex and the Historic District, along with the Palace of the President and the cathedral. We finish at the Causeway, where wide views stretch across the water towards the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal.

• Day 14 • Panama City - In Flight

  Today we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

• Day 15 • UK

  Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.