Explore Costa Rica & the Panama Canal

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 - San Jose

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Day 2 - San Jose

This morning we’ll take on this cosmopolitan city on a guided tour. We’ll explore both business and residential neighbourhoods, so you’ll get a real insight into the diverse and beautiful architecture that decorates the city. We’ll admire colonial mansions, many of which have now been converted into trendy museums and galleries. We’ll also see the bright yellow turrets of Bellavista fortress - the bullet marks a reminder of Costa Rica’s past, but today it is the home of the National Museum. Right in the city centre, we’ll visit the beautiful National Theatre. You might think it looks familiar - and if you’ve visited Paris, it may well be. Completed in 1897, the theatre is modelled on the Paris Opera House.

Day 3 - Tortuguero

Today’s journey is a scenic feast and an adventure in itself. We’ll drive through the cloud-enshrouded landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park all the way to Tortuguero. We’ll pass volcanic mountains, travel through untouched tropical rainforest and drive by sprawling banana plantations. Before you’ve had the chance to catch your breath, we take to the waters of the Tortuguero Canals and as we weave through these sinuous canals, we’ll pass by rare and unusual flora and fauna. Finally, we arrive at our eco-lodge hotel; nestled in an area of rivers, lakes, wetlands and lush, exotic jungle. Later, we’ll head out to explore Tortuguero village and visit the Turtle Preservation Centre. Turtle nesting season is usually July to October and they hatch from September to December, so we may catch a glimpse if we’re lucky.

Day 4 - Tortuguero National Park

We waste no time in exploring the breathtaking paradise of the Tortuguero Canals. With its unique system of natural and man-made waterways this is a haven for a wide variety of birds, monkeys, sloths and toucans along with a dazzling array of orchids. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please; perhaps relax in the unique location of our eco-lodge, or head out on a guided walk for even more exciting discoveries.

Day 5 - Arenal

This morning we leave our lodge by boat, before continuing by coach through the plains of the San Carlos region, the heart of Costa Rica, thriving with agricultural and livestock smallholdings, to Arenal and its famous volcano.

Day 6 - Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

Watch on as we whizz by local communities on the way to the pueblito (small village) of Los Chiles; gateway to the Rio Frio and the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. From here, our boat takes us on a floating safari through the tropical rainforest and pastures. The Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica, so keep your eyes peeled for a variety of resident and migratory birds including roseate spoonbills, green-backed herons and wood storks, to name just a few. Plus, there are spider and howler monkeys, sloths, ocelots and more…

Day 7 - Monteverde

This morning we depart Arenal for Monteverde, located along the continental divide at 5,000 feet above sea level. We visit the Butterfly Gardens, to observe and learn about these beautiful winged insects, before free time to explore.

Day 8 - Monteverde

Today is free to relax and explore this tropical haven, or take an optional excursion for an adventure into the cloud forest canopy. A Sky Walk of hanging bridges, trails and platforms above the forest floor, taking you to all the different layers of the forest for a great opportunity to see how the forest works.

Day 9 - Cloud Forest - San Jose

This morning we venture through the Cloud Forest private reserve to witness the wide array of flora and fauna. This is one of the few places you may be able to glimpse a strikingly coloured quetzal. Then, leaving the magnificent cloud forest behind, we travel back to San Jose via the picturesque town of Sarchi, famous for its elaborately painted oxcarts.

Day 10 - San Jose

We travel to the airport this morning for our flight (which may be indirect) to Panama and Panama City. On arrival we check in at our hotel for a three-night stay. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you please.

D​ay 11 - Panama Canal

Started by the Spanish in 1534, the mighty Panama Canal was completed some 370 years later by the American Government in 1904. It is an engineering and economic marvel, offering travellers a unique and highly sought-after experience, cruising through the huge system of locks. We board our vessel for our cruise along a section of the canal. Massive ocean-going vessels will share the journey with us today and you’ll have the opportunity to view them up close as we progress through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel lock systems. We’ll also pass through the Gaillard Cut, one of the most spectacular parts of the entire length of the canal. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, you’ll spot native wildlife as we cruise by.

D​ay 12 - Panama City

A world away from San Jose, Panama City is a cultural hub and bustling metropolis; it is the most cosmopolitan city in all of Central America. The canal has made the city a regional hub for trade and the result is a deliciously diverse and dynamic culture. This morning we dive in on a guided tour, taking in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Panama Viejo Historical Monument Complex, the Historic District, the Palace of the President and the cathedral. Our final stop is at the Causeway, which provides wonderful views of the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal.

D​ay 13 - Panama City

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

**Please note: Exact itineraries may vary slightly depending on departure date.

Various departure in January, February, March, October & November 2025, below price based on 1 October 2025 departure

• f​rom $4,367 per person twin share*
• from $5,202 for Solo Traveller*

S​hort on time you can shorten this tour to 10 days and remove the Panama Canal Day 10 - 13, the tour would end on the morning of day 10. Pricing starts from $4179 pp twin share

Call our team today on 1300 414 198 to book your preferred travel date. Our team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.

N​ote: prices are subject to change without notice.

• Park Inn by Radisson, San Jose (4-star)
• Laguna Lodge, Tortuguero (3-star)
• The Tilajari Resort Hotel, Arenal (4-star)
• Montana Monteverde (3-star)
• Gran Evenia Panama Hotel, Panama City (5-star)

• S​uggested arrival airport - San Jose
• S​uggested departure airport - Panama City

Each of our tours has been given a rating from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most strenuous. It’s really important that you discuss with us your suitability for this tour prior to booking.

T​he above tour has been classified as:

• Level 2 - A moderately paced holiday with more days that are longer and excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace. You might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.

Please note: This is a guide only. Please be aware that for each level you should also be comfortably able to manage the requirements set out in the lower levels.