Costa Rica & Panama

Included:

Local taxes included.
Personalized information, maps, brochures, vouchers.
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
10 nights lodging at hotels indicated at the preceding proposal with breakfast. Subject to availability.
At Bocas del Toro meals as specified in proposal, tours may change for an alternative schedule or activities
9 days rental car Daihatsu Terios 4x4 or upgrade in case of 3 – or 4 persons , free mileage, BASIC INSURANCE NOT INCLUDED (US $ 18.00 per day)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at San Jose. Transfer to hotel.
Located at 1149 m above sea level, San Jose maintains an average all year round temperature of 24°C and is home to the main museums and cultural centers: the Gold, Jade, National, Contemporary Art and Children's museums, in addition to the maximum architectural jewel of Costa Rica: The National Theatre.

The Gran Hotel Costa Rica is a comfortable hotel at walking distance from Plaza de la Cultura, shops, museums. Restaurant, Bar. Rooms with cable TV, Telephone, Private bath, AC. For further information please visit http//: www.granhotelcr.com

Day 2: Arenal Volcano.
Pick up rental car.

Beautiful ride through mountains and typical small villages. Arenal volcano is the most active volcano in Costa Rica and with some luck you may be able to observe the red lava. This almost perfect cone, which soars 1,633 meters above sea level, has a crater 140 meters deep formed over an ancient caldera. Best spot to enjoy these wonders are Tabacon Hot Springs, or any of the other hot springs in the area ( not included ), a veritable thermal wonderland, where a hot volcanic stream is channeled in five pools of varying temperature. Accommodation at Lavas Tacotal Lodge (standard room): Wood and concrete bungalows, with private bathroom, surrounded by some of the most astonishing flora and fauna of Costa Rica, that you will be able to enjoy from your own porch with a perfect view to the volcano.

For further information please visit: http://www.tacotal.com

Day 3: Arenal.
Visit the Hot Springs. Practice Sport Fishing in the Arenal Lake. Take one of the mountain Biking tours or horseback Riding tours available in the area. Enjoy the Peñas Blancas Safari Float. Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges among other activities in the area of Arenal Volcano.

Day 4: Puerto Viejo, Caribbean Coast.
Puerto Viejo De Talamanca , 18km southeast of Cahuita, and Manzanillo village is one of the most beautiful stretches in the country. The beaches are the most picturesque on the entire coast. The village itself lies between the thick-forested hills of the Talamanca mountains and the sea, where locals bathe and kids frolic with surfboards in the waves. Also like Cahuita, most locals are of Afro-Caribbean descent.

Azania Lodge is located in front of Cocles Beach (awarded with the Costa Rican Government Blue Flag for clean beaches), 1,5 km south of Puerto Viejo of Talamanca, just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea, with the tropical rainforest in background. The spacious and tastefully decorated bungalows are privately set apart amidst lush gardens full of colour and natural beauty. Designed and crafted in a unique style that blends traditional materials, exotic woods and thatched-palm roofs, with a modern building concept, giving each bungalow a particular atmosphere. Each bungalow comes equipped with a refrigerator and has its own private deck and hammock out front, inviting to relax and enjoy the colourful tropical gardens. Azania also offers a restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner under a palm leave rancho.

For further information please visit: www.azania-costarica.com

Day 5: Puerto Viejo, Caribean Coast.

Day 6: Transfer Bocas del Toro (Panama)
( Note – you will leave your car at Azania Lodge, after your trip to Panama you will drive from Azania to Cahuita )

The archipelago of Bocas del Toro in Panama is situated on the northwestern coast of Panama in and around the Bay of Chiriqui. International travelers have only recently discovered this isolated region of Panama. It is for this reason that much of the island chain remains in pristine and untouched splendor. It is a diver and outdoorsman’s paradise with unspoiled coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, and boating, kayaking, snorkeling and long sandy deserted beaches.

The pace of life is slow and relaxed with nobody seeming to be in much of a hurry. Locals travel between the islands in dugout canoes, some with motors, but most without.

While the sea and the water are Bocas del Toro's main attraction, the islands themselves offer their own unique and interesting experiences and adventures. The islands are teaming with life of every kind from the top to the bottom of the rain forest canopy. Troops of howler, white faced and spider monkeys inhabit all of the larger islands of the group. Three and four-toed sloth’s are very common sights as well as numerous different kinds of reptiles, birds, amphibians and sea turtles.

One of the most interesting and unique creatures to be found on the islands is the poison dart frog. These pint-size frogs are no bigger than a mans thumbnail and have a myriad of different color patterns.

Approximate schedule (tours and hours may change due to operation reasons, you will be informed about changes by your guide):

06:00 a.m. Pick up in your hotel
06:30 a.m. Breakfast included on road
08:00 a.m. Immigration and customs in Costa Rica border
08:30 a.m. Immigration and customs in Panama border
09:10 a.m. Ground transfer to Finca 60
11:20 a.m. Arrival at Colon Island – Check in Hotel
12:30 p.m. Lunch included. Free day at leisure
06:00 p.m. Diner included

Day 7: Bocas del Toro (Panama)
Approximate schedule (tours and hours might change due to operation reasons, you will be inform about changes by your guide):
08:00 a.m. Breakfast included
09:30 a.m. Tour Dolphins Bay- Crawl Key- Red Frog Beach and Hospital Point. This tour includes guide, snorkel gear.
Tour through deeply vegetated islands and coral reefs, stopping along the way at different spots to snorkel.
03:30 p.m. Lunch included in Crawl Key Island
04:30 p.m. Transfer to Colon Island
06:00 p.m. Diner included

Day 8: Last day at Bocas del Toro
Selfdrive to Cahuita (Costa Rica).

Approximate schedule (tours and hours might change due to operation reasons, you will be inform about changes by your guide):

08:00 a.m. Breakfast included
09:30 a.m. Tour Bastimento Island in this tour is include guide, snorkel gear
01:00 p.m. Return to Colon Island
02:00 p.m. Lunch included
03:30 p.m. Leaving Colon Island.
06:00 p.m. Arriving to the hotel in Costa Rica

Atlantida Lodge captures the laid back Caribbean atmosphere of Costa Rica, in a simple and private Jungle Lodge setting. Ideally located directly in front of the beach, Atlantida Lodge is a place to relax after enjoying the several exciting activities. Magnificent tropical gardens surround the Lodge. The rustic rooms have private bathroom with hot water shower. The hotel features Bar, Restaurant, Swimming pool, Excursion desk, among others.

For further information please visit: http://www.atlantida.co.cr/

Day 9: Cahuita.
Cahuita National Park protects one of the country’s most important reefs and the Caribbean coast’s most developed reef. Within the Park, there are also important sections of wetlands and swamps, mostly dominated by the Royal palm and the swamp wood. The golden-sand beaches bordering the coastal area of the Park are extraordinarily beautiful.

The Caribbean’s natural and cultural wealth allows for a wide range of activities: sport-fishing, boat tours, diving, surfing, hiking, turtle- and bird-watching, dolphin-viewing, horseback riding, sea and river kayaking and more—in addition to direct contact with local cultures

Day 10: San José.
Drop of car at the hotel

Day 11: Transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport.