Costa Rica to Panama Small Ship Cruise

Upon your arrival into Juan Santamaria International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your private driver and taken to your destination for the next two nights. Llano Bonito de Naranjo is a boutique property that sits in a spectacular coffee plantation with beautiful views of Irazu, Barva and Poas volcanos. Delve right into the culture by joining the Naranjo Coffee & Town Experience. Naranjo is considered a mecca when it comes to the production of the world’s finest coffees. You’ll enjoy a 90-minute Espiritu Sano Coffee Tour, learning about all the phases of the process from seed to cup, with opportunities to sample.

After breakfast, your driver/guide will bring you to a small village called Los Bajos del Toro, a tiny cloud forest town tucked among the rainforest and surrounded by farming area, renowned for its magnificent waterfalls, rushing rivers, brilliant blue pools and endless scenic hiking trails. Be sure to bring your camera as there will be plenty of great photo-ops, including Toro Amarillo Waterfall which is close to the village. This stunning waterfall spills 270 feet inside an old volcanic crater. Before returning to your hotel, you’ll visit Palmira, surrounded by verdant farming fields and beautiful nature.

The cruise portion of your journey begins today – you’ll be picked up by your private driver for transfer to Puerto Caldera where your cruise ship awaits. Embarkation is from 3 pm to 4 pm. You’ll welcome to board, get settled in and relax in your cabin or enjoy the facilities. A Welcome Cocktail Party will be hosted at 7 pm where you’ll get an introduction to the captain, crew and your fellow passengers. The Welcome Dinner will follow providing more time to get to know your shipmates. We’ll arrive late this evening to our first destination, Isla Negritos.

This morning we’ll continue cruising to Quepos where you’ll have the optional to visit Manuel Antonio National Park along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. The most-visited national park in the country, it’s teeming with wildlife, with nearly 110 mammal species and 184 species of birds. You might spot squirrel, howler, and capuchin monkeys as well as sloths, agoutis, iguanas and all sorts of birds. The more adventurous have the option to take a Forest Canopy excursion, soaring above the treetops. Hop back on board the ship and this afternoon we’ll sail to Playa Biesanz, an ideal place for a swim and a tropical themed dinner party this evening.

We’ll sail into Puerto Jimenez early this morning where you’ll have the option to stay on board and relax or take an optional tour to visit Osa Peninsula, home to Corcovado National Park. A must for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, you’ll be able to explore the Pacific coast’s only remaining old growth wet forest and over a dozen major ecosystems, from mangrove swamps to lowland rainforest. After you’re back on board, enjoy lunch while sailing to Casa Orquideas. You’ll have time to join the optional floral sanctuary excursion followed by a swim. We’ll be sailing overnight to Cebaco Island, Panama.

Wake up to another beautiful day as we arrive in Caleta Caiman on Restingue Island, known for the transparency of its stunningly turquoise waters. You’ll be able to enjoy swimming or snorkelling on this paradise-like island followed by a BBQ lunch on the pristine white sands. Enjoy time afterward for another swim, simply relaxing among the gorgeous surroundings or taking a short walk to explore. We’ll head back on board early in the afternoon to continue our cruise to Playa Muerto, Darien, in Panama, overnighting at sea.

After enjoying your breakfast this morning, you can choose to relax and spend the day on the ship or join an optional excursion to Darien National Park, a UNESCO-protected site. This vast, 575,000-hectare wildlife park boasts an incredibly diverse array of natural habitats, from upland and lowland tropical forests to sandy beaches, and rocky coastline. It’s also home to many interesting archaeological findings. Here you’ll even get to meet one of the seven indigenous groups living in Panama, the Embera Indians (also known as the Kati or Choco), who will fill you in on their history, traditions and culture.

Our cruise continues as we sail to the gorgeous Pearl Islands. Made up of some 250 tiny islands, most of which are uninhabited, they’re renowned for their strikingly white sand beaches, whale watching, snorkelling and diving. You’ll have the chance to swim or snorkel in these brilliant aquamarine-hued waters and then relax on the soft white sands and enjoy a BBQ lunch. Back onboard we continue sailing towards Panama City, anchoring in Flamenco Marina in the late afternoon. You’ll have time to wander around on your own or join an optional excursion to Casco Viejo one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods.

Stick around the port or join us for an optional excursion to Gatun Lake to discover Fort San Lorenzo, originally constructed in the late 16^th-century by the Spanish to defend against pirates trolling the Caribbean coast and to protect the country’s trade routes. Visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Centre and marvel at the incredible structure built at treetop height too. Lunch will be served in the park, enjoyed with a picturesque view. After returning to Panama City, explore the Canal Museum to learn all about the Panama Canal’s construction. The Captain’s Farewell Dinner will be hosted on board this evening.

After a week of cruising the beautiful coastlines of Costa Rica and Panama, it’s time to disembark. You’ll have time for breakfast as well as farewells to your fellow passengers, many of whom are likely to be new friends. The exact time of disembarkation will be given to you by your cruise manager. Private transfer will pick you up then, bringing you from the port to your four-star accommodation. Take the rest of the day to relax and explore at your leisure. Casco Viejo is Panama City’s cobbled historic center, famous for colonial-era landmarks like the neoclassical Palacio Presidencial, bougainvillea-draped plazas, cafes and bars.

Today you’ll join our hand-selected tour that focuses on the engineering genius of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks, followed by a walking tour of the old center of the city. Your friendly local guide will be on hand to answer any questions while filling you in on the history of the sites. Casca Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become the hippest neighbourhood in Panama City, with majestic old colonial homes and crumbling pastel facades now some of the most stylish addresses in the capital. You’ll visit the lively markets, see the Bridge of the Americas and more before returning to your hotel.

While it’s always hard to say goodbye, after 11 nights, your unforgettable Costa Rica and Panama cruise/land tour comes to an end. On the upside, you’ll have many memories and photos to take with you. After checking out of your Panama City hotel, your private driver will bring you to the airport to catch your flight home.