Costa Rica and Panama holiday: cloud forests, beaches and wildlife

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night San Jose 
• 2 nights Tortuguero 
• 2 nights Arenal 
• 2 nights Monteverde
• 3 nights Panama City 
• 3 nights Isla Colon 

Day 1: UK to Costa Rica 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. You’ll arrive in San Jose and be driven straight to your hotel, checking in for one night before you start your Costa Rica adventure tomorrow. 

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 2: Travel to Tortuguero National Park 

Today you'll be driven up towards Tortuguero NP. Once you reach Guápiles, you will get onto a coach for the journey to La Pavona Harbour. Tortuguero doesn’t have any roads, so the only way to get there is by speedboat. You’ll sail through the scenic labyrinth of small canals before arriving at Pachira Lodge, located just north of the Tortuguero village. On your first afternoon, you’ll visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, the beach and the charming Caribbean village of Tortuguero. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, coach + boat transfer, afternoon guided tour of the village (museum fee not included), dinner, Pachira Lodge

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero means the ‘Land of Turtles’. This area attracts four species of turtle (green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead) and whole host of other species from howler monkeys to toucans and sloths. In the morning you’ll head out on a guided walk along some of the lodge’s trails, learning about the forest and the vast range of species that make their home here, before enjoying a delicious lunch back at the lodge. In the afternoon, you’ll hop back on the boat for a relaxing boat tour of the canals, looking for more wildlife and listening out for different birds as they call to each other across the water. 

During July and August, thousands of green turtles head to the beaches of Tortuguero to lay their eggs. All the lodges in Tortuguero offer turtle-nesting tours that allows you to go onto the beach and see the process. Due to the sensitive nature and the critically endangered status of this species, the tours are highly regulated and can only be booked locally between July and October. This is an experience not to be missed if you are visiting Tortuguero. 

Included: All meals, morning guided trail walk, afternoon guided canal tour, Pachira Lodge 

Day 4: Travel to Arenal

Enjoy your final delicious breakfast at Pachira Lodge before heading back by boat through the canals to La Pavona Harbor, hopping onto the coach back to Guápiles. From here, you’ll be met and driven onwards towards Arenal, where you’ll check into your hotel for two nights. This beautiful region is lush with wildlife, forests and lakes, all centred around the majestic Arenal volcano. Settle into your hotel and enjoy the spectacular view of the volcano from the pool. 

Included: Breakfast, coach + boat transfer, transfers, 4* lodge

Day 5: Arenal

We have included a morning tour today, perfect for nature lovers. You will be collected from the hotel to  join a group tour heading out to Sky Adventure, located in the Arenal Rainforest. Here you will combine a hike through the lush rainforest with walks along the suspended bridges. Built to help biologists learn more about the rainforest these bridges get you up close to the ecosystem that exists in the canopy. Away from the dark rainforest floor here you can witness an abundance of leaves, fruit and seeds that attract various local wildlife.

Arenal Volcano is currently in a resting phase but continues to be Costa Rica’s most active volcano, at 5437 feet this imposing natural phenomenon sits in the midst of pastured green hillsides. In the afternoon, you’ll be able to take in the spectacular views on a gentle 2-hour hike, taking you along the lower slopes of the volcano.

Included: Breakfast, touring, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 6: Travel to Monteverde      

This morning, you’ll be driven onwards towards Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of the most diverse and stunning natural areas of Costa Rica. It’s not too far from Arenal, so once you arrive, you’ll have the rest of your day to relax or we can book you an extra tour this afternoon if you’d like to get stuck right in! 

Included: Breakfast, lake crossing, transfers, 4* hotel     

Day 7: Monteverde

Today you’ll spend the day exploring Monteverde Reserve discovering the trails through the forest with a guide. You’ll be able to walk to the panoramic viewpoint La Ventana, where you can witness the natural contrast made by the Continental Division that traces the main mountain ranges of Costa Rica. Here you’ll feel the fore of the trade winds that blow in from the Atlantic and witness how they descend towards the Central Pacific and coastal plains of northern Costa Rica. Look out for the majestic Quetzal, a colourful bird that makes it’s home here, as well as shimmering hummingbirds whizzing through the air, monkeys howling in the trees and butterflies sunning themselves on orchids. Your guide will teach you all about these incredible species and the unique cloud forest that forms their home. 

Included: Breakfast, Monteverde Reserve tour, 4* hotel  

Day 8: Fly to Panama 

On arrival in Panama, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for three nights. Why not head out to a rooftop bar to enjoy the skyline of shimmering skyscrapers at night? 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Miraflores Locks & Casco Viejo 

Today, you'll head out to discover the iconic Panama Canal, a feat of engineering that is one of the greatest human achievements of its time. You'll start at the Miraflores Locks Visitor Centre, where you can observe the ships up close as they move along the canal, learning about the operation, as well as watching a film about the history of the Panama Canal. 

Next, you'll enjoy a panoramic tour of the Amador Causeway, which offers one of the most spectacular views of the city. On the way back to your hotel, you'll visit Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City. Enjoy a walking tour through the cobbled streets, admiring the colonial and neoclassical architecture with your guide before enjoying a delicious lunch. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Embera Puru Biakiru in Chagres National Park

After breakfast, you'll head out of the city to Chagres National Park, around an hour away. Here, you'll board the dugout canoes of the Embera tribe, travelling from Lake Alajuela to their community. The water sources in this region are incredibly important for Panama City and the operation of the Panama Canal. As you travel up the river, you'll admire the surrounding jungle, looking for monkeys and butterflies as you go. 

On arrival, you'll be welcomed by the chief of the community and you'll learn about the tribe's history, cultural wealth and traditions. Watch the men building the famous dugout canoes alongside the riverbanks where the stilt-house communities are found, whilst the women create beautiful baskets and masks from plant fibres. You'll enjoy a delicious lunch whilst watching a a show with traditional music and dances about local folklore, before heading back to the city for the late afternoon. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Fly to Bocas del Toro 

After breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for the short flight to Bocas del Toro, on the north Caribbean coast. On arrival, you'll be taken to Isla Coron, a nearby island, where you'll check into your hotel for four nights. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel 

Day 12: Zapatilla Bay, Coral Cay and Dolphins Bay 

Explore the beautiful Bocas del Toro Archipelago on a full day tour today, taking you to find hidden beaches, lush mangroves and colourful marine life. Stop in at Laguna de Bocatoritos, where you'll be surrounded by dolphins that dance around the boats. Next, you'll head to Coral Cay to enjoy some snorkelling in the turquoise waters. After lunch, you'll spend some time relaxing on the white-sand beach of Zapatilla Cays, in the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. Swim off the beach with angelfish, parrotfish and shimmering butterflyfish before heading back to the hotel in the late afternoon. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 13: Snail Point, Starfish Beach and Bird Island

After breakfast, you'll enjoy another day exploring the nearby islands. Starting at Boca del Drago, where you'll stroll down pristine beaches before heading to Bird Island. This is a haven for bird enthusiasts, including the red-billed tropic bird and magnificent frigatebirds. Tuck into lunch on the beach before finishing the day at Playa Estrellas (Starfish Beach), where you can snorkel in the clear water and admire the countless starfish that are dotted along the white sands. Unwind on the pristine beach as the sun sets and you'll witness the magic of bioluminescent plankton that twinkle and wink in the early evening hours. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 14: Depart Panama 

After breakfast, you'll be taken back to the airport for the flight back to Panama City, ready to connect to your onwards flight. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, international flights

Day 15: Arrive UK