Day 1
Upon arrival in Panama City, transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Mini-hiking and aerial tram ride: Soberania National Park and Gamboa Resort
Depart from Panama City early in the morning for Soberania National Park and world-famous Pipeline Road, the right place for bird-lovers and ecologists. It was site of the 1985 world record Panama Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (385 species of birds were identified in 24 hours). During World War II, a pipeline was built to transport fuel from one ocean to the other. Fortunately, it was never used. Today, the road built to maintain the pipeline provides excellent access to primary forest within Soberania National Park with the comfort and safety of vehicle support. After this short hike, we will head to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. There you will be taken into an aerial tram. The tram takes you from the shadowy rainforest floor through the understory and into the sun- drenched canopy. You will enjoy a bird’s-eye view of a thousand hues of green interspersed with the fluorescent exclamation points of flowering trees. The aerial tram is located in 100 hectares of rainforest licensed to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Here one finds an exuberant flora and fauna typical of Panama’s neo-tropical forests. The resort has built five exhibits that showcase local flora and fauna as well as a replica of an Embera Indian village. Afterward, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The tour includes transportation and entrance fee to Soberania National Park. Overnight at Gamboa Resort.
Day 3
Pick-up from Gamboa for a partial Canal Transit (operates only on Saturdays)
Your trip departs from the Flamenco Marina, and you will travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. You will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City’s splendorous skyline, and later you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas. At Miraflores Locks, the vessel will ascend 54 feet in two distinct steps. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel will be raised the last 27 feet to get into Gatun Lake. From there, you will sail through at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut is also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake and is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide. In addition, you will observe new construction along the Panama Canal, the Centennial Bridge, and the vessel will travel the Cut’s 13.7 kilometers on the way to the Panama Canal Dredging Division in Gamboa. At this point, passengers disembark and transfer back to Flamanco Pier. Note: Exact itinerary may vary, depending on where the transit starts.
Panamanian night tour
Enjoy an oasis of flavor and folklore characteristic of the countryside and taste delicious Panamanian-style dishes in comfortable and elegant surroundings at Las Tinajas Restaurant, located in the center of Panama City. It includes transfer to and from hotel, typical Panamanian dinner, cover charge, service charge and typical dance show. Available only: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Day 4
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to San José de Costa Rica. Upon arrival in San José, transfer to your hotel.
Day 5
La Paz Waterfalls, Poas Volcano and Coffee Plantation Tour: Visit a third-generation coffee plantation and learn how coffee is picked, milled, ground and roasted. We then continue to Poas Volcano, one of the four active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The crystal-blue sulfur pools will amaze you along with the steam rising from the various volcanic vents.
Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch (included) and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. Visitors to the trails will be able to view Templo Waterfall and Magia Blanca Waterfall. Inside the park we will also visit the hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house, the butterfly garden and the frog’s exhibit.
After the tour, continue to Arenal and check into your hotel
Day 6
Morning, Arenal Hanging Bridges. Located within the corridor followed by birds migrating between North and South America, the trails and bridges of this project will bring you as close as you could ever hope to get to the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rain forest. You will be able to walk right into the forest, thanks to the imposing hanging bridges and the beautiful trails that are safe and easy to walk on. In the afternoon, return to your hotel to rest. At around 4 p.m., we will pick you up from the hotel to observe the activities of the great Arenal Volcano: its constant emissions of gases, vapors of water and explosions. We will then go to Tabacon Hot Springs for a fabulous and healing bath. Dinner at Tabacon included.
Day 7
Transfer to San José to take the flight to Managua, Nicaragua. Upon arrival, transfer to Granada. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 8
Excursion of Granada Colonial City, known as the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in the Western Hemisphere. Granada was founded in the year of 1524 by Spanish captain Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. Although often overwhelmed by pirates, destroyed during civil wars and set on fire by the American filibuster William Walker in 1856, it is still one of the most beautiful cities in Nicaragua. You will travel by carriage to appreciate the beautiful architecture of the city. We will end our trip on a boat ride on the beautiful islands of Lake Nicaragua. Lunch included. Overnight in Granada.
Day 9
Early departure and transfer to San Jorge Port. Ferry and excursion of Ometepe Island, then take an unforgettable journey to one of the most beautiful places of Nicaragua: Ometepe Island, the biggest island on a fresh water lake. The excursion starts by heading toward the southern part of the country, getting to San Jorge’s port where we will take a ferry to Ometepe, where we will be able to enjoy a spectacular view. We will visit places like the Pre-Columbian Museum, the Green Puddles Lagoon, the great view of Volcano Conception and the green volcano Madera. Lunch will be taken in Santo Domingo beach. Back to the port to take the ferry and transfer to San Juan del Sur.
Day 10
Day at leisure to relax or visit by your own the small fisherman town of San Juan del Sur or relax on the beach. Afternoon, transfer to Managua and then to your hotel.
Day 11
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to back home, or choose from optional add-ons in other Central American countries.
Arenal Volcano
Granada Nicaragua
Panama Canal
