Highlights of Costa Rica & Panama 

Day Three: Panama Canal Partial Transit - The Culebra Cut

Today our tour starts at the Playita de  Marina. We board our coach for a 45 minute ride to the town of Gamboa, where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, we board the boat to start the water portion of the tour. We enter the canal at the north end of the Gailard cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. The vessel will travel the Cut's 13.7 kilometres on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the canal. 

Day Four: Panama City - San Jose, Costa Rica

After breakfast, we will transfer to Tocumen International Airport to board our flight for San José, Costa Rica. Upon arrival in the vibrant capital, we will transfer and check-in to our hotel.

We can relax for the rest of the afternoon before our welcome drink and dinner.

• Breakfast & Dinner Included

Day Five: Volcanoes & Waterfalls

Making our way out of the city, we head towards the active Poas Volcano. The volcano rises 2,708 metres above sea level and we will witness large amounts of gas and water vapour that emit from the different fumaroles located in the inner cone of the crater. At the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, we explore some of the trails and take in the famous waterfalls. The private reserve also contains a Butterfly Garden and Hummingbird Garden with many beautiful species. The park is even a refuge for birds and wild cats who are now cared for by the centre. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended (preferably with a thick tread for hiking the trails and stairs), along with shorts or comfortable trousers, and a lightweight jacket or raincoat. Please note: The park ranges in altitude from 5,200 feet to 4,200 feet so it can get chilly when the clouds roll in.

• Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day Six: Tortuguero

After an early morning start, we will head to the docks and transfer by boat to Tortuguero. After lunch we will explore the hotel trail where we will have a guided tour and learn about the flora species as well animals that are in the region and we might be lucky enough to see, as well as this, we will admire the beautiful landscape. We will return the lodge for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day Seven: Explore Tortuguero Village & National Park's wildlife & freshwater lagoons

This morning we will head to the picturesque Tortuguero Village, located in the heart of the protected area of Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero Village is a small town of only about 1,200 people, has only one main walkway that is paved but with no cars, the only traffic you will see is many bicycles and the occasional coconut carts.

Day Eight: On to Arenal

After breakfast, we take the boat back to the port before transferring to Arenal.

• Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day Nine: Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges & Volcano National Park

This is a perfect opportunity to explore a tropical rainforest. Our walk includes 15 bridges, 6 of which are hanging bridges, offering stunning views of the forest. The unique structure of the trees allows us to observe many species up close. The park has more than 700 species of flora and 350 species of fauna. Keep an eye out for the bell bird and the emerald toucanet, and stay alert for the elusive jaguar and tapirs.

Day Ten: Learn about traditional farming in Monteverde

We transfer to Monteverde today with an El Trapiche Tour in the afternoon. This is a Costa Rican family project that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about traditional farming in the country, such as sugar cane, coffee, bananas, oranges, 'arracacha' (a local vegetable) and macadamia. We will have the opportunity to learn how to grow cacao to make chocolate. We can make our own 'sobado, a fudge-like candy and to try the 'picadillo de arracache' (a traditional dish) with a delicious cup of coffee.

• Breakfast & Dinner Included

Day Eleven: Hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today, we embark on a hike through the renowned Cloud Forest, one of the most celebrated conservation areas in Central America. Despite being a tropical rainforest, its altitude of 1,400 meters earns it the name 'Cloud Forest'. With an astonishing annual rainfall of four meters, this lush ecosystem is home to a diverse array of rare and exotic wildlife.

• Breakfast Included

Day Twelve: San Jose - London

We bid a final farewell to our nature wonderland as we head back from Monteverde to San Jose (3 hrs drive) for our overnight flight home.

• Breakfast Included

Day Thirteen: Arrive back into the UK

We arrive back into the UK after an overnight flight from San Jose.