Summary
Enjoy this Costa Rica and Panama Itinerary (Dolphin Bay, Coral Cay, Starfish Beach) and visit 2 countries during the same trip. In Costa Rica you will visit the Arenal Volcano, the Rio Fortuna Waterfall, Tortuguero National Park and Puerto Viejo de Limón with the area’s beautiful beaches fringed with lush tropical vegetation. From Puerto Viejo de Limón you will be transferred to Bocas del Toro (Panama), a group of islands and cays featuring coral reefs, multicultural diversity, and natural beauty with exotic flora and fauna. In Panama, you will discover the Dolphin Bay, the Coral Cay and the Red Frog Beach, the Boca del Drago Beach and the Starfish Beach. A domestic flight will take you to Panama city, the country’s cultural and economic centre featuring a great variety of cultural and gastronomic offerings. You can join a group guided tour (also suitable for solo travellers) or enjoy a private guided tour. If you opt for a private guided tour, it can be customized according to your preferences.
Individual travel request form Enjoy a private tour Group travel request form Join a group tour
Gabriela
Local travel expert in Costa Rica
I will be delighted to create amazing experiences for you in Costa Rica and show you what my beautiful country has to offer. Let’s design together the itinerary of your dreams, let’s make this trip the most memorable of your life.
Itinerary
On arrival in San José, Costa Rica, you will be welcomed at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transferred to your hotel.
San José, the capital of Costa Rica is located in the middle of the central valley in the centre of the country and is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. The city features popular tourist attractions, such as historical buildings, museums, theatres, artisan markets, beautiful parks, shopping centres, and a varied gastronomic scene. It became a strategic place from which to make endless daily activities.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
In the morning, you will be transferred to the Arenal Volcano in the Northern Plains region. Majestic in its grand stature, the volcano is one of the country’s natural wonders. While the volcano is quiet these days and there are no lava eruptions, you can still see clouds of smoke or ash emanating from the top of the cinder cone. You can also enjoy the plentiful hot springs in the area. Along your journey to the town of La Fortuna, at the base of the volcano, you will see agricultural plantations, large ornamental plant nurseries, and cattle farms.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
The day will begin with a hiking trail in Arenal Volcano National Park. You will see how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. Afterward, you will visit the Río Fortuna Waterfall, located in a biological reserve of transitional humid tropical forest that is part of Arenal Volcano National Park. The path to the waterfall’s base winds down 530 steps, and there are several areas along the way, where you can make a stop and have a rest. At the bottom of the 70-metre high waterfall, you can take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Fortuna River. The sound of the water and the charm of the forest will make you enjoy a moment of peace and tranquillity.
After the tour, you will enjoy the lunch.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
Today you will travel to the Caribbean coast, stopping along the way in the town of Guapiles for a delicious typical meal. Afterwards, you will continue your journey past banana and pineapple plantations until you reach the pier where you will board your boat to Tortuguero. The boat ride along rivers and canals takes approximately an hour and a half to arrive at your lodge. You will be just in time for lunch!
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided tour in the picturesque village of Tortuguero located on the Northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in the Limón Province. The small village with a population estimated at around 1200-1500 inhabitants is sustained almost entirely by eco-tourism. Tortuguero can be translated as the “Land of Turtles”, as the beaches around it are key nesting sites for various species of sea turtle, including two critically endangered species such as the green more sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. The village is situated on a sand bar island, separated from the mainland by the Tortuguero River and bordering the Caribbean Sea and can be reached only by boat or airplane. Tortuguero is renowned for its navigable canals that run through the rainforest in Tortuguero National Park, nicknamed Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”.
In the evening, you will enjoy an exquisite dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation at the lodge of your choice in Tortuguero.
The day will begin with a walk along the lodge’s private trails with a naturalist guide, after which you will have some free time to enjoy the facilities before lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go on a boat tour through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, which is one of the country’s wilderness areas with the greatest biological biodiversity. The canals are surrounded by lush tropical forest filled with abundant wildlife, and the beaches are famous for being the habitat of various species of sea turtles. The optional night excursion (extra cost applies) to see turtle nesting (July to September) is also recommended. Tortuguero National Park also has an incredible biodiversity of insects, resident and migratory birds, and mammals, including jaguar and four species of monkey.
Dinner is included at the lodge.
Accommodation at the lodge of your choice in Tortuguero.
In the mid-morning, you will depart by boat back to the main dock and then travel by ground transportation to Guápiles, where you will have lunch.
Afterwards, you will be transferred to the southern Caribbean coastal town of Puerto Viejo de Limón also known as Puerto Viejo de Talamanca or just Puerto Viejo. It was formerly a small and peaceful fishing village and has increased its popularity especially among young people being listed as one of the most important destinations in the world for surfing. With a relaxing atmosphere and its combination of Latin, Afro-Caribbean and indigenous Bribri cultures, Puerto Viejo becomes a charming place to have an entertaining and relaxing holiday. This town has a variety of bars, discos and restaurants. Additionally, there are innumerable opportunities to make excellent purchases. With its golden sand beaches, tropical vegetation and interesting more attractions nearby such as Cahuita National Park, the Talamaca Indigenous Reserve and the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, visiting Puerto Viejo is a great opportunity to experience the best of the Caribbean Coast.
Accommodation at your hotel in Puerto Viejo de Limón.
In the morning, will visit the Jaguar Rescue Centre, a home for injured or sick animals. They are given 24-hour care and rehabilitated to return to live in the rainforest, hopefully.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy the area’s beautiful beaches, fringed with lush tropical vegetation and clear warm ocean with spectacular coral reefs. There are a variety of adventure activities, cultural tours, and gastronomic delights to enjoy, in addition to lively Caribbean music.
Accommodation at your hotel in Puerto Viejo de Limón.
On this day of Costa Rica and Panama Itinerary you will travel to the Panamanian archipelago of Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean Sea. You will reach the border town of Sixaola, where you will handle the border formalities to cross to Panama. Then you will be transferred to the town of Almirante, where you will board a boat to Bocas del Toro. This group of islands and cays features coral reefs, multicultural diversity, and natural beauty with exotic flora and fauna.
Accommodation at your hotel in Bocas del Toro.
You will travel by boat through the emerald water to the Dolphin Bay to greet the many dolphins that inhabit these waters. Then, you will continue to the Coral Cay, where the characteristic local architecture with thatched roofs and wooden piers connecting the different cabins, make a strong impression. You will visit the beautiful, white sand Red Frog Beach that is surrounded by extensive rainforest. During the tour, you will have a snack.
Accommodation at your hotel in Bocas del Toro.
Today your boat tour takes you to the picturesque, beautiful beach of Boca del Drago on the opposite side of Colon Island, approximately 14-17 km away. It is ideal for snorkelling when the sea conditions allow. Then, you will visit the Starfish Beach, a magical place where dozens of giant starfish are concentrated. You will have time to swim in the crystal clear water. During the tour, you will have a snack.
Accommodation at your hotel in Bocas del Toro.
Today you will be transferred to Colon Island Airport for a local flight to Panama city. Upon arrival at the Panama city airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. You have the rest of the day free to go shopping and explore the city on your own. The multicultural city is full of contrasts and is an eclectic and fun destination. It is the country's cultural and economic centre and features a great variety of cultural and gastronomic offerings.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Panama city.
The day will begin with a panoramic tour of the modern city of Panama. Then, you will visit the Canal Administration Building, followed by the Miraflores Locks with its Visitor Centre. Back in town, you will make a stop at the Amador Causeway and visit a craft centre. Finally, you will walk through the Old Town past Plaza Herrera, San José Church (Golden Altar), the Chato Arch, Bolivar Square, the Cathedral, and the Post Office building.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Panama city.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to the Tocumen International Airport. Please note that you should be at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs.
Prices
Travel dates
Prices for private tours
Upon request
Price per person in €
1 Pers.
2 Pers.
3 Pers.
B hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024)
4102€
2563€
2368€
B hotels (Dec. 1 - 15, 2023)
4208€
2616€
2400€
B hotels (Dec. 16 - 30, 2023)
4330€
2678€
2441€
B hotels (Jan. 8 - 15, 2024)
4373€
2697€
2458€
B hotels (Jan. 16 - Apr. 15, 2024)
4308€
2665€
2436€
B hotels (Apr. 16 - 30, 2024)
4218€
2622€
2406€
B hotels (July 1 - Aug. 31, 2024)
4255€
2632€
2414€
B hotels (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2024)
4202€
2622€
2414€
B hotels (Nov. 7 - 30, 2024)
4228€
2636€
2423€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 1 Pers. | 2 Pers. | 3 Pers. | ||
|
Prices for private tours Upon request |
B hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024) | 4102€ | 2563€ | 2368€ |
| B hotels (Dec. 1 - 15, 2023) | 4208€ | 2616€ | 2400€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 16 - 30, 2023) | 4330€ | 2678€ | 2441€ | |
| B hotels (Jan. 8 - 15, 2024) | 4373€ | 2697€ | 2458€ | |
| B hotels (Jan. 16 - Apr. 15, 2024) | 4308€ | 2665€ | 2436€ | |
| B hotels (Apr. 16 - 30, 2024) | 4218€ | 2622€ | 2406€ | |
| B hotels (July 1 - Aug. 31, 2024) | 4255€ | 2632€ | 2414€ | |
| B hotels (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2024) | 4202€ | 2622€ | 2414€ | |
| B hotels (Nov. 7 - 30, 2024) | 4228€ | 2636€ | 2423€ | |
What's Included
- 12 nights accommodation in a single (SGL), double (DBL) / twin (TWN) or triple (TPL) room at B category (Superior) hotels;
- Breakfast at the hotels of your choice;
- Lunch on day 3, 4, 5, 6 of the itinerary;
- Dinner on day 4, 5 of the itinerary;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike to the Rio Fortuna Waterfall;
- Regular guided excursion: Walk to the town of Tortuguero;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike the private trails of the lodge in Tortuguero;
- Regular guided excursion: Explore Tortuguero Canals by boat;
- Entrance to Tortuguero National Park;
- Entrance to the Jaguar Rescue Centre;
- Regular guided excursion: Dolphin Bay, Coral Cay and Red Frog Beach;
- Regular guided excursion: Boca del Drago Beach and Starfish Beach;
- Regular excursion: Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks;
- Regular excursion: Tour of Old Town;
- Ground and boat transportation during the entire itinerary;
- Domestic flight from Colon Island to Panama city;
- Infants from 0 to 2 years do not pay;
- Children’s rate applies for ages 3 to 11 years. Maximum 2 children sharing a room with their parents.