Itinerary Highlights
- Search for wildlife in some of Costa Rica and Panama’s most biodiverse areas
- Experience the Caribbean culture, pristine beaches and reefs of Puerto Viejo and Bocas del Toro
- Journey into the Panamanian cloud forest in search of the Resplendent Quetzal, one of Central America’s emblematic bird species
- Discover Costa Rica’s wild southern Pacific coast from the Osa Peninsula to Uvita, with at certain times of the year chances to spot whales on their migration
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
14 nights from £6,095 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
This suggested itinerary showcases some of the most biodiverse areas of both Costa Rica and Panama. Begin your journey in the Costa Rica capital of San Jose, before travelling north towards the Caño Negro Wetland area for great chances of seeing some of Costa Rica's highlight species, whilst in a remote and lesser visited area of the country. Explore walking trails and waterways whilst staying at a high-end tented property, for a unique experience within nature. Next, continue south to the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, and your base at Puerto Viejo where you explore the Cahuita National Park, for a chance to snorkel and experience jungle at the beach. Cross the border with Panama for three nights around Bocas del Toro, and staying on Isla Colon, for an opportunity for more excellent marine life sightings including dolphins and rays, before you then travel inland to the Cloud Forest zone of Boquete. This area of Panama provides another eco-system and variety of wildlife, with one particular highlight including possible sightings of the Resplendent Quetzal. Cross back into Costa Rica via an alternative border and then you are driven to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica as you spend three nights in one of the most biodiverse parts of Central America around the Osa Peninsula with excursions on land, and in the water on the Golfo Dulce. The final stop offers the best opportunity to see whales, as you travel further up the Pacific Coast towards Uvita, at the Marino Ballena National. In season there are good chances of seeing humpback whales, before you return to San Jose and your chosen onward flights.
Itinerary
Day 1 UK - San Jose
Depart the UK today for your chosen flight into San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. On arrival you are met by a local representative and driven to your hotel for the evening, where you are at leisure to relax after your flights.
Day 2 San Jose - Caño Negro
You are collected from your San Jose hotel this morning and driven north towards the border with Nicaragua. The drive takes around 4 hours and you eventually arrive at the remote and relatively lesser visited Caño Negro Wetlands region. Here you stay on a full board basis at a unique, tented lodge, surrounded by wildlife and nature.
Staying at
Accommodation in Caño Negro
Day 3 Caño Negro Wetlands
Today you have the chance to explore one of Central America's most important wetland areas, a wonderful habitat for nature. The experience is operated by the lodge, and is typically done from the water, and this isolated refuge has an incredible diversity of wildlife. There are said to be 350 species of birds found in the area and as you explore you are given information on how everything fits into the wetland ecosystem. In the shallows you might see caimans and turtles, whilst in the trees there are great chances of seeing monkeys and sloths. There is also a lizard in this area called the Jesus Christ lizard, known for its ability to walk on the water, whilst from the array of bird life some highlight species include the Anhinga or Snake - bird, Roseate Spoonbill, wood Storks, the Jabiru, the largest bird in Central America and very endangered.
Day 4 Caño Negro to the Southern Caribbean Coast
Today you travel almost the full length of the country, as you drive from the northern region of Caño Negro, all the way down to the Southern Caribbean Coast, and the laid-back town of Puerto Viejo. The driving time today is over 6 hours, but there are stops built into the journey, and you have the remainder of the afternoon free to relax at your hotel on arrival.
Day 5 Cahuita National Park
Today you head to experience the bets of the Cahuita National Park, where you can enjoy a combination snorkelling on one of the most important reef areas of Costa Rica and also spot wildlife in the protected rainforest area along the beach. Today's potential highlights include different species of coral, tropical fish, and possibly sea turtles among other aquatic wildlife, before on the land the chance to see various types of snakes, sloths, monkeys, anteaters, raccoons, butterflies and birds, as well as medicinal plants, orchids, trees and bromeliads.
Day 6 Puerto Viejo to Panama and Bocas del Toro
Today travel along the Caribbean Coast towards the border crossing into Panama at Sixoala. Here, you change into a Panamanian vehicle and continue on the road towards Almirante, before then switching to a speed boat that takes you to the small town of Bocas del Toro, on Isla Colon, and your base for the next nights on the Caribbean Coast.
Day 7 Bocas del Toro
Today, discover different shades and tones of the fascinating Bocas del Toro Archipelago with this excursion to beautiful beaches hidden within the lush vegetation of some of its islands. Pass through groups of mangroves and explore some varied marine life set in crystalline-water atolls surrounded by barrier reefs; a true submarine paradise, ideal for diving and snorkelling. Stop at Laguna de Bocatoritos where you can be fortunate enough to watch dolphins that dance around boats. Continue to Coral Cay for snorkelling amongst colourful fish. Later relax time at the attractive beach of Zapatilla Cays, two of the most beautiful islands of the archipelago, located within the boundaries of Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park.
Day 8 Bocas del Toro
Today is a second full day based in Bocas del Toro to take some time to relax or do some more exploring of this beautiful stretch of coastline.
Day 9 Bocas del Toro to Boquete
Today you are collected and first travel by boat back towards Chiriquí Grande on the mainland, before you are then collected and by road continue to Boquete a journey of approximately 3 hours. You arrive into your accommodation and base in Boquete in the Cloud Forest and have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 10 Boquete
Today you are collected and explore the surrounding area of Boquete, and walk the Quetzal Trail, one of Panama’s most iconic hikes. The route stretches approximately 9 kilometres one way through the lush cloud forests of Volcán Barú National Park, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience. Along the way pass misty ridges, cross crystalline streams, and habitats teeming with biodiversity, with opportunities along the way to spot the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, one of Central America's star bird species. The trek involves more than 1000m of elevation, as you are rewarded with panoramic views, pristine nature, and a sense of immersion in Panama’s highland wilderness.
Day 11 Boquete to Golfito
Today you are collected and driven to the border of Costa Rica but this time on the Pacific side of the country at Paso Canoas, a journey of around two hours. From here you transfer into a Costa Rica vehicle, and continue towards the Osa Peninsula and the town of Golfito for approximately an hour, where you then continue via boat to your remote Rainforest lodge.
Day 12 - 13 Osa Peninsula
The next two full days are based at your lodge located in the Golfo Dulce, backing onto the Piedras Blancas National Park. Various activities are included in your stay, with hiking on the reserve trails, as well as use of the kayaks and snorkelling equipment, whilst there are also guided excursions on the water through the mangroves and into protected area of Ocean, as well as on land through the forest in one of the most biodiverse parts of the country for excellent wildlife spotting opportunities.
Day 14 Golfito to Uvita
Today you are driven north up the jungle clad Pacific Coast of Costa Rica towards the small villages of Uvita and Dominical, and access to the Marino Ballena National Park. This Park is made famous by its migrating pods of humpback whales, dolphins and wilderness beaches. The national park teems with wildlife, and its dark sands are important nesting sites for turtles whilst coral reefs provide sanctuary to abundant marine life.
Day 15 Marino Ballena National Park
Today you are collected and taken to see the best of the Marino Ballena National Park. Your visits include the famous whale tail of Punta Uvita, Isla Ballena, the Tres Hermanas islets, and the Ventanas Beach sea caves. During the tour and in season, you have the opportunity to spot humpback and pilot whales, as well as the three different species of resident dolphins. While travelling by boat, you have lovely views back onto the Costa Ballena, as well as a great diversity of pelagic bird life that can be seen on the islets and the Ventanas beach caves. Humpback whales that arrive at the national park in the periods from July to October come from the southern hemisphere and in the season from December to April, they come from the northern hemisphere, as they regularly pass through the Pacific Ocean and Costa Ballena to migrate to and from the feeding and mating areas.
Day 16 Uvita to San Jose and return flights
Today you are collected and driven back further up the rugged and wildlife rich Pacific Coast before you head inland towards San Jose and your chosen international flights. The total journey time today is around four hours.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
14 nights from £6,095 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
Price includes all transfers, accommodation and domestic flights.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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