The Treasures of Costa Rica & the Panama Canal cruise is full of adventures, excitement and lifetime memories
Don’t miss…
- Rainforest high canopy walk
- Historical colonial Spanish forts
- The Pearl Islands
- Dug-out canoe ride through mangrove swamps
- Corcovado National Park
- Wonderful tropical flora and fauna
- Panama City
If the words ‘Panama’, ‘Costa Rica’ and ‘Pacific Coastal Cruising’ don’t make the heart of any cruise fan beat a little faster then we’re not sure what will. It’s a fairly unknown area for British visitors and still relatively undeveloped – and that means we can use the term ‘exotic’ with little fear of contradiction.
This itinerary, which cruises up and down the coast week and week about, is a wonderful pot pourri of National Parks, real-life tropical jungle brimming with amazing bird and animal life, lovely beaches, and off-the-beaten track ports of call. We promise to get you up-close and personal to the extent of even taking you for a walk along trails and ladders high in the rain forest canopy. All in all, it’s a very different sort of cruising experience – and, if you really want something to talk about down the golf club, the first and last departures of the season include a transit of the panama Canal itself!
Ports of call: Panama City - Gatun Lake - Granita de Oro Island - Coiba Island - Golfo Dulce - Puerto Jimenez - Playa Biesanz - Curu - Tortuga Island - Puntarenas Port (Costa Rica)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Flamenco Marina – Panama City
Embarkation – 15:00 to 16.30. Welcome reception and safety drill. Late afternoon optional walking tour in old Panama City, Casco Viejo. Overnight in port
Flamenco Marina – Panama City
Morning Optional excursion to the Gatun Lake and explore Fort San Lorenzo Spanish Historical Forts. Visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center in Gatun and enjoy lunch there. Return to Panama city and visit the Canal Museum and watch the movements of ships in the locks.
Panama City – Pearl Islands
Early morning sailing and arrival in PEARL ISLANDS. Morning swimming and snorkeling. Late evening sailing to Punta Patino. Overnight at anchor
Punta Patino – Darrien, Panama
Optional excursion to Punta Patino in the Darrien National park and to the Mogue Embera Reserve. We sail upstream the Mogue river in dugout canoes and reach the Village of Mogue after passing through a mangroves ecosystem. We are welcome by Embera Indians, one of the 7 indigenous groups living in Panama. They are proud and very friendly and known for their beautiful handicrafts and well preserved traditions. Afternoon sailing to Cebaco Island – Overnight at sea.
Caiman Caleta / Restingue Island – Cebaco Island
Morning arrival in Caleta Caiman/ Restingue Island for an amazing swimming and snorkeling experience in this little paradise island. Around noon we will to nearby Cebaco Island. Beach BBQ and time to swim and enjoy the beautiful beach. Early afternoon, sailing to Golfo Dulce – Overnight at sea
Golfito, Costa Rica
We reach Golfito in the early morning for immigration procedures before continuing our sailing to nearby CASA ORQUIDEAS where we anchor.
Casa Orquideas Private Reserve, Costa Rica
Optional excursion in Casa Orquideas, a beautiful flowers sanctuary. Visit of extensive and very well kept grounds. Time to swim at the end of the visit. We then sail across the Bay to Puerto Jimenez while having a BBQ on deck.
Puerto Jimenez – Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
We reach Puerto Jimenez early in the afternoon. Optional OSA PENINSULA excursion. The park is part of one of the biological corridors leading to the Corcovado National Park and offers the opportunity for a smooth walk in secondary forest and interaction with endemic animal life. Overnight at sea to Quepos.
Quepos, Costa Rica
Morning arrival in Quepos and transfer to the MANUEL ANTONIO RESERVE, for your morning Optional Excursion, one of the highlights of the cruise. After lunch you can take one of the optional Forest Canopy or Savegre River excursions. Afternoon sailing to nearby Playa Biesanz.
Playa Biesanz, Costa Rica
Playa Bisanz afternoon swim. (Savegre River or Forest Canopy tour excursion participants rejoin the ship in Playa Biesanz). Tropical Farewell evening with dinner and party. Late evening sailing to Puerto Caldera
Puerto Caldera Port
Arrival in Puerto Caldera Port 08:00- Disembarkation 09:00 to 10:00.
The Weather
The Pacific coast around Guanacaste, on the other hand is hot and dry, perfect for the many world-class beaches. Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 70 Fto 81 F. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter. It does however have a rainy season from May to November.
Your vessel: the state of the art M/Y Variety Voyager
The new build 68m/223ft state of the art Mega Yacht accommodates just 72 passengers in 36 cabins. Built in 2012 under the latest International “Safety of Life At Sea” (SOLAS 2010) regulations and classified by RINA, the Variety Voyager guarantees guests safety with incomparable comfort and elegance. The Variety Voyager seduces her passengers with her sleek lines and ample deck space, very much what one expects from a millionaire’s super yacht.
Inside, cabins and public areas are finished with warm fabrics, rich marbles, axminster carpeting and soft tones wood panelling.Everywhere, unobstructed views of the ocean and of the ports visited. And above all, the professional service of a crew of 32-33, always with a smile and a true desire to satisfy
Home at Sea
- Single seating dining Indoor &
- Outdoor Lounge – Bar
- Indoor & Outdoor Restaurant
- Special food requests
- Audiovisual in Lounge
- Mini library
- Fitness equipment
- Mini Spa Suite
- Beach Towels
- Snorkeling equipment
- Kayak
- SUP
- Board Games
- Swimming Platform
- Wi-Fi
Comfort Zone
- Windows: upper & main deck cabins
- Portholes: lower deck cabins
- Triple Occupancy cabins: Category B & P
- Flat-Screen TV
- Mini Safe
- Mini Fridge
- CD & DVD player
- Bathrobes
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Individually controlled A/C
- Hairdryers
- Telephone for internal use
- Central music
Category C:
Lower Deck
Twin Beds or Double Bed
The category C cabins are located on the lower deck offering oversized twin port holes, bathrooms with marble floors as well as Glass and Corian showers. The cabins are equiped with individual controlled A/C, TV with DVD player, mini fridge, safe deposit box, deluxe toiletries and bathrobes and they all have WIFI at a charge.
Category B:
Lower/Main Deck
Twin Beds or Double Bed
The category B cabins are located on the lower and main deck offering oversized twin port holes (lower deck) or small double windows (main deck), bathroom with marble floors as well as Glass and Corian showers. 7 of the 10 cabins offer flexible bedding configuration. The cabins are equiped with individual controlled A/C, TV with DVD player, mini fridge, safe deposit box, deluxe toiletries and bathrobes and they all have WIFI at a charge.
Category A:
Main Deck
Twin Beds or Double Bed
The category A cabins are located on the main deck offering double windows, bathroom with marble floors as well as Glass and Corian showers. 9 of the 11 cabins offer flexible bedding configuration. The cabins are equiped with individual controlled A/C, TV with DVD player, mini fridge, safe deposit box, deluxe toiletries and bathrobes and they all have WIFI at a charge.
Category P
Upper Deck
Twin Beds or Double Bed
The category P cabins are located on the upper Horizons Deck offering double windows, all finished with marble throughout the bathrooms and more luxurious fabrics and special amenities. All cabins offer flexible bedding configuration while 4 of the 7 include an extra sofa bed. The cabins are equiped with individual controlled A/C, TV with DVD player, mini fridge, safe deposit box, deluxe toiletries and bathrobes and they all have WIFI at a charge.
Owner’s Suite
Upper deck
Double bedded cabin
The Owner’s Suite is located on the upper Horizons Deck offering 2 x double windows, and is the largest cabin of the vessel. The Owner’s Suite offers flexible bedding configuration as well as an extra sofa bed. The cabin is finished with marble throughout the bathroom and luxurious fabrics & finishings and special amenities. The Suite is equiped with individual controlled A/C, TV with DVD player, mini fridge, safe deposit box, deluxe toiletries and bathrobes and has WIFI internet at a charge.
Dining Area
Lounge Area
Reception and Bar
Mini Spa Suite
Optional: Cruise & Stay
Extend your trip by staying 3 nights at the Chayote Lodge, a boutique hotel at 5400 feet, surrounded by coffee fields and spectacular views of the rainforest and nearby volcanoes.
It’s a fair old flight (or two) to this neck of the woods – but the cruising is so good it’s certainly worth it. Having come this far you may well want to extend your stay with a few nights either end of the cruise. If so ask us about our hotel arrangements, we’d be happy to book something for you.
Prices
Costa Rica & Panama
2019 Cruise Only Prices ($) Per PersonSaturday departures from Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica) or Flamenco Marina (Panama)
Vessel: M/Y Variety Voyager
upto 40% off
Or no single supplement for single travellers
| Departure dates | Category C | Special Offer | Category B | Special Offer | Category A | Special Offer | Departure Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/03/2019 | $2,590 | $1,554 | $2,990 | $1,794 | $3,890 | $2,334 | Puerto Caldera |
| 09/03/2019 | $2,590 | $1,554 | $2,990 | $1,794 | $3,890 | $2,334 | Flamenco Marina |
| 14/12/2019 | $2,590 | $2,072 | $2,990 | $2,392 | $3,890 | $3,112 | Puerto Caldera |
| 28/12/2019 | $2,590 | $2,072 | $2,990 | $2,392 | $3,890 | $3,112 | Puerto Caldera |
Costa Rica & Panama - Port Charges and Supplements 2019
| Category C | Category B | Category A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port charges (mandatory) | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| Transfers from | $156 | ||
| Single supplement | 50% | 50% | 75% |
| 3rd Person reduction | N/A | 30% | N/A |
Costa Rica & Panama
2020 Cruise Only Prices ($) Per PersonSaturday departues from Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica) or Flamenco Marina (Panama)
Vessel: M/S Panorama
| Departure Dates | Category C | Category B | Category A | Departure port | Early booking discount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/01/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Flamenco Marina | 20% | |
| 11/01/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Puerto Caldera* | 20% | |
| 18/01/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Colon 2000* | 20% | |
| 25/01/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Puerto Caldera* | 20% | |
| 01/02/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Flamenco Marina | 20% | |
| 22/02/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Puerto Caldera | 20% | |
| 29/02/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Flamenco Marina | 20% | |
| 07/03/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Puerto Caldera* | 20% | |
| 14/03/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Flamenco Marina | 20% | |
| 21/03/2020 | $2,590 | $2,990 | $3,890 | Puerto Caldera* | 20% | |
| * Includes Panama Canal Transit |
Costa Rica & Panama - Port Charges and Supplements 2020
| Category C | Category B | Category A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port charges (mandatory) | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| Transfers from | $156 | ||
| Single supplement | 50% | 50% | 75% |
| 3rd Person reduction | N/A | 30% | N/A |
- Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning, mini fridge and flat screen TV with complimentary movies.
- Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, locally themed party evening, fun BBQ on deck or on the beach (weather permitting) and Captain’s Dinner.
- Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day, plus abundant fresh fruit.
- Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment & sea kayaks (subject to availability).
- Professional English speaking Cruise Director.
- Flights & transfers (where booked as a flight inclusive package).
- Beverages except regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water.
- Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements.
- Crew gratuities (optional – recommend Eur10-14 per passenger per day).
- Passenger personal expenses
- Wi-Fi (available at charge)
- Flights & transfers (unless booked as a flight inclusive package).
Direct flights to San Jose in Costa Rica from London Gatwick or from Heathrow via Madrid. Total duration approximately 9 (direct) to 14 hours.
Flights to Panama City from London Heathrow via Madrid, Amsterdam and CDG Paris. Total duration from 15 hours.
From San Jose airport to Puerto Caldera approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by road.
From Panama City airport to Flamenco Marina approximately 30 minutes by car or minivan.
