9 And 11 Night Package Holidays, Or 7 Night Cruises, To Explore The Pacific Coast Of Costa Rica And Panama
What you’ll see on the cruise…
- 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
Close Up And Personal Tropical 7 Night Cruises
This itinerary, which cruises up the Costa Rica coast one week and down the Costa Rica coast the next, is a wonderful pot pourri of National Parks. We talking 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.
The Very Best In Pacific Coastal Cruising
If the words ‘Pacific Coastal Cruising’ don’t make the heart of any cruise fan beat a little faster then we’re not sure what will. Cruising in Costa Rica and Panama is a fairly unknown area for British visitors and still relatively undeveloped. That means we can use the term ‘exotic’ with little fear of contradiction.
What you get on land…
This itinerary sails on alternate weeks from Panama City to Puntarenas Port in Costs Rica then Puntarenas Port back to Panama City so you can opt to add a land stay for a couple of nights in either, or extend you holiday each end and spend time in both to enjoy the contrast.
If you choose to stay in Panama City:
- 2 nights B&B 4 star hotel stay in Panama City centre
- The Panama Canal, historic Casco Viejo and Miraflores
- A modern city full of restaurants and nightlife
If you choose to stay in Costa Rica:
- 2 nights B&B 4 star hotel stay in the rain forest
- Walk the rain forest trails at over 1,600m altitude
- Stunning flora and fauna
A Different Cruise Experience
All in all, it’s a very interesting sort of cruising. 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)
The Weather
Costa Rica and this part of the Pacific coast in general have an average temprature of 20C to 28C. Due to the proximity to the equator, there is no real summer or winter. It does however have a rainy season from May to November.
Day-by-Day Costa Rica Cruising
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. Dinner and overnight in port
Flamenco Marina – Panama City
Morning Optional excursion to the Gatun Lake and the old Spanish fort San Lorenzo, followed by the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center in Gatun for lunch. Return to Panama city to visit the Canal Museum and watch the movements of ships in the locks. Dinner on board an night in port so a last chance to explore the bars and music scene.
Panama City – Pearl Islands – Punta Patino
Early morning sailing and arrival at the Pearl Islands, an archipelago of over 200 small islands, many uninhabited. It’s a really chilled day with the morning spent swimming and snorkelling. Later we sail to the nature reserve of Punta Patino with an overnight spent 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, passing through a fascinating ecosystem, and reach the village of Mogue where we are welcomed by Embera Indians – one of the 7 indigenous groups living in Panama. Proud but very friendly and known for their beautiful handicrafts and well-preserved traditions. Afternoon sailing and 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 visited paradise island. Around noon we will sail to nearby Cebaco Island for a beach BBQ and time to swim and enjoy the beautiful sands. Early afternoon, sailing to Golfo Dulce, with overnight at sea.
Golfito – Casa Orquideas – Puerto Jimenez Costa Rica
We reach Golfito in the early morning for immigration procedures into Costa Rica before continuing to nearby Casa Orquideas where we anchor. There is an optional excursion to a beautiful and well kept flower sanctuary. After a swim we sail across the bay to Puerto Jimenez while having a BBQ on deck. Reaching Puerto Jimenez early in the afternoon there is an optional excursion to the Osa Peninsula Park. It’s one of the biological corridors leading to the Corcovado national Park and gives the opportunity for a walk-in secondary forest to enjoy the native animal life. Back on board we sail overnight to Quepos.
Quepos, Costa Rica
Morning arrival in Quepos and transfer to the Manuel Antonio Reserve for this mornings’ optional excursion, one of the highlights of the cruise. After lunch you can take either the optional High Forest Canopy or Savegre River excursion. Afternoon sailing to nearby Playa Biesanz for an afternoon swim. (Savegre River of High 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.
Your Vessel - M/S Panorama
Discover a 3 masted Motorsailer which can accommodate up to 49 passengers in 24 cabins. The “Panorama” was launched in 1993 and has been rebuilt in 2001, followed by a latest renovation in 2014, when the Upper Deck cabins and Lounge, as well as the Main Deck cabin en suite bathrooms and Lounge have been refitted.
This state of the art Motorsailer has performed several Atlantic Ocean crossings and has sailed from the Seychelles to Monte Carlo and from the Black Sea to Tunis and offers the highest standard of accommodation and comfort safety.
Home at Sea
- Single seating dining Indoor & Outdoor Lounge – Bar
- Indoor Restaurant
- Audiovisual in Lounge
- Mini library
- Beach Towels
- Snorkeling equipment
- Kayak
- Board Games
- Swimming Platform
- Wi-Fi
Comfort Zone
- Windows: Upper & Main deck cabins
- Portholes: lower deck cabins
- Triple Occupancy cabins: Category B
- Flat-Screen TV
- Mini Safe
- Mini Fridge
- Individually controlled A/C
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Hairdryers
- Telephone for internal use
- Central music
Category C:
Lower Deck
1 Double Bed or 2 Twin Beds
The Category C cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, and public address system and safe boxes. The fully equiped bathrooms are finished with marble.
Category B:
Lower Deck
2 Lower Beds
The Category B cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, and public address system and safe boxes. The fully equiped bathrooms are finished with marble or corian.
Category A:
Upper Deck or Main Deck
2 Lower Beds or 1 Double Bed Cabin
The Category A cabins are located on the Upper Deck or on the Main Deck and have large windows enabling a breathtaking view or the areas you are cruising in. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, and public address system and safe boxes. The fully equiped bathrooms are finished with marble or corian.
Lounge Area
Sundeck
Upper Deck Outdoor Bar & Lounge area
Dining Room
Optional: Cruise & Stay
This itinerary, which cruises up the Costa Rica coast one week and down the Costa Rica coast the next, is a wonderful pot pourri of National Parks. We’re talking 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.
Whilst most cruises tend to be ‘round-trips’ this is more of a road trip by sea! You get two different countries, seeing a variety of cultures, architecture and history. At the same time, you’ll get great natural beauty and some stunning beaches. It’s a trip with a sense of purpose, with the added value of not just one, but two wonderful and extremely contrasting places in which to choose to spend a few extra days – one a bustling modern city, the other amidst the high rain forest. Opt to stay in both, one pre-cruise and one post-cruise, and it makes for the most wonderful 11 night holiday.
Costa Rica & Panama 2021
2021 CRUISE ONLY PRICES (£) PER PERSONSATURDAY DEPARTURES FROM PUERTO CALDERA (COSTA RICA) OR FLAMENCO MARINA (PANAMA)
Vessel: M/S Panorama
20% Early Booking Discount Applies to Bookings Made by 31st May 2020
| Departure Dates | Category C | Special Offer | Category B | Special Offer | Category A | Special Offer | Departure port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/12/2020 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Colon 2000* |
| 26/12/2020 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Puerto Caldera |
| 02/01/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Colon 2000 |
| 09/01/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Puerto Caldera |
| 16/01/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Colon 2000 |
| 23/01/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Puerto Caldera |
| 30/01/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Flamenco Marina |
| 06/02/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Puerto Caldera* |
| 06/03/2021 | £1,636 | £1,309 | £1,909 | £1,527 | £2,636 | £2,109 | Puerto Caldera* |
| * Includes Panama Canal Transit |
Costa Rica & Panama - port charges, flights and supplements 2021
| Category C | Category B | Category A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port charges (mandatory) | £291 | £291 | £291 |
| Port charges with Canal transit | £636 | £636 | £636 |
| Flights inc luggage from | £790 | ||
| Transfers from | £130 | ||
| Single use | £2,455 | £2,864 | £4,614 |
| 3rd person reduction | N/A | £1,336 | N/A |
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Your holiday with us is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed and your holiday is ATOL protected. We are also members of ABTA giving additional protection. We have been trading since 1995 so with over 25 years under our belts, you can book with total confidence. |  |
- 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.
For the latest travel information and health advice on your selected destination, please visit the following website:
