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
- Transit of the Panama Canal
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 potpourri of National Parks. We talking about real-life tropical jungle brimming with amazing bird and animal life, lovely beaches, and off-the-beaten-track ports of call. Under the guidance of our onboard naturalist, we promise to get you up-close and personal, to the extent of even taking you for a walk along trails high in the rain forest canopy. The transit of the Panama Canal and Panama City itself offer an amazing contrast.
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 chose our inclusive package with a land stay in both Costa Rica Panama spending time in both to enjoy the contrast.
Panama City:
- 1 night B&B 4 star hotel stay in Panama City center
- The Panama Canal, historic Casco Viejo and Miraflores
- A modern city full of restaurants and nightlife
Costa Rica:
- 3 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, with a spirit of true exploration close to nature under the guidance of our resident naturalist on board, plus the transit of the Panama Canal itself and the modern attractions of Panama City. Our standard package includes 4 nights ashore, but we can tailor-make a longer package to your requirements
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
Colon 2000 Port – Panama Canal Crossing, Panama
Embarkation 12:00 in Colon 2000. The ship is positioned at the Canal entrance for the Canal transit starting at 17.00 pm. We cross the Gatun Locks and enter the Gatun Lake. Welcome dinner. Late evening we reach and cross the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks before reaching the Pacific side and Panama city in the early hours.
Flamenco Marina/Panama City, Panama
Early morning arrival at Flamenco Marina, Panama City. Morning Optional Panama City tour to discover the old Panama City, Casco Viejo, its architecture, cathedrals and historical buildings. Late afternoon sailing to Playa Muerto/Darien, Panama.
Playa Muerto/Darien, Panama
Morning optional excursion in the Darien National park. We reach Playa Muerto by tenders (wet landing) and reach an Emberra Village where we are welcomed by Emberra 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. We will be invited to share their lunch and dance with them. Later in the afternoon we return to the ship. Afternoon sailing to Coiba Island. Overnight at sea.
Granito de Oro – Coiba Islands, Panama
Midday arrival at Granito de Oro Island for an amazing swimming and snorkeling experience in this little paradise island. Deck BBQ and sailing to nearby Coiba island,a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest island in Central America. Afternoon walking tour with our Ship Naturalist who will take you for a short walk to discover the local forest and animal life. Free time for swimming and snorkeling on Coiba. In the afternoon, we leave Coiba and sail to Golfito. Overnight at sea.
Golfito, Costa Rica
We reach Golfito in the early morning for immigration procedures and our optional excursion in La Gamba Field Station and Piedra Blancas National Park. Late afternoon departure towards Drake Bay. Late evening arrival in Drake Bay and overnight at anchor.
Quepos – Playa Biesanz, Costa Rica
Optional excursion in Corcovado National Park/Osa Peninsula, a nature preserve and tropical rain-forest that occupies almost a third of the Osa Peninsula. Visitors are almost guaranteed to see some of the most incredible wildlife living in the jungles of the reserve including red-eyed tree frogs, quetzals, tapirs, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, monkeys, and scarlet macaws. Swimmers can have the amazing opportunity to share the warm waters with marlins, dolphins, and pilot whales. Afternoon sailing to Quepos, Costa Rica. Overnight at anchor.
Drake Bay, Costa Rica
Optional Morning Excursion to Manuel Antonio Nature Reserve, one of the highlights of the cruise. After lunch on board, you can take the optional Forest Canopy excursion. Afternoon sailing to nearby Playa Biesanz for an afternoon swim. (Forest Canopy tour excursion participants rejoin the ship in Playa Biesanz). Tropical evening on board. Late night sailing to Puerto Caldera. Overnight at sea.
Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
Disembarkation 8 to 9:30 am after breakfast
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
Whilst most cruises tend to be ‘round-trips’ this is more of a road trip by the sea! You get two very 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 at the charming Chayotte Lodge amidst the high rain forest. Our cruise & stay package offers both, one pre-cruise and one post-cruise, and it makes for the most wonderful 11 night holiday. But if you would like to stay longer and do more, we would be happy to create a tailor-made package for you.
Costa Rica & Panama 2022 - 2023
CRUISE ONLY PRICES (£) PER PERSONSATURDAY DEPARTURES FROM PUERTO CALDERA (COSTA RICA) OR Colon 2000 (PANAMA)
Vessel: M/S Panorama
| Departure Dates | Departure from | Category C | Category B | Category A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/12/2022 | Colon 2000 | £1,913 | £2,304 | £3,043 |
| 31/12/2022 | Puerto Caldera | £1,913 | £2,304 | £3,043 |
| 21/1/2023 | Colon 2000 | £1,913 | £2,304 | £3,043 |
| 28/1/2023 | Puerto Caldera | £1,913 | £2,304 | £3,043 |
| 15/3/2023 * Wednesday | Puerto Caldera | £1,913 | £2,304 | £3,043 |
Costa Rica & Panama - port charges, flights and supplements 2022 - 2023
| Category C | Category B | Category A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single use | £2,870 | £3,457 | £5,326 |
| 3rd Person | n/a | £1,613 | n/a |
| Port Charges | £609 | £609 | £609 |
Costa Rica & Panama 2022 - 2023 flight inclusive package
SATURDAY DEPARTURES FROM PUERTO CALDERA (COSTA RICA) OR Colon 2000(PANAMA)Vessel: M/S Panorama
"Package price - including cruise, 3 nights stay per person Chayote Lodge Costa R, 1 night Hotel Central Panma City
(Basic Room City View), Transfers, Flights from LGW, Port Charges"
Prices (£) per person from:
| Departure Dates | Departure from | Category C | Category B | Category A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/12/2022 | Colon 2000 | £3,432 | £3,737 | £4,476 |
| 31/12/2022 | Puerto Caldera | £3,432 | £3,737 | £4,476 |
| 21/1/2023 | Colon 2000 | £3,432 | £3,737 | £4,476 |
| 28/1/2023 | Puerto Caldera | £3,432 | £3,737 | £4,476 |
| 15/3/2023 | Puerto Caldera | £3,432 | £3,737 | £4,476 |
Costa Rica & Panama - port charges, flights and supplements 2022 - 2023 flight inclusive package
| Category C | Category B | Category A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single use | 5,016 | £5,603 | £7,472 |
| 3rd Person | N/A | £3,237 | N/A |
| Port Charges | included | included | included |
Book your flights with us to ensure full financial protection for your holiday.
 |
Your flight inclusive holiday with us is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed and the full package is ATOL protected. 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).
- 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/ Naturalist.
- 3 Nights at the Chayotte Lodge, Costa Rica & 1 night at the Panama Central hotel on B & B basis
- Return Flights & transfers.
- 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:
