The Treasures of Costa Rica & the Panama Canal cruise is full of adventures, excitement and lifetime memories
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.
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
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.
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)
Your Costa Rica cruising 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.
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. 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.
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
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.
