Costa Rica & Panama Combo

Day 1:   Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will transfer to the Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight. Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José's main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of the city.  Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the recently renovated 40-room hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. Guests delight in the tranquil ambience of tropical plants and flowers found throughout the hotel. Italian tile fountains grace intimate atriums, ensuring that one is never far from the soothing melody of falling water. Additionally a rooftop garden terrace offers relaxing Jacuzzis and a blissful, secluded spot for lounging, sunbathing and stargazing. Once a simple café, the restaurant at Grano de Oro has evolved into one or San Jose’s finest dining establishments, frequented by locals and visitors alike.

Day 2:  Pacuare River Overnight (Class III-IV rapids): You'll depart San José early in the morning, stopping for a delicious breakfast, at the Ríos Tropicales Operations Center, before arriving at the river. Once at the river friendly and professional guides will load your gear into dry bags, prepare the equipment and give you complete safety and paddle instruction. The first day's Class III rapids welcome you to the Pacuare gorge's charm as you raft deep in the heart of primary rainforest. While your guides prepare you a hearty picnic lunch on the riverbank, you'll be led through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim.  Before you know it, you'll arrive at the award-winning Ríos Tropicales Lodge where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in the waterfalls and pools. As an exciting new addition you can brave the Canopy Ziplines for unparalleled views of the stunning forest.  The lodge is nestled in the jungle on a 1,000-acre private reserve and offers basic but comfortable accommodations.  Private single and double rooms are spacious offering beds with clean linens and private bathrooms with showers. Electricity is generated by a self-sufficient hydro-plant. Happy Hour will put you in the mood for a tropical evening, followed by a luscious candlelight dinner with wine served by your guides.  Then fall asleep to the roar of the river.

Day 3:  Pacuare River Rafting (Continued): After a hearty breakfast and loading the rafts, you'll prepare to paddle down the Pacuare gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids. A snack stop by the riverside lets you explore more waterfalls and natural waterslides. An adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas and many more, will have you cheering ecstatically. Hot lunch will be served at the Ríos Tropicales Operations Center. Showers, changing rooms, cold and hot drinks and snacks are also available. On the return drive to San José, you'll enjoy remarkable views of Braulio Carrillo National Park and Irazú Volcano.  Late this afternoon, you will return to San Jose and transfer to Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight.

Day 4:   This morning you will be met and transferred approximately 1 ½ hours to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest near San Ramon. This high-elevation forest, literally in the clouds, is a misty dreamlike setting that is great for hiking and wildlife observation. Arrive at the Hotel Villa Blanca for overnight located on a 75-acre Private Biological Reserve.  The hotel offers distinctive and unique accommodations with amenities not commonly found in a Cloud Forest region including 35 Casitas with fireplaces, each with breathtaking views of pristine tropical cloud forest, upscale restaurant, lobby with fireplace, bar lounge, terrace deck, library / game room, private movie theater, Serenity Spa facilities and Regalame II Gift Shop and Art Gallery.  The remainder of the day is free to hike through the private cloud forest reserve bordering the hotel or to book a day tour.  Additional optional excursions include an on site canopy zip line tours, bird watching tours, cultural/historical countryside tour, horseback riding and nocturnal nature walk. 

Day 5:  Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour (full day): This morning we will depart from Villablanca for travel along the continental divide into the San Carlos plains.  Along the way your guide will explain dairy production and the characteristics of different crops located in San Carlos including ornamental plants, pineapple, cassava, papaya and plantains.  Upon arriving in the town of La Fortuna you will learn the growing importance of tourism to this area in recent years.  Next we will observe the volcano (weather permitting) and discuss its history, including the most important recent eruptions.  After a short walk and photo opportunity we will head to the private thermal hot springs where we will relax in the medicinal waters.  Prior to the drive back to Villablanca we will stop at a local restaurant for a delicious lunch and more spectacular views of the volcano.  Overnight Hotel Villablanca.

Day 6:  This morning you will be met and transferred 1 and ½ hours to the airport in San Jose for an international flight to Bocas del Toro, Panama.   Upon arrival you will be met and transferred by boat to Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge for overnight.  Punta Caracol was born out of the idea of creating an Acqua-Lodge in a totally virgin and natural environment.  The idea is to offer guests a pure and intimate experience with nature in a place of singular beauty where they can relax in comfort.  The whole lodge is built over the crystal clear Caribbean Sea, along a mile long coral reefed coast.  Nine cabins are built upon stilts which support a wooden frame over the water and covered by a palm leaf roof and connect to a long spiraling central walkway to face Almirante Bay. The cabins are all equipped with solar energy, a second level master bedroom, bathroom and a private terrace to observe the beautiful sunset and playful dolphins. The palm leaf roof restaurant offers a variety of the freshest fish caught the same day along with Caribbean and International dishes.   The rest of the afternoon is free to snorkel from your private terrace, take out a kayak or to plan a day tour. 

Day 7:  Dolphin Bay, Coral Keys & Red Frog Beach Tour:  The tour starts at the Bocas del Toro pier with a short boat ride to Laguna Bocatorito. In this bay, also called dolphin bay, the probability to spot dolphins is about 95%. You will spend some time watching them jump and play around your boat. You then continue to the Coral Keys to practice some snorkeling and to enjoy the colorful Bocas del Toro underwater world. At the Coral Keys there is a restaurant where you can have lunch if you want to (not included in the tour!). You will then continue to Red Frog Beach. It received its name thanks to the abundance of tiny red frogs that can be found at that beach. Enjoy the afternoon looking for the red frogs or relaxing at this clean white beach. In the late afternoon you will be taken back to Bocas del Toro.  Overnight Punta Caracol. 

Day 8: Free day to choose from a fascinating selection of day tours- visit the numerous islands of the spectacular Bocas del Toro archipelago, explore rainforest rivers, tour the island jungles and tropical forest, visit native Indian villages, observe a variety of majestic sea birds at flight as well as the fascinating creatures of our luxuriant rainforests like the cute sloth and the scarlet red frogs-native only to Bocas.   Dive or snorkel with the colorful fish in our coral reefs or spend some time fishing- wherever you go Bocas will reveal a surprising, relatively unknown marine world.  Overnight Punta Caracol.

Day 9:  Today you will transfer to the domestic airport in Bocas for a short and scenic flight to Panama City.  Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Canal House for overnight.  The Canal House is an intimate hotel situated in a restored turn-of-the-century mansion in the heart of Casco Antiguo, Panama City's historic district.  We cater to leisure and business travelers who desire the service and comfort of a boutique hotel, but prefer a more private, authentically Panamanian experience.   Originally built in 1893, Canal House was completely restored in 2005.  The house is over four thousand square feet, with three suites, a library and a large living-dining room.  We are located in Panama's oldest neighborhood, adjacent to the newly restored Interoceanic Canal Museum and steps from the City's best restaurants, cafes and cultural institutions. Canal House's professional, full-time staff provides guests with the highest degree of personalized service, 24-hours per day.  The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city. 

Day 10:  Panama City & Canal Tour (half day):  Your English speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a private tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks. You will start the tour with a 30 minutes drive to the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal where you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps. You will enjoy the view on the Locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations of your guide. To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal, the entire world trade, as well as on the current expansion project. After the visit to the Canal you continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views of the Canal on one side and of the Panama City skyline on the other side. The tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial quarter. At Casco Viejo you feel set back in time as you admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. You will get a good idea about Panama’s history by driving or walking through the main attractions of this quarter.  The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city.  Overnight Canal House. 

Includes: 

• One way San Jose international airport transfer. 
• 2 nights Hotel Grano de Oro, deluxe room. 
• Pacuare River Overnight Whitewater Rafting (class III-IV) – includes transfers, guide, equipment, all meals and 1 night at the Rios Tropicales Lodge. 
• Roundtrip private ground transfers San Jose / San Ramon. 
• 2 nights Hotel Villa Blanca, superior casita.  Breakfast daily included. 
• Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Tour.  Includes:  transfers, guide, entrance and lunch. 
• One way international flight San Jose, Costa Rica / Bocas del Toro, Panama.  *MAX 25 lbs luggage per person to avoid excess luggage fees. 
• 3 nights Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, punta caracol suite.  Includes:  roundtrip Bocas del Toro airport transfers, breakfast & dinner daily and use of snorkeling equipment and kayaks. 
• Dolphin Bay, Coral Keys and Red Frog Beach Tour.  Includes:  transfers, guide and entrance. 
• One way domestic flight Bocas del Toro / Panama City.  *MAX 25 lbs luggage per person to avoid excess luggage fees. 
• One way Panama City domestic airport transfer. 
• 2 nights The Canal House, pedro miguel suite.  Breakfast daily included. 
• Panama City & Canal Tour.  Includes:  transfers, guide and entrance. 
• One way Panama City international airport transfer. 
• ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED. 

Package only operates with a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday departure

Price valid through October 31, 2010