Land & Sea: Panama to Costa Rica

Panama, Costa Rica, Worldwide

24 nights private tour from GBP £33,700

Discover the natural beauty and warm hospitality of Panama and Costa Rica on this enthralling land and sea adventure. Dive deep into the famed biodiversity, exploring tropical rainforests, dreamy islands, pristine beaches and exotic marine, bird, and wildlife. Learn of Panama’s indigenous communities, colonial history, and sail through the iconic Panama Canal, while a host of adrenalin-fuelled activities including night safaris, white water rafting and canopy tours enrich the experience.

Journey highlights

Soak up the UNESCO-listed colonial splendour of Panama City, visit the indigenous Emberá Quera community and learn about the remarkable Panama Canal, before heading to the luxury private island resort of Islas Secas.
Jump aboard Le Bellot for a 10-night luxurious expedition cruise, sailing through the spectacular Panama Canal, on your way to Costa Rica. A wonderful way to experience the region’s National Parks, tropical islands, and wildlife.
Meet Costa Rica’s famous frogs, sloths, scarlet macaws, monkeys, and toucans, discovering the rich biodiversity of the country’s rainforests and relax in hot thermal springs, explore volcanic landscapes, and cloud forests, enjoying the coffee and warm hospitality along the way.
Indulge in this exceptional journey taking you from 7 nights in Panama to 10 nights at sea and 7 nights in Costa Rica, with all-inclusive deluxe accommodation, activities and excursions with experienced guides and transfers.

Why book a Journey by Land & Sea

Our cruise experts will combine the best of ‘On Land’ and ‘At Sea’ to create a bespoke itinerary just for you
On Land: Enjoy the best in Scott Dunn tailor-made travel, designed completely unique to you, before and/or after your cruise
At Sea: Our all-inclusive* small-ship cruise partners are handpicked for their exceptional service, space, and design
Our suggested itineraries are ideal for ‘cruise curious’ travellers who are traditionally land-based but are interested in giving luxury cruising a try
Check with your consultant for a full list of the inclusions onboard

Itinerary

Day 1-4

On Land: Panama City, Panama

On arrival at Tocumen Airport, Panama City, you will be met by your guide and driven to the legendary Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Hotel in the heart of the UNESCO-listed colonial district. An impressive hotel combining handsome heritage features with modern comforts, exceptional service, several destination dining options, and superb spa. For three nights enjoy everything this hotel has to offer and if time permits, once you’ve settled into the hotel you can take a wander around the historic neighbourhood, known as Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo.

Your first full day includes two fascinating excursions. You’ll be picked up in the morning by your guide for a visit to the Panama Canal’s Agua Clara Visitor Centre on the Atlantic side of the canal in Colón. Here you’ll learn about the building and development of the canal and the new locks, built to accommodate the huge super-tankers. You’ll then have a chance to learn more about the country’s indigenous communities with a trip by dugout canoe to the Emberá Village on the shores of Lake Gatun. Home to the Emberá Quera, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Panama’s traditional culture, customs, and lifestyle.

The following day your guide will pick you up for a trip to the UNESCO-listed Panama Viejo, to see the remains of the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Ocean. The site dates from 1519, and you’ll have the chance to explore the ruins and learn about the region’s connections to piracy, before a visit to the Casa Baru Rum Cellar, to discover the art of rum production and enjoy a tasting session. The day concludes with a guided tour of Casco Viejo (Casco Antiguo), resplendent with beautiful colonial architecture.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo ( 3 nights )

Day 4-8

On Land: Panama's Pacific Coast, Panama

This morning you leave Panama City for the luxury private island resort, Islas Secas. The Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is on Islas Cavada, the only inhabited island, and has a maximum of 32 guests. For the following four nights you’ll stay in Casita Mirador, a romantic retreat enjoying ocean views, with a private plunge pool, ensuite bedroom and expansive terrace with thatched cabanas, indulging in the ultimate luxury of this all-inclusive experience.

The islands are a biodiversity hotspot within a private and protected marine reserve, where conservation and sustainability are a priority. Home to 750 species of fish, 124 bird species, 128 plant species, one of the largest coral reef systems in the Eastern Pacific and within an hour’s boat ride from the UNESCO-listed Coiba National Park, the islands offer both thrilling wildlife sightings and bucket list adventures. Activities included are kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, yoga, birdwatching, fishing, e-foiling, beach picnics and wake-surfing. There is also a dreamy spa with one 60-minute treatment included per guest.

Accommodation: Islas Secas ( 4 nights )

Day 8-18

At Sea: Panama & Costa Rica

This morning you’ll leave this tropical paradise for a flight back to Panama City. From here you’ll be met and taken to Colón Pier to board Le Bellot, for the next leg of this epic adventure. For the following 10 nights you’ll enjoy luxury expedition cruising onboard Le Bellot as you make your way to Costa Rica.

One of Ponant Cruises’ Explorer Class ships with state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge safety features, the ship’s sleek design allows Le Bellot to sail in some of the world’s most remote and fascinating regions. Expect elegantly appointed and spacious cabins with private balcony, a choice of two upscale restaurants, and soothing spa. With a maximum of 184 guests and a crew of 118, the service levels are exceptional.

Days 9 - San Lorenzo’s Fort, Panama

Your first port of call is San Lorenzo’s Fort, a UNESCO-listed fortress built by the Spanish in the 17th and 18th centuries. Choose from a number of excursion to explore this region full of historic monuments.

Day 10: San Blas Islands, Panama

Explore the golden sands, turquoise waters and coral islets of the San Blas Islands and their remarkable marine life.

Day 11: Panama Canal

A real highlight of the cruise, as the ship will cross the iconic Panama Canal sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Day 12: Pearl Islands

Awake to a beautiful array of islands, where you can swim from the sandy white beaches and observe shoals of multi-coloured fish and glimmers of coral.

Day 13: Pacheca Islands

Embrace a guided Zodiac excursion to Isla Pachea in the Pearl Islands. Spot the numerous bird species that have taken up residence there, including the blue-footed booby, wandering the island’s beaches.

Day 14: Playa Muerto, Darien National Park

Today you head to the UNESCO-listed Darien National Park, home to spectacular plant and wildlife, including sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, and mangrove forests, with a visit to Playa Muerto, an Emberá Quera village.

Day 15: Cebaco Island

The final stop in Panama is Cebaco Island, where you can relax on the beach or explore one of the many hiking trails.

Days 16: Rio Esquinas, Costa Rica

This morning you will sail into Costa Rican waters and take a Zodiac to Rio Esquinas, a stunning and complex mangrove ecosystem, where your guides will explain the importance of these aquatic forests. Look out for squirrel monkeys, white ibis, ospreys, toucans, and great blue herons.

Day 17: Drake Bay, Costa Rica

The following day is spent discovering Drake Bay. Known for its biodiversity and lush rainforest, it is home to a range of exotic wildlife including the red-eyed tree frog, dolphins, white tip sharks, scarlet macaw, and sloths.

Day 18: Curú Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

Accommodation: Ponant Le Bellot ( 10 nights )

Day 18-20

On Land: Arenal, Costa Rica

Your final stop is the magnificent Curú Nature Reserve, where more wildlife watching awaits. On arrival at Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica’s largest seaport, you will be met by your driver for the 2-hour transfer to Amor Arenal, your base for the following two nights. In the foothills of the Arenal Volcano, this luxurious rainfall lodge offers rustic chic casitas, with plunge pools, wraparound decks, and volcano views, as well as superb farm-to-table dining. A perfect spot to sample Costa Rica’s famous Pura Vida (Pure Life), there are numerous hiking trails to explore, and thermal spring pools tucked into the rainforest at this 5-star resort.

Combining three wonderful experiences, the following day you will immerse yourself in the natural beauty and wildlife of the rainforest. First up is a leisurely ride on an inflatable rafting boat on the Peñas Blancas River, a great way to observe a wide variety of wildlife. Next is a chance to enjoy the rainforest canopy with a tour across the 16 hanging suspension bridges of Místico. Get a bird’s eye view of the birds and mammals and learn about the forest’s ecosystems and biodiversity, before enjoying a gourmet Mediterranean themed picnic lunch by the Burro River.

Accommodation: Amor Arenal ( 2 nights )

Day 20-22

On Land: Tortuguero, Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica

From Arenal you will travel to Tortuguero on the northeast Caribbean coast, by road and boat transfer, for two nights at the Tortuga Lodge bordering Tortuguero National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most popular eco-tourist destinations. With just 26 spacious and well-appointed rooms, this remote rainforest lodge offers a truly personal service, with home-cooked food and fabulous excursions and guiding.

During your stay, you can choose two experiences each day. These include a visit to the sea turtle conservation centre, kayaking, a natural history boat tour, night safari, hiking adventure and tip to Cerro Tortuguero, an inactive volcano, and Costa Rica’s highest peak on the Caribbean coast.

Accommodation: Tortuga Lodge ( 2 nights )

Day 22-24

On Land: Turrialba and Pacuare, Costa Rica

From Tortuguero you then travel to Pacuare in the Turrialba Valley, home to Costa Rica’s most pristine rainforest and the thundering rapids of the Pacuare River. Enjoy a spectacular arrival by white water raft to your base for the following two nights, the Pacuare Lodge. You’ll stay in a deluxe palm-thatched bungalow at this luxury riverside eco-lodge and can choose from a range of experiences during your stay. These include hiking to the indigenous Cabecar community, birdwatching, zip-line canopy tour, canyoning, and white-water rafting.

Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge ( 2 nights )

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.
Call us on 020 3993 5373 to start planning your holiday.

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