COSTA RICA & PANAMA - 12 Days

Itinerary

Day 1
ARRIVAL- SAN JOSE

Arrive by air at San Jose International airport. Upon arrival, a representative from our ground operator will meet you at the gate and will provide you with a welcome kit in Costa Rica. The transfer will be provided to the hotel for your first night in Costa Rica. Evening free to relax at the beautiful and calm hotel and enjoy San Jose’s active nightlife.

Day 2
SAN JOSE- TORTUGUERO

Early morning departure for Tortuguero. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Braulio Carillo National Park and then a boat trip through the canals of Tortuguero. Breakfast is served on the way. Upon arrival to the lodge, enjoy a welcome cocktail and a hearty lunch. Afternoon visit to the Tortuguero village. This tour will provide detailed information on its history, culture, and work in favor of the conservation of the sea turtles and the flora and fauna in general. In the evening, after a delicious meal, you will relax along the edge of the canal with a cocktail and enjoy the night sounds of the jungle.

Day 3
TORTUGUERO

After breakfast, guests will enjoy a guided boat tour along the canals of the park. Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park included. Visit the canals within the National Tortuguero national park to discover a large variety of birds and receive detailed information on the flora and fauna of the area. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afterward, take a hiking trip around the hotel property. It is amazing how so nearby your room you can find different kinds of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, poison

Day 4
TORTUGUERO- ARENAL

Enjoy a scenic boat ride back to the pier and by bus to Guápiles where lunch will be served. Then shuttle transfers to the Arenal area. Arenal’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a sightseer’s dream, while its abundance of outdoor activities makes it an easy place to check things off your “must-do in Costa Rica” list. So visit one of the nicest volcanoes in Costa Rica, cloud forests, a lake world-famous for windsurfing, and an incredibly diverse population of wildlife is just part of what you will find in this amazing area of Costa Rica. Afternoon arrival to the Volcano Lodge & Gardens, your home base for this night.

Day 5
SHARED ARENAL VOLCANO HIKE- SAN JOSE

Enjoy the most extraordinary view of the Arenal Volcano on a gentle Hike along the base of this marvelous volcano. The hike begins in one of the trails close to the volcano, this trail will take us through the forest over recent lava flows, and the area destroyed in 1968 now in the process of regeneration. We are going to be on this trail for about 2 ½ hours. In the afternoon shuttle transfer back to San Jose.

Day 6
SAN JOSE- BOCAS DEL TORO

Morning pick up and transfer to the local airport. Take a local flight to Colon Island in Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the Caribbean surroundings. Overnight at Bocas del Toro Hotel,

Day 7
SHARED TOUR TO DOLPHIN BAY- CRAWL CAY AND RED FROG BEACH

Your eco-adventure begins at Dolphin Bay to observe dolphins playing in their natural habitat. The mainland coast and the mountain regions of Panama serve as an exquisite background for photo opportunities. You will venture to Crawl Cay for snorkeling and time for lunch (not included) at an “over-the-water” restaurant providing beautiful views of the archipelago islands of Bocas del Toro. The afternoon will be spent at Red Frog Beach one of the premier beaches of the region. Spend a few hours at this oceanfront beach with waves, sand, and sun. In the late afternoon, your adventure returns to Bocas town.

Day 8
BOCAS DEL TORO- BOQUETE

Transfer on your own to the Bocas pier. After arriving in Almirante, enjoy a transfer up to the cloud forest mountains in Boquete. This is a small and charming mountain village known to produce some of the sweetest oranges and richest coffees in Panama. The town is home to an abundance of birds equal to those found in the cloud forests higher on the mountain. One of the most famous is the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. This bird is nearly extinct there but has found a refuge in this area. Mid-afternoon arrival to Finca Lerida Hotel, located within a coffee plantation. Rest of the day free to explore the town.

Day 9
SHARED NATURE WALK IN FINCA LERIDA

Today, enjoy hiking at Finca Lerida’s natural reserve, a unique place to study and experience the cloud forest environment and to discover the flora and fauna hidden within. Many of the birds found in Panama can be seen in Finca Lerida’s Estate, as well as many species of plants and trees. Hike through the forest to a hidden waterfall leaving civilization behind and relax listening to the sound of birds. The trails vary in degree of difficulty and one is handicap accessible.

Day 10
BOQUETE- DAVID- PANAMA CITY

Transfer to David to catch your inland flight back to Panama City. After your arrival, our representative will pick you up and take you to your city hotel. Explore the cosmopolitan Panama City during your free afternoon.

Day 11
SHARED PANAMA CITY & MIRAFLORES LOCKS TOUR

Enjoy an interesting tour through Panama City and to the Panama Canal. On your city tour, you will first see the enormous skyscrapers, the beautiful mansions, and a traditional market. Continue towards the so-called “Casco Antiguo”. Here in the colonial part of the city, you will have the chance to see several historical buildings and learn more about the interesting history of Panama City. Afterward, you will visit the Causeway and enjoy the magnificent views of both, the canal and the city. The last stop will be at the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. This is a unique spot to see the huge ships being lifted or lowered a total of 16 meters.

Day 12
PANAMA CITY DEPARTURE

You will be picked up at your hotel for the transfer to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.

INCLUSION

  • Return airfare Ex –
  • One time visa charges
  • Overseas medical insurance ( mandatory )
  • Stay as mentioned.
  • Sightseeing as mentioned
  • All ferry transfers & sightseeing transfers on SIC

EXCLUSION

  • Any increase in the airfare at the time of issuing tickets
  • Any meals
  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Any other expenses which are specifically not mentioned
COSTA RICA – FAST FACTS

Full Name: Republic of Costa Rica
Capital City: San Jose
Time Zone: -6 GMT & – 11.30 IST
Language: Spanish, Very few people speak English
Religion: Christianity
Currency: Costa Rican colon
ROE: 1 USD approximately makes 567 CRC . 1 INR is approximately 7.9 CRC
Electricity: 110Volts
Climate: Located 8 to 12 degrees north of the Equator, Costa Rica enjoys a tropical climate year-round with an average high of 27°C (81°F) and an average low of 18°C (64°F).
Shopping: the best Costa Rican souvenirs are coffee, Salsa Lizano, magnets, hot sauce, printed towels, wood-painted items, handmade jewelry, soap, bath products, paintings by local artists, bikinis, sarongs, and bamboo clothing.
ISD Code: +506
Airport : There are 2 Airports in Costa Rica. Juan Santamaría Airport , Daniel Oduber Airport
Indian Restaurants:
Curry Kingdom – Address: Avenida 7, Calle 29 y 31, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
Chak De India Address: Galeria Escazu, 150m al oeste de la Iglesia de San Rafael de Escazu, calle vieja, Ambitec, San José, Escazú, 10203, Costa Rica

GENERAL INFORMATION

The sun rises and sets in Costa Rica at the same time every day 365 days a year, due to its close proximity to the equator.
Tourism is Costa Rica’s leading industry with over two million visitors arriving each year
Drake Bay in southern Costa Rica is named for Sir Francis Drake, the first English navigator to sail around the world, who landed there in 1579.
Isla del Coco in Costa Rica is the largest uninhabited island in the world.
The single largest factor affecting Costa Rica’s economy is its national debt. In 1981, the country was the first in the world to default on its loans.
thousands of stone spheres, from 4 inches (10 cm) to 8 feet (2.5 m) in diameter, were uncovered in the 1940s. Many of the stones were found placed close to gravesites,
The Costa Rican National Post Office was built in 1914. The postal service does not offer home delivery, Costa Ricans go to a local post office to collect their mail.
Costa Rica possesses 51 of the New World’s 300 hummingbird species, making it the hummingbird capital of the world.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Indians require a visa for entering Costa Rica. But, if you have a visa to enter the USA, EU, or Canada, then you do not need a visa for a stay of up to thirty days. A single entry visa is valid for one month from the date of issuance, and you can apply for it at the Embassy of Costa Rica based in Delhi. You must have more than 6 month’s validity on your passport from the intended date of return. Return air ticket, Bank Statements, Travel itinerary & hotel booking are required.
the visa does not guarantee entry to Costa Rica and, as in the United States, this depends on the immigration officer upon arrival.
Travel Insurance is advisable for visa
Do take public transportation or arrange for your travel company to transport you, rather than rent a car.

Bring Sunscreen , umbrella & Raincoat
Don’t bathe nude at the beach!
Tipping is not customary.
Don’t hike in the rainforest off of any marked paths!
Don’t pick plants or hunt for seashells. and don’t damage trees or flowers, no matter how beautiful and irresistible they are! In Costa Rica, vegetation is strictly protected by the government.
Do pay charges for a local naturalist guide.
Don’t wear bright colors while in wildlife parks.
Dress modestly while visiting churches.

PANAMA – FAST FACTS

Full Name : Republic of Panama
Capital City: Panama City
Time Zone: – 5 GMT & +10.30 IST
Language: Spanish, English is spoken for tourism purpose
Religion: Christianity (Roman Catholicism)
Currency: Balboa
ROE: 1 USD Approximately makes 1PAB & 1 PAB makes approximately 72 INR
Electricity: 110 Volts
Climate: The climate of Panama is characterized as tropical maritime. This means that the majority of the country experiences prolonged periods of high temperatures (between 85 – 95 °F (29 – 35 ° C) during the dry season, and high levels of humidity during the rainy season.
Shopping: Panama’s indigenous groups make some of the best souvenirs, including molas (handmade blouses), decorative baskets, carved tagua nuts, wooden figures, and beaded jewelry. Other popular souvenirs include coffee, paintings, t-shirts, and hats
ISD Code: +507
Airport: Tocumen International Airport For domestic flights, Panama officially has over 100 airports, making it the country with more private airstrips per square mile than any other country in the world
Indian Restaurants :
Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, Panama City, Panama +507 264-6241
Mumbai Grill Calle 64 Oeste | Inside of Magic Car Wash Behind The Automania, Panama City, Panama +507 6372-5083
Cocina De La India Avenida Balboa Balboa Boutiques Piso 1, Panama City, Panama
+507 399-4043

GENERAL INFORMATION

Christopher Columbus visited in 1502 and Balboa arrived to explore the area in 1513.
Rovos Rail is the most lavish train in the world.
Settled as a colonial area by the Spanish, it became their principal shipping point to and from Central and South America back to Spain during its colonial days.
When Central America revolted against Spain in 1821, Panama joined the already independent country of Colombia. It would then spend the next 82 years struggling to gain its independence from Colombia.
The revenue from the Panama Canal tolls represents a significant portion of the country’s GDP annually
Panama exports bananas, pineapples, and watermelons
Tourism is growing in Panama. The Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is Central America’s largest and flights connect Panama to all parts of the world.
Camping, canoeing, and kayaking are all popular in the many National Parks.
The Gamboa Cable Car ride is an aerial car that takes you for several kilometers-long rides through and above the jungle canopy to the top of Cerro Relado from which you can bird and animal watching
The highest point in Panama is the Volcan Baru (a dormant volcano) which is 3,475 meters (11,401 feet) high.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Citizens of India require a visa to enter Panama. If you are applying for a tourist visa from India, you will have to apply in the consulate of Panama in India. You must have a minimum of 6 months validity for your passport, Returned air ticket. Hotel vouchers & financial papers are required to obtain a visa. All the travelers are requested to check about yellow fever certificates before traveling.

Overseas medical insurance is advisable.

Don’t carry your actual passport around. Always carry a copy.

Don’t panic at the sound of random fireworks

Don’t walk unfamiliar territories at night or alone

Don’t’ forget to use bug spray

Don’t take in a cab without first fixing the fare.

Since Panama is a tropical country, you have to bear in mind that mosquitoes are a problem so you should invest in some repellent to minimize the risk of contracting some sort of tropical diseases such as Malaria or Yellow Fever. Also, check for vaccinations before entry to Panama,

One of the most important things not to do while in Panama is never to feed, or cause harm to Panama wildlife. The country has one of the most diverse biodiversity in the world and The forest of Panama is home to an astonishing variety of snakes that almost number 130 and they are all poisonous and dangerous. So take utmost care while in wildlife

If you are trekking in Darien Province make sure you do it with a guide especially next to the border with Colombia

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COSTA RICA & PANAMA