Costa Rica & Panama between rainforest and reef

Day 1: Start of the trip in San Jose

Today, you will be welcomed by your tour guide and taken to your group hotel. After checking in, you will receive lots of useful information about tomorrow's embarkation.

The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish—for example, taking a leisurely stroll through the historic market halls of the Mercado Central or walking through the Barrio Amón district with its colorful Victorian-style wooden houses.

Day 3: Curú National Wildlife Refuge

The Curú National Wildlife Refuge is a privately managed nature reserve that is firmly committed to ecotourism. It is the first privately operated reserve in Costa Rica and covers more than 1,500 hectares of tropical rainforest, mangroves, and well-marked hiking trails. Seventeen different trails lead through the diverse terrain of the reserve, where, with a little luck, you can spot white-tailed deer, armadillos, and iguanas. Several species of monkeys are also particularly numerous here, including capuchin, spider, and howler monkeys. The reserve is located in the south of the Nicoya Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica and is also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, where various water activities are available. 

Day 5: Rio Claro Wildlife Refuge 

According to National Geographic , the untouched Osa Peninsula is "one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth." The plan is to hike through the Rio Claro Wildlife Refuge, a protected area covering 500 hectares of tropical rainforest and one of the most important nature reserves in Central America. Rio Claro is one of the last refuges for pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis, tapirs, white-nosed peccaries, and numerous other rainforest inhabitants. The high-altitude forests, where trees tower over 43 meters high, are home to hundreds of species of ferns, bromeliads, and orchids and form an important biological corridor between palm swamps and mangroves. The area is an extension of Corcovado National Park—Costa Rica's largest and most remote national park.

Days 7 to 8: Coiba National Park, Panama 

Today, you will continue your journey to Coiba Island – a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site off the southwest coast of Panama. The national park encompasses the main island of Coiba and 38 smaller islands in the surrounding waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí. Protected from cold winds and the effects of El Niño, the Pacific tropical forest on Coiba is home to an exceptionally high number of endemic mammals, birds, and plants. The island is one of the last refuges for endangered species such as the rare hooded eagle.

In the morning, explore the area around Granito de Oro Island —a paradise for snorkelers that reveals a diversity and density of marine life that divers usually get to experience. No wonder Coiba is one of the world's most popular diving destinations. A local ranger will show you the best spots for water activities.

The next morning, we plan to go ashore at Punta Clara, a place with an eventful past. From 1919 to 1996, the archipelago served as a penal colony, housing Panama's most notorious criminals and political prisoners in around 30 camps scattered across the islands. At times, there were up to 3,000 inmates. Those who wish can visit the dilapidated prison buildings or take a walk on the beach to look for bright red macaws, yellow caracaras, and various seabirds. Back on board, you will enjoy lunch while the ship sets course for the Pearl Islands.

Day 10: Panama City

Three million years ago, the Isthmus of Panama rose from the sea and changed the world forever. It separated one ocean and connected two continents, triggering one of the most significant evolutionary developments in the history of the Earth. Today, this narrow land bridge in Central America is home to more bird and tree species than all of North America. Panama is, of course, world-famous for its 77-kilometer-long canal connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.

Panama's history stretches back over 12,000 years to a rich pre-Columbian past. Early cultures such as the Monagrillo, Cueva, and Conte are particularly known for their ceramic art. The first European to claim what is now Panama for the Spanish crown was Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1501. In 1513, Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first Spaniard to see the Pacific Ocean from the top of a hill. Four days later, he and his men stood on its shores. Panama City was founded in 1519 and quickly developed into an important transshipment point for treasures looted from Peru on their way to Spain.

Discoveries around Panama City

Today you will visit Gatún Lake, an artificial lake with a unique ecosystem that forms a significant part of the Panama Canal. Ships cover most of their 33 km passage through the isthmus on Gatún Lake. At the time of its completion, it was the largest artificial lake in the world. The lush vegetation provides ideal habitats for numerous bird species.

Your excursion begins with a boat trip north across the canal, where you may get close to some of the large ships that cross the canal every day. As you cruise leisurely along the wooded shores of Gatún Lake, keep an eye out for wildlife such as capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, toucans, and many other birds. Here you can witness the impressive way in which the tropical rainforest is reclaiming what once belonged to nature.

In the afternoon, you will visit an Emberá village. This indigenous people has inhabited the region for centuries. Around 33,000 Emberá live in Darién (Panama) today and around 50,000 in Colombia. During your visit to an Emberá village near Panama City, you will receive a warm welcome and an introduction to the history, culture, and way of life of the community. During a guided tour of the village, you will meet other residents who may even show you their homes, offer you local snacks, and share their ancient knowledge of medicinal plants. The Emberá are known for their ornate jewelry and handcrafted basketry. You will have the opportunity to admire their work and purchase authentic souvenirs.