Discover the riches of the tropical nations of Costa Rica and Panama on this luxurious cruise adventure through the Caribbean. Aboard a fully-outfitted private yacht, you’ll sail through mangroves and archipelagos, observing the bright plumages of exotic birdlife, the sun-soaking leisure of the amphibians and reptiles, and the mysterious rustling of monkeys, sloths, and more in the lush and verdant surroundings. Explore the shore, whether you’re wandering white sand beaches or hiking in spectacular rainforests. Retreat from your adventures by night with cocktails and conversation on board with your fellow travelers before floating off to sleep above the waves.
Degree of Difficulty –
Your adventure begins as you board your flight to San Jose, Costa Rica, the land of pura vida! Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be escorted to your beautiful hotel which is surrounded by coffee plantations, citrus orchards and lush gardens. A perfect setting for jogging through the winding trails, birding or relaxing by the swimming pool. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner. HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA.
(Welcome Dinner)
Today you board the SAFARI VOYAGER, your home for the next seven nights. This 62-passenger ship is well appointed and can navigate into wild areas other ships cannot. Comfortable in warm water regions and built to handle humidity and heat, the ship has mostly local crew who exude pura vida (pure life.) Handcrafted artwork throughout the vessel and in each cabin pays homage to the cultures of Latin America. Casual in nature, the ship has 270-degrees view from the top deck or window-to-window in the air-conditioned lounge. This evening, settle in and enjoy dinner aboard the yacht, before a presentation about your week ahead. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
At the southeastern tip of Nicoya Peninsula—in the tangled mangroves of Curu—the cycle of life is everywhere. Local “residents” include everything from exotic birds and deer to army ants, frog-eating snakes, and hungry crocodiles. Step carefully as you cross the swinging bridge, you don’t want to land on the menu! Land crabs shift in and out of their burrows with such force it’s enough to make the earth move. A hike on the Finca de Monos trail is prime monkey viewing. They are everywhere. Off shore, the vibrant, turquoise waters near Isla Tortuga offer inviting opportunities to snorkel, kayak, and paddle board. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Adventure lies around every bend in the isolated, wild Osa Conservation Area, home to the country’s largest national park, Corcovado. The area is known for its diverse plant and animal species—a whopping 2.5% of the entire planet’s biodiversity is found here—including all four of Costa Rica’s monkeys, tree frogs, caimans, anteaters, Scarlet Macaws, coatis, and 16 different species of hummingbird. Explore this vast area putting feet to trail on an invigorating hike through the jungle. At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset with a tropical beverage in-hand during cocktail hour and retell stories of the day with your travel-mates. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A birder’s paradise, explore a tropical preserve exploding with vibrant color. From bromeliads, ginger plants, and heliconias, to toucans, hummingbirds, mischievous monkeys, and fluttering butterflies—there’s a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and tastes in every tree and bush you pass on your walking tour. In Golfo Dulce, which separates Oso Peninsula from the mainland, explore the rare flora and fauna of mangroves by kayak and skiff. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Sail through the islands of Coiba National Park, making a stop at the postcard-perfect Granito de Oro islet. Offering a little bit of everything despite its small size, volcanic outcroppings at either end of this tiny landmass and a dense, mini-jungle in the center connect with a dreamy white sand beach. Named one of the world’s top 10 diving sites, your day of play features snorkeling among abundant marine life, kayaking around rocky outcroppings, and lounging on the warm sand. Hop to the park’s main island for a stretch of the legs on a trail through untouched tropical jungle. Mantled howler monkeys, Crested Eagles, and four turtle species call Isla Coiba home. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wake up in paradise. Start with fresh-brewed coffee and a little limbering up with guided stretches on deck. As always, the hardest part is picking the “what.” Your guides know the trails and help you spot monkeys, hummingbirds, and towering balsa trees. Slip into the drink for a kayak or snorkel. Or, just kick back in a hammock under swaying palms. Then it’s cruising time. Settle into a comfy lounge chair and take in the views. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The diverse islands and islets in the Gulf of Panama are all unique, and on your last day, its captain’s choice as you cruise among them. Hosting hundreds of avian species, you may enjoy superb bird watching on a skiff exploration. And watch for mobula rays flying across the water. Later, transit from ocean to ocean along the 48-mile Panama Canal (time varies depending on when the lock authority gives the final go ahead for your evening transit). Join your shipmates on deck for a toast as the canal lights up and the temperature subsides. A story of engineering and human tenacity, it took over 75,000 workers to build it. Celebrate this unforgettable voyage with a special farewell dinner, and then join your expedition team for a slideshow highlighting the week’s adventures. M/Y SAFARI VOYAGER.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After an early breakfast, bid adiós to your crew. Make a stop at the Agua Clara Visitor Center. Take in the views of Lake Gatun and the newly expanded locks. Then your transfer continues, taking you to your hotel for a day of discovery in Panama’s capital city. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. Your charming hotel is intimate and upscale, a reflection of Panama’s unique history, architecture and dynamic art scene. The views of Panama City from the hotel are as rich as the attentive service and elegant amenities. Rooms offer modern amenities and décor that create a relaxing, soothing ambiance. BRISTOL HOTEL.
(Breakfast, Farewell Dinner)
Your adventure concludes are you’re transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
(Breakfast)
Contact us for pre-extension in Costa Rica, or post-extension in Panama. We can custom design the perfect addition to your cruise.
Prices vary by season and package. Please inquire by phone at (800) 627-1244 or email info@classicescapes.com for more information and a pricing estimate.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- Superior accommodations at hotels as indicated in the itinerary (or similar).
- American breakfast throughout. All other meals as specified in the itinerary.
- 8-Days/7-Nights Cruise aboard the Safari Voyager with all meals included. Accommodations are in double cabins with private facilities on Category Master. Upgrades are available at additional cost.
- Panama Canal transit.
- Visit a national park, wildlife refuge, and conservation area.
- Search for untamed wildlife—howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, white-faced capuchins, sloths.
- Snorkel and beach party on Panama’s Granito de Oro.
- Stroll a butterfly- and flower-rich tropical botanical reserve.
- Hike, snorkel, kayak, paddle board, and explore by skiff.
- Off-the-beaten path exploration.
- All transfers.
- Port taxes.
- Gratuities for baggage handling, hotel tips and taxes.
- Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.
Costa Rica is tropical and enjoys warm weather year-round. January through March is the hottest period, but is also the driest. Moderate rain can be experienced June through August, but the heaviest rains are reserved for September and October. Turtles come ashore to nest in Tortuguero between July and October, and in Guanacaste October through February.
Most of Panama is situated just a few degrees above the equator, so temperatures vary little from month to month. Panama has two seasons – the “dry” season and the “green” season. The dry season is from January until mid-April and green season from mid-April until December. “Dry” means it rarely rains and the green season means typically a refreshing tropical shower late each afternoon. It rarely rains all day, which means that rain is no obstacle to exploring.
