Costa Rica to Panama

Rainforests and Voyages:

Costa Rica to Panama

January

From £4,650pp

Cruise & Land

13 Nights

Rio Celeste Waterfall Tenorio National Park Costa Rica

Keel-billed Toucan Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica

Rio Perdido White Water Tubing Costa Rica

Tenorio Volcano National Park Costa Rica

Biomuseo Amador Causeway Flamenco Island Panama

Honeycreeper Tenorio National Park Costa Rica

Pool Hideaway Rio Celeste Hotel Costa Rica

Lizard Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica

Sail from Costa Rica's volcanic peaks to Panama's legendary canal on this extraordinary Pacific adventure

Journey from the volcanic highlands of Costa Rica to the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, where emerald rainforests give way to azure Caribbean waters. You’ll wake to dawn breaking over Tenorio National Park’s pristine canopy, where howler monkeys provide nature’s alarm clock and mist rises from ancient volcanic slopes. Feel the gentle spray of white-water rapids as you navigate Costa Rica’s untamed rivers, your heart racing with each twist through verdant jungle corridors.

As Star Legend carries you along Panama’s Pacific coast, you’ll witness Golfo Dulce’s primordial landscapes unfold – a living laboratory where scarlet macaws streak across impossibly green canopies and three-toed sloths move in dreamlike slow motion. The crescendo arrives as your ship approaches the legendary Panama Canal, where massive lock chambers lift you between oceans in one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

From volcanic thermal springs to untouched archipelagos, this voyage weaves together Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit with Panama’s maritime heritage. You’ll return home with memories of emerald wilderness and engineering wonder etched forever in your mind.

Itinerary highlights

Discover pristine rainforest landscapes in Costa Rica's spectacular Tenorio National Park

Explore volcanic hot springs and wildlife sanctuaries in Bijagua region

Navigate thrilling whitewater rapids through Costa Rica's pristine river systems

Encounter exotic wildlife including sloths and monkeys in Manuel Antonio

Sail through Panama's stunning Golfo Dulce surrounded by ancient rainforests

Experience the engineering marvel of transiting the legendary Panama Canal

Explore historic Balboa and discover Panama's rich colonial heritage

Sail from Costa Rica's volcanic peaks to Panama's legendary canal on this extraordinary Pacific adventure

Itinerary highlights

Discover pristine rainforest landscapes in Costa Rica's spectacular Tenorio National Park

Explore volcanic hot springs and wildlife sanctuaries in Bijagua region

Navigate thrilling whitewater rapids through Costa Rica's pristine river systems

Encounter exotic wildlife including sloths and monkeys in Manuel Antonio

Sail through Panama's stunning Golfo Dulce surrounded by ancient rainforests

Experience the engineering marvel of transiting the legendary Panama Canal

Explore historic Balboa and discover Panama's rich colonial heritage

Day 1

San José, Costa Rica

Your flight from London touches down at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, where Costa Rica's warm tropical air greets you as you step off the plane. The hotel's complimentary shuttle awaits to transport you through the bustling capital streets to your comfortable accommodation. Tonight offers the perfect opportunity to rest and acclimatise before tomorrow's onward journey deeper into this remarkable Central American paradise.

Day 2

San José to Bijagua

Morning brings your transfer back to the airport via the hotel shuttle, where a short domestic flight carries you northwest to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. Upon landing, your driver provides a warm welcome before beginning the scenic journey to Bijagua, a tranquil community nestled near the slopes of Tenorio Volcano. Rolling hills dotted with cattle ranches and patches of tropical forest create a picturesque backdrop as you travel towards your rainforest retreat.

Day 3

Tenorio National Park, Costa Rica

Dawn breaks over the forest canopy as you prepare for today's exploration of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Your naturalist guide leads you along winding trails through dense rainforest, where the symphony of tropical birds accompanies each step. The destination reveals itself as pure magic: Río Celeste, whose otherworldly turquoise waters result from volcanic minerals creating a natural chemical reaction. A thundering waterfall plunges into the celestial blue river below, whilst your guide points out sloths, monkeys, and exotic birds hidden amongst the emerald foliage.

Day 4

Transfer to Bagaces

Departure from Bijagua takes you south through Costa Rica's diverse landscapes toward the geothermally active region of Bagaces. Your riverside lodge sits within a private reserve where the dramatic Río Perdido canyon creates a spectacular natural amphitheatre.

Day 5

Bagaces, Costa Rica

Equipment secured and safety briefing complete, you launch into the gentle rapids of Río Perdido for an exhilarating tubing adventure. Canyon walls rise dramatically on either side as you float through this geological wonderland, where volcanic activity has carved spectacular rock formations over millennia. Cool river water provides refreshing relief from the tropical heat whilst your guide navigates the route through both calm pools and playful rapids, all surrounded by the verdant forest canopy above.

Day 6

Embarkation at Puerto Caldera

Today you will be transfered to Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Puerto Caldera, where authentic Tico culture thrives away from the well-trodden tourist trails. This gateway port opens doors to remarkable nearby treasures including Carara National Park, renowned for its resident scarlet macaws and over 400 bird species.

Day 7

Quepos, Costa Rica

Once a thriving banana export hub, Quepos now serves as your portal to Manuel Antonio's natural wonders. Rainforest trails wind upward to cascading waterfalls, whilst horseback routes lead through jungle to pristine swimming holes. Mangrove channels teem with wildlife - crocodiles lurk beneath the surface whilst monkeys chatter overhead and elegant herons wade through shallow waters. Manuel Antonio National Park combines pristine beaches with accessible walking trails where sloths, iguanas, and colourful frogs inhabit this protected coastal paradise.

Day 8

Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Primordial landscapes unfold before you as Golfo Dulce reveals Costa Rica's most biodiverse marine environment. Steep hillsides draped in prehistoric vegetation plunge directly into the gulf's dark waters, creating an almost Jurassic atmosphere. Howler monkeys echo through orchid-laden trees whilst your kayak glides silently through narrow canals. Javelinas forage along muddy banks, exotic butterflies dance above the water, and more bird species inhabit this region than exist in all of North America combined.

Day 9

Isla Parida, Panama

Fifty pristine islands comprise this protected archipelago, where Isla Parida's magnificent beaches stretch over 1,300 feet of powder-soft sand. Crystal-clear Pacific waters maintain a perfect 28-degree temperature year-round, supporting abundant marine ecosystems beneath the surface. Mahogany, teak, and eucalyptus trees provide shade alongside tropical fruit groves of mango, banana, and coconut palms. Windstar's Signature Beach Party transforms this secluded shore into an unforgettable celebration facing endless Pacific horizons.

Day 11

Balboa / Fuerte Amador, Panama

Founded in 1519, historic Balboa serves as the Pacific gateway to the legendary Panama Canal. This major container port, ranked number one in Latin America for cargo volume, combines industrial significance with colonial heritage. Stroll past elegant colonial homes and visit the iconic Administration Building, pause at the Goethals Memorial, and browse vibrant handicraft markets where skilled artisans display traditional Panamanian crafts including intricately woven baskets, colourful textiles, and hand-carved wooden sculptures.

Day 12

Crossing the Panama Canal

Engineering marvel meets natural wonder as your vessel approaches the Panama Canal's Pacific entrance. Three successive lock systems will lift your ship 85 feet above sea level during this 48-mile journey connecting two great oceans. Expert onboard commentary accompanies your daylight transit whilst you witness the precise choreography of massive lock chambers filling and emptying. From multiple observation decks, watch tugboats guide enormous container ships through this narrow corridor whilst the surrounding jungle presses close to this vital maritime highway.

Day 13

Disembarkation at Colón, Panama

Colón marks your final port as the Caribbean terminus of the Panama Canal system comes into view. Here, jungle adventures await those seeking encounters with indigenous Embera communities, whilst aerial tramways offer breathtaking canopy perspectives high above the rainforest floor. Your cruise concludes with disembarkation and private transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the United Kingdom.

Day 14

Arrive home

British soil welcomes you home as your overnight flight from Panama touches down, concluding this remarkable two-week odyssey through Central America's most spectacular destinations.

What's Included

International return flights from the UK
Seamless ground transfers
Handpicked accommodations
Meals as indicated
All activities as specified with entrance fees included
Seven-night voyage aboard Star Legend

Dates & Pricing

7 Jan '27 - 20 Jan '27 from £4,650 pp

21 Jan '27 - 3 Feb '27 from £4,870 pp

What's Included

International return flights from the UK
Seamless ground transfers
Handpicked accommodations
Meals as indicated
All activities as specified with entrance fees included
Seven-night voyage aboard Star Legend

Dates & Pricing

7 Jan '27 - 20 Jan '27 from £4,650 pp

21 Jan '27 - 3 Feb '27 from £4,870 pp

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Every journey I plan starts with a conversation. Tell me what excites you, what you've always dreamed of experiencing, and I'll craft something extraordinary. The best expeditions begin with a single question: What would make this unforgettable for you?

Ashley | Expedition Planner

Costa Rica to Panama

Rainforests and Voyages: