Costa Rica, Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic via the Panama Canal

Welcome to San Josè, Costa Rica where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay. This vibrant city located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage and architecture, which reflects a fascinating blend of colonial, neo-classical, and modern styles.

Today, you'll be transferred to Puerto Limón, and your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to embark on your exciting discovery of Costa Rica and Panama.

Christopher Columbus became Costa Rica's first tourist when he landed on this stretch of coast in 1502 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Expecting to find vast mineral wealth, he named the region Costa Rica ("rich coast"). Imagine the Spaniards' surprise eventually to find there was none. Save for a brief skirmish some six decades ago, the country did prove itself rich in a long tradition of peace and democracy. No other country in Latin America can make that claim. Costa Rica is also abundantly rich in natural beauty, managing to pack beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, and diverse animal life into an area the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. It has successfully parlayed those qualities into its role as one the world's great ecotourism destinations. A day visit is short, but time enough for a quick sample.

Located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Puerto Limón is the country's primary port and a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage. Known for its lush tropical surroundings and beautiful beaches, Puerto Limón serves as a crucial hub for Costa Rican trade and tourism.

Christopher Columbus became Costa Rica's first tourist when he landed on this stretch of coast in 1502 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Expecting to find vast mineral wealth, he named the region Costa Rica ("rich coast"). Imagine the Spaniards' surprise eventually to find there was none. Save for a brief skirmish some six decades ago, the country did prove itself rich in a long tradition of peace and democracy. No other country in Latin America can make that claim. Costa Rica is also abundantly rich in natural beauty, managing to pack beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, and diverse animal life into an area the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. It has successfully parlayed those qualities into its role as one the world's great ecotourism destinations. A day visit is short, but time enough for a quick sample.

This stunning archipelago, located off the northwestern coast of Panama amid the Caribbean Sea is known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and diverse ecosystems: the region is rich in biodiversity, featuring tropical rainforests, coral reefs and mangroves. The archipelago is a melting pot of cultures, influenced by indigenous communities, Afro-Caribbean heritage, and expat communities, which is reflected in the local cuisine, music, traditions, and festivals.

Translated as Mouths of the Bull, Bocas del Toro is both a province and an archipelago in the northwest Caribbean Sea in Panama. The archipelago contains 10 larger islands (including the main Isla Colon, where the town of Bocas del Toro is situated), 50 cays and 200 tiny islets. The region contains Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Panama’s first national marine park that covers over 32,000 acres and protects forests, mangroves, monkeys, sloths, caiman, crocodile and 28 species of amphibians and reptiles. The park also contains Playa Larga, an important nesting site for sea turtles. With all there is to see in this region, visitors should also pause to enjoy the pristine white beaches lined with palm trees that lie all along the surrounding clear waters of the Chiriqui Lagoon

Today, you’ll pass through the Panama Canal, the most famous attraction in Panama. Considered one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Modern World’, this man-made canal was built to significantly decrease the travel time for ships between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Since its completion in 1914, the Panama Canal has seen in excess of 900,000 vessels and is regarded by many as a feat of engineering, which was originally considered impossible to build. On board your luxury yacht, you’ll experience this historic waterway for yourself before arriving in Panama in the evening.

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.

Panama City, the capital of Panama presents a vibrant and modern metropolis with a unique blend of historical and modern contemporary influences. Located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, the city serves as a key maritime hub and is a focal point for international trade. Here, you’ll discover a fascinating mix of architectural styles. The skyline is dominated by modern skyscrapers, luxury hotels and residential towers, reflecting the city’s rapid urban development. In contrast, the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) offers a glimpse into its storied history, with its colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming plazas.

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.

Today, you’ll discover the Pearl Islands, located on the Pacific Coast of Panama, in the Gulf of Panama. Cruise to one of the 200 or so islands and islets, many of them, tiny and uninhabited and enjoy the superb beaches and beautiful coral reefs. Nowadays, you won’t be able to find any pearls as the name alludes to; however, you’ll have the opportunity to spot numerous varieties of multi-coloured tropical fish and marine life.

Welcome to the Darién National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site covering around 5,750-square-kilometres (2,220-square-miles). This vast park is among the largest and most precious protected areas in all of Central America, extending across almost the entire Panama-Colombia border, as well as a stretch to the Pacific Ocean. Darién National Park offers an exceptional variety of habitats – sandy beaches, rocky coasts, swamps, mangroves, and tropical forests – which makes it the perfect home for diverse wildlife. There are two indigenous tribes known to both Panama and Costa Rica, which today reside along the park’s riverbanks.

"The remote Darien Jungle has one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. It is also one of the world’s top ten birding sites, with the colourful Crimson-collared Tanager, Chestnut-fronted Macaws, and Snow-bellied Hummingbirds found here. Mammals include tapirs and Black-headed Spider Monkeys. In this roadless stretch of forest, rivers provide the best access. Visitors to the Darien Jungle are rare with fewer than 1,000 tourists visiting each year. The Embera are one of several indigenous groups that live here in relative isolation offering ornate handcrafted baskets and carvings for sale in their traditional villages."

Cebaco Island lies within the province of Veraguas and is part of the buffer zone of Coiba Island National Park. Cebaco  is Panama’s third-largest island after Coiba Island and Isla del Rey. Nowadays, there are estimated around 500 inhabitants living on the island, mainly distributed in communities in the northern parts. Isla Cebaco is also known for its gorgeous beaches.

Golfito Bay is a ‘gulf within a gulf, ’well-known for its unspoiled landscapes framed by the lush mangroves of Corcovado and Piedras Blancas national parks. This is home to some of the richest biodiversity on the planet and lies within one of the most vibrant destinations in Costa Rica. Here, eco-adventurers, boaters, surfers, and outdoor lovers come to explore and connect with nature, experiencing an array of fun and exciting activities on offer. A hidden gem where the Costa Rican jungle meets the sea, Marina Golfito invites you to experience Costa Rica from a stunning new perspective.

Golfito, is situated along a small inlet of Golfo Dulce. This small port city is a narrow strip along Golfito Bay backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rainforest, with the Golfo Dulce seaward outside Golfito Bay. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Golfito provides an ideal location to escape from your hectic schedule and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and lush rainforest. Follow a trail through the densely forested Golfito National Wildlife Refuge to observe rare flora and fauna, and emerge at a scenic outlook with views of the ocean, also the city has a variety of hotels and restaurants, many of which now provide free wireless Internet service for customers. Golfito was the main port on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the days when there was little except for the huge banana plantations. To help remedy the resulting economy decrease of the region, the government established a duty-free zone, support and impulse the touristic development.

Today, you’ll arrive in Quepos, a small, booming harbour town, popular as one of the prime spots for sport fishing, as well as the gateway to the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. As a tropical inlet backed by lush rainforest, the park offers a variety of outdoor adventures. After the decline of the banana plantations that laid the foundations for the port, Quepos replaced its former industry with ecotourism – resulting in many other attractions, including kayaking and canopy tours. Quepos is also frequented by numerous scientists and naturalists, who come to study this region's fantastic biodiversity.

Quepos allows tourists to experience a once in a lifetime nature experience in Manuel Antonio National Park without leaving any of the familiar amenities behind. The close proximity of the park, located just 4.3 miles (7 km) to the south, and a wide array of services makes Quepos the perfect place to visit for those who wish to explore this enchanting area. The amenities available include everything from banks, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, bakeries, bars, a hospital, supermarket and even a post office. The area was once dependent on banana plantations which used to line the surrounding area. After disease infiltrated the harvest, interest transferred to African Palms as the prominent crop. Now, tourism has deemed itself the major economic factor, contributing to just about everything in the area. Quepos lures in many tourists for its fantastic sport fishing. In fact, some have come solely to participate in this world class experience and have never left, but besides sport fishing, many other activities are available. Exploring this maze of wetlands by boat is amazing but not the only way to see crocodiles, monkeys, herons, raccoons and more. This small paradise has the perfect balance between nature and the comfort and facilities someone might need.

The Curú National Wildlife Refuge and Farm are situated in Nicoya Peninsula in north-west Costa Rica. Some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and protected bays can be discovered here. Costa Rica’s first private national wildlife refuge is a prime example of a successful sustainable development program. You can still see cattle grazing, as well as luscious tropical fruits, such as mangoes, cultivated here.

You’ll also get to experience Isla Tortuga, one of the top-ranked destinations in Costa Rica, about an hour away from the shores of Nicoya Peninsula. Isla Tortuga boasts a pristine sandy beach edged with palm trees.  Today, relax at the beach, enjoy a hike, or go snorkelling in the crystal-clear, turquoise waters. During the night, you’ll arrive in Puerto Caldera, ready to explore the following day.

Located on the southeast tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Curu Wildlife Refuge is known for its pristine, white-sand beaches and impressive variety of species ranging from monkeys to sand crabs. In total the refuge covers 3,707 total acres and 656 feet of coastline. Travelers to the Curu Wildlife Refuge will quickly notice that they are in the minority at the site, with only a few people in the area among the abundance of animals and sea creatures. All of your senses will be captivated by this overwhelming amount of wildlife at the reserve, which offers some of the best eco-tourism in Costa Rica. Curu officially received support from the Costa Rican government to protect its wildlife in 1981 and the area officially became known as the Curu Wildlife Refuge in 1983. Today, the refuge is privately owned, extremely-well cared for and even more exclusive than many of the national parks in the country. If you're looking to participate in some of the vast eco-tourism opportunities in Costa Rica, the refuge should be a top priority because of its exclusivity and the ability of visitors to personally interact with the diverse animal population. The refuge also features 17 peaceful trails, where travellers can check out this abundant wildlife in a number of different ecosystems, including mangrove swamps and both dry and wet tropical forests.

Today, your Central America adventure and time on board your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht comes to an end in the port city of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. After bidding farewell to the crew and your fellow guests, from the yacht, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home, or to continue your holiday.

Please book your flight to depart out of San Jose after 01:00 PM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary stated above.