Costa Rica & Panama Canal

Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica you will be met and driven approximately 1 1/2 hours to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest near San Ramon for overnight at Hotel Villa Blanca. The hotel is located on a 75-acre private biological reserve that is great for hiking and wildlife observation. The hotel has distinctive, comfortable accommodations

This morning, you will lead on a 2 1/2 hour hike by a professional naturalist guide through the Los Angeles Cloud Forest. The trail is located directly on the property and was designed by naturalist guides to showcase the biodiversity of the cloud forest, one of only 2.5% of the earth's remaining cloud forest.

This afternoon, you will venture out on the San Luis Hanging Bridges Hike. Just 45 minutes from Hotel Villa Blanca, the San Luis hanging bridges hike trail has a distance of 1.12 miles (1800 meters) and six hanging bridges. Discover the symbiotic relationships of the cloud forest ecosystem and the different strata of the forest. Your guide will point out a variety of birds, palms, epiphytes, and more. Visit a butterfly and hummingbird garden at the end of the tour. Overnight Hotel Villa Blanca.

This morning, you will be met and driven approximately 2 hours to Arenal Kioro Hotel in the Arenal / La Fortuna region. The hotel is situated on a hill directly below the volcano and features breathtaking views of the the the volcano and valley below.

The adventure begins with an aerial tram up through the forest canopy to an observation deck with gorgeous views of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the Tilaran Mountain Range. From the observation deck, your zipline adventure begins! Zip above the treetops across 8 cross-sectional ziplines that run 4.5 miles in total with distances ranging between 100 and 2460 feet and a maximum height of 660 feet! Overnight Arenal Kioro Hotel.

Today, you will be met and driven approximately 5 hours to the Quepos / Manuel Antonio region for overnight at Hotel Si Como No. This award-winning hotel is an exemplary of environmentalism, stunning design, and barefoot luxury overlooking the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. Because of the hotel's location built into the hillside, some stair climbing and moderate "hiking" may be necessary during your stay.

Today you will be lead on a guided hike through Costa Rica's favorite tiny national park, Manuel Antonio. The park features three stunning white-sand beaches and a rainforest teeming with wildlife. A professional naturalist guide will point out the wild wonders of the park including 184 species of birds and 109 species of mammals such as sloths and monkeys. Don't forget to wear your swimsuit to cool off from the park's beaches! Overnight Hotel Si Como No.

The day is yours to explore the beaches via complimentary shuttle or book excursions in the area. Don't miss the hotels' 24-acre private wildlife refuge located right across the street with its own butterfly atrium. Overnight Hotel Si Como No.

Today you will be met and driven approximately 3 hours to the San Jose International Airpot where you will take a flight to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama. Upon arrival in Panama City, you will be met and driven to Le Meridien Hotel Panama for overnight. This modern, stylish hotel is located on the Bay of Panama overlooking the old and new quarters and minutes from the financial center.

Your day will begin with a tour of the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal. Watch as the huge shipping vessels are lifted and lowered in two distinct steps. Then, visit the museum and visitors center of Miraflores for a description of the construction and history of the canal as well as its significance to Panama and world trade. Your guide will then drive you to Amador Causeway, a road connecting three islands in the Pacific Ocean with magnificent views of the Panama Canal and Panama City. Enjoy lunch on the causeway at a Panamanian restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Casco Viejo, Panama City's historic district to admire the colonial-style churches, homes, and narrow streets. If you would like, your guide can bring you next to Panama Viejo or Old Panama, the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas which was looted and destroyed by notorious English buccaneer Henry Morgan before it was abandoned. Today, the only landmark that remains is the tower from the ancient cathedral. Overnight Le Meridien Hotel.

Free day to explore the city and relax. Guests might choose to explore some of the nearby Panamanian museums, schedule a spa treatment at the hotel, or enjoy the pool and Aqua Terrace overlooking Panama Bay. Overnight Le Meridien Hotel Panama.

Today you will be picked up and driven to the Tocumen International Airport for your return flight home.