Panama and Costa Rica

We are about to embark on a relatively short adventure to Panama and Cost Rica.

The Itinerary is as follows: Day 1 - We will have an early flight out of Philadelphia this morning through Miami to Panama City. We will then transfer by land to our hotel in Colon Panama. Panama City is on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and Colon is on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. We will transit this in the opposite direction by ship as we start the cruise.

Day 2 - Colon Panama we will be in Colon today and will board the ship in the afternoon

Day 3 - Transiting the Panama Canal - Our cruise ship the Star Pride will transit the canal today.

Day 4 - We have transited the canal and on the Panama City side of the Canal will leave the ship and get on a speed boat and head back into the Canal to Lake Gatun, a protected wildlife area. The Windstar description of the excursion is as follows: This is a nature adventure of sight and sound, combined with the thrill of speeding through the Panama Canal next to mighty ships transiting this man-made wonder. After a 45-minute drive, enjoy a 30-minute high-speed ride through the heart of the canal before entering the jungle-covered islands of Lake Gatun. Wildlife sightings may include capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, caimans, crocodiles, turtles, and butterflies. Trained naturalist guides provide expert insight throughout the experience.

Day 5 - We will be at sea heading from the Canal towards Isla Parida Isla Parida is a stunning tropical paradise located in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama. This small, privately-owned island is part of the rich ecosystem of the Chiriqui Marine National Park, making it a coveted destination for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts alike.

Day 6 - Today we will visit the Isla Parida, Archipelago - Exploring a local estuary system in the Gulf of Chiriquí by Panga boat. Cruise to beaches and mangrove-lined shorelines where monkeys are often active. We will then continue between the islands of the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, enjoying turquoise waters and lush landscapes. On the return journey, the captain will explore areas home to bottlenose and spinner dolphins.

Day 7 - Today we will visit the Puerto Jimenez Costa Rica and the Sloth Walking Trails. Explore the rainforest of the Osa Peninsula on a guided walk through a locally owned preserve protected by the Valverde family. After a brief orientation, spend approximately 90 minutes walking forest trails while searching for sloths, macaws, and other wildlife. The tour concludes with fresh fruit, homemade empanadas, and refreshments.

Day 8 - Today we will visit Quepos Costa Rica and the Manuel Antonio National Park for a nature walk. The Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated parks. We will walk rainforest trails learning about the transitional forest. The park protects 683 hectares of rainforest and over 1,000 plant species. After the guided walk, we will have some time at the white-sand beach for swimming or sunbathing, followed by a tropical fruit buffet. We will then return to Quepos with some time to explore the town before returning to the ship.

Day 9 - Today we leave the ship and head to a hotel in Costa Rica which will be our home base for the next couple of days.

Day 10 and 11 - Today and tomorrow we have a private birding tour with a local guide who will take us to some local birding and wildlife locations.

Day 12 - Today we transfer to the San Jose airport where we will catch our plane back home through Miami again.