Coastal Adventures: Costa Rica & Panama: 8 days San Jose to Panama City

Your exciting Central American adventure begins in the port city of Puerto Caldera, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht. From here, you’ll then embark on a memorable discovery of Panama and Costa Rica’s west coast. 

Please book your flight to arrive into San Jose prior to 12:00 PM.

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 tropical fruits cultivated here, such as mangoes.

You'll also get to see Isla Tortuga, one of Costa Rica’s top destinations, approximately an hour away from the inviting shores of Nicoya Peninsula. Isla Tortuga boasts a pristine sandy beach fringed with palm trees, lapped by crystal-clear waters. You can relax at the beach, enjoy a hike, or go snorkelling in the transparent, turquoise waters. 

Welcome to Quepos, a small, booming harbour town, popular  as one of the prime spots for sport fishing, as well as gateway to the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. As a tropical inlet backed by rainforest, the park offers a variety of outdoor adventures. After the fall of the banana plantation that laid the original foundations for the port, Quepos replaced its former industry with ecotourism – meaning there are now many other attractions to enjoy. Quepos is also frequented by numerous scientists and naturalists, who come to study this region's fantastic biodiversity. 

A ‘gulf within a gulf,’ Golfito Bay is known for its unspoiled landscapes, framed by the lush tropical 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, immersed in an array of fun and exciting activities. A hidden gem where the Costa Rican jungle meets the sea, Marina Golfito allows you to experience this Central American country from a stunning new perspective. 

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

Darién National Park is 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 a rich and welcoming habitat for diverse wildlife. There are two indigenous tribes, known to both Panama and Costa Rica, which reside today along the park’s riverbanks. 

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 islands and islets, many, tiny and uninhabited and enjoy its superb beaches and beautiful coral reefs. The waters are alive with vibrant tropical fish and an incredible diversity of marine life, offering a captivating glimpse into the region’s rich underwater world. 

Your time on board your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht comes to an end in Panama City. 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 Panama City after 01:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.