Costa Rica, Panama from the Atlantic to the Pacific via the Panama Canal: 13 days San Jose to San Jose

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

Please book your flight to arrive into San Jose prior to 02:00 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 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 crystalline turquoise waters.

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 well-known 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 new attractions, including kayaking and canopy tours. Quepos is also frequented by numerous scientists and naturalists, who come to study this region's fantastic biodiversity.

Golfito Bay is a ‘gulf within a gulf,’ well-known for its unspoiled landscape 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, enjoying 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.

Welcome to Cebaco Island, which 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, it’s estimated there are around 500 inhabitants living on the island, mainly distributed in communities in the northern parts. Isla Cebaco is also known for its gorgeous beaches.

The Darién National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site covering approximately 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.

Today, 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.

Famous for its striking skyline, populated by high-rise buildings and skyscrapers that reflect contemporary architectural styles, Panama City, the capital of Panama, presents a vibrant and dynamic metropolis, characterised by its unique blend of modernity and history. Located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, the city is a significant hub for international trade and finance, which contributes to its economic growth and development. In contrast, the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) offers a glimpse into Panama city’s fascinating history, with its colonial-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming plazas.

Today, you 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.

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

Welcome back to Costa Rica. 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.

Your time on board your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht comes to an end in Puerto Limón. After bidding farewell to the crew, from the yacht, you’ll be transferred to San Josè,where you’ll stay overnight.

Today, your Central American adventure concludes in San Josè, the vibrant capital of Costa Rica. From here, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. or to continue your holiday.   

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.