Costa Rica / Panama

TheConqueror14 Days/13 Nights

Day 1 - Airport Transfer to Hotel in San Jose

At your arrival, More than Transfers Costa Rica will have a Travel expert waiting for you, holding a visible placard with your last name. The representative will provide assistance with your luggage as you exit the airport terminal.

Once you have exited the airport, our driver will gladly take you to the hotel in San Jose.

Day 2 – San Jose City Tour and Transfer to Manuel Antonio

This tour immerses you in the rich Costa Rican culture and history by experiencing the beautiful museums and historical sites of San José. It begins with an orientation and drive through the beautiful Sabana Park. Next, we will take a walking tour through the historic National Theater. Completed in 1897, the theater is a masterpiece in art and architecture. Afterwards we will visit one of the many unique museums of Costa Rica.

We will continue heading to the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court and various sites of interest. A brief stop will be made in a beautiful art craft shopping store allowing you to browse through it before returning to your hotel and why not, buy some souvenirs for those who are expecting you back at home.

As we take a final glance to the Capital from a great typical Costa Rica Restaurant, we will head to the Pacific Coast, after a 3 hour drive we will arrive to Manuel Antonio where you can enjoy a stunning sunset from the beach.

Day 3 – Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

Manuel Antonio National Park is deservedly the most popular park in Costa Rica with beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by emerald waters and jungle. Our naturalist guides will explain the history and geography of the area as well as help you get the most of your visit, pointing out sloth, monkeys, iguanas, and a multitude of insects and birds during this very informative three hour walk.

 Balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 4 – Transfer to Uvita de Osa and Canopy Tour

A short 1 hour drive will take us to the popular town of Uvita, home of the only Marine National Park in Costa Rica, the adventure begins before check in at the hotel and after a delicious lunch, the Osa Canopy Tour is one of the most popular attractions in the South and one of best Adventures in the country, It consists of a network of cables that are strung from one tower to another high above the jungle floor. Riders travel along the wire via a specially-designed harness that is safe and secure as it glides along the zip line. The force of gravity propels the rider along the cable, giving the rider the feeling of flying through the air in the majesty of nature until they reach the next platform where more spectacular views await.

Day 5 – Tour Corcovado National Park, San Pedrillo Ranger Station

Hike lush rainforests, howl with howler monkeys, relax with a sloth, sing with birds, and investigate millions of insects during your tour of Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula!  Corcovado National Park is famous for holding 3% of the biodiversity on this side of the planet.

Famous for being–the Amazon of Costa Rica—the Corcovado National Park is the largest stronghold of primary forest on a Pacific coastline, and is famous for being “the most biologically intense place on Earth”.  Be prepared for a thrilling tour as you explore some of Mother Nature’s most amazing works of art.  The area holds thousands of species of flora and fauna, many unique to the area and others which have disappeared from other regions, or are in danger of extinction. Approximately, 6,000 insects (including the 123 different butterflies discovered so far), 500 trees (a fourth of all the tree species that exist in Costa Rica), 367 birds, 140 mammals, 117 amphibian and reptiles, and 40 freshwater fish species live here in coexistence.

Day 6 – Transfer to Panama, Night City tour in David.

Get your passports ready, after a 2 hour drive, we will get to Paso Canoas, border of Costa Rica with Panama, soon after crossing the border, we will enjoy a superb lunch at our favorite Steak House in Panama (included), then with a full stomach, we continue our way to David, town famous for their shopping and old architecture, the night life in David is amazing, all kind of local restaurants and Bars to take a break and just have fun. The city of David is a market town and center for the thriving farming industry that is the main economic activity of the Chiriquí province. David is not quite a frontier town, but the feeling is there. It is a regional commercial and processing center. Raising cattle is the principal occupation in the region, but tropical fruits, coffee, cacao, and sugar are also produced. The city is surrounded by the beautiful and picturesque highlands of Chiriquí.

In the center of town you will find the central park. Here locals come to visit or just to relax under the shade of the trees. Street vendors will shine your shoes or sell you a cold drink, a freshly cracked coconut or the juice from sugar cane grounded on the spot.

Day 7 – Cerro Punta, Hike La Amistad International Park

Cerro Punta is a small and beautiful village located in the highlands of the Chiriquí province, the newest tourist destination, with abundant natural resources, breathtaking scenery and a refreshing climate. After our arrive we will hike The ¨Three Waterfalls¨ trail, one and a half hour loop of spectacular scenery, 5 rivers and three sparkling waterfalls.

Day 8 – Transfer to Bocas del Toro driving trough La Amistad International Park

On this day, after enjoying a delectable breakfast, we star our trip to Bocas Del Toro, but first we have to drive through the mountains of La Amistad International Park, you will notice the change of vegetation and climate as we clime up to 3.474 meters above sea level (11.464 ft.) an adventure itself, after approximately 4 ½ hours we will arrive to Almirante, a picturesque port town, point of access to the islands of Bocas.

Bocas del Toro is situated on the northwestern coast of Panama in and around the Lagoon of Chiriquí. Bocas del Toro offers the perfect combination of Caribbean charm, nature and history with cultural traditions. Due to its variety of aquatic species, coral reefs, mangroves, tropical forest, beaches with crystal clear water and undisturbed jungles the main attractions are snorkeling, diving, hiking and bird watching. The main town is called Bocas del Toro or “Bocas Town” and is located on Colon Island, the largest island of the archipelago. In Bocas Town you will find colorful wooden houses and some historic relics (like a canon, an anchor and an old fire truck). At night you can eat out on one of the many restaurants serving international or local food and dance to Reggae; during the day you can tour one of the nearby islands, go watch the dolphins play in Dolphin Bay, go swimming and sunbathing in one of the beautiful beaches of the surrounding islands (Red Frog and Zapatillas).

Day 9 – Bocas del Toro day at leisure

Welcome to Bocas del Toro archipelago, you will be amused and amazed, tempted beyond belief and for certain you will to take with you priceless memories of a different world.

It is difficult to express in a few words what you can feel when you visit the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Only some places around the world keep this particular atmosphere.
Bocas del Toro captivates its visitors because of its amazing vegetation, its biodiversity, its ancient’s customs: it is a real biological fantasy. On this day we let you enjoy Paradise at your own will.

Day 10 – Snorkeling at Bird Island, Bocas del Drago, Starfish Beach.

Bocas del Toro offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. Large coral reefs, clear and pristine waters, safe and calm, great scuba diving sites and deep underwater cliffs are abundant. Some of the best points are Crawl Key, The Garden, Old Point, Hospital Point and Stars Beach. However, almost all the beaches and rocky formations surrounding them in almost all the islands during almost every season of the year are great for snorkeling.

Day 11 – Back to Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo

It is time to say goodbye to Panama and return to Costa Rica, after a 2 ½ hour drive we will get to the Sixaola Bridge, border between Costa Rica and Panama in the Caribbean, a quick drive will take us to Puerto Viejo, located in Limon province on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beach lover’s paradise. Here among the exotic flora and fauna, lays a vibrant seaside town with gorgeous beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and some of the most amazing surfing opportunities. Fast becoming one of Costa Rica’s premier tourist hot spots, many international surfers come here from all over the world to ride the famed Salsa Brava waves, making this Caribbean influenced town a ‘must visit’ place when in Costa Rica.

Day 12 – White water Rafting at Pacuare River, San Jose

The Pacuare is the quintessential tropical river. Along its course lie several densely vegetated gorges which shelter jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and an incredible variety of birds. Also found within these gorges is some of the best whitewater in all of Central America, ranging up to Class V in difficulty. The Pacuare is the only river in Costa Rica which contains these amenities, including virgin rain forest, while also being quite accessible. The lowland tropical forest here is remarkable for its luxuriant variety and the amazing abundance and diversity of wildlife found within it, the perfect way to end our journey.

Just 2 hours later, we arrive at the hotel to pack and get ready for the next day flight; a special dinner at a very special place will top an unforgettable trip.

Day 13 –  Transfer to the Airport 

You will be privately transferred to the airport with a camera full of memories and a bunch of new friends.

Package includes:

• Private ground transportation.
• Welcome service (assistance at the airport on arrival date).
• Private transportation to the different destinations included in the program.
• 13 Breakfasts
• 03 Lunches (Days 5, 6, 12,)
• 01 Dinners (Day 12)
• 13-night accommodation in a standard room (hotel taxes included)
• San Jose City Tour – entrance fee to The National Theater and The National Museum (or a similar museum).
• Guided Tour to Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Entrance fee to Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Canopy Tour at Osa Canopy Tour.
• Entrance fee to the Marine Whale National Park.
• Corcovado National Park Tour, San Pedrillo Ranger Station.
• Entrance fee to Corcovado National Park.
• David City Tour.
• Guided Tour La Amistad International Park.
• Entrance fee to La Amistad International Park.
• Boat Transfer Almirante-Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro.
• Snorkeling Tour at Starfish Island in Bocas del Toro.
• Pacuare River Whitewater rafting Tour.

Departure Dates 2012

Reservations

Early reservations are essential to guarantee your accommodations on the date that you wish to travel. During the high season from December to May and the months of July and August, More than Transfers recommends that reservations be made at least three months in advance in order to confirm the accommodations requested. We also offer fixed, soft adventure itineraries, available at any time of the year with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Deposit and Balance of Payment

A deposit of US$200 per person must be paid once the itinerary is confirmed. Certain hotels may require additional deposits to guarantee space, especially during the high season. More than Transfers will advise the client if any additional amount is required.

Balance of payment is due 45 days prior to arrival date. In the event of a reservation received after 45 days prior to arrival date, full payment should be sent as soon as we confirm your request.

Cancellation and Refund

Cancellations must be received in writing a minimum of 45 days prior to arrival. In such cases, a handling charge of $200.00 will be applied, in addition to any hotel guarantee and services already prepaid.

If you cancel after making the balance of payment, that portion is refundable according to the following conditions:

For cancellations received 44 to 30 days prior to arrival, 50% of the total amount.

For cancellations received 29 to 15 days prior to arrival, 25% of the total amount.

If the passenger cancels 14 to 1 day prior to arrival, no refunds are made.

Any additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the passenger(s). However, once the tour departs, no refund can be made for any feature of the program not used by the passenger(s) during course of the tour.

We recommend that passenger(s) purchase a trip cancellation insurance policy.

Responsibility

More than Transfers de Costa Rica S.A. acts only as agent for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by road, railroad, boat, airplane, helicopter or horse and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever or through the act of default of any hotel, carrier, boat, restaurant, company or person, included on the trip, or any other circumstances beyond its direct control.

More than Transfers will not refund those who by their own decision/ responsibility or negligence decide not to use some or any of the services included in their program and, if this modification(s) implicate any extra fee, the client(s) should cover it. More than Transfers has the right to modify the original itinerary due to circumstances out of its control, as well as exclude a participant whose behavior is an inconvenience to the development of the itinerary without compensation or refund.

More than Transfers and or its agents can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to the delay or changes in air schedules, theft, loss of (or damage to) baggage or any article belonging to the passengers, sickness, personal health, injuries, death, weather conditions, strikes, fires, explosion, earthquakes, floods, epidemics, conditions of trails, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, wars, accidents, chance, acts of God, force majeure or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated.

Many of the activities could be physically challenging. Every passenger has to check the level of difficulty rating; it is the passenger’s responsibility to judge the appropriateness of these travel activities according to his/her physical capabilities and release More than Transfers of any responsibility.

More than Transfers requires that all participants be covered by appropriate life, accident and medical insurance and that they be financially responsible for such expenses. More than Transfers requires that participants planning to operate a motor vehicle overseas must obtain liability and collision insurance that will cover them in Costa Rica. Insurance can be obtained at the car rental office. More than Transfers recommends that all participants must insure their personal property from loss and theft. More than Transfers is not responsible for any costs or losses resulting from such events.