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11 Hour Flight GMT -6 Tropical Map

What to expect

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Explore Costa Rica's natural wonders

The Panama Canal

Journey through the historic Gaillard Cut

Diverse Wildlife

Spot monkeys, iguanas, sloths & caimans

Outdoor Adventure

Navigate the waterways of Tortuguero

About the trip

See the best of Costa Rica and Panama on this amazing 12-day adventure! We begin our epic group tour in Panama – home to one of the world’s most exceptional modern engineering marvels – the Panama Canal. Here we explore the Spanish plazas and colonial buildings of Panama City and partially cross the famous Canal. We’ll then move on to Costa Rica – a nature lover’s paradise, and a geological wonder with an overwhelming range of scenery. Home to active volcanoes, magical rainforests, beautiful beaches and an amazing array of wildlife, from inquisitive monkeys to sleepy sloths, this solo holiday to Panama & Costa Rica is a truly unforgettable experience.

 

Activity Level:

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What's Included

  • Return flights & transfers
  • Airport Taxes & Charges
  • Twin / double room for sole use
  • Solos Board: Breakfast daily, 5 lunches & 6 dinners
  • Welcome Drink & Information Meeting
  • Panama Guided Canal & City Tour
  • Panama Canal Partial Transit The Culebra Cut
  • Visit to Poas Volcano National Park
  • Entrance to La Paz Waterfalls Gardens
  • Visit of Tortuguero Village & the Green Turtle Information Centre
  • Morning boat tour of Tortuguero National Park
  • Walking tour of Arenal Hanging bridges
  • Guided visit of Arenal Volcano National Park
  • Costa Rican family Trapiche tour
  • Hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
  • Fully financially protected

Itinerary

  • London - Panama City
  • Panama Canal and City Tour
  • Panama Canal Partial Transit - The Culebra Cut
  • Panama City - San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Volcanos & Waterfalls
  • Tortuguero
  • Tortuguero National Park
  • On to Arenal
  • Arenal Hanging Bridges & Volcano National Park
  • Over to Monteverde
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • San Jose - London
  • Arrive back into the UK
  • Insurance – see here

What you'll be doing

DAY 1

London - Panama City

Welcome to Panama! Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Panama City. After check-in, we get to know our fellow travellers whilst enjoying a welcome dinner with a drink at the hotel.

Our tour begins in glorious Panama City – a vibrant, cosmopolitan and beautiful city, Capital of the Republic of Panama, it’s located at the Pacific side of the American Continent. Built in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila, a Spanish Governor, it has been considered one of the most important cities of the Americas.

  • Dinner Included
DAY 2

Panama Canal and City Tour

Today we embark on the half day city tour. We will have the opportunity to visit top sights such as the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, where we can observe the daily operations of the waterway. Additionally, we will explore Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo or San Felipe, the historic district of Panama City founded in 1673, which is a World Heritage site and perfect for a walking tour. We also visit the ‘Causeway’ – a group of three islands linked to mainland by the breakwaters of the Panama Canal. The US Army used this area for the defence of the Panama Canal, due to its strategic location. Today, the Causeway has become the most exquisite fashion centre in the Americas, featuring restaurants with international fine cuisine, vibrant bars, upscale shopping, and the new Flamenco Cruise Terminal.

  • Breakfast Included
DAY 3

Panama Canal Partial Transit - The Culebra Cut

Today our tour starts at the Playita de  Marina. We board our coach for a 45 minute ride to the town of Gamboa, where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, we board the boat to start the water portion of the tour. We enter the canal at the north end of the Gailard cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. The vessel will travel the Cut’s 13.7 kilometres on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks.

Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the canal. Next, we will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake – a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks, the vessel is lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps.

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DAY 4

Panama City - San Jose, Costa Rica

After breakfast, we will transfer to Tocumen International Airport to board our flight for San Jose in Costa Rica.

Upon arrival in the vibrant capital of San Jose, we will transfer and check-in to our hotel.

We can relax for the rest of the afternoon before our welcome drink and dinner.

  • Breakfast & Dinner Included
DAY 5

Volcanoes & Waterfalls

Making our way out of the city, we head towards the active Poas Volcano. The volcano rises 2,708 metres above sea level and we will witness large amounts of gas and water vapour that emit from the different fumaroles located in the inner cone of the crater. At the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, we explore some of the trails and take in the famous waterfalls. The private reserve also contains a Butterfly Garden and Hummingbird Garden with many beautiful species. The park is even a refuge for birds and wild cats who are now cared for by the centre.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended (preferably with a thick tread for hiking the trails and stairs), along with shorts or comfortable trousers, and a lightweight jacket or raincoat.

Please note: The park ranges in altitude from 5,200 feet to 4,200 feet so it can get chilly when the clouds roll in.

  • Breakfast & Lunch Included
DAY 6

Tortuguero Village Visit

After an early morning start, we head to the docks and transfer by boat to Tortuguero. Following lunch, we visit Tortuguero Village.

Please note: Luggage is limited to 25 pounds (12 kg) per person.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 7

Explore Tortuguero National Park's wildlife & freshwater lagoons

Having had its boundaries extended three times, Tortuguero National Park is internationally recognised for its protection of the largest green turtle nesting beach in the Western Hemisphere. A place like no other, we glide along by small boats through a network of canals and freshwater lagoons, watched perhaps by curious monkeys, bright toucans, ancient iguanas, sedentary sloths and maybe even the glinting eye of a crocodile.

Please note: The order and logistics of the itinerary may change depending on weather conditions.

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DAY 8

On to Arenal

After breakfast, we take the boat back to the port before transferring to Arenal.

  • Breakfast & Lunch Included
DAY 9

Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges & Volcano National Park

This is a perfect opportunity to explore a tropical rainforest. Our walk includes 15 bridges, 6 of which are hanging bridges, offering stunning views of the forest. The unique structure of the trees allows us to observe many species up close. The park has more than 700 species of flora and 350 species of fauna. Keep an eye out for the bell bird and the emerald toucanet, and stay alert for the elusive jaguar and tapirs.

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DAY 10

Learn about traditional farming in Monteverde

We transfer to Monteverde today with an El Trapiche Tour in the afternoon. This is a Costa Rican family project that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about traditional farming in the country, such as sugar cane, coffee, bananas, oranges, ‘arracacha’ (a local vegetable) and macadamia. We will have the opportunity to ride in an oxcart and learn how to grow cacao to make chocolate. We can make our own ‘sobado, a fudge-like candy and to try the ‘picadillo de arracache’ (a traditional dish) with a delicious cup of coffee.

  • Breakfast & Dinner Included
DAY 11

Hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today, we embark on a hike through the renowned Cloud Forest, one of the most celebrated conservation areas in Central America. Despite being a tropical rainforest, its altitude of 1,400 meters earns it the name ‘Cloud Forest’. With an astonishing annual rainfall of four meters, this lush ecosystem is home to a diverse array of rare and exotic wildlife.

  • Breakfast Included
DAY 12

San Jose - London

We bid a final farewell to our nature wonderland as we head back from Montverde to San Jose (3 hrs drive) for our overnight flight home.

  • Breakfast Included
DAY 13

Arrive back into the UK

We arrive back into the UK after an overnight flight from San Jose.

Accommodation

Costa Rica & Panama

We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);

  • Four-star Hotel Le Meridien – Panama City
  • Four-star Hotel Presidente – San Jose
  • Four-star Mawamba Lodge – Tortuguero
  • Four-star Arenal Manoa Hotel – Arenal
  • Three-star Monteverde Country Lodge- Monteverde

Frequently Asked Questions

Average Temperatures

Month(s) Highest temperature Lowest temperature
January 26 °C 17 °C
February - May 29 °C 18 °C
June - August 28 °C 18 °C
October - December 25 °C 18 °C

Our Reviews

“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”

“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”

“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”

“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”

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