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Puerto Caldera to Colón

An unparalleled exploration of Costa Rica and Panama when you pair a cruise featuring a daylight transit of the Panama Canal with an inland tour of lush cloud forests and Costa Rica’s most prominent volcano is the best way to maximize your time in this region. Whether you choose to hike, kayak or snorkel at pristine destinations like Panama’s Isla Parida, you’ll have an onboard naturalist available to provide insights and answer questions about local fish, flowers, and wildlife. Venture inland to trek through Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and then experience the unique magic of a nighttime walk among nocturnal animals and sleeping tropical birds in the private Curi-Cancha Reserve. You’ll also spend an unforgettable day around the steep slopes of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most famous and active stratovolcano, where you can choose between a heart-pounding zipline ride among the high treetops, or a more leisurely hanging bridge walk featuring breathtaking rainforest and waterfall views.

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Day 1: San José

Arrive in San José where a private transfer will be waiting at the airport to take you to your deluxe room at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel. You will have the rest of the day on your own to explore the sights of San José like La Sabana Park, Museo del Jade Marco Fidel Fristan Castro and San José Central Market.

(Includes overnight at hotel)

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Day 2: San Jose to Arenal

Breakfast at the hotel. Take your city tour with lunch downtown. Visit the National Theater, an icon for Costa Rican people and an architectural jewel representing the progress and the fruits of the labors of their ancestors. Continue on an easy walk to Democracy Square then to the National Park featuring the bronze National Monument of Costa Rica. After the tour you will continue to Arenal area. Following a buffet-style dinner the rest of the evening is at your leisure. Enjoy unlimited access to the hotel’s Hot Springs.

(Includes breakfast lunch, dinner and overnight at Arenal Hotel

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Day 3: Arenal

Today includes the option of ziplining through the trees or walking a series of impressive bridges in the treetops. Start your day with breakfast at your hotel. Then it’s off on adventure. If you’re ziplining you’ll head to Arenal Park for a 20-minute gondola ride to see the rainforest, the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Then you’ll zipline, traveling 600 feet in the air to see nature from a truly different perspective. Or if you’re walking the bridges, you’ll start your adventure at Mistico Park. You’ll want to bring your binoculars to look for the birds and howler monkeys in the trees around you. Then on to Arenal Park to take the gondola ride. Enjoy lunch at the park before transferring back to your hotel for an afternoon at your leisure. Your guide will recommend some optional activities before dinner at the hotel’s main restaurant.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at Arenal Hotel)

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Day 4: Arenal to Monteverde

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel to fuel you for your lake crossing. On the way, stop at Rancho Heliconia for a tour of world-famous Costa Rican coffee plantation, take a cooking class on local cuisine, and leave your green footprint by planting a tree. Lunch is served at Rancho Heliconia. Then enjoy the scenic drive to Monteverde as your English-speaking guide introduces you to the wildlife you might encounter at the Monteverde Reserve. The evening brings Curi-Cancha Reserve, part of 210-acre private wildlife reserve in the very heart of Monteverde, covering both lower, and wet montane, and premontane wet virgin cloud forest. The night allows for possible sightings of mammals and sleeping birds. Enjoy the nightly symphony of frogs and insects. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at Monteverde hotel)

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Day 5: Monteverde to Puerto Caldera

After breakfast, visit the Monteverde Reserve. This tour is a must for all visitors in Costa Rica. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is among the most famous reserves in the world for its biodiversity, conservation, contributions, and scientific research (entrance fee included). Now it’s time to meet your yacht at Puerto Caldera.

(Includes breakfast and transfer to yacht)

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Day 5: Puerto Caldera

Located on the Gulf of Nicoya, the small town of Puerto Caldera is one of Costa Rica’s top attractions, perfect for travelers who like more off the beaten path destinations where the native Tico lifestyle can be experienced. It is the gateway to San Jose, Jaco and the big city of Puntarenas, plus Los Suenos and Tortuga Island. Carara National Park is nearby, the rainforest home to crocodiles, over 400 species of birds and is considered the most likely place to see scarlet macaws.

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Day 6: Quepos

The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and abundant animal life.

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Day 7: Golfo Dulce

Picture Jurassic foliage growing down steep hillsides all the way to the waterline, the hoots of monkeys echoing through trees choked by orchids. Golfo Dulce is one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse areas, where both the jungle and the sea brim with life. Explore the canals by kayak in search of javelinas, butterflies, and more bird species than in all of North America. This port is accessed with a wet landing.

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Day 8: Isla Parida

Located within a Nature Preserve of 50 islands, and part of Chiriqui Marine National Park lovely Isla Parida boasts magnificent beaches, one of which is over 1,300 feet long. The crystal clear waters stay at 82 degrees year round and are filled with marine life. There are numerous hardwood trees like teak, mahogany, and eucalyptus, and fruit trees like mango, banana and coconut trees. Here you will be treated to Windstar's Signature Beach Party on a secluded beach that faces the Pacific Ocean.

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Day 10: Balboa / Fuerte Amador

One of the entrances to the Panama Canal on the Pacific side, Balboa/Fuerte Amador was founded in 1519 and is a short distance from Panama City. In 2012 Balboa was ranked #1 in Latin America in the category of world's busiest container ports. Sightseeing highlights include the colonial homes, the Administration Building, the Goethals Memorial, the Prado, and the local handicraft markets of traditional Panamanian crafts.

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Day 11: Panama Canal

At nearly 48 miles long, on your transit through the Panama Canal you will enter three sets of locks that raise and lower the vessel 85 feet between the calm Pacific Ocean and the shimmering waters of the Atlantic. Your voyage features a daylight hours transit with numerous observation vantage points for outside viewing and comfortable indoor air-conditioned lounges. Expert onboard commentary enhances your journey as you watch the day to day workings of this bucket list experience.

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Day 12: Colón

Explore the inner workings of the Panama Canal, head into the jungle to meet with Embera Indians, or take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy.

What’s Included?

•4 hotel stays – 1 night at the Costa Rica Marriott or similar, 1 night at the Poco a Poco Hotel or similar, 2 nights at Hotel Arenal Kioro or similar

•Admission to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Curi-Cancha Reserve Night Tour of the Cloud Forest, Arenal Lake Crossing, Ranch Heliconia World Famous Coffee Tour, Mistico Park, Admission to Hot Springs in Arenal, San José National Theater and National Park

•Meals as indicated on day-by-day descriptions

•All transfers to and from sites, hotels, and ship

•7-day cruise from Colón to Puerto Caldera or reverse