Coastal Adventures: Panama & Costa Rica

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.

Your exciting Central America adventure begins in Panama City, the vibrant capital of Panama. Here, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald luxury yacht to explore Panama and Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Panama City prior to 05:00 PM.

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 or so islands and islets, many of them tiny and uninhabited, and enjoy the 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. 

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 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.  The park is home to indigenous communities who reside along its riverbanks.” 

"The remote Darien Jungle has one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. It is also one of the world’s top ten birding sites, with the colourful Crimson-collared Tanager, Chestnut-fronted Macaws, and Snow-bellied Hummingbirds found here. Mammals include tapirs and Black-headed Spider Monkeys. In this roadless stretch of forest, rivers provide the best access. Visitors to the Darien Jungle are rare with fewer than 1,000 tourists visiting each year. The Embera are one of several indigenous groups that live here in relative isolation offering ornate handcrafted baskets and carvings for sale in their traditional villages."

Welcome to Cébaco Island, which lies in the province of Veraguas and is part of the buffer zone of Coiba Island National Park. Cébaco 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 Cébaco is also popular for its gorgeous beaches.

Golfito, is situated along a small inlet of Golfo Dulce. This small port city is a narrow strip along Golfito Bay backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rainforest, with the Golfo Dulce seaward outside Golfito Bay. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Golfito provides an ideal location to escape from your hectic schedule and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and lush rainforest. Follow a trail through the densely forested Golfito National Wildlife Refuge to observe rare flora and fauna, and emerge at a scenic outlook with views of the ocean, also the city has a variety of hotels and restaurants, many of which now provide free wireless Internet service for customers. Golfito was the main port on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the days when there was little except for the huge banana plantations. To help remedy the resulting economy decrease of the region, the government established a duty-free zone, support and impulse the touristic development.

Golfito Bay is a ‘gulf within a gulf’, well-known for its unspoiled landscapes framed by the lush mangroves of Corcovado and Piedras Blancas national parks. It’s 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. A hidden gem where the Costa Rican jungle meets the sea, Marina Golfito invites you to experience Costa Rica from a stunning new perspective. 

Quepos allows tourists to experience a once in a lifetime nature experience in Manuel Antonio National Park without leaving any of the familiar amenities behind. The close proximity of the park, located just 4.3 miles (7 km) to the south, and a wide array of services makes Quepos the perfect place to visit for those who wish to explore this enchanting area. The amenities available include everything from banks, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, bakeries, bars, a hospital, supermarket and even a post office. The area was once dependent on banana plantations which used to line the surrounding area. After disease infiltrated the harvest, interest transferred to African Palms as the prominent crop. Now, tourism has deemed itself the major economic factor, contributing to just about everything in the area. Quepos lures in many tourists for its fantastic sport fishing. In fact, some have come solely to participate in this world class experience and have never left, but besides sport fishing, many other activities are available. Exploring this maze of wetlands by boat is amazing but not the only way to see crocodiles, monkeys, herons, raccoons and more. This small paradise has the perfect balance between nature and the comfort and facilities someone might need.

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 renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. As a tropical inlet backed by rainforest, the park offers a variety of outdoor adventures. After the decline 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. 

Named after its turtle-shaped volcanic rock formations, Isla Tortuga is a small island set just off the tip of Nicoya Peninsula’s southern coast. The island offers a unique combination of white pristine beaches, palm trees, red volcanic rocks, verdant jungles and sparkling crystals that line the shores. Sunlight reaches right through the crystal clear waters at Isla Tortuga, making it a sought-after destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Just east of the island is the Curu Wildlife Refuge offers some of the region’s best wildlife watching, including sightings of capuchin and howler monkeys, river otters, and deer on the ground, and a diverse ecology of underwater wildlife that can be accessed via snorkeling. Most commonly seen species are mantarays, reef sharks, octupus, stingrays, angle fish and spinner dolphins.

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 here, as well as tropical fruits cultivated, such as mangoes.

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 fringed with palm trees and lapped by crystal-clear waters. You can relax at the beach, enjoy a hike, or go snorkelling in transparent, turquoise waters.

Today, your time on board your Emerald luxury yacht comes to an end in the port city of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. After bidding farewell to the crew and your fellow guests, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home or to continue your journey. 

Please book your flight to depart out of San Jose 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 be operated unaltered from the itinerary stated above.