Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll arrive in San José, Costa Rica's capital, where colonial and modern architecture sit side by side throughout the city. After settling into your hotel, there's time to wander around the Central Valley and get a feel for the local culture and history before your cruise begins tomorrow.
- Day 2
San José to Puerto Limón
This morning you'll transfer from San José to Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast. Once there, you'll board your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and prepare for departure as the ship readies for your journey through Costa Rica and Panama.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome Reception & Dinner)
- Day 3
Puerto Limón
You'll spend the day in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica's main Caribbean port. The city offers a mix of tropical beaches and cultural experiences, with lush surroundings and local heritage to explore. It's a working hub, so you'll see the energy of trade and tourism firsthand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4
Bocas del Toro Archipelago
Your yacht cruises to the Bocas del Toro Archipelago off Panama's coast. You'll find a blend of indigenous communities, Afro-Caribbean culture, and expat residents here, all surrounded by tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and mangroves that support incredible plant and animal life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Bocas del Toro Archipelago - Day 5
Panama Canal Transit
Today you'll transit the Panama Canal on your yacht, passing through one of history's great engineering projects that's moved over 900,000 vessels since 1914. This shortcut between the Pacific and Caribbean cuts thousands of miles off traditional shipping routes. You'll arrive in Panama City by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transit the Panama Canal
Landmarks Panama Canal - Day 6
Panama City
Panama City mixes modern high-rises with the historic Casco Viejo, where colonial buildings line cobblestone streets and small plazas. As the Pacific gateway to the canal, the city pulses with maritime activity and contemporary development alongside older charm from centuries past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Casco Viejo - Day 7
Pearl Islands
You'll cruise to the Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama, where roughly 200 islands and islets scatter across the sea. Many sit empty and untouched, offering pristine beaches and coral reefs where you can spot colorful tropical fish and other marine creatures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Pearl Islands - Day 8
Darién National Park
Darién National Park covers about 5,750 square kilometers across the Panama-Colombia border and holds a UNESCO World Heritage designation. The protected area includes sandy and rocky beaches, swamps, mangroves, and tropical forests where two indigenous tribes live along the rivers and diverse wildlife thrives.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Darién National Park - Day 9
Cebaco Island
You'll visit Cebaco Island, Panama's third-largest island and part of the buffer zone around Coiba Island National Park. About 500 residents live here mostly in northern settlements, and the island offers beautiful beaches and natural landscapes that feel removed from tourist crowds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Cebaco Island - Day 10
Golfito Bay
Golfito Bay sits where the Costa Rican jungle meets the sea, framed by mangroves from Corcovado and Piedras Blancas national parks. The area holds some of the richest biodiversity on the planet, with activities suited for eco-tourists, kayakers, surfers, and anyone seeking outdoor adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Golfito Bay - Day 11
Quepos
You'll arrive in Quepos, a small working harbor town known for sport fishing. It serves as the main access point to Manuel Antonio National Park, where rainforest meets tropical waters. From here you can do kayaking, canopy tours, and observe the incredible mix of species scientists study regularly.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Manuel Antonio National Park - Day 12
Nicoya Peninsula - Isla Tortuga
This morning you'll visit the Curá National Wildlife Refuge and Farm on the Nicoya Peninsula, which shows Costa Rica's sustainable development approach with beautiful beaches and protected bays. Later your yacht sails to Isla Tortuga, known for pristine sandy beaches lined with palms where you can relax, hike, or snorkel in clear turquoise water. You'll reach Puerto Caldera after nightfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hiking on Isla Tortuga
- Snorkeling in crystal-clear turquoise waters
Landmarks Curá National Wildlife Refuge Isla Tortuga - Day 13
Puerto Caldera
Your time aboard the Emerald Cruises yacht concludes at Puerto Caldera as your Central America adventure ends. You'll say goodbye to the crew and other passengers, then head to the airport for your flight home or to continue exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
