The Panama Canal and Costa Rica

•   All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, naturalists and ship staff

Day 1: Arrive San José
You will be met upon arrival at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport and transferred to Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica in the elite suburb of Escazú. Dinner is at your leisure tonight in the hotel. 
Overnight: Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Coffee
Near-perfect growing conditions, from climate to soil, have made coffee one of Costa Rica’s most important exports. Visit a coffee plantation for a tasting tour to discover firsthand how the beans are harvested and roasted. Costa Rica’s natural beauty is showcased at La Paz Waterfall Gardens; tour this tropical paradise, seeing indigenous foliage, from flowers and plants to trees, and colorful butterflies and birds! Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Overnight: Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: San José / Sarchi / Embark Le Levant
Discover city life on a guided tour of San José. Visit the Gold Museum, featuring thousands of pre-Colombian gold artifacts, and the National Theatre, renowned as one of Costa Rica’s foremost architectural showpieces. The theatre’s stunning Baroque design glistens with gold overlays and Carrara marble. A visit to Sarchi showcases the production and painting of the traditional ox carts seen all over Costa Rica. Embark Le Levant in Puerto Caldera for the start of your 6-night cruise.
Overnight: Aboard Le Levant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Hiking on Osa Peninsula
Enjoy an excursion to the Osa Peninsula today, described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Join a naturalist guide for a hike through rainforest landscapes, learning about the diverse ecosystems and wildlife that thrive here. You may see numerous birds along the way, including toucans and parrots. Take a refreshing swim before returning to the ship for the Captain’s welcome dinner.
Overnight: Aboard Le Levant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Coiba Island National Park
Snorkel this morning at the tiny island of Granito de Oro and spend the afternoon on Coiba Island, a UNESCO?World Heritage Site. Le Levant anchors off a secluded white-sand beach and launches Zodiac crafts to take you ashore. This island gem is ideal for swimming and snorkeling with your naturalist guides whose knowledge of the region’s marine life will enrich your experiences today. We’ll treat you to a beachfront barbecue for lunch before returning to the ship and cruising to another Pacific Ocean jewel.
Overnight: Aboard Le Levant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Explore the Darien Province
Discover Panama’s remote Darien Province today – one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Central America – for a unique cultural experience far off-the-beaten track where few travelers have gone before. Tauck takes you on a fascinating excursion to a village today for an up-close glimpse of cultural treasures from traditional dances to cocobolo wood and tagua vegetable carvings. Set sail for the Panama Canal.
Overnight: Aboard Le Levant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Full Transit of the Panama Canal
Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal is one of mankind’s most incredible engineering endeavors. It’s approximately a ten-hour journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, during which time Le Levant enters three sets of locks – Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and the Gatún locks – and is raised and lowered a total of 85 ft. A local Panama Canal guide will provide insider commentary as the ship makes its way through the canal, regaling you with stories about this important shipping route. While a daylight transit time through this 51-mile-long canal cannot be guaranteed, your crossing is sure to be a treasured highlight of this cruise any time of the day or night.
Overnight: Aboard Le Levant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Discover the San Blas Islands
Drop anchor along the Panama coast at one of the 365 small islands of the San Blas Archipelago. Truly reminiscent of a South Seas paradise, only a small number of these islands are inhabited. Explore a local Kuna village on Achutupo Island; go inside a private home and view artisans at work on their beautiful handcrafted molas. Spend the afternoon on the beach, swimming and snorkeling or just relaxing in tropical bliss.
Overnight: Aboard Le Levant
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Disembark Colón / Gamboa Rainforest
Disembark in Colón, Panama, and journey to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. A choice of adventures includes an aerial tram ride to the summit of Cerro Pelado or a jungle cruise along the canal. Continue on to Panama City for a two-night stay.
Overnight: InterContinental Miramar Panama, Panama City, Panama
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Sightseeing in Panama City
Sightseeing today includes Panama Viejo (Old Panama) and a walking tour of cobblestoned Casco Viejo. See the French Embassy, the Cathedral and the Teatro Nacional. Visit the Miraflores Locks and have lunch overlooking the Panama Canal. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: InterContinental Miramar Panama, Panama City
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Journey Home
Fly home anytime. A transfer from InterContinental Miramar Panama to Tocumen International Airport is included. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Special Offer Whether you choose to explore Europe on a Tauck "Yellow Roads of Europe" land journey, sail away on our award-winning European river cruises, find yourself someplace new on a Tauck Culturious trip or share the joy of European travel with your family on a Tauck Bridges adventure, your Tauck travel experience is built around these "cornerstones": Personalized Service We take care of every detail on your Tauck European vacation so you connect with the destination and experience the genuine emotion, the camaraderie, the little things that comprise day-to-day European life.   Quality Experience Tauck's expertise and local access provide guests with the best possible travel experience in Europe, including exclusive cultural events, fine hotels in the best locations and dining featuring authentic regional cuisine. Inclusive Value One up-front price with virtually everything included – no hidden costs, no surprises, no options sold on tour.   Peace of Mind Purchasing clarity – you know the quality of Tauck's travel experiences and full cost before you leave home. TAKE OFF WITH TAUCK makes flying to Europe easy with one flat up-front air price of $1,290 per person economy or $3,290 per person business and other benefits!* Call us today for more information!
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
2/11/2012 - 2/22/2012	$6,290
2/23/2012 - 3/5/2012	$6,290
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Tauck Tour Special Offer

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