There are adventurous travelers and there are travelers who really enjoy being pampered more than a great adventure.
I have vacationed the complete spectrum, I have pinched pennies while vacationing in Gatlinburg Tennessee and stayed in a very expensive vacation home with a private maid in Saint Jean de Luz, France.
I will admit that the vacation home with a private maid was a nice way to experience France.
But, I am an adventurer at heart probably born from my days as a kid where I grabbed a fishing pole or net and waded creeks and ponds to see what was there.
My favorite type of travel is where you see things up close and personal with exposure to the people, culture and wildlife.
This might require you to hop on a rubber landing raft and land on a beach where no one lives or it might require you to reach down and pet a whale.
Adventurers run between 8 and 98 years old generally.
This is quite an exploration, a Costa Rica vacation combined with transiting the Panama Canal.
Many people do not have a preconceived notion of Costa Rica but it is a great place for people who like to see new things.
You will see rainforests with nearly 400 species of birds, monkeys, sloths and more.
In the ocean waters there have been 69 species of fish identified.
Whether you are in the rainforest, snorkeling, kayaking or beach exploring there are many new things to see on this trip.
Panama has the Canal but it also has The description begins on an optional land tour before a cruise.
Each has been identified separately as land or cruise.
Your Costa Rica and Panama Canal Vacation Optional Land Day 1 in Costa Rica - Arrive at the Courtyard by Marriott San José Costa Rica, and enjoy the area Optional Land Day 2 in Costa Rica - Enjoy a guided tour of the INBIOPARQUE and the Rainforest Aerial Tram.
After lunch you will visit the Alma Ata Archaeological Park to gain an understanding of Costa Rica's history.
You will stay overnight in Sarapiqui.
Optional Land Day 3 in Costa Rica - At Hacienda Pozo Azul you will have a choice of two activities from a treetop canopy ride, a dairy farm, horseback riding, butterfly garden or exploring on a hiking trip.
You will stay overnight in Sarapiqui.
Optional Land Day 4 in Costa Rica - POÁS volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens Optional Land Day 5 in Costa Rica- Enjoy a wonderful tour of the Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs.
The Arenal volcano is still active and will occasionally rumble or throw out some smoke.
Enjoy a swim in the hot springs and dinner at Mirador Kioro.
Stay overnight in Arenal.
Optional Land Day 6/Cruise Day 1 in Costa Rica - Board the ship in Los Sueños Cruise Day 2 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK, Costa RicaEnjoy the beautiful white sand beaches and nature walks with large numbers of mammals and birds.
You can see monkeys, sloths, the rare turquise cotinga and more.
Cruise Day 3 - CALETAS BEACH Costa Rica Explore the incredible Corcovado Conservation Rainforest area.
This is home to almost 400 species of birds, pumas, jaguars, tapirs and more.
Cruise Day 4 - Enjoy a tour of the gardens at Case Orquideas in Costa Rica.
Over 100 varieties of orchids plus tropical fruits trees, ornamental plants and other eye catching delights.
In the afternoon you will search for wildlife which includes monkeys and toucans.
Cruise Day 5 - GRANITO DE ORO IN COIBA NATIONAL PARK Panama.
This area was at one time a hideout for pirates.
The forest is still mostly untouched with many species of birds including scarlet macaws.
The waters are considered one of the ten best diving locations in the world (UNESCO).
Enjoy a day of snorkeling and kayaking these beautiful waters.
Cruise Day 6 - DARIÉN JUNGLE Panama.
There is a good chance of seeing whales, dolphins and birds on the way to Darien Jungle.
The Darien Jungle stretches from lowland to high elevations, somewhat unusual for a tropical rainforest.
It is the hope to 10,000 species of plants and hundreds of land birds.
You will enjoy howler monkeys, parrots and many other birds.
Enjoy a visit to an Emberá village where you will be welcomed and treated to a native dance.
Cruise Day 7 - PANAMA CANAL Enjoy the transit of this incredible canal which is 50 miles long.
Being on a smaller cruise ship makes this a much more interesting trip as you are not much above land level on the deck.
Cruise Day 8 - PORTOBELO in Panama.
Enjoy this Spanish historic city and see a dance by Portobelo locals.
If the tide is high enough you will also have an inflatable excursion trip into a mangrove forest.
Cruise Day 9 - SAN BLAS ISLANDS in Panama.
There are more than 350 islands here and only about 50 of them are inhabited.
You will enjoy meeting native people at a Kuna villaga and later crystal clear waters will call you to come snorkeling.
Cruise Day 10 - Disembark and be transported back to Panama City for your flight home.
If you have been wanting an inclusive Costa Rica vacation you can have it with a wonderful exploration of Panama.