Uncharted Horizons of Panama and Costa Rica

Where rainforest, river, and reef meet — a journey through Central America’s living edge.

Central America moves slowly — shaped by water, forest, and story. Begin in Panama City, where the canal bends time and Casco Viejo lingers in warm stone and shadowed balconies. You step into a region shaped by passage — of water, of empire, of stories still held in the walls.

Cross into Costa Rica, where the land turns lush and layered. In Tortuguero, boats move through green tunnels and time slips into rhythm. Monkeys leap. Herons stalk. The rainforest doesn’t open — it surrounds.

From volcanic Arenal to Monteverde’s mist, elevation brings clarity. Cloud forest trails suspend you between canopy and sky. Then west to the coast, where Pacific tides draw the land out, then gather it back in.

This is not a highlight reel. It’s a slow immersion — through water, heat, altitude, and wildness you don’t observe but join.

This is where the forest steps aside — and lets you in.

Colourful welcome sign in Panama City, blending modern flair and tropical charm.

Day 1

Arrive in Panama City, where glass towers rise behind colonial arches and the Pacific holds a quiet pulse. The day is gentle by design — just enough light, just enough space, and the soft onset of elsewhere.

Day 2

Trace time through the ruins of Panamá Viejo, then follow the stone-and-shade rhythm of Casco Viejo. Carved balconies lean over cobbled lanes. A slow lunch welcomes you inward — not just to the country, but to its pace.

Dense urban skyline of Panama City with dramatic clouds and calm waters below.

Golden twilight over the waterfront of Panama with boats drifting in calm waters.

Day 3

Board a small vessel for a partial crossing of the Panama Canal. You pass through locks that hold oceans apart, watching history move in water and steel. Later, return along the jungle-framed banks — modernity receding, silence rising.

Day 4

Fly to Costa Rica and settle near Poás Volcano — where mist rises through cloud forest, mountain coffee steams with altitude, and the earth speaks softly beneath your feet. Let the afternoon ease in — with warmth, quiet, and the sense of being gently handed off from one landscape to another.

Scenic view of Poás Volcano crater with a visitor gazing into its vibrant turquoise waters.

Riverboat cruising through the lush rainforest waterways of Tortuguero, Costa Rica.

Day 5

Travel east to Caño Blanco, where river and rainforest begin to entwine. A boat carries you through winding canals into Tortuguero — a village without roads, wrapped in water and wildlife. The jungle doesn’t speak loudly here, but it never stops talking.

Day 6

By canoe and on foot, explore Tortuguero’s living mosaic — monkeys in the canopy, caimans along the riverbank, scarlet macaws overhead. In the quiet spaces between, you notice how many kinds of green the world can hold.

Canoe with visitors gliding through lush jungle on a shared tour in Tortuguero National Park.

Nature walk through vibrant rainforest on hanging bridge at La Selva Biological Station.

Day 7

Depart by boat, then road, heading north toward Arenal. Pause at La Selva Biological Station — where science meets birdsong. Continue past volcanoes and small farms. By the time you reach Arenal, the cone appears through the mist like a memory.

Day 8

Cross hanging bridges in the forest canopy. Walk quiet trails below. Light filters differently here — fragmented, shifting, green. In the evening, soak in thermal pools if you like, or just let the stillness settle into your shoulders.

Volcanic peak of Arenal with sweeping rainforest landscape in the foreground in Costa Rica.

Tranquil paddle across Lake Arenal with lush forest and volcano view in Costa Rica.

Day 9

Circle Lake Arenal by road, watching the landscape shift from tropical to cloud-kissed. In Monteverde, the altitude carries quiet, and the forest grows from mist and moss.

Day 10

Wander the cloud forest’s suspended walkways — where hummingbirds hover and the silence feels layered. The afternoon is yours: read in the lodge, join a guide, or follow your own slow rhythm.

Serene jungle waterfall surrounded by dense tropical vegetation in Costa Rica.

Tropical countryside with winding river and lush vegetation near Carara National Park.

Day 11

Descend from highlands to the coast. Along the way, pause in Carara National Park — home to scarlet macaws and rare transition-zone species. Continue to Tarcoles, where river and ocean meet and mangroves breathe with the tide.

Day 12

Walk the trails of Manuel Antonio, where rainforest meets reef and sloths nap above the sea. Later, gather for a final dinner — Costa Rican flavours, laughter softened by salt air, and the kind of silence that only comes at the end of something whole.

Trio of squirrel monkeys perched on a tree branch in Manuel Antonio National Park.

San José landmark cathedral with colonial architecture and a vibrant red dome.

Day 13

Return to San José and fly onward — carrying the sound of rivers, the hush of the canopy, and a hundred shades of green you’ll never forget.

A private guided luxury tour by Jetsetters

Embark on a journey like no other with Uncharted Horizons of Panama and Costa Rica private guided luxury tour by Jetsetters, expertly crafted to immerse you in the best of Central America’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and refined hospitality. From the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal to Costa Rica’s biodiverse rainforests and sun-kissed Pacific coast, this exclusive itinerary is designed for travellers who seek meaningful experiences paired with exceptional comfort.

A grand introduction in Panama

Your journey begins in the dynamic capital of Panama City, where colonial history and modern innovation blend seamlessly. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic Casco Viejo and the impressive ruins of Old Panama, followed by a partial transit cruise through the world-renowned Panama Canal—a once-in-a-lifetime experience showcasing one of the greatest feats in maritime engineering. Your stay is complemented by the refined elegance of Hotel Grano de Oro, a charming boutique property that captures the soul of the city with its warm ambiance and impeccable service.

Into Costa Rica’s wild beauty

Fly to Costa Rica to explore its richly diverse landscapes and vibrant wildlife. Your first destination is the remote waterways of Tortuguero, accessible only by boat. Cruise through tranquil canals surrounded by lush rainforest, where monkeys, toucans, and caimans thrive in the wild. In this secluded paradise, enjoy the hospitality and eco-luxury of Blanco Tortuga Lodge & Gardens, where the sounds of nature and tropical breezes create a serene retreat. From Tortuguero, travel to the scenic highlands of Arenal and Monteverde. Walk among the treetops on suspension bridges, gaze at the iconic Arenal Volcano, and visit a biological research station for a deeper look into Costa Rica’s conservation efforts. In Monteverde’s cloud forest, you’ll stay at the luxurious and sustainable Senda Monteverde Hotel, where boutique elegance meets immersive nature experiences in a tranquil mountaintop setting.

Pacific Coast wonders & farewell in style

Conclude your Costa Rican journey on the picturesque Pacific coast. Explore Carara National Park, home to vibrant scarlet macaws and crocodile-inhabited rivers, before heading to the famed Manuel Antonio National Park, where rainforest trails lead to pristine beaches. Spot sloths and squirrel monkeys, soak in the coastal beauty, and enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating your incredible journey.

The Jetsetters experience

With every step of the way curated by Jetsetters, this luxury tour offers more than just beautiful destinations—it delivers personalized service, authentic encounters, and effortless travel. From seamless transfers and insider-guided excursions to hand-selected accommodations, Jetsetters luxury travel advisors ensure that your experience is elevated in every way. This isn’t simply a vacation—it’s an artfully designed, once-in-a-lifetime private guided luxury tour through Panama and Costa Rica. Let Jetsetters bring you closer to the heart of Central America, in style.