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On the 8-day Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia Cruise, experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, unravelling the Pacific Ocean coastline of Costa Rica. Reach the nature reserves and national parks of Isla Coiba, Corcovado and Manuel Antonio, witness life in the San Blas Islands and cross the celebrated Panama Canal, an event on every avid traveler's bucket list. Disembark in historic Cartagena, Colombia, where your travels can continue. Each day discover a new port of call, a hidden cove with crystal-blue waters, a glimpse of ancient history and rich flora and fauna diversity. Your home base is the 36-cabin mega yacht Variety Voyager, a state-of-the-art vessel launched in 2012, surely the most stylish way to ply the Panama Canal and Costa Rica.

Day 1 - Embark Herradura, Costa Rica

Arrive to Los Suenos, Herradura, Costa Rica, for a 4:00pm embarkation aboard the Variety Voyager. Settle in and enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Quepos

Set sail for Quepos, the starting place to visit Manuel Antonio National Park. This park was created in 1972 and consists of three magnificent white-sand beaches that are backed by a jungle sheltering hundreds of fascinating plant species. Naturalists lead walks to outstanding wildlife viewing. There are more than 109 mammal species and 184 species of birds here. Watch for monkeys, iguanas, agoutis, sloth and the rare turquoise cotinga. Manuel Antonio offers well-maintained trails where you can explore the jungle on your own or join a walk with one of Voyager's naturalists. You may wish to see the small shopping area, relax on the white-sand beach or take a swim. Overnight at anchor.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park

A morning sailing brings you to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. The main attraction of Drake Bay is Corcovado National Park, a nature preserve and tropical rainforest that occupies almost a third of the Osa Peninsula. Visitors are almost guaranteed to see some of the most incredible wildlife living in the jungles of the reserve including red-eyed tree frogs, quetzals, tapirs, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, monkeys and scarlet macaws. Swimmers can have the amazing opportunity to share the warm waters with marlins, dolphins and pilot whales. Later in the evening sail around the Osa Peninsula to Golfo Dulce and Golfito, where you'll overnight in port.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Golfo Dulce & Golfito

Wake up in Golfito, in the protected area of Golfo Dulce. Two optional excursions will bring you to a wildlife reserve and to the amazing Casa Orquideas or Orchid House, a private botanical garden beautifully landscaped and maintained. This is a unique opportunity to see some amazing flowers and taste some unusual fruits. After dinner leave Golfo Dulce for an overnight at sea.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Granito de Oro & Coiba Islands

Today marks your first day in Panama. Arrive early in the morning to Granito de Oro for some swimming and snorkeling in a pristine environment. After a barbecue on board sail to nearby Coiba Island. Coiba, identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest island in Central America, off the pacific coast of the Panamanian province of Veraguas. The waters adjacent the island are teeming with marine life. It is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs in the pacific coasts of the Americas; it is the beginning of the underwater Cordilera mountain chain that also includes Coco's and the Galapagos Islands. This makes for a unique dive experience you shouldn't miss. Overnight at sea to Panama for your Canal Crossing.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Panama Canal Transit

This morning reach the entrance of the Panama Canal for a day crossing the Canal. The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Work on the canal, which began in 1880, was completed in 1914. The 8- to 10-hour canal passage includes transit through three sets of locks: Gatun Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks and Miraflores Locks through which the water level is adjusted 85 feet. Transit through the locks and through Gatun Lake, a manmade lake formed by an earthen dam across the Chagres River. With priority given to commercial vessels - 14,000 cross the Canal each year - crossing times are not guaranteed. Exit the Canal at Limon Bay/Colon and continue to San Blas Islands. Overnight at sea.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - San Blas Islands

This morning reach the San Blas Archipelago, a chain of more than 365 tropical islands of which 50 only are inhabited by the Kuna Indians, who live in communities of bamboo-sided, thatched-roofed houses. The Kuna Indians are one of a few indigenous groups that make up Panama's population. The area is owned and administered exclusively by the Kuna, who run it as an autonomous republic. Kuna, much as their ancestors did, pass on their customs through dances and chants, and crafts, which include their richly embroidered molas. For island-to-island travel the Kuna use dugout canoes made from wild cashew trees. The women dress as their ancestors did with brilliant shawls, strands of beads wrapping their legs and gold rings through their noses. In the evening leave San Blas for Cartagena, Colombia. Overnight at sea.

Accommodations: Variety Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Cartagena, Colombia

After breakfast, arrive in Cartagena, Colombia. Disembarkation is from 9:00 to 10:00am. Transfer to the airport, or explore this rich city further.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the 8-day Costa Rica to Colombia itinerary listed above, several departures follow this same route in reverse.

Reverse Itinerary
Day 1 - Embark Cartagena, Colombia
Day 2 - San Blas Islands
Day 3 - Panama Canal Transit
Day 4 - Granito de Oro & Coiba Island
Day 5 - Golfo Dulce & Golfito
Day 6 - Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park
Day 7 - Quepos
Day 8 - Disembark Los Suenos, Herradura, Costa Rica

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Included: Acommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning; American buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, and Captain’s Dinner; regular (filter) coffee, tea and still mineral water free all day; use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability); multilingual cruise escort.

Exclusions: Port taxes ($400 per person); beverages (except those mentioned above); shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements; crew tips; passenger personal expenses such as medical services, phone calls; travel insurance of any kind; fuel surcharge if applicable; transfers; optional land programs; airport taxes and fees. All onboard charges are in Euros.

Room Configurations: Single travelers wishing to book a double cabin can do so at a 50% supplement. Reduction for third person in Cat. B & P cabins is 30%.

Families & Children: Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount. Children between the ages of 10-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount. Port taxes are not discounted. Aboard the Variety Voyager, there are no recreational facilities for children, and reservations for those under the age of seven (7) are not advised.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 60 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
60 to 31 days - 25% of total trip cost
30 to 16 days - 50% of total trip cost
15 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.




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