The Wonderful Wildlife of Costa Rica and Panama

During this outing, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with local Ditsö Cabécar craftspeople and learn about their daily lives, culture, architecture, and gastronomy. You will be accompanied by a local Cabécar and a naturalist guide for the duration of the walk to a Cabécar rancho, an exact replica of the traditional dwellings the Cabécar have been using for generations. You will see the local artisans in action as they expertly craft mats, lamps, headboards and other decorations while sharing tales of their lives and people.

With the first blush of morning, amid dappled shadows and misty morning light, see Mother Nature at her best as you spot the many birds and other wildlife that are indigenous to the area. Look and listen carefully for the Montezuma oropendola, which nests far above in the towering trees. The area around the lodge is home to an extraordinary number of exotic bird species that include the Sun Bittern, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, and a variety of colourful toucans.

Splash out and spend some time kayaking to some of the smaller nearby islands, discovering caves, rocky shorelines and secluded beaches. Or paddle out towards neighboring Boca Brava at high tide to discover the manager-lined northeast coast from the open waters. You could also strike out from the sandy shores of Playa Primera and paddle a half-mile to reach Isla Palenquito. Enjoy its coral sands and coconut groves returning by kayak to the island you call home.

Get a real taste of Panama and join the chefs behind the scenes for an introduction to the fine flavorsome art of Panamanian cooking. Then if you have a sweet tooth, sign up for a hands-on confectionary class at Las Rocas kitchen. Or, pull a chair up at the bar for a lesson in rum appreciation.

You’ll be joined at Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal by a specialised guide who will introduce you to some of the most important and unique details of this marvel of engineering. You learn about the history and construction of the first set of locks at the Visitor’s Center and Museum and will have the opportunity to watch massive vessels transit through the locks. This VIP experience also allows you access to areas restricted to the public, and weather permitting you have the unique opportunity to get a much closer view of the locks and the operations.

Take a guided walking tour and discover the highlights of Casco Viejo and the history related to Spanish colonisation. You’ll see some of the most beautiful historic buildings in Casco. The walking tour will end with a visit to Villa Ana, a portal of art and gastronomy never seen in Panama City. In this spectacular building, you will find a dining room that showcases the best of international cuisine, a speakeasy where you can enjoy performances by the finest jazz musicians of the era, and a cigar and rum bar.