Get all your information on Olivia's upcoming Panama Canal & Costa Rica Luxury Cruise.
About Our Destination
Being Gay in Costa Rica & Panama
In Costa Rica and Panama, the situation facing gay and lesbian travelers is better than in most Central American countries, and some areas of the country—particularly Quepos and Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio—have been gay vacation destinations for two decades. Being gay has been legal since 1971 in Costa Rica, and since 2008 in Panama. In 2015 Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to recognize gay relationships.
Climate
The climate in both Costa Rica and Panama will range between 85-95°F (29-35°C) during the day and 70-75°F (21-24°C) at night. Check www.weather.com for the most current weather.
Currency
The official currency of Costa Rica is the colón (“colónes” is the plural); its symbol is ₡.
The official currency of Panama is the balboa (“B/.”). However, there are no balboa paper notes, and instead US federal reserve notes ($US dollars) are used in Panama.
US dollars are accepted in both Costa Rica and Panama, and so for your convenience, we recommend that you travel with small US bills. To know whether a price quoted is in colónes (in Costa Rica), balboas (in Panama), or dollars, look for ₡, B/., or $.
Languages
In both Costa Rica and Panama, Spanish and English are widely spoken.
Activity Level
Activity Level
This trip requires a moderate level of mobility including walking on rocky, sandy, or uneven terrain, gentle hiking uphill, and getting in and out of tenders (smaller boats) on steep stairwells from the ship and beaches on shore. Wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this ship as there are no elevators on board, and each deck is accessible by stairs only. If you have limited mobility that requires assistance to move about the ship or go on any of the excursions you decide to take, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Before Your Trip
Cancellation Policy
Unexpected events can cause you to cancel your vacation. Because we are committed to this charter, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy as outlined in our Olivia Terms & Conditions.
Transfer funds are nonrefundable and nontransferable from the point of sale forward.
Celebrations – Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons and more
If you will have a birthday or other celebration during your vacation and have not already informed your Olivia Travel Consultant, please let us know as soon as possible, but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
You can register at Olivia Honeymoon Wishes for your honeymoon, anniversary, or other special celebration; browse through the selections and let your friends know just how easy it is for them to purchase a gift for you.
Connect with Other Guests – Join the Facebook Group
If you'd like to chat with people who are going on the trip, join Olivia's Panama Canal & Costa Rica Luxury Cruise Facebook Group.
Passport and Visa
If you are a US citizen, you will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. You will not need to get a visa for travel in Costa Rica or Panama.
If you are not a US citizen, you will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip, and you should check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to determine whether you need an entry visa or other additional documentation.
Specific Needs – Dietary, Medical and Mobility
If you have any medical, mobility needs, or specific dietary requirements that you have not already advised your travel consultant. Please advise us of this information as soon as possible but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
Travel Insurance
Olivia recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. Visit our Insurance page olivia.com/travel-insurance for more information.
For a travel insurance quote, more information or to purchase a protection plan, please call Olivia at 800-631-6277 and select option 1 for a travel consultant.
Vaccinations
Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov. Click on the Travelers’ Health section, then click on the destinations link and choose your destination in the “For Travelers” pull-down menu.
2025 PANAMA CANAL & COSTA RICA LUXURY CRUISE |
START DATE | END DATE | FEE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation 365 days or more prior to trip date |
|
1/5/24 | 50% of trip cost |
| Cancellation 0-364 days prior to trip date | 1/6/24 | 1/4/25 | 100% of trip cost (no refund) |
Travel and Arrival
Air Travel
Airports
You will need to fly into the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama (PTY). We encourage all passengers to arrive at least one day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays. You will need to fly out of the Juan SantamarĂa International Airport in San JosĂ©, Costa Rica (SJO).
Airfare Discounts
Save up to 15% on your airfare through our partner airlines. Please visit our airfare discount page for the most up-to-date information.
Flight Arrival and Departure Times
If arriving on the first day of the trip, January 4, please arrive no later than 11:45 am. Your departing flight on January 11 should leave after 12 pm. Please DO NOT book arrivals after 11:45 am on January 4 or departures prior to 12 pm on January 11!
If your flights arrive or depart outside of these timelines, you may risk missing the ship or flight departure. Optional group transfers are only available to purchase if your flights fall within these guidelines and will be available to purchase from Windstar closer to the trip start date.
Hotel Recommendations
We will not offer vacation stretchers for this cruise. If you plan to arrive early in Panama City, Panama or extend your stay in San Jose, Costa Rica, Windstar recommends the following hotels
Panama:
Bristol Panama Hotel C. Aquilino de la Guardia, Panama City; +507-294-7878
Waldorf Astoria Panama 47th St. Uruguay Street, Panama City; +507-294-8000
Costa Rica:
Marriott Hacienda Belen 700 Meters West From Bridgestone/Firestone, San Jose; +506 2298 0000
This hotel is located 15 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and offers complimentary airport shuttle service.
You may book directly on the hotel websites. We do not have an Olivia room block so there is no code required to book. .
Luggage Allowances
While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.
Transfers to the Ship
Optional group transfers will be offered to purchase from Windstar. More information will be available when we get closer to the trip.
Panama:
Bristol Panama Hotel C. Aquilino de la Guardia, Panama City; +507-294-7878
Waldorf Astoria Panama 47th St. Uruguay Street, Panama City; +507-294-8000
Costa Rica:
Marriott Hacienda Belen 700 Meters West From Bridgestone/Firestone, San Jose; +506 2298 0000
This hotel is located 15 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and offers complimentary airport shuttle service.
You may book directly on the hotel websites. We do not have an Olivia room block so there is no code required to book. .
During Your Trip
Alcohol on Board
Guests are allowed to bring aboard two (2) bottles of wine or champagne per cabin. If consumed in public areas, there is a small corkage fee (approximately $15 USD + 18% gratuity). All additional alcohol (wine, beer and/or hard alcohol) including alcohol purchased at ports of call, will be kept by ship’s staff and delivered to your cabin the last evening of the cruise.
Electricity
All staterooms are equipped with 110- and 220-volt electricity.
Excursions
Excursions may be booked online beginning 30 days prior to departure. To facilitate the online booking process, you will be assigned a booking number and sent detailed information regarding shore excursions, transfers and activities—and how to book them—approximately four weeks prior to the trip.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître d’, and other-behind-the-scenes crew members. Tips to your local guides on excursions are not included and are recommended.
Internet and Email
Wifi plans are available onboard for your laptop or mobile devices. Pricing will be posted on board.
Laundry Services
Laundry and pressing service is available onboard. Dry cleaning is not available. Check onboard for pricing.
Medical Services
There is an onboard infirmary. Medical services entail an additional fee.
Money: On-Board Purchases
All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create when you first check in. All charges will be billed in US dollars. Please check with the front office onboard for further details.
Phone
Each cabin has a phone which you may use to call cabin-to-cabin, and to the various onboard facilities. There is an additional fee to use this phone to call outside of the ship; cost is available on board. We recommend using WhatsApp or FaceTime to make phone calls via wifi.
Smoking policy
All indoor areas onboard, including cabins and verandas, are non-smoking, including vaping. Outdoor public smoking areas will be posted.
Solos
Traveling solo? Be sure to attend the Solos Welcome on the first day. Here you will meet your Olivia Solos Coordinators who will share your Solos program for the week. We plan activities for our Solo travelers, including special designated Solos excursions in each port of call. In addition, we organize a special Solos dining area for all meals and reserve a section for the nightly shows. Before the trip, you can start to meet other solo travelers online by joining Olivia's Panama Canal & Costa Rica Luxury Cruise Facebook Group.
Spa Services
The onboard spa offers facials, massages, and many other services for an additional fee.
After Your Trip
Disembarkation
Disembarkation will begin once the ship has cleared customs and can be as early as 7 am.
Transfers to the Airport
Transfers from the ship to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) on January 11, 2025 will be available for purchase on board the ship.
This trip requires a moderate level of mobility including walking on rocky, sandy, or uneven terrain, gentle hiking uphill, and getting in and out of tenders (smaller boats) on steep stairwells from the ship and beaches on shore. Wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this ship as there are no elevators on board, and each deck is accessible by stairs only. If you have limited mobility that requires assistance to move about the ship or go on any of the excursions you decide to take, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Our Travel Consultants can be reached at USA or Canada: 800.631.6277 or International 415.962.5700, option 1.
