There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.

• Book This Trip

  To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s): Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver’s license.
  • Traveler’s Address(es)
  • Traveler’s Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing Tauck’s Travel Protection Product (see below).
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

  Travel Agents are encouraged to visit Tauck's Agent Services website at https://agent.tauck.com – please have your travel industry ID number (ARC, IATA, ABTA, CLIA, etc.) or your Tauck agency ID number ready.

  For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or contact your travel agent to book today!
  
  Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available:

  Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pm
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

  Some additional questions you might have about booking this trip:

  Special Requests
  We will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.

  Deposit Date
  Upon your request, we will hold space tentatively for you and give a “Deposit Due Date,” by which a deposit must be received or space is automatically released. Your deposit is $1,100 per person.

  Final Payment is due at Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

  Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, hotel lists, tour itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.

• Inclusive Prices

  Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and cruise ship accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, land excursions, admissions, entertainment, sightseeing, special dinners, porterage, and the services of the Tauck Directors, hotel and ship staff, and local guides and drivers are included. All-day soft drinks, daily cocktail hour, and wine with dinner aboard the cruise ship are also included. Transportation from San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport to the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided we have accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks before the start of the your tour. Transportation from the Intercontinental Miramar Panama to Tocumen International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
  
  Hotel and Cruise Ship Accommodations - The cruise price includes all hotel and cruise ship accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
  
  Your cruise ship accommodates fewer guests than large ocean-going vessels. Your well-appointed cabin includes these amenities: radio, television with VCR, mini-bar, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. On board Le Levant, staterooms are furnished with two twin beds which may be requested in advance to be placed together to form a queen-size bed. Some staterooms can accommodate a third guest on a sofa bed. Each room has a private bath with an enclosed shower (no tub).Other ship facilities include the following: elevator, bar, lounge, restaurant, sun deck, sauna, beauty salon, library, and fitness center.
  
  Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
  
  On board Le Levant, breakfast and lunch are served in the panoramic restaurant on La Pérouse Deck; dinner is served in the gourmet restaurant on La Fayette Deck. International cuisine is featured and complimentary wine is offered with dinner. Both restaurants accommodate all guests in one seating.Complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea service are available throughout the day. Each night you are invited to attend a complimentary cocktail hour. The legal drinking age aboard the cruise ship is 21.
  
  Tauck Director – The Panama Canal & Costa Rica tour is conducted by one Tauck Director for every 40 Tauck guests (with a maximum total of 90 guests) who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.
  
  Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for Tauck Directors, restaurant, hotel and ship staff, local guides and drivers are included.
  
  No Options Sold – Your Tauck Directors will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

• Not Included

  Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
  
  Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your cruise. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the cruise cost. Airport transfers are included for these extended stays as described above under Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or your travel agent when you book your cruise.
  
  Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.
  
  Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:

  • Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
  • Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
  • Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
  • Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
  • Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
  • File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
  • Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
  • Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

  Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
  
  Personal Expenses  such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

• Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

  Tauck’s Cruise Protection and Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Guests booking a Tauck cruise have the option of purchasing cancellation protection from Tauck in the event they need to cancel their cruise after booking.

  Tauck's Travel Protection is available to all travelers, with the exception of residents of Puerto Rico.  Residents of Puerto Rico are eligible for some cancellation protection by purchasing Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver (see below).

  Tauck’s Cruise Protection

  Under Tauck’s all-inclusive Cruise Protection, you can cancel your cruise for any covered reason up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the cruise cost, based on your original method of payment. The following conditions apply:

  Section I – Should you have to cancel your cruise for any reason, Tauck’s Cruise Protection reduces the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Section I is provided by Tauck.

  Section II – Travel Insurance and Services
  Cancellation for Covered Reasons – Should you have to cancel your cruise due to illness, injury or other covered reason, any cancellation or airline penalties not refunded by Tauck would be reimbursable under Section II. This Protection also provides 24-hour emergency assistance services as well as:

  • Airfare Protection – Should you need to cancel or interrupt your cruise for covered medical reasons, airfares and air penalties are covered.
  • Medical Protection – Reimbursement for covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or ill during your cruise (including pre-existing conditions if purchased at time of booking).
  • Luggage Protection – Reimbursement for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage.

  The cost of Tauck’s Cruise Protection is $520 per person.

  The above is a summary of the plan. Please refer to the Description of Coverage pamphlet provided with written confirmation of your cruise reservation for the complete details of the policy terms, limitations and exclusions applicable to Section II of the plan.

  The coverage and services provided under Section II are underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA under policy number 9429-9500423 and administered by BerkelyCare.

  This optional Cruise Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your cruise reservation. Cruise Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Cost is not refundable under any circumstances. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

  Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Should you have to cancel your cruise en route for any reason, a non-refundable Cancellation Fee Waiver reduces cancellation fees outlined (except in Extreme Circumstances*), provided we are notified of your cancellation the day before your cruise departs. The cost for this Cancellation Fee Waiver is $400 per person.

  This Waiver is not insurance; it does not cover airline penalties, luggage damage, personal injury, or does not protect travel agent commissions. The advantage of this Waiver is that you may cancel for any reason. This optional Cancellation Fee Waiver must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Cost of Waiver is not refundable under any circumstances.

  *Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

  If You Have To Cancel

  Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the fees listed will apply.

  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

  60 days or more before departure
  Loss of cost of Tauck’s Cruise Protection ($520) or Cancellation Fee Waiver ($400) per person

  59-30 days before departure
  Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise Protection fee, per person

  29-1 days before departure
  Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise Protection fee, per person

  Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

  60 days or more before departure
  $1100 per person

  59-30 days before departure
  Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

  29-1 days before departure
  Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

  Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.

  In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein.

  Cruise Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your cruise en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

  Partial Room Cancellation – A person canceling or leaving a cruise while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

  Click here to download our complete Description of Coverage.

• Additional Information

  Airline Security Measures –
  
  If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
  
  If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
  
  For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site by clicking here.
  
  If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
  
  Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
  
  Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
  
  Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to us prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied. Once you board the ship, your passport will be held by the purser until you disembark.
  
  Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
  
  Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all cruises as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
  
  Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins with your transfer from the San José Juan Santamaría International Airport to the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time.  We will provide transportation to Tocumen International Airport from the InterContinental Miramar in Panama City on the day of your departure; your tour ends at the InterContinental Miramar in Panama City. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
  
  Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
  
  Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and / or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image  not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

• Preparing to Go

  Travel Document Requirements –
  
   If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Panama and Costa Rica. You will not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
  
  If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact a consulate or embassy of Panama and of Costa Rica to determine what travel documentation is required.
  
  You will be issued a boarding card, which you must present before embarking the ship in each port. This security measure also ensures that only Tauck guests are permitted onboard.
  
  We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  Travel with Children-

  Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
  
  Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels.
  
  There are no babysitting services available on the cruise ship. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
  
  Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety during the cruise. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
  
  Special Travel Documentation for Children
  Authorization for Travel
  
  If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
  
  If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
  
  Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
  
  Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
  
  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

  Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.
  
  We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

  Air Conditioning - The hotel rooms, ship staterooms and motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort.
  
  ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this cruise to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
  
  Clothing and Packing – Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required for dining with your fellow guests at a Tauck provided dinner. When traveling abroad, you may have the opportunity to dine at an upscale restaurant on your own, which may require men to dress in coat and tie, and women in more elegant eveningwear. Please note that swimsuits and shorts are considered unsuitable attire at mealtimes.
  
  Valet dry cleaning and laundry service is available at both the Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica and the InterContinental Miramar Panama. Valet laundry and pressing services only are available on the ship; there is no dry-cleaning available on board.
  
  We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

  Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey to Panama and Costa Rica:

  • Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
  • An optional jacket and tie for men
  • Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
  • Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
  • Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
  • Battery-operated travel alarm clock
  • Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
  • Zipper-lock bags
  • Daypack for camera equipment
  • Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your ship cabin while traveling

  Elevation - The maximum overnight elevation on this tour is 3,760 ft (1,146 m). The maximum overland elevation is 7,000 ft (2,134 m) at Irazú Volcano in Costa Rica. Most time is spent at sea level.
  
  Health - To enjoy this cruise, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven, rocky and sandy terrain, as our activities include visiting national parks, biological reserves, rainforests and rustic villages. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Additionally, you must be steady and balanced aboard ship while you cruise the shores of Panama and Costa Rica. Some ship to shore transportation is by Zodiac (capacity 9 to 12 persons) and involves ‘wet landings’, which requires wading through shallow surf to reach shore. Occasionally you may get wet with spray.
  
  Le Levant has an elevator that connects all decks except the sun deck.
  
  Le Levant has a licensed and registered French physician on board for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ships' small infirmary is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended or capable of providing on-going treatment of preexisting medical conditions. If you require oxygen equipment, please notify Tauck so that special arrangements can be made.
  
  We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this cruise. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
  
  On board the ship, certain outer decks have been designated as non-smoking areas. There is no smoking permitted in the interior of the ship.
  
  Le Levant is registered in France. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
  
  If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

  VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

  Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

  For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting.  Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren’t required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

  Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.  It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

  Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

  Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations. 

  If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.
  
  Luggage Restrictions-
  
  Checked Luggage – General
  
  While it is common for some airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
  
  Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
  
  Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
  
  We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
  
  Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
  
  Carry-on Luggage - General
  
  Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
  
  For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

• Destination Information

  Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
  
  Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your phone will operate in Panama and Costa Rica.
  
  Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency in Panama is the U.S. dollar and in Costa Rica, the Colón; however, the U.S. dollar is widely accepted in Costa Rica by hotels and merchants.
  
  On board Le Levant, personal shipboard accounts may be settled by Euros, U.S. dollars, travelers’ checks, American Express, Visa or MasterCard. There is no foreign exchange facility on the ship.
  
  To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to oanda.com by clicking here.

  Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with the specific required declarations of Panama and Costa Rica before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.

  If you are a U.S. resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
  
  If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
  
  Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
  
  Electrical Current – In Panama and Costa Rica, electric power is provided at 120 V, 60 Hz, which is the same as that provided in the U.S. On board Le Levant, all hotel rooms and staterooms are equipped with 220 V, 50 Hz, AC that requires European-style two round-pronged plugs. If you bring electrical devices that are not compatible with this system, you may want to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
  
  Internet Access - The hotels and Le Levant offer Internet access, as indicated below:
  
  Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica - High speed Internet access in rooms
  Le Levant - Wireless access throughout the ship, please note that it can be intermittent.
  Miramar InterContinental Panama - Broadband Internet access
  
  Time Zones – Panama is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Costa Rica is 6 hours behind. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to timeanddate.com by clicking here.
  
  Weather – Although warm and humid, the climate along our route is moderately comfortable. From January through March, the weather is at its best; humidity is low and rainfall is minimal. Average high temperatures range from 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C) in Costa Rica's Central Valley to 85 to 90 °F (29 to 32 °C) along the coast and in Panama.

  To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.

   

  	Average Temperature
  	San José, Costa Rica		Colón, Panama
  Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
  January	75 / 58	24 / 14	83 / 79	28 / 26
  February	76 / 58	24 / 14	83 / 79	28 / 26
  March	79 / 59	26 / 15	84 / 79	29 / 26
  April	79 / 62	26 / 17	85 / 79	29 / 26
  May	80 / 62	27 / 17	86 / 80	30 / 27
  June	79 / 62	26 / 17	86 / 80	30 / 27
  July	77 / 62	25 / 17	85 / 80	29 / 27
  August	78 / 61	26 / 16	86 / 80	30 / 27
  September	79 / 61	26 / 16	87 / 79	31 / 26
  October	77 / 60	25 / 16	86 / 79	30 / 26
  November	77 / 60	25 / 16	85 / 79	29 / 26
  December	75 / 58	24 / 14	84 / 79	29 / 26
  	Panama City, Panama
  Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
  January	87 / 77	31 / 25
  February	87 / 77	31 / 25
  March	87 / 77	31 / 25
  April	87 / 78	31 / 26
  May	88 / 79	31 / 26
  June	88 / 79	31 / 26
  July	88 / 79	31 / 26
  August	88 / 78	31 / 26
  September	87 / 78	31 / 26
  October	87 / 78	31 / 26
  November	87 / 77	31 / 25
  December	87 / 76	31 / 24

   

  	Average Rainfall
  	San José, Costa Rica		Colón, Panama
  Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
  January	0.6	15	1.3	34
  February	0.2	5	0.7	17
  March	0.8	20	0.3	6
  April	1.8	46	0.4	11
  May	9.0	229	2.7	68
  June	9.5	241	3.8	96
  July	8.3	211	3.7	93
  August	9.5	241	4.6	116
  September	12.0	305	4.0	101
  October	11.8	300	6.2	158
  November	5.7	145	4.9	123
  December	1.6	41	2.9	73
  	Panama City, Panama
  Month	Inches	Millimeters
  January	0.0	1
  February	0.0	0
  March	0.0	1
  April	0.3	7
  May	2.4	61
  June	2.7	67
  July	3.0	77
  August	2.6	67
  September	4.1	103
  October	5.2	131
  November	3.6	91
  December	1.2	91