Original
Explorer
Costa Rica & Panama Discovery
12 days • 4.7
4.5
Excellent
76 reviews
12 days
Start
San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish
Panama City, Panama
Trip Code
QVRC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights)
From £1,192(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Put your chef’s hat on and help prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Swim in clear ocean waters, stop in at shacks serving cold cerveza and kick back on sandy shores covered in starfish in the Bocas del Toro, where you spend three nights on Isla Colon.
Head to the coffee plantations, waterfalls and caldera hot springs of Boquete – a highland town so beautiful you’ll hardly miss the beach at all!
Spend a morning with the Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community on Isla Popa, learning about local lifestyles as you get to experience a slice of village life.
Learn about the scale of the Panama Canal during a visit to the Miraflores Lock, then get to know Panama City during a guided stroll through Casco Viejo.
Is this trip right for you?
With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
This trip uses a mix of private transfers and public transport. Public transport is better for the environment, and you’ll get an authentic look at daily life, but keep in mind that local transport between specific locations on this trip can be pretty basic.
While the border crossing between Costa Rica and Panama is usually straightforward, sometimes it can take a while, so please prepare to be patient.
Central America is generally hot and humid year-round. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning.
Itinerary
Combine proud Caribbean cultures with incredibly scenic stops
Get under the surface of Costa Rica and Panama with this 12-day Caribbean adventure. From San Jose to Panama City, you’ll get introduced to some of the most beautiful spots in two Central American countries, with a perfect balance of included activities and free time for your own explorations. You’ll visit the Ngabe-Bugle community on Isla Popa, learn how to make a traditional Caribbean meal, look out for wildlife on a jungle walk, visit a lock along the Panama Canal and soak in the local hotspots in areas seldom travelled. You can't go wrong with your local leader to steer you in the right direction (to the best bars and surf breaks), plus a small group of adventurers to enjoy them with.
Inclusions
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights)
Included activities
Sarapiqui – Jungle Walk
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Leader-led orientation walk
Puerto Viejo - Hands-on dinner in local home
Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous Community Visit
Boquete - Leader-led orientation walk
Chitre - Traditional mask workshop
Panama City - Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal)
Panama City - Leader-led walk in Casco Viejo
Optional activities
San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD49
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Surf lesson (1 hour) - USD60
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Cahuita National Park (entrance fee) - USD5
Bocas del Toro - Jungle Cacao Tour (guide and transport included) - USD42
Bocas del Toro - Full-day Tour including Bastimentos island, Jungle hike & Lunch with Ngobe Community (guide and transport included) - USD63
Bocas del Toro - Bio-luminescence Boat Tour (seasonal - guide and transport included) - USD35
Bocas del Toro - Colon Expedition including starfish beach & bird island - USD45
Boquete - Guided Bicycle Tour - 2 hours (guide and bike hire included) - USD55
Boquete - Guided Tour of Hidden Waterfalls (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD53
Boquete - Zipline (guide and transport included) - USD75
Boquete - Mini Canyons Tour (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD37
Boquete - Calderas Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport included, no guide) - USD37
Boquete - Coffee Plantation Tour (guide and transport included) - USD37
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in San Jose. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights into San Jose; make sure you fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport [SJO]. Please do NOT book flights to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
4. To enter Costa Rica travellers must show proof of intent to exit the country to immigration authorities. Since this trip exits Costa Rica via a land border crossing as part of your itinerary, Tuuur can prepare and send you an Intent to Exit Letter with your trip's details. Please request this letter at the time of booking.
Reviews (76)
5 stars
59
4 stars
13
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
2
Lisa
Apr 23, 2025
Really enjoyed this trip and recommend to anyone thinking about it. It has a good mix of places that you visit. Lots of wildlife to be seen, nice beaches and towns. Both beautiful countries and friendly people.
Anne
Apr 22, 2025
Fantastic adventure that fuels mind, body and soul. Terrific expert in Liza who was brilliant and supportive throughout
Sarah
Apr 18, 2025
A really great trip. Always wanted to go to Costa Rica and it was great. We saw lots of sloths and toucans and other amazing birds and iguanas in the rain forests and nature reserves. Panamá was the big surprise though. Boca was great with the water taxis to amazing beaches and floating bars and boquette was lovely and Panama City old town was beautiful. Would highly recommend this trip.
Kia
Apr 17, 2025
Highly recommend this tour - you get to see a great variety of environments in a relatively short amount of time, but it didn't feel rushed or stressful. And if you're lucky enough to get Jonnathan as your tour leader, it will be an even better trip!
Garry
Mar 28, 2025
Cost Rica and Panama Discovery is a fun trip, you cover a range of places and get a good insight into what the countries offer from Nature to beaches and culture. Panama was new for me and loved it!
Wieslaw
Mar 27, 2025
I had a great time on this trip. I didn’t know much about Central America so that every thing was a bit of a discovery. What was most important to me was just to relax and enjoy my time on this vacations and I got it.
Susan
Mar 23, 2025
I recently returned from a twelve day Costa Rica and Panama Discovery Tour. It was perfect for me. As a solo traveler it was the best, easiest and safest way for me to travel. I got to see so much. Our guide Manuel Fallas was simply the best. This tour was very well organized and well spread out in terms of travel and the perfect towns to spend time in. One tip. I upgraded to have my own room which I would recommend. You wouldn't want someone harshing your mellow!
Janina
Mar 23, 2025
ANDREA
Mar 21, 2025
My husband and I loved this trip through Central America. Yes , it is a whirlwind but so worth it. A great mix of beaches, wildlife and culture through unforgettable countries.
Joyce
Mar 11, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised at how nice Panama is as a travel destination. Bocas del Toro is a wonderful place.
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