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Costa Rica & Panama Discovery

4.7

Excellent

144 reviews

12 days

Start

Start:

Finish

End:

Trip Code

QVRC

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 16

Physical Rating

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights)

From 0 (12 days)

Trip Informations

Get under the surface of Costa Rica and Panama with this 12-day Caribbean adventure. From San Jose to Panama City, you’ll be 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. Visit the women of the Ngabe-Bugle community on Isla Popa, learn how to make a traditional Caribbean meal, look out for wildlife – maybe a sloth or two! – on a jungle walk, visit a famous 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 (including to the best bars and surf breaks), plus a small group of adventurers to enjoy it all with.

Why you’ll love this trip

Don your chef’s hat and help prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Spend three nights on Isla Colon – dip into a clear sea perfect for swimming, stroll up to a beach shack for a cold cerveza and look for starfish on the sandy shores of Bocas del Toro.

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 the Ngobe women's project, seeing some local homes and talking with an island family.

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 allows you to 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

DAY 1
Day 1 • San Jose
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel. As this trip spends very little time here, it’s recommended that you arrive a day or two early and see the sights. If you do, maybe visit The Gold Museum and its amazing collection of Indigenous art. Or if you're in the mood for a bit of shopping, head to the Mercado Municipal de Artesanias or the city's Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD49
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Sarapiqui
This morning, hop on a public bus and make your way to Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity and lush rainforest. When you arrive, enjoy some free time to go birdwatching, spot some local wildlife or hike to one of the nearby waterfalls. Then, meet up with a local guide to head out on a jungle walk. Look out for elusive creatures like sloths, bats, snakes, frogs and a whole lot more.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Sarapiqui – Jungle Walk
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Today, take a private transfer to Puerto Viejo. When you arrive, get to know this laid-back jungle town during an orientation walk with your local leader, then enjoy some time to explore at your leisure. A small coastal city, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has a lively main street featuring dance halls, reggaeton bars and modern restaurants. To top today off, you'll prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home. Dig into a mixture of fruits, seafood, tubers and vegetables, combined with coconut flavours, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry, Panamanian pepper and thyme.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Included activities
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Leader-led orientation walk
Puerto Viejo - Hands-on dinner in local home
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Today is free, so you can ease into the vibes of the Caribbean coast. You might like to take your time exploring Cahuita National Park, which is about a 20-minute ride away from Puerto Viejo – your leader can help you arrange a transfer. Cahuita National Park is home to sloths, monkeys, raccoons, snakes and a great variety of birds. If the waves are calling (but your footing isn't so sure), surf lessons are also on offer in town. Or, maybe visit one of the local rainforest fruit farms. Of course, you could also simply find a cool spot and relax with a beer in hand.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Surf lesson (1 hour) - USD80
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Cahuita National Park (entrance fee) - USD5
DAY 5
Day 5 • Bocas del Toro
Today, take a shared transfer to the border, then walk across a bridge into Panama. Continue by taxi or collective minivan to Almirante, where you'll take a short boat ride to Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Then, it’s time to hit the palm-shaded beaches with crystal-clear waters, enjoy some spectacular snorkelling opportunities and look out for lots of wildlife. Culturally, Bocas is home to Afro-Panamanians, Latinos and expats, resulting in diverse music, nightlife and food scenes. For the next three nights, you'll stay in Isla Colon – the main town of Bocas del Toro. It's a great spot to start your exploration of the archipelago, with most bars, restaurants and local activity operators just metres from your hotel.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Border formalities take up to 1 hour. Have your passport, proof of onward travel (flight or bus ticket) and USD cash for fees ready (see ‘Passports and visas’ section of ‘Essential Trip Information’ for amounts). Ensure you get both Costa Rica exit and Panama entry stamps. You’ll need to carry your own luggage and walk 650 m to cross the border.
DAY 6
Day 6 • Bocas del Toro
Today is yours to explore this tropical archipelago as you wish. Maybe hit the beaches close to town – the local favourites are Starfish, Sandfly and Big Creek for their azure waters and pristine coral reefs. When the sun goes down, why not head into town and check out the local bar and restaurant scene. Ask your leader about the best place to grab a drink.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Bocas del Toro - Jungle Cacao Tour (guide and transport included) - USD42
Bocas del Toro - Bio-luminescence Boat Tour (seasonal - guide and transport included) - USD35
Bocas del Toro - Full-day tour including Bastimentos Island and snorkeling with lunch - USD55
Bocas del Toro - Starfish Beach (guide and transport included) - USD25
DAY 7
Day 7 • Bocas del Toro
This morning, hop on a boat to the nearby Isla Popa, where you’ll get to spend time meeting the Ngabe-Bugle Indigenous community. The local women here run a community tourism project, and you’ll have the chance to learn about their lifestyle and visit a family in their island home during an orientation walk. Say your farewells and return to Bocas del Toro, then enjoy the rest of the day free in the Caribbean sun.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous Community Visit
DAY 8
Day 8 • Boquete
Travel by boat and private minibus to Boquete today – it's a bit of a lengthy journey, so it’s a good idea to have a book or podcast on hand. Boquete is a picturesque town located in the highlands of Panama, surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear creeks and rivers, forest reserves and colourful wildflowers, as well as coffee plantations and orange groves. Head out on an orientation walk with your leader. Tomorrow will be a free day, wide open for exploring – most optional activities can be organised directly from the hotel, though it’s a good idea to book them when you arrive tonight if you know what you want to do.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Boquete - Leader-led orientation walk
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
DAY 9
Day 9 • Boquete
There are plenty of ways to experience Boquete today, so be sure to chat to your leader and the hotel front desk to get the best insider tips. You could discover the secret waterfalls only locals know about on a walking tour in the jungle. Or maybe you’d prefer to soak it up in the Caldera hot springs. If you’re a coffee lover, consider visiting a plantation or simply kicking back in town with a cup of the local brew – some of the best coffee in the world is grown and processed right here in Boquete!
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
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 - 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
DAY 10
Day 10 • Chitre
Say goodbye to Boquete and head to the southern city of Chitre. When you arrive, around lunchtime, head out for an orientation walk with your leader (who will also be able to point you in the right direction for a good lunch spot). After a bite to eat, rejoin your fellow travellers and head to a mask workshop for a glimpse at the country’s cultural heritage – elaborate masks and costumes are a feature of many festivals in Panama. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring Chitre and have a relaxed evening before continuing to Panama City.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Chitre - Traditional mask workshop
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
DAY 11
Day 11 • Panama City
Depart Chitre this morning, and head to Panama City. Along the way, stop at the Miraflores Visitor Centre, which overlooks one of the locks that control the flow of ships through the Panama Canal. Learn about the canal’s history and engineering, then head back out on the road to Panama City. When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk. Take in the great views of the historic Casco Viejo (Old Town) and the Panama City skyline as you stroll past busy waterfront soccer fields, running paths and food carts. You might like to regroup with your fellow travellers in the evening for a final farewell dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Panama City - Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal)
Panama City - Leader-led walk in Casco Viejo
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
DAY 12
Day 12 • Panama City
With no planned activities today, you can depart at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Panama City, just speak to your booking agent.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights)

Dates and availability

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Ending

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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.

5. Entry and exit fees apply and are payable locally. These amounts are in addition to your trip payment. Please refer to the Passports, Visas & Entry Requirements section of your Essential Trip Information for fee information and payment requirements.

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DAY 12Day 12 • Panama Cityexpand_moreWith no planned activities today, you can depart at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Panama City, just speak to your booking agent.restaurant_menu MealscircleThere are no meals included on this day.

DAY 12
Day 12 • Panama City
With no planned activities today, you can depart at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Panama City, just speak to your booking agent.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.