Costa Rica & Panama Discovery

The adventure

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.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Costa Rica & Panama

Showing Days 1-7

12-day itinerary

Day 1San JoseBienvenidos! 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 it's amazing collection of Indigenous gold 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.

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 it's amazing collection of Indigenous gold 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.

Day 2SarapiquiThis 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 here 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.

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 here 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.

Day 3Puerto Viejo de TalamancaToday, 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 and coastal city, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has a lively main street featuring dance halls, reggaeton bars and modern restaurants. If you’re looking for a little bit of relaxation, you'll also find great surf beaches and rainforest fruit farms to kick back on. To top today off, you'll prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home. Enjoy a mixture of fruits, seafood, tubers and vegetables combined with coconut flavours, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry, Panamanian pepper and thyme.

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 and coastal city, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has a lively main street featuring dance halls, reggaeton bars and modern restaurants. If you’re looking for a little bit of relaxation, you'll also find great surf beaches and rainforest fruit farms to kick back on. To top today off, you'll prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home. Enjoy a mixture of fruits, seafood, tubers and vegetables combined with coconut flavours, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry, Panamanian pepper and thyme.

Day 4Puerto Viejo de TalamancaToday 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. Of course, you could also simply find a cool spot and relax with a beer in hand.

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. Of course, you could also simply find a cool spot and relax with a beer in hand.

Day 5Bocas del ToroToday, take a shared transfer to the border, then walk across an old railway 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 – rapidly becoming a Caribbean favourite, this place has it all. 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 West Indians, 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.

Bocas del Toro

Today, take a shared transfer to the border, then walk across an old railway 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 – rapidly becoming a Caribbean favourite, this place has it all. 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 West Indians, 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.

Day 6Bocas del ToroToday is the first of two free days to explore this tropical archipelago. Several beaches are within reach of town, between 8 and 14 km from your hotel. With azure waters, pristine coral reefs and a rollicking nightlife, it’s easy to see why these islands are a favourite for so many travellers. The safest beaches are Starfish, Sandfly and Big Creek – be aware that others may have strong riptides. 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.

Bocas del Toro

Today is the first of two free days to explore this tropical archipelago. Several beaches are within reach of town, between 8 and 14 km from your hotel. With azure waters, pristine coral reefs and a rollicking nightlife, it’s easy to see why these islands are a favourite for so many travellers. The safest beaches are Starfish, Sandfly and Big Creek – be aware that others may have strong riptides. 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.

Day 7Bocas del ToroThis 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 during an orientation walk through the community. You’ll stop in at a local home as well as a spending some time with a local family. Say your farewells and return to Bocas de Toro, then enjoy the rest of a hugely rewarding day free in the Caribbean sun.

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 during an orientation walk through the community. You’ll stop in at a local home as well as a spending some time with a local family. Say your farewells and return to Bocas de Toro, then enjoy the rest of a hugely rewarding day free in the Caribbean sun.

Previous days1 / 2Next days

What's included

Discover Costa Rica

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Upcoming departures