12 Days | 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.
Trip overview
- Start
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Finish
- Panama City, Panama
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Costa Rica, Panama
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- QVRC
- 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.
- 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
View the itinerary for departures between 28 February 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
5 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat
Hotel (11 nights)
- 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
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD40
- 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) - USD37
- Bocas del Toro - Colon Expedition including starfish beach & bird island - USD47
- Boquete - Guided Bicycle Tour (guide and bike hire included) - USD58
- Boquete - Guided Tour of Hidden Waterfalls (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD53
- Boquete - Zipline (guide and transport included) - USD79
- 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
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.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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