Costa Rica and Panama

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Tour Number: 2561720AP
Group Leader: Dennis Seberger
Requested Departure Date: 5/31/2024
Requested Return Date: 6/8/2024
Requested Departure Gateway: Denver (CO)
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For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.

9 days
Guanacaste, Arenal region, San José, Panama City, extension to Colombia
Journey into the heart of Central America as you experience Costa Rica and Panama. Begin in Costa Rica, where you’ll discover the volcanic Arenal Region and the rich wildlife of the Rincón de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste. During your time in Panama, explore the area’s abundant flora and fauna at the Biomuseo and see one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal.

  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Travel to Guanacaste

  • Day 2: Guanacaste

    Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park

    Enjoy a snorkeling activity

  • Day 3: Guanacaste • Arenal region

    Travel to the Arenal region

    Enjoy the rainforest from the unique perspective of a zipline through the canopy

  • Day 4: Arenal region

    Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

    Visit the Arenal hot springs

  • Day 5: Arenal region • Sarapiquí • San José

    Travel to Sarapiquí

    Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion

  • Day 6: San José • Panama City

    Fly to Panama City

    Enjoy a walking tour of Cinta Costera

    Visit the Biomuseo

    Take a tour of Casco Viejo

  • Day 7: Panama City

    Enjoy some beach time in the historic El Palmar region

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion
    Surfing lesson

    Surfing lesson

    Learn to surf on the white sand beaches of one of the Panama’s premier surfing locations. Here, an instructor will teach you how to stand on your board as well as how to paddle and pass waves. Once in the water, you'll have the chance to surf by yourself under the supervision of your instructor.

  • Day 8: Panama City • Gatun Lake

    Take a boat ride on Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal

    Learn about the different species on Monkey Island

    Travel to the Panama Canal via Ancon Hill

    Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion
    Folklore evening

    Folklore evening

    Opt to spend the evening learning about the rich cultural traditions of the region over a traditional Panamanian dinner. After dinner, an interactive dance show will make this a night to remember.

  • Day 9: Depart for home

View full itinerary
View detailed itinerary

  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Travel to Guanacaste

  • Day 2: Guanacaste

    Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park

    Enjoy a snorkeling activity

  • Day 3: Guanacaste • Arenal region

    Travel to the Arenal region

    Enjoy the rainforest from the unique perspective of a zipline through the canopy

  • Day 4: Arenal region

    Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

    Visit the Arenal hot springs

  • Day 5: Arenal region • Sarapiquí • San José

    Travel to Sarapiquí

    Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion

  • Day 6: San José • Panama City

    Fly to Panama City

    Enjoy a walking tour of Cinta Costera

    Visit the Biomuseo

    Take a tour of Casco Viejo

  • Day 7: Panama City

    Enjoy some beach time in the historic El Palmar region

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion
    Surfing lesson

    Surfing lesson

    Learn to surf on the white sand beaches of one of the Panama’s premier surfing locations. Here, an instructor will teach you how to stand on your board as well as how to paddle and pass waves. Once in the water, you'll have the chance to surf by yourself under the supervision of your instructor.

  • Day 8: Panama City • Gatun Lake

    Take a boat ride on Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal

    Learn about the different species on Monkey Island

    Travel to the Panama Canal via Ancon Hill

    Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion
    Folklore evening

    Folklore evening

    Opt to spend the evening learning about the rich cultural traditions of the region over a traditional Panamanian dinner. After dinner, an interactive dance show will make this a night to remember.

  • Day 9: Depart for home

Feel confident helping your child see the world

Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.

Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.

¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?

Visit our parents’ page

Pagina de padres en español

Visit our video gallery to hear more from fellow parents

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Your experience includes

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  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach

  • Hotels

    8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)

  • Regional-style meals

    Dinner on arrival day; 3 meals daily on Days 2–8 (breakfast and dinner on Days 9–10 and 3 meals on Day 11 with extension); breakfast on departure day

  • Guided sightseeing

    2 sightseeing tours led by a licensed local guide (3 with extension); 1 sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director (2 with extension)

  • Entrances

    Rincón de la Vieja National Park; snorkeling; ziplining; kayaking on Lake Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall; Arenal hot springs; whitewater rafting; Biomuseo; Miraflores Visitor Center; Gatun Lake boat ride (with extension: Convento de la Popa; San Felipe de Barajas Castle; Barú Island; dinner experience)

  • Full-time Tour Director

    Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • Worldwide Presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • Peace of Mind Program

    Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.

Have questions about this tour?  Give us a call at 800-665-5364

All your EF tour questions, answered

On our easy-to-navigate Help Center, you’ll find information on everything from our Automatic Payment Plan to college credit to our insightful, culturally knowledgeable Tour Directors.

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