Costa Rica to Panama: The Coastal Caribbean Experience
Bask in the beauty of Costa Rica and Panama, two Caribbean countries that look like paradise.
You’ll explore stunning beaches, a culturally rich Indigenous village, Caribbean cuisine, and so much more. From snorkeling through Cahuita National Park to spotting reptiles and waterfalls on a gondola ride to ziplining through a Boquete rainforest, adventure is around every corner.
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Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: San José | Cartago | Puerto Limón region
Travel to Cartago
Take an in-depth tour of Cartago
With your Tour Director you will visit:
- Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles
- Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins
- Cartago Municipal Museum
Visit the Guayabo National Monument, the pre-Columbian ruins of an ancient city that bustled about 3,000 years ago
Travel to the Puerto Limón region, known for its Afro-Caribbean culture
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Day 3: Puerto Limón region
Visit Cahuita National Park with an expert local guide
Go snorkeling amongst colorful fish while observing 600 acres of living coral reefs
Enjoy a Calypso dance class
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Limonese cooking class
Enjoy a Limonese cooking class. You’ll learn to cook a classic dish such as gallo pinto using ingredients that are common in Limonese cuisine, like large red beans, coconut milk, thyme, and Panamian peppers.
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Day 4: Puerto Limón region | Caribbean Coastal region
Visit the Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, where you will:
- Spot animals like snakes, frogs, and other reptiles
- Take a gondola ride to a waterfall
Enjoy an interactive drumming lesson and performance
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Day 5: Caribbean Coastal region
Visit the Bri Bri Indigenous Village, where you will:
- Take a cacao tour and try some local chocolate samples
- Enjoy a freshly grown, authentic Bri Bri lunch
Enjoy an outdoor adventure at Punta Uva beach, where you’ll go river kayaking
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Day 6: Caribbean Coastal region | Chiriquí region
Travel to Chiriquí region by crossing the border into Panama
Take a guided tour of Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
With your expert local guide you will encounter a plethora of wildlife, including crocodiles and tapirs
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Day 7: Chiriquí region
Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs)
Take a canopy tour, where you’ll:
- Travel through the jungle via hanging bridges
- Spot unique flora and wildlife as you explore the ecosystem of jungle canopies
- Take in amazing aerial views
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Day 8: Chiriquí region | David | Panama City
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Whitewater rafting
Experience the thrill and excitement of whitewater rafting on this excursion! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Río Gariche rapids (level 2-3), all while admiring lush Panama scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.
Travel to David
Fly to Panama City
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Panama City
Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City
Take a tour of Casco Viejo
Visit the Biomuseo
Stop for a photo at the Amador Causeway for a view of the Panama City skyline
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Day 10: Panama City | Gamboa
Take a boat ride on Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal where you will learn about the different species on Monkey Island
Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal
Stop for a photo at the Panama Canal Administration Building
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Day 11: Panama City | El Palmar
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Surfing lesson
Learn to surf on the white sand beaches of one of 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.
See a youth folklore dance show
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Day 12: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: San José | Cartago | Puerto Limón region
Travel to Cartago
Take an in-depth tour of Cartago
With your Tour Director you will visit:
- Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles
- Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins
- Cartago Municipal Museum
Visit the Guayabo National Monument, the pre-Columbian ruins of an ancient city that bustled about 3,000 years ago
Travel to the Puerto Limón region, known for its Afro-Caribbean culture
-
Day 3: Puerto Limón region
Visit Cahuita National Park with an expert local guide
Go snorkeling amongst colorful fish while observing 600 acres of living coral reefs
Enjoy a Calypso dance class
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Limonese cooking class
Enjoy a Limonese cooking class. You’ll learn to cook a classic dish such as gallo pinto using ingredients that are common in Limonese cuisine, like large red beans, coconut milk, thyme, and Panamian peppers.
-
Day 4: Puerto Limón region | Caribbean Coastal region
Visit the Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, where you will:
- Spot animals like snakes, frogs, and other reptiles
- Take a gondola ride to a waterfall
Enjoy an interactive drumming lesson and performance
-
Day 5: Caribbean Coastal region
Visit the Bri Bri Indigenous Village, where you will:
- Take a cacao tour and try some local chocolate samples
- Enjoy a freshly grown, authentic Bri Bri lunch
Enjoy an outdoor adventure at Punta Uva beach, where you’ll go river kayaking
-
Day 6: Caribbean Coastal region | Chiriquí region
Travel to Chiriquí region by crossing the border into Panama
Take a guided tour of Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
With your expert local guide you will encounter a plethora of wildlife, including crocodiles and tapirs
-
Day 7: Chiriquí region
Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs)
Take a canopy tour, where you’ll:
- Travel through the jungle via hanging bridges
- Spot unique flora and wildlife as you explore the ecosystem of jungle canopies
- Take in amazing aerial views
-
Day 8: Chiriquí region | David | Panama City
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Whitewater rafting
Experience the thrill and excitement of whitewater rafting on this excursion! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Río Gariche rapids (level 2-3), all while admiring lush Panama scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.
Travel to David
Fly to Panama City
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
-
Day 9: Panama City
Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City
Take a tour of Casco Viejo
Visit the Biomuseo
Stop for a photo at the Amador Causeway for a view of the Panama City skyline
-
Day 10: Panama City | Gamboa
Take a boat ride on Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal where you will learn about the different species on Monkey Island
Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal
Stop for a photo at the Panama Canal Administration Building
-
Day 11: Panama City | El Palmar
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Surfing lesson
Learn to surf on the white sand beaches of one of 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.
See a youth folklore dance show
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Day 12: Depart for home
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; internal flight
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Hotels
8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Dinner on arrival day; 3 meals Days 2–8 (and Days 9–11 with extension); breakfast on departure day
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by a licensed local guide (4 with extension); 1 sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director
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Entrances
Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles; Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins; Cartago Municipal Museum; Guayabo National Monument; Cahuita National Park; snorkeling; Calypso dance class; Veragua Rainforest & Adventure Park; drumming lesson; Bri Bri Indigenous Village visit and cacao tour; kayaking; Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge; ziplining; hanging bridges (with extension: Panama Viejo Ruins & Museum; Biomuseo; Gatun Lake boat ride; Miraflores Locks Visitor Center; folklore evening)
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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.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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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.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.