Explore Panama & Costa Rica: Caribbean to Pacific

8 or 11 days

Alajuela, Caribbean Coastal region, Panama City

Bask in the beauty of Costa Rica and Panama, two Caribbean countries that look like paradise. You’ll explore stunning beaches and culturally rich Indigenous villages, enjoy Caribbean cuisine, try Afro-Caribbean dancing, and so much more. From rafting in the Hereda region to ziplining through the Panamanian rainforest, adventure and culture is around every corner. Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Explore Panama & Costa Rica: Caribbean to Pacific tour

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Explore Panama & Costa Rica: Caribbean to Pacific tour

Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

Meet your Tour Director at the airport

Day 2: Alajuela • Coastal Caribbean region

Travel to the Puerto Limon region, known for its Afro-Caribbean culture

Visit Cahuita National Park with an expert local guide

Day 3: Coastal Caribbean region

Visit the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, where you will encounter a plethora of wildlife including crocodiles and tapirs with your expert local guide

Participate in an Afro-Caribbean rhythms dance class

Enjoy an interactive drumming lesson and performance

Add 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: Coastal Caribbean 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 5: Coastal Caribbean region • Sarapiqui • Alajuela

Travel to the Sarapiqui region

Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui river

Travel to Alajuela

Day 6: Alajuela • Panama City

Fly to Panama City

Take a tour of Panama City

With your Tour Director you will see:

Casco Viejo
Indigenous arts & crafts market

Take a guided tour of Casco Viejo

Explore Panama City on your own

Day 7: Panama City • Gamboa

Enjoy a ziplining adventure (For safety reasons, weight and size restrictions may apply)

Enjoy a hike in one of the parks that surround Panama City

Explore Panama City on your own

Day 8: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

Day 8: Panama City

Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City

Visit the Biomuseo

Stop for a photo at the Amador Causeway for a view of the Panama City skyline

Day 9: Panama City

Explore Panama City on your own

Add 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

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

Stop for a photo at the Panama Canal Administration Building

Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal

Day 11: Depart for home