
Wonders of Costa Rica & Panama
On this 10-day trip, visit Costa Rica and Panama for the perfect mix of nature, beaches, mountains, forests, and culture. Explore the Panama Canal and Casco Antiguo, the oldest district of modern and thriving Panama City. Observe dolphins as they play in their natural habitat, and relax on the white sands of Bocas del Toro.
Then, it's on to Costa Rica to experience a blend of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri, and hippy cultures in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. Go white water rafting in the Pacuare River, famous worldwide for its sheer beauty. Hike through trails marked with the remains of lava from the majestic Arenal Volcano, and visit La Fortuna Waterfall to take a swim in cool, pristine waters.
Services
Included:
- Nine nights accommodation in double rooms
- Nine breakfasts, two lunches
- Domestic flight Panama - Bocas del Toro
- Airport & land transfers as per the itinerary
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- Full-day Panama Canal & city tour with English-speaking guide, lunch & transport
- One-day tour of Coral Cay, Dolphin Bay, Red Frog Beach & Hospital Point with English-speaking guide & transport
- Punta Uva sea kayaking & rainforest hike with English-speaking guide & transport
- Pacuare River white water rafting tour with English-speaking guide, transport, rafting gear & cold lunch
- 24-hour call assistance
Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips & gratuities
Optional:
- Cahuita snorkeling & rainforest hike
- Indigenous experience
- Big 12 zipline tour
- Unique Caño Negro tour
- Peñas Blancas River safari float by kayak
Itinerary at a Glance
Panama City
Welcome to Panama!
Panama City
Get to know the secrets of Panama City
Panama City - Bocas Del Toro
Journey to beautiful Bocas del Toro
Bocas Del Toro
A day of dolphin-spotting
Bocas Del Toro - Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Journey to chilled-out Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Kayaking adventures off Punta Uva beach
Puerto Viejo De Talamanca - Pacuare River - La Fortuna
Rafting adventure on the Pacuare
La Fortuna, Arenal
Hike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano
La Fortuna, Arenal - San Jose
Journey to San José
San Jose - Juan Santamaria International Airport
Farewell, Costa Rica!
Detailed Itinerary

Panama City
Day 1: Welcome to Panama!
Welcome to Panama! Upon your arrival, a representative will be waiting for you at the airport to provide you with all the necessary travel documents. A private transportation service will then take you to your accommodation in Panama City, where you'll check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing or getting to know your surroundings.

Panama City
Day 2: Get to know the secrets of Panama City
Today, your English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel for a tour of Panama City and the historical Miraflores Locks.
Panama City is equal parts vibrant, cosmopolitan and beautiful, and you will have the opportunity to explore its most interesting sights and sounds - among them Casco Antiguo, the oldest district of this modern capital. As the next part of your tour, journey to quite possibly the best attraction this country has to offer: the Panama Canal. Witness the magnificent Miraflores Locks and learn about how they're operated, then finish off with a visit to the local Artisan Market, where indigenous art and handcrafted treasures are on display.

Panama City - Bocas Del Toro
Day 3: Journey to beautiful Bocas del Toro
Today you will be transferred to Albrook Gelabert Airport for your domestic flight to Colón Island, in the Bocas del Toro archipelago on Panama's Caribbean coast. The town itself is a colourful display of wooden houses built in the early 20th century, and offers a wonderful laid-back atmosphere. Take some time here to slow down and soak up the Caribbean vibe, as you make yourself at home. A representative will be waiting at the airport to take you to your accommodation for check-in, upon which you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy at your own pace.

Bocas Del Toro
Day 4: A day of dolphin-spotting
Today's adventure begins with a short boat ride to Dolphin Bay to observe dolphins playing in their natural habitat. The coast and the mountains of Panama serve as an exquisite background for unique photo opportunities. Venture on to Coral Cay for an immersive snorkelling experience and lunch break, then spend your afternoon at Red Frog Beach, one of the region's premier beach destinations. Fill your time here with blissful sea, sand and sunshine, before heading back to your accommodation.

Bocas Del Toro - Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Day 5: Journey to chilled-out Puerto Viejo
After soaking up the best that Panama has to offer, it's time to move on to Costa Rica! Your driver will pick you up in Bocas del Toro for a transfer to Puerto Viejo, on Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean coast. Known for its laid-back vibe and surfing opportunities, Puerto Viejo also boasts a most unique heritage: here you'll uncover a wonderful melting pot of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri, and hippy cultures.

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Day 6: Kayaking adventures off Punta Uva beach
Embark on one of the best and most scenic experience tours in the area, combining hiking with ocean and river kayaking adventures along the shores of Punta Uva. This beautiful and quiet beach is known for its calm, reef-protected waters and white sands, perfect for a day of coastal relaxation. Be sure to soak up the endless beauty of the Caribbean coast on this very special day out.

Puerto Viejo De Talamanca - Pacuare River - La Fortuna
Day 7: Rafting adventure on the Pacuare
Today, leave the coast behind as you make tracks for Arenal Volcano National Park. Along the way, you'll stop to experience the sheer adrenaline rush of white water rafting on the Pacuare River - a scenic site and quite possibly the best choice for adventure experiences in Costa Rica. Flanked by steep, green walls, here you can enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the bliss of being connected with nature.
Watch waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colourful, tropical birds fly right over your head. This is not an overly challenging river to raft on, but it features plenty of rapids for an exhilarating and fun day out. Make the most of your time here, before continuing on your journey into the shadow of Arenal Volcano.

La Fortuna, Arenal
Day 8: Hike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano
Today, set out from the town of La Fortuna to take an unforgettable hiking tour down trails marked with the remains of previous 1968 lava flows from the majestic Arenal Volcano. The volcano itself is a real sight to behold, with its near-perfect conical shape. Throughout the hike, you will discover abundant flora and fauna, and your guide will tell you all about the volcano's history and activity. Continue the day's adventure with a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, a beautiful site surrounded by lush vegetation, for a chance to swim in pristine waters before stopping for lunch.

La Fortuna, Arenal - San Jose
Day 9: Journey to San José
Today you will spend a leisurely morning in La Fortuna, with the option of enjoying further activities in the area surrounding Arenal. In the afternoon, a shuttle service will transfer you to San José, the Costa Rican capital that's filled with vibrancy and charm. You'll journey past coffee plantations and soak up memorable views of the mountains, before arriving at your hotel in the city to check in and relax for the rest of the day.

San Jose - Juan Santamaria International Airport
Day 10: Farewell, Costa Rica!
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. At the appropriate time, you will check out and prepare for your transfer to the airport, where your onward flight awaits. Have a safe journey home and visit again soon!