Chill out in the Caribbean and soak up the sunshine
- Start
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- End
- Panama City, Panama
- Destinations
- Costa Rica, Panama
- Meals
- 1 dinner
- Transport
- Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat
- Accommodation
- Hotel (10 nights), Lodge (1 night)
- Days
- 12
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Ages
- Min 15
- ThemeEvery trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
- Explorer
- StyleBasix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders - Basix
- Physical ratingIndicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
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!
Go on a jungle walk at night with your expert trip leader in the rainforest district of Sarapiqui – look out for various snakes, sloths, and frogs.
Get to know Panama City during a guided stroll along the Cinta Costera, right to the city’s salty belly – the Mercado de Mariscos (seafood market).
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions and activities
1 dinner
Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat
Hotel (10 nights), Lodge (1 night)
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary includes basic accommodation and has free time for activities when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
- 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.
- 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.
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability.
2. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share rooms (triple and quad). This means travelers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single gender allocation.
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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