Costa Rica & Panama Discovery – 12 Days
Sarapiquí, Puerto Viejo, Bocas del Toro, Boquete and the Panama Canal, in a group of up to 16.
Tour overview
This 12-day small-group adventure crosses from Costa Rica into Panama by road and boat, linking rainforest, Caribbean coast, island archipelago and cool coffee highlands before finishing beside the Panama Canal. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout. You stay eleven nights in hotels, travelling by public bus, private minibus, taxi and shared boat, which keeps the trip great value and connects you with everyday life along the way. Breakfast is included on several days, along with a home-cooked Caribbean dinner.
Your adventure begins in San José with a welcome meeting. The next morning a public bus takes you to Sarapiquí, a region of lowland rainforest famous for its biodiversity, where a local guide leads a jungle walk in search of sloths, frogs, bats and birds. A private transfer then brings you to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, a laid-back town of surf beaches, reggae bars and fruit farms. Here you join a local family in their home to prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner of seafood, tubers and coconut, then enjoy a free day for surf lessons or a visit to Cahuita National Park.
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Crossing the border on foot over an old railway bridge, you continue by boat to Isla Colón in the Bocas del Toro archipelago for three nights. Free days leave time for palm-fringed beaches, snorkelling over coral reefs and the islands' easy-going nightlife, and you take a boat to Isla Popa to meet the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous community, whose women run a community tourism project.
Inland, the mountain town of Boquete is surrounded by cloud forest, rivers and some of the finest coffee farms in the world. An orientation walk includes an informal Spanish lesson, and a free day allows for hidden waterfalls, a coffee plantation or the Caldera hot springs. In Chitré you visit a workshop making the elaborate masks worn at Panama's festivals, then stop at the Miraflores Locks to watch ships pass through the Panama Canal before a leader-led walk in Casco Viejo, Panama City's historic quarter.
The physical rating is medium, with some long travel days and a border crossing on foot. This trip suits sociable, flexible travellers who want plenty of free time and a real feel for two neighbouring countries.
Trip highlights
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A jungle walk in Sarapiquí (Day 2)
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A Caribbean dinner with a local family (Day 3)
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Three nights in Bocas del Toro (Days 5–7)
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The Ngäbe-Buglé community on Isla Popa (Day 7)
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Coffee country in Boquete (Days 8–9)
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The Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal (Day 11)
Your route
10 stops from San José to Panama City
- San José Day 1
- Sarapiqui Day 2
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Days 3–4
- Almirante Day 5
- Bocas del Toro Days 5–7
- Isla Popa Day 7
- Boquete Days 8–9
- Chitré Day 10
- Miraflores Locks Day 11
- Panama City Days 11–12
Why choose this tour
Two countries, the Caribbean coast and the Panama Canal in under two weeks. Great value, with plenty of free time and local encounters.
Best suited to
- Budget-conscious travellers
- Solo travellers looking for a group
- Beach and nature lovers
- Travellers who enjoy local transport
Day-by-day itinerary
12 days from San José, Costa Rica to Panama City, Panama
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Day 1 · San José Arrive in San José
A welcome meeting in Costa Rica's capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Sarapiquí Sarapiquí
A public bus and a guided jungle walk.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Puerto Viejo
The Caribbean coast and a home-cooked dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 4 · Cahuita National Park Puerto Viejo
A free day for beaches or surfing.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 5 · Almirante, Isla Colón Bocas del Toro
Cross into Panama and take a boat to the islands.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 6 · Starfish Beach Bocas del Toro
A free day in the archipelago.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 7 · Isla Popa Isla Popa
Meet the Ngäbe-Buglé community.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 8 · Boquete Boquete
Boat and minibus to the highlands.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 9 · Boquete Boquete
A free day for coffee, waterfalls or hot springs.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Chitré Chitré
A traditional mask workshop.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Miraflores Locks, Casco Viejo Panama City
The Panama Canal and the old town.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Panama City Trip ends
Depart at any time.
Where you stay
- San José (1 night) Hotel
- Sarapiquí (1 night) Hotel
- Puerto Viejo (2 nights) Hotel
- Bocas del Toro (3 nights) Hotel
- Boquete (2 nights) Hotel
- Chitré (1 night) Hotel
- Panama City (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 11 nights in hotels
- Meals 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners, including a home-cooked Caribbean meal
- Transport by public bus, private minibus, taxi and shared boat
- Guided jungle walk in Sarapiquí
- Ngäbe-Buglé community visit on Isla Popa
- Mask workshop in Chitré
- Miraflores Locks visit and Casco Viejo walk
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Optional activities and park fees
- Meals not included 7 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners
- Border fees, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want luxury
- You dislike long travel days
- You want most meals included
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,365 per person, twin share, tour only. 129 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How do we cross the border?
By shared transfer to the border, then on foot over an old railway bridge into Panama. Allow up to an hour and carry proof of onward travel.
What transport is used?
A mix of public buses, private minibuses, taxis and shared boats.
Is it safe to swim in Bocas del Toro?
Starfish, Sandfly and Big Creek beaches are considered the safest; others can have strong currents.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not usually need a visa for short stays in Costa Rica or Panama. Check the latest advice before travel.
Are rooms shared?
Solo travellers can share with someone of the same sex at no extra cost, or pay a single supplement.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary