12 days tour

Panama & Costa Rica Escape - 12 Days

Panama & Costa Rica Escape - 12 Days

This tour includes:

Guide

Services of your Expat Explore tour leader, who will be on hand with advice and tips to ensure that you get the most from your trip

Meals

11 breakfasts 3 dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request *Option to exclude pork and/or beef *Jain and Kosher are not available for this tour.

Others

9 Experiences! Welcome dinner in Panama City Tour Panama City and the Panama canal Get to know Bocas del Toro on an orientation walking tour Take a scenic boat ride from Bocas Town to Almirante Cross the Panama to Costa Rica border on foot; walk across the Sixaola-Guabito International bridge Set foot inside the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Visit Tarcoles โ€œCrocodile Bridgeโ€ Take an orientation walking tour in Jaco Take a panoramic driving tour of San Jose

Transport

Modern air conditioned coach with reclining seats, TV for showing DVDs, and toilet 1 internal flight Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) Please note the coach buses are not wheelchair accessible.

Accommodation

11 nights 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room and cabin We use a variety of hotels in each of the destinations on this tour, hotels are selected closer to departure. Once booked, a confirmed list of hotels will be sent to you along with your Tour Leader announcement, 3-5 days prior to departure.

Not included:

Others

Arrival and departure airport transfers are not included in the tour cost. Please contact us for a link to Welcome Pickups Pre and post-tour accommodation is not included in the tour cost. Please contact us for a link to booking.com. Single supplement (Optional). Please contact our Travel Experts for a quote. Tipping.

Flights

You will be responsible for booking your own international flights. We additionally recommend you do not book your airfare until your place on the tour is confirmed. Please make sure to check the times that your tour will start and end before booking your flights.

Optional

Optional excursions are not included in the tour cost. All optional excursions are booked on tour and paid in cash to your tour leader, unless stated otherwise. Please note, certain optional excursions are subject to availability and could change as a result. Some optional excursions need to be pre-booked, please contact us to find out more

Insurance

When you sign up for an Expat Explore tour, you are required to secure adequate travel insurance cover for the duration of your trip. If you cannot provide Expat Explore with proof of adequate travel insurance prior to the start of your tour, you will not be permitted to embark on day one. The requirements include the following coverage: Trip Interruption Trip Delay Medical Expenses Quarantine Expenses and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation The insurance must also cover medical costs and a medically imposed quarantine if the insured or someone the insured has come into contact with, tests positive for COVID-19. Before you book your tour, you're welcome to obtain a quote with Tour Radar's insurance partner, Cover Genius.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Panama & Costa Rica Escape - 12 Days

  • Day 1 Day 1: Arrive In Panama City
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Arrive In Panama City

      Welcome to Panama City and the start of your Latin American adventure! Arrive at the hotel and check-in. Depending on arrival time, the city is yours to explore before meeting up with your tour leader and group in the hotel foyer at 18:00. Tonight, the group will take a walk together to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner. Enjoy a taste of traditional Panamanian cuisine on your first night in Central America!

  • Day 2 Day 2: Panama City - City Tour
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Panama City - City Tour

      After breakfast, head out on a tour of Panama City and the famous Panama Canal with a local guide! On the tour, see top sights such as Panama Old Town and explore the famous canal and Miraflores Lock where you can enjoy a stop at a viewing deck and a tour of the visitor centre. Visit the Amador Causeway and Flamenco Island. Take a short hike and witness the magnificent views of the city from Ancon Hill. Learn all about the history, culture, operations and day-to-day life in this city that forms an important link between North and South America.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Panama City: Free Day
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Panama City: Free Day

      Explore the delights of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city on this free day! Head to the streets to see more of the old town, sample more local flavours, or stroll along the tranquil shores. Panama City is also home to a number of museums - take a look at the Afro-Antillean Museum, Biomuseo and the Natural Science Museum. Alternatively, head out of the city for the day! Join the optional San Blas excursion. Spend the day seeing beautiful islands complete with turquoise waters and beautiful, palm-fringed white sand beaches! Enjoy a catch-of-the-day lunch and learn more about Kuna Yala, the indigenous Panamanian tribe that calls the larger islands home.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Panama City - Bocas Del Toro
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Panama City - Bocas Del Toro

      Depart early this morning for an hour-long flight to Bocas del Toro. This tropical island archipelago is located just off the northeastern coastline of Panama in the Caribbean Sea. Arrive in Bocas del Toro town, check into the hotel and then head into town for a quick orientation tour. Admire the untamed beauty surrounding this charming seaside village. Discover the best local spots to eat and shop - your tour leader will point these out for you. Enjoy a traditional lunch and the rest of the day is yours to spend as youโ€™d like! Relax near the water, explore the natural scenery, go birdwatching or hop on a boat to visit a nearby island. The choice is yours!

  • Day 5 Day 5: Bocas Del Toro: Free Day
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Bocas Del Toro: Free Day

      Today is yours to make the most of your time on the island! Choose to explore the area at your own pace or join an optional full-day island-hopping adventure! Experience Bocas del Toroโ€™s top beaches including visits to Starfish Beach and Red Frog Beach. Laze under the sun as you explore the Caribbean waters and islands from the comfort of a catamaran. Tonight, absorb the island atmosphere at night and find a local spot to enjoy dinner in town!

  • Day 6 Day 6: Bocas Del Toro - Arenal
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Bocas Del Toro - Arenal

      Travel by boat, coach and on foot towards our next destination: Costa Rica! Start the day with a short boat ride back to mainland Panama. Next, travel by coach to Sixaola - a tiny border town located between Panama and Costa Rica. Take in the views and cross the border on foot to arrive in a new country! Next, watch as the surrounding landscape transforms as the tour travels to La Fortuna - a town that is the gateway to the Arenal volcano! Check into the hotel before sitting down for a group dinner. Experience your first taste of Costa Rican cuisine tonight with an included dinner.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Arenal: Free Day
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Arenal: Free Day

      La Fortuna is yours to discover on this free day! Nestled at the base of the Arenal Volcano, this town is bursting with things to see and do around the area. Opt to embark on a half-day volcano hike and see the natural beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park. You could choose to join the Hanging Bridges optional excursion or cruise Lake Arenal on a kayak. This afternoon, you have the option to join the Arenal Hot Springs and dinner experience. Donโ€™t miss out on this opportunity to soak in the mineral-rich, natural pools at the base of the Arenal volcano finished off with dinner with a full view of the volcano!

  • Day 8 Day 8: Arenal - Monteverde
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Arenal - Monteverde

      Travel to Costa Ricaโ€™s green heart today! After breakfast, embark on a four-hour journey to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - a real bucket-list-worthy destination! Arrive and check into the hotel, which will be home base for the next two nights. This afternoon, itโ€™s time to explore Monteverdeโ€™s Cloud Forest! Costa Rica is home to a number of tropical โ€˜cloud forestsโ€™ which are forests crowned by persistent cloud cover at canopy level. Known as the โ€œCrown Jewelโ€ of the worldโ€™s cloud forests, Monteverde is by far the countryโ€™s most famous and stretches over 10,000 hectares! Wander through the trees and enjoy hiking or birding. Exotic species like hummingbirds, toucans, trogons and bellbirds can be spotted in this area.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Monteverde: Free Day
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Monteverde: Free Day

      Make the most of a free day in this beautiful part of Costa Rica. Chat with your tour leader to learn about all of the options for excursions today. Explore more of the cloud forest by catching a trip on the Sky Tram for amazing views across the treetops. Visit a local butterfly farm and learn more about these colourful little creatures. Or, go on the optional Costa Rican Coffee Farm Tour - top it off with a delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee at the end of the tour! The choice is all yours today!

  • Day 10 Day 10: Monteverde - Jacรณ
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Monteverde - Jacรณ

      After breakfast, take a short journey to Costa Ricaโ€™s central Pacific coast. Stop at the Tรกrcoles River on the way and see if you can spot huge crocodiles sunbathing on the river banks (weather dependent). Next up is the surfing capital of Costa Rica, Jaco! Arrive and set out on an orientation walk with your tour leader. This sleepy, seaside surf town is home to quirky cafes, restaurants and shops. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish - you could hit the waves, enjoy a leisurely lunch or just relax under the sun. Ask your tour leader for recommendations on more exciting things to do this afternoon!

  • Day 11 Day 11: Jacรณ: Free Day
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Jacรณ: Free Day

      Spend time relaxing in Jacรณ today or join the optional trip to Manuel Antonio National Park. This beautiful spot may be one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica but has been voted as one of the top 10 in the world! Here you can see sandy beaches bordering lush forests. Along with being naturally beautiful, it is incredibly biodiverse. Keep an eye out for endangered red-backed squirrel monkeys, sloths, capuchin monkeys, iguanas, dolphins and even migrating whales out in the ocean! Back in Jacรณ tonight, the group will enjoy a delicious feast to celebrate the end of an amazing tour!

  • Day 12 Day 12: Jacรณ - End Of Tour In San Josรฉ
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Jacรณ - End Of Tour In San Josรฉ

      Enjoy breakfast in Jacรณ this morning on the last day of the tour! Choose to continue your stay in Jacรณ or catch the coach to San Josรฉ, Costa Ricaโ€™s capital city. Arrive in San Josรฉ and enjoy an orientation driving tour. After this, say adiรณs to your group as our tour officially concludes here after 12 amazing days!

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 10 / Max: 90

Age range allowed for this experience.

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