To qualify for our Risk-Free Enrollment Period and $100 off, enroll by 12/2
Costa Rica to Panama: The Coastal Caribbean Experience
Book your tour with confidence knowing we offer the lowest prices possible.
Group Leader: Lucy Horton
Requested Return Date: 6/14/2026
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
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 snorkeling through Cahuita National Park to ziplining in a Boquete rainforest, adventure is around every corner.
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Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: San José • Cartago • Puerto Limón region
Travel to Cartago
Take an in-depth tour of Cartago
With your Tour Director you will visit:
- Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles
- Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins
- Cartago Municipal Museum
Enjoy an included lunch
Visit a local banana farm and discover the fruit's growth stages from planting to harvest
Travel to the Puerto Limón region, known for its Afro-Caribbean culture
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Day 3: Puerto Limón region
Visit Cahuita National Park with an expert local guide
Go snorkeling amongst colorful fish while observing 600 acres of living coral reefs
Enjoy an included lunch
Enjoy an Afro-Caribbean rhythms dance class
Explore on your own orAdd 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.
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Day 4: Puerto Limón region • Caribbean Coastal region
Visit the Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, where you will:
- Spot animals like snakes, frogs, and other reptiles
- Take a gondola ride to a waterfall
Travel to the Caribbean Coastal region
Enjoy an interactive drumming lesson and performance
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Day 5: Caribbean Coastal 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
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Day 6: Caribbean Coastal region • Chiriquí region
Travel to the Chiriquí region by crossing the border into Panama
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Day 7: Chiriquí region
Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (For safety reasons, weight and size restrictions may apply)
Take a canopy tour, where you’ll:
- Travel through the jungle via hanging bridges
- Spot unique flora and wildlife as you explore the ecosystem of jungle canopies
- Take in amazing aerial views
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Day 8: Chiriquí region • David • Panama City
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Whitewater rafting
Experience the thrill and excitement of whitewater rafting on this excursion! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Río Gariche rapids (level 2-3), all while admiring lush Panama scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.
Travel to David
Fly to Panama City
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Day 9: Panama City
Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City
Take a tour of Casco Viejo
Visit the Biomuseo
Stop for a photo at the Amador Causeway for a view of the Panama City skyline
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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
Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal
Stop for a photo at the Panama Canal Administration Building
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Day 11: Panama City • El Palmar
Explore on your own orAdd 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
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Day 12: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: San José • Cartago • Puerto Limón region
Travel to Cartago
Take an in-depth tour of Cartago
With your Tour Director you will visit:
- Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles
- Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins
- Cartago Municipal Museum
Enjoy an included lunch
Visit a local banana farm and discover the fruit's growth stages from planting to harvest
Travel to the Puerto Limón region, known for its Afro-Caribbean culture
-
Day 3: Puerto Limón region
Visit Cahuita National Park with an expert local guide
Go snorkeling amongst colorful fish while observing 600 acres of living coral reefs
Enjoy an included lunch
Enjoy an Afro-Caribbean rhythms dance class
Explore on your own orAdd 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: Puerto Limón region • Caribbean Coastal region
Visit the Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, where you will:
- Spot animals like snakes, frogs, and other reptiles
- Take a gondola ride to a waterfall
Travel to the Caribbean Coastal region
Enjoy an interactive drumming lesson and performance
-
Day 5: Caribbean Coastal 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 6: Caribbean Coastal region • Chiriquí region
Travel to the Chiriquí region by crossing the border into Panama
-
Day 7: Chiriquí region
Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (For safety reasons, weight and size restrictions may apply)
Take a canopy tour, where you’ll:
- Travel through the jungle via hanging bridges
- Spot unique flora and wildlife as you explore the ecosystem of jungle canopies
- Take in amazing aerial views
-
Day 8: Chiriquí region • David • Panama City
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Whitewater rafting
Experience the thrill and excitement of whitewater rafting on this excursion! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Río Gariche rapids (level 2-3), all while admiring lush Panama scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.
Travel to David
Fly to Panama City
-
Day 9: Panama City
Visit Panamá Viejo, the ruins from pirate attacks on the original Panama City
Take a tour of Casco Viejo
Visit the Biomuseo
Stop for a photo at the Amador Causeway for a view of the Panama City skyline
-
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
Visit the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal
Stop for a photo at the Panama Canal Administration Building
-
Day 11: Panama City • El Palmar
Explore on your own orAdd 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
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Day 12: Depart for home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?
What’s important to you is important to us
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Flexibility & coverage
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Health standards
We’re actively helping to innovate on new global standards for cleanliness & safety.
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See your tour come to life
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; internal flight
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Hotels
8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Dinner on arrival day; 3 meals Days 2–8 (and Days 9–11 with extension); breakfast on departure day
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by a licensed local guide (4 with extension); 1 sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director
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Entrances
Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles; Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins; Cartago Municipal Museum; visit to banana farm; Cahuita National Park; snorkeling; Afro-Caribbean rhythms dance class; Veragua Rainforest & Adventure Park; drumming lesson; Bri Bri Indigenous Village visit and cacao tour; kayaking; ziplining; hanging bridges; (with extension: Panama Viejo Ruins & Museum; Biomuseo; Gatun Lake boat ride; Miraflores Locks Visitor Center; folklore evening)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Have questions about this tour? Give us a call at 800-665-5364
Total price
month
Enroll by 12/2 to lock in this discounted price
