Costa Rica to Panama: The Coastal Caribbean Experience
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Group Leader: Christine Lepkowski
Requested Return Date: 2/23/2025
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 Afro-Caribbean rhythms dance class
Enjoy an included lunch
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
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 Chiriquí region by crossing the border into Panama
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Day 7: Chiriquí region
Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs)
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: Depart for home
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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
-
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 Afro-Caribbean rhythms dance class
Enjoy an included lunch
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
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 Chiriquí region by crossing the border into Panama
-
Day 7: Chiriquí region
Enjoy a ziplining adventure through the Boquete treetop (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs)
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
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Day 9: 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?
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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
