Costa Rica and Panama
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Group Leader: Derek Larson
Requested Return Date: 6/12/2025
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.
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Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel to Guanacaste
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Day 2: Guanacaste
Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Enjoy a snorkeling activity
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Day 3: Guanacaste • Arenal region
Travel to the Arenal region
Enjoy the rainforest from the unique perspective of a zipline through the canopy (For safety reasons, weight and size restrictions may apply)
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Day 4: Arenal region
Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
Visit the Arenal hot springs
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Day 5: Arenal region • Sarapiquí • Alajuela
Travel via Sarapiquí to Alajuela
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
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Day 6: Alajuela • San José • Panama City
Travel to San José
Fly to Panama City
Enjoy a walking tour of Cinta Costera
Visit the Biomuseo
Take a guided tour of Casco Viejo
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Day 7: Panama City
Enjoy some beach time in the historic El Palmar region
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.
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Day 8: Panama City • Gatun Lake
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
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Folklore evening
Opt to spend the evening learning about the rich cultural traditions of the region over a traditional Panamanian dinner. After dinner, an interactive dance show will make this a night to remember.
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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 airportTravel to Guanacaste
-
Day 2: Guanacaste
Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Enjoy a snorkeling activity
-
Day 3: Guanacaste • Arenal region
Travel to the Arenal region
Enjoy the rainforest from the unique perspective of a zipline through the canopy (For safety reasons, weight and size restrictions may apply)
-
Day 4: Arenal region
Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
Visit the Arenal hot springs
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Day 5: Arenal region • Sarapiquí • Alajuela
Travel via Sarapiquí to Alajuela
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
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Day 6: Alajuela • San José • Panama City
Travel to San José
Fly to Panama City
Enjoy a walking tour of Cinta Costera
Visit the Biomuseo
Take a guided tour of Casco Viejo
-
Day 7: Panama City
Enjoy some beach time in the historic El Palmar region
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.
-
Day 8: Panama City • Gatun Lake
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
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion
Folklore evening
Opt to spend the evening learning about the rich cultural traditions of the region over a traditional Panamanian dinner. After dinner, an interactive dance show will make this a night to remember.
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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?
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
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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 daily on Days 2–8 (breakfast and dinner on Days 9–10 and 3 meals on Day 11 with extension); breakfast on departure day
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by a licensed local guide (3 with extension); 1 sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director (2 with extension)
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Entrances
Rincón de la Vieja National Park; snorkeling; ziplining; kayaking on Lake Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall; Arenal hot springs; whitewater rafting; Biomuseo; Miraflores Visitor Center; Gatun Lake boat ride (with extension: Convento de la Popa; San Felipe de Barajas Castle; Barú Island; dinner experience)
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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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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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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.
Questions about this tour? Connect with us one-on-one via live chat,
or give us a call at 800-665-5364.
