12 Days Caribbean Adventure With Get Under The Surface Of Costa Rica And Panama

• This morning, transfer to Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity and lush rainforest.
• When you arrive, enjoy some free time here to go birdwatching, spot some local wildlife or hike to one of the nearby waterfalls.
• Then, meet up with a local guide to head out on a jungle walk.
• You’ll head out at dusk for the best chance to spot some Costa Rican wildlife! Look out for elusive creatures like sloths, bats, snakes, frogs and a whole lot more.

• Today, transfer to Puerto Viejo.
• When you arrive, get to know this laid-back jungle town during an orientation walk with your local leader, then enjoy the rest of the day to explore at your leisure.
• A small and coastal city, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has a lively main street featuring dance halls, reggaeton bars and modern restaurants.
• If you’re looking for a little bit of relaxation, you’ll also find great surf beaches and rainforest fruit farms to kick back on.

• Today is free, so you can ease into the vibes of the Caribbean coast.
• You might like to take your time exploring Cahuita National Park, which is easily accessible from Puerto Viejo and home to sloths, monkeys, raccoons, snakes and a great variety of birds.
• If the waves are calling (but your footing isn’t so sure), surf lessons are also on offer in town.
• Of course, you could also simply find a cool spot and relax with a beer in hand.
• To top today off, you’ll prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home. Enjoy a mixture of fruits, seafood, tubers and vegetables combined with coconut flavours, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry Panamian pepper and thyme.

• Today, transfer to the border, then walk across an old railway bridge into Panama.
• Continue to Almirante, where you’ll take a short boat ride to Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro archipelago – rapidly becoming a Caribbean favourite, this place has it all.
• Hit the palm-shaded beaches with crystal-clear waters, enjoy some spectacular snorkelling opportunities and look out for lots of wildlife.
• Culturally, Bocas is home to West Indians, Latinos and expats, resulting in diverse music, nightlife and food scenes.
• For the next three nights, you’ll stay in Isla Colon – the main town of Bocas del Toro. It’s a great spot to start your exploration of the archipelago, with most bars, restaurants and local activity operators just metres from your hotel.

• Today is the first of two free days to explore this tropical archipelago.
• Several beaches are within reach of town, between 8 and 14 km from your hotel.
• With azure waters, pristine coral reefs and a rollicking nightlife, it’s easy to see why these islands are a favourite for so many travellers.
• The safest beaches are Starfish, Sandfly and Big Creek – be aware that others may have strong riptides.
• When the sun goes down, head into town and check out the local bar and restaurant scene.

• This morning, hop on a boat to the nearby Isla Popa, where you’ll get to spend time meeting the Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community.
• The local women here run a community tourism project, and you’ll have the chance to learn about their lifestyle during an orientation walk through the community.
• You’ll stop in at a local home as well as a spending some time with a local family.
• Say your farewells and return to Bocas de Toro, then enjoy the rest of a hugely rewarding day free in the Caribbean sun.

• Travel by boat and local bus to Boquete – this is a bit of a lengthy journey, so be sure to have a book, podcast or daydream to keep you occupied.
• Boquete is a picturesque town located in the highlands of Panama, surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear creeks and rivers, forest reserves and colourful wildflowers, as well as coffee plantations and orange groves.
• Head out on an orientation walk with your leader and enjoy an informal Spanish lesson to get to grips with the local language.
• Tomorrow will be a free day, wide open for exploring – most optional activities can be organised directly from the hotel, though it’s a good idea to book them when you arrive tonight if you know what you want to do.

• There are plenty of ways to experience Boquete today.
• You could discover the secret waterfalls only locals know about on a walking tour in the jungle.
• Or maybe you’d prefer to soak it up in the Caldera hot springs.
• If you’re a coffee lover, consider visiting a plantation or simply kicking back in town with a cup of the local brew – some of the best coffee in the world is grown and processed right here in Boquete!

• Say goodbye to Boquete and head to the southern city of Chitre.
• After lunch, rejoin your fellow travellers head to a mask workshop for a glimpse at the country’s cultural heritage – elaborate masks and costumes are a feature of many festivals in Panama.
• The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring Chitre.
• You might like to visit Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez, which contains an extensive collection of artifacts dating back to 5000 BC, while also providing context about Panama’s natural history.

• Depart Chitre this morning, heading for Panama City.
• Stop at the Miraflores Visitor Centre, which overlooks one of the locks that control the flow of ships through the Panama Canal.
• Learn about the canal’s history and engineering, then head back on the road to Panama City.
• On arrival head out on a leader-led orientation walk.
• Take in the great views of the historic Casco Viejo (Old Town) and the Panama City skyline as you stroll past crowded waterfront soccer fields, running paths and food carts.
• Dinner at local restaurant

Free time relax until transfer to airport and take a flight to come home.