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Highlights of Central America: Costa Rica & Panama

12 days  |  15 days with Cartagena extension  |  Estimated monthly payments as low as $149

Group size
12–22 travelers
Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars

49
Activity level

From sipping coffee to spotting crocs, indulge your senses one stop at a time.

The foggy foliage of Monteverde’s cloud forests. The pristine shores of Manuel Antonio National Park. The urban buzz of Panama City—and the chirps and coos of the wildlife in nearby Chagres National Park. Wherever you look, Central America has something to catch the eye, and this tour of Costa Rica and Panama packs in the highlights. Colombia’s a short flight away, too, so why not follow the sweet sound of cumbia to Cartagena on the extension?

Your tour package includes

  • 11 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 11 breakfasts
  • 3 lunches
  • 5 dinners, some with beer or wine
  • 2 food tastings
  • 9 sightseeing tours
  • Expert Tour Director & local guides
  • Private deluxe motor coach

Included highlights

  • Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
  • Heliconia Ranch
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Gesha coffee tasting
  • Chitré artisan workshops
  • Gatun Lake cruise
  • Miraflores Locks
  • Casco Viejo
  • Chagres National Park
  • Emberá community visit

Itinerary

San José

Day 1: Arrival in San José

Welcome to Costa Rica! Touch down in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Settle in, then meet some of your groupmates in the evening over a light dinner.

Please note: If you arrive after 9 p.m., dinner will be served in your hotel room.

Monteverde

Day 2: Transfer to Monteverde & hiking tour of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome lunch

Kick off your trip by heading to mountainous Monteverde, where you’ll stop at a family-owned ranch for a three-course welcome lunch, served with beer or rum punch. Then, hit the road again and prepare for an afternoon in the Costa Rican wilds.

Sitting at an elevation of roughly a mile above sea level, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is permanently shrouded in fog—and that only adds to its majesty. With your Tour Director in the lead, hike into the jungle to observe Costa Rica’s biodiversity in full bloom.

Learn about, and keep a lookout for, the reserve’s array of flora and fauna. Orchids and ferns dot the forest floor, while 30 types of hummingbirds—as well as three-wattled bellbirds, black-faced solitaires, and other hard-to-spot bird species—flit about overhead.

Please note: In the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, you should be able to hike around two miles over wet, and potentially slippery, paths.

Reviews

Showing 1-6 of 31 traveler reviews

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Incredible Costa Rica and Panama

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Deborah, traveled in Jun 2024

What a wonderful trip to Costa Rica and Panama! It far exceeded expectations. Our local guides Carlos in Costa Rica and Gabriel in Panama made sure that our group had an unforgettable experience in both countries. We explored the amazing rain forest, learning all about the flora...

Great tour

4 out of 5 stars

2nd-time traveler Sally, traveled in Feb 2024

I really enjoyed the Costa Rica and Panama tour. We stayed in excellent hotels, had great food, and saw some wonderful sites. It was great meeting local people as well as seeing crafts that they had made. Our tour guide for Costa Rica was excellent and made us all feel welcome...

Costa Rica and Panama

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Nancy, traveled in Feb 2024

I loved the tour and learned so much about both countries. Our tour guide in Costa Rica was amazing

Was this information helpful?

5 out of 5 stars

5th-time traveler Gail, traveled in Jan 2024

Our Tour Directors Geraldo, Gabriel and Bilkin were all wonderful. They were knowledgeable, fun and wanted us to have a great experience in their countries. They also made arrangements for special things we wanted to do. All the events and extra excursions were super. Hotels...

Costa Rica and Panama Experience

5 out of 5 stars

2nd-time traveler Julie, traveled in Jan 2024

Our 2 tour guides, Gerardo and Gabriel, were both experts in their respective countries. Not only did they afford us an overwhelming sense of safety and knowledge, but they had a real kinship with the local people which carried over into our cultural experiences. 5 stars!

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EF Go Ahead Tours

Hi Julie Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that our tour guides made such an impact on your tour experience. It's...

1 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Anonymous, traveled in Oct 2023

Some of the buses were not very comfortable for long travel. Many of the days were constantly on the bus and rushed from one activity to another. 3 Cloud forests were repetitive and long bus rides for a one hour excursion was ridiculous. We did not see many of the...

EF Go Ahead Tours

Hello, Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience with us. We are disappointed to hear that you felt the busses in the region...

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Showing 1–6 of 31 reviews

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

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San José - Crowne Plaza Corobici

This bright and spacious hotel is located in San Jose, Costa Rica next door to La Sabana Pakr. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center and on-site restaurants. Nearby you’ll find the Costa Rican Art Museum, the ICE Group...

Monteverde - El Establo Mountain Hotel

This contemporary hotel is located in Monteverde. Guests enjoy a tennis court, indoor pool, and a spa. Nearby, you'll find the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and Arenal Volcano National Park.

Manuel Antonio - Shana by the Beach Hotel

This boutique hotel is located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Guests enjoy the private nature trail to Biesanz beach, outdoor pool, and private room balcony. Nearby you’ll find Manuel Antonio National Park, downtown Quepos, and...

Boquete - Valle Escondido Resort Golf & Spa

This hacienda style resort is located in Boquete. Guests enjoy the golf course, multiple pools, and spacious rooms. Nearby you'll find Boquete Brewing Company, the Mirador Trailhead, and downtown Boquete.

Chitre Region - Cubitá Boutique Resort & Spa

This boutique hotel is located in the La Arena neighborhood. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and outdoor pool. Nearby you’ll find the Museo de Herrera and downtown Chitré.

Panama City - The Executive Hotel

This charming hotel is located in the Bella Vista neighborhood of Panama. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, fitness center, and spacious rooms. Nearby you'll find the Presidential Palace, the Canal Museum of Panama, and the Bridge...

Cartagena - Santa Catalina Hotel

This boutique hotel is located in the Getsemani neighborhood of Cartagena. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, restaurant, and private balconies. Nearby you'll find Santo Domingo Square, Fishermans Beach, and the Museum of Cartagena...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

  • Round-trip flight for your tour
  • Airport transfers at your destination
  • A great price locked in today
  • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
  • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
  • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

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