Costa Rica to Panama: Surf, Treks & Starry Skies

Arrive at any time. There’s so much to see and do in San José so we recommend checking out what you can. From city tours to coffee experiences in the Central Valley, there’s a variety to choose from should you arrive early. Join a welcome meeting in the evening to get to know your newest travel family and opt to grab a meal at a local restaurant afterwards as a way to break the ice and grow more comfortable with each other.

Included Experiences

• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Catch a local bus from San José to the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. You’ll find 14km (8.7 mi) of incomparable white and black sand beaches here all surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. A true paradise to start the adventure. Set off on a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival and then take advantage of free time to explore, unwind, and soak up the magic of Puerto Viejo. You’ll have just enough time to dive into the town’s laid-back rhythm and discover why this little corner of the Caribbean is so loved by travelers from all over the world. Whether you're craving beach time, a local bite, or a bit of spontaneous adventure, there’s plenty to do (or not do—because relaxing counts too!)

Included Experiences

• Free Time: You'll have free time today to explore, unwind, and soak up the magic of this Caribbean village. Choose between beach time, a local bite to eat, or a bike rental to pedal around and feel the salty sea air blow through your hair. Prepare to fall a little bit in love with this laid-back coastal gem.
• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• CEO-led Orientation Walk of Puerto Viejo: Stroll through the main streets with your trusty CEO. Explore local shops, stop by cafés, and see where the key beach entrances, bike rental shops, and must-try restaurants and bars are. As you walk, gain a deeper sense the area’s unique Afro-Caribbean culture and laid-back lifestyle.

Optional Experiences

• Bike Rental: Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.

It’s time to explore! Hop on a bike and ride to the beach with your CEO. Once here opt to try surfing if the waves are calling. Hit up beaches like Cocles, Punta Uva, and maybe even make it to Manzanillo. There will be stops along the way to grab a drink, jump in the ocean, and spot some animals. Later, the group will have free time to relax at the hostel, grab a coffee, find a hammock, and simply relax. You could also chat with your travel mates, play some cards together, or throw on a fun playlist and dance the night away to reggae and calypso for a true taste of this tropical paradise. Group hangout in the common area to spice up the evening, anyone?

Included Experiences

• Biking Puerto Viejo: This morning, jump on a bike and take a ride around to a nearby beach with your CEO. You'll be out exploring and enjoying the scenery all day around Puerto Viejo. Start time: 9 AM End time: 5 PM
• Free Time: Embrace the beauty of Puerto Viejo and enjoy the beaches, chill vibes, and colourful nature of this Caribbean haven. Snap group photos, make up fun dances, and load up those reels for your social medias, because everyone at home wants to come along for the ride.

Optional Experiences

• Surf Lesson: Grab a board and hit the waves. With knowledge and tips from a certified instructor you'll be hanging ten in no time.

The moment you have been waiting for…Panama! Cross the border today and travel by bus, boat, and foot to the lovely archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Your CEO will show the group around on a leisurely stroll through town. Check out the main spots, learn a bit about the local culture, and get the lay of the land. The archipelago of Bocas is a reflection of Afro-Caribbean culture. As you walk the streets you’ll hear calypso and reggae rhythms, and guari-guari– a language that is a mixture of English, French and Spanish. After the walk, take some time to wander on your own, find a comfortable spot, breathe in the fresh air, and simply enjoy being present in one of Panama’s favorite destinations for locals and travellers alike.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Settle in and scan the scenery from the window of a local bus between Puerto Viejo and the border with Panama.
• Border Crossing (Costa Rica - Panama): Cross the border between Costa Rica and Panama at Sixaola. Have your passports handy.
• Water Taxi: Sit back and enjoy the shared boat ride from Almirante to the paradise of Bocas del Toro.
• CEO-led Orientation Walk - Bocas del Toro: Follow your CEO and get the lay of the land and the good vibes of Bocas. The archipelago is a favorite destination among Panamanians and visitors. This north-westernmost province in the country allows you to become immersed in the cultures, mangroves, reefs, and perfect surfing waves, of this laid-back and sun-kissed paradise.
• Free Time: Spend a free evening in Bocas del Toro. Sit on the beach as the sun fades from the sky, hangout with your travel pals and have a night out on the town, or find a funky local spot and grab a meal together after a day of travel.

The tropical vibes continue during a full free day to enjoy all that Bocas del Toro has to offer. Think paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, or maybe a bioluminescence tour later in the day. Choose to be as relaxed or active as you would like. Swimming, sunbathing, rocking in a hammock, or people watching from a cute local spot, are great options too.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Feel like you have stepped into a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’-like paradise with plenty to discover. From snorkeling to deserted beaches, diving, starfish, coconuts, wildlife, delicious food, party places, and peaceful quietness, Bocas del Toro really does have something for everyone. Soak up some sunshine, take some pictures and videos, and find some fresh seafood to indulge in as you pretend you are marooned here forever, away from the stress of the world.
• Big Night Out: Enjoy a night out on the town with your travel friends and truly let your hair down in the beach town of Panama's Bocas del Toro.

Optional Experiences

• Bioluminescence Tour: Learn about bioluminescence, micro-organisms that create light in the water, from an expert guide. Navigate by boat through the mangroves to the perfect spot to see the water light up. Stir up the water with your hand to light up the surrounding area or take a dip to see the glowing all around you like magical fairy dust. *Please note this experience is seasonal.
• Bike Rental: Rent a bike and pedal around to explore Bocas del Toro. (5-10 USD per person)

Charge up those phones and cameras because you’re going to want proof of today’s activity! The group will enjoy a visit to the famous Starfish Beach, known for the hundreds of starfish that spend the day in the shallow waters of an isolated cove. Swim in the calm waters and enjoy the beauty before you. Travel back to the hostel in the afternoon and relax on your own. Grab some friends and head out for a fun local meal and some dancing, read a book in solitude, or try one of the optional activities you didn’t have time for yesterday. There will be an optional group dinner tonight and everyone will walk there together if you choose to join.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Spend time on your own or with the group in the beautiful atmosphere of Bocas del Toro. Swim, lounge, play a card game, dance in the street, and let the good times roll.
• Starfish Beach Visit: Starfish beach is known for the hundreds of starfish that spend the day in the shallow, calm water of this isolated cove. You can reach the beach by boat, shuttle, bike or 4x4 – once you arrive, grab a drink and see how many starfish you can spot while swimming in some of the calmest waters of Bocas.

Optional Experiences

• Bike Rental: Rent a bike and pedal around to explore Bocas del Toro. (5-10 USD per person)
• Bioluminescence Tour: Learn about bioluminescence, micro-organisms that create light in the water, from an expert guide. Navigate by boat through the mangroves to the perfect spot to see the water light up. Stir up the water with your hand to light up the surrounding area or take a dip to see the glowing all around you like magical fairy dust. *Please note this experience is seasonal.
• Sunset Snorkelling Tour: Experience a Caribbean sunset on the ocean while relaxing on the boat, a SUP board, or experience it as you bob in and out of the water while snorkelling. Once the sun goes down, watch Bocas del Toro light up along the shore with a rum punch or beverage of choice in hand and cheers to a beautiful night in paradise.

Pack those bags and travel back to the mainland today as the group heads to the mountain town of Boquete, where an abundance of outdoor activities await! Along the way pay a visit to the local indigenous Ngäbe community and learn about the process from which chocolate is derived and why cacao is so important to their culture. Arrive in the evening to Boquete and get settled in at your base for the next few nights. Choose to join an optional dinner at a local spot with the group.

Included Experiences

• Ferry: Travel back to the mainland via ferry from Bocas del Toro.
• Local Community Focused Chocolate Experience: Learn how chocolate is really made from planting the seed to tasting the final sweet bar. The group will visit a farm operated by the local Indigenous Ngäbe community where your guide will take everyone through the whole process and tell you about the history, trade side of things, and why cacao is so important to the local indigenous culture here in Panama. This handmade process focuses on the traditional ways of making chocolate to ensure the continuation of organic cocoa. At the end of the experience you will get to taste the chocolate bars, accompanied by yanikeke, traditional bread made with flour and coconut.

Everyone loves to feel that adrenaline kick in every now and then, and the wooded valley of Boquete surrounded by mountains is the perfect destination to make that happen. Enjoy a full free day here to discover the trails of lost waterfalls, hike to Baru Volcano, go whitewater rafting, or horseback riding. You can also choose to book a tour of a coffee plantation, hike through the cloud forest, or try spotting wildlife in the area. Craving some deeper connection after a day of activity? Choose to join the group and walk from the hostel to a nearby restaurant for an optional local dinner.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: It's a full free day all to yourself in Panama's adventure destination. From rafting to horseback riding, to hiking and cloud forest exploring, there are so many different options to choose from to make your time here as heart-thumping or relaxing as you'd like.

Optional Experiences

• Whitewater Rafting: Buckle up your lifejacket, strap on a helmet and head out to where white water meets green jungle on Panama’s Chiriqui Viejo River. Paddle down Class III+ rapids and hold on tight as the expert guide sets a course past boulders and over waterfalls. Feel alive and enjoy the ride.
• Lost Waterfall Hike: Discover three stunning waterfalls on this hike through the cloud forest. Trek through dense flora while keeping an eye out for local wildlife, before reaching the waterfalls for a refreshing swim. Dive in!
• Horseback Riding: Throw on some long pants, grab the reins and hop up on a well-trained horse. Trail ride through the scenic town of Boquete, home to the Barú Volcano National Park.
• Coffee Plantation Tour: Head out into the hills to visit one of the many coffee plantations in the region. Learn about the production process and have a sample or two of the locally-grown "café" while taking in the beautiful scenery.
• Hiking: Choose from a variety of hiking tours, from low-impact routes through botanical gardens or challenging full-day trips to see waterfalls and unforgettable wildlife. Options include the Quetzal Trail (one of the most scenic hikes in Panama) or Baru Volcano. (40-85 USD per person)

Everyone wants more time in Boquete, so take another free day to try some of the optional activities you didn’t have time for yesterday. Life is better when shared, so grab a buddy and opt in to one of the active activities together. Take pictures and videos of your experiences and push yourself out of your comfort zone in a place that largely celebrates being adventurous. Walk from the hostel to a local restaurant tonight for an optional group dinner and share stories of your experiences from today.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Opt in to some adrenaline inducing activities during your second full free day in Boquete. Choose a climbing tour in "Los Ladrillos", navigate rapids of varying levels on the Chiriquí Viejo River, bathe in the soothing hot springs of La Caldera, walk through the beautiful cloud forests shrouded in mist, and immerse yourself in one of the coolest places in Panama (literally).

Optional Experiences

• Whitewater Rafting: Buckle up your lifejacket, strap on a helmet and head out to where white water meets green jungle on Panama’s Chiriqui Viejo River. Paddle down Class III+ rapids and hold on tight as the expert guide sets a course past boulders and over waterfalls. Feel alive and enjoy the ride.
• Lost Waterfall Hike: Discover three stunning waterfalls on this hike through the cloud forest. Trek through dense flora while keeping an eye out for local wildlife, before reaching the waterfalls for a refreshing swim. Dive in!
• Boquete Cycling: Set off on a full day of cycling through the highlands around Boquete. Cycle along some paved and some gravel roads through highland forest past cattle farms and green hills along local roads. This day is all about enjoying the fresh mountain air of the Panamanian countryside, so take a deep inhalation and enjoy.
• Coffee Plantation Tour: Head out into the hills to visit one of the many coffee plantations in the region. Learn about the production process and have a sample or two of the locally-grown "café" while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Be enveloped by Panama’s inland scenery today while the group travels from Boquete to Valle de Anton. Located in the middle of the crater of an inactive volcano, this quaint town is rich in green, fertile land, biodiversity, and full of adventure waiting for you. Arrive later in the day, get settled in the hostel, and perhaps go out for dinner with the group and cheers to a successful travel day.

Valle de Anton is an ideal destination for travellers looking to hike, zipline, cycle, or soak in hot springs. If you’re feeling really adventurous, opt to try the 30km (18.6 mile) Ruta de la Caldera, or choose one of its sections, the most iconic being El Gaital which reaches over 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) above sea level. You could also rent bikes and cycle around the town, or visit the Pozos Termales to soothe those muscles from yesterday’s long bus rides. It’s your time to enjoy the great outdoors, laugh with your travel family, and soak up the cool weather as you search for wildlife on your own. As always, there will be the option to join together with the group for dinner in the evening at a hip, local spot, and dish out stories about how you spent your free day here.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Today is all yours to enjoy the charming atmosphere of Valle de Anton. From ziplining to hot springs, and hiking along the caldera, to cycling, there's no time to be bored. Search for wildlife in the forest, and walk around town to admire the gardens. Choose to be as active or relaxed as you need at this point in your adventure.

Optional Experiences

• Cerro Gaital Hike: Hike through the lush tropical forests of Panama to the peak of Cerro Gaital. A relatively challenging, but rewarding trek that takes you to the top of the mountain with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area. The loop trail is 4.6 miles total.
• Valle de Anton Hot Springs: Choose to enjoy a soak and relax in the area's hot springs. Perhaps, put some mud on your face and exfoliate those pores.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling by private bus to Panama City. Sit back and enjoy the scenery along the way, or catch up on your favorite podcasts and playlists. Arrive in the late afternoon and join your CEO for an orientation walk to discover the main attractions like Casco Viejo, Plaza de la Independencia, and the Panama Cathedral. Then, enjoy free time in the evening to take a more in-depth city tour, stroll or bike along the Amador Causeway, the city's scenic boardwalk, or relax at your accommodation. Tonight is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the nightlife atmosphere of Panama’s capital.

Included Experiences

• Panama City CEO-led Orientation Walk: Panama City is much more than the country's capital. Enjoy the important sites of the old square as your CEO helps you become familiar with your newest destination. Some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America can be found here. It's where historical culture and bustling city life meet. Enjoy the breeze coming from off the Pacific and get a sense of the city's modern atmosphere.
• Free Time: The evening is yours to make of it what you wish. From walks along the scenic boardwalk, to exploring the old town, and finding a delicious local spot to grab dinner, the vibes here fit everyone's mood.

Depart at anytime. Or perhaps consider spending a few extra days in the lively Panama City. Before you go, make sure you swap information with your newest travel family because someday maybe you'll meet up in another part of the world.