10 Day itinerary in Panama, Central America & Caribbean
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Panama City to San Jose with Bamba travel. Experience the best of Central America, exploring lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant local cultures. Highlights include island-hopping in Bocas del Toro, thrilling zip-lining in the Costa Rican canopy, an... Read More
By Bamba Travel Inc
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Snorkel with nurse sharks and stingrays in their natural environment in Belize
Learn how the Mayans built the Tikal impressive citadel
Soak up the sun and relaxing vibes of El Tunco
Snorkel with nurse sharks and stingrays in their natural environment in Belize
Learn how the Mayans built the Tikal impressive citadel
Soak up the sun and relaxing vibes of El Tunco
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: San Blas Islands, Panama
Duration: 3 Days
Departure Time: 05:00 - 06:00
Transfer from Panama City to San Blas Islands (L/D)
You will be picked up at your accommodation in Panama City early this morning and take an exciting ride through the jungle on 4x4 transportation. We will then make a stop to pass through immigration formalities and pay the entrance fees to Kuna Yala Islands (not included). We will continue our way to the dock where you will meet your boat to take a shared transfer to your island.
Note: Please note that there will no longer be a stop at the supermarket to avoid unnecessary time loss and to be able to arrive at the port as soon as possible. Therefore, we encourage you to purchase supplies to take with you to the island (snacks, drinks, water) the day before the tour.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 2: San Blas Islands, Panama
San Blas Yanis Island Budget Experience 3D/2N
San Blas Islands Tour (B/L/D)
Enjoy a fresh breakfast with the sounds of the waves on the shore before going on an exciting tour. Afterwards, if time permits, opt to swim or snorkel around your island in the crystal clear turquoise waters to spot colourful tropical fish among coral reefs or simply spend time relaxing on a hammock. You can also hire a boat and visit a traditional Kuna Yala village of this archipelago, where you can purchase handmade souvenirs to contribute to the community (optional activity at extra cost, inquire upon arrival). Spend the evening watching the horizon turn different shades of red and pink as the sun sets over the Caribbean.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 3: Panama City, Panama
San Blas Yanis Island Budget Experience 3D/2N
Transfer from San Blas Islands to Panama City (B/L)
Say goodbye to your piece of natural paradise this morning for your scenic one-hour return trip to the dock by boat and 4x4 transportation ride back to Panama City, and be dropped off at your accommodation in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Bocas del Toro, Panama
Panama City to Bocas del Toro
Type: Flight
Time: 10:00, 13:00
Duration: 1.4 Hours
Transfer from Panama City to Bocas del Toro
Day 5: Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo
Type: Shuttle + Boat
Time: 06:00, 08:00, 12:00
Duration: 4 Hours
Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to Puerto Viejo, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 6: Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero
Type: Shuttle + Boat
Time: 08:00
Duration: 5.5 Hours
Transfer from Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to Tortuguero, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 7: Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Tortuguero National Park Adventure 2D/1N
Depart from San Jose to Tortuguero and start your activities (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will continue driving on the shuttle and then transfer to a boat for the final leg of the journey into Tortuguero National Park, a pristine nature reserve and an important nesting site for green sea turtles. Along the way we will provide you with a brief introduction to the banana plantations.
This afternoon you may go on an optional walking tour of the Museum and the town to learn about the local culture (not included). Depending on the season, tonight you can also participate in an optional night tour (not included), which consists of a boat trip to Tortuguero National Park followed by walking on the beach to observe the nesting of the Giant Green Sea Turtle (available only from July to October).
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 8: San Jose, Costa Rica
Tortuguero National Park Adventure 2D/1N
Tortuguero Boat Walking Tour - Boat and Shuttle to San Jose (B/L)
Rise early again this morning to go on a boat tour to visit some areas of the park and admire breathtaking nature. Return to your accommodation for breakfast and to pack up your belongings for check-out before taking your transfer back to San Jose at 9:00 hrs. Have lunch on the way (budget package does not include lunch) and arrive in San Jose around 15:30 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: San Jose, Costa Rica
Tortuguero to San Jose
Type: Shuttle + Boat
Time: 14:00
Duration: 4.5 Hours
Transfer from Tortuguero to San Jose
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to San Jose, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 10: San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose Bites & Sights Experience
Departure Time: 09:00, 11:30
Duration: 4 hrs
On this San Jose tour you’ll get up close and personal with Costa Rican life, through architecture, history, food, and more! Nothing could get you closer to authentic San Jose than strolling through the streets with a local as they show you the ins and outs of daily life. Take a wander through the city with us on this tour that takes typical San Jose and turns it into a local experience you’ll never forget.
Your San Jose food tour starts with a morning pick-up point, where you can get to know your local guide and relax into your surroundings. From here you’ll take a stroll through the park, enjoying the views of the Yellow House, or Foreign Ministry, as you go, and learning more about the park itself, which is the oldest in the city and also known as Expression Park. You’ll visit a number of landmarks in this area, including the National Liquor Factory and the Metal Building, two 19th century buildings that play an important role in the history of San Jose. Your guide will give you all the local knowledge about what these landmarks mean to the city, and its citizens, giving you exclusive insights in what makes San Jose tick.
Your San Jose walking tour continues through Parque Nacional for yet another taste of San Jose’s rich history, before you head back into contemporary Costa Rican life and towards the Central Market. While seeing the sights and architectural gems of San Jose will help you get to know the city better, on this tour you’ll use another sense – taste – to get you even more in tune with San Jose.
There’s no better place in San Jose to experience the local cuisine than the Central Market, a 120-year old building full to the brim with typical Costa Rican food and drink. Here you can sample local delicacies, learn about the herbs used in local medicines, or simply sip on your second rich and smooth Costa Rican coffee of the day. The Central Market is an experience that no visitor the San Jose should miss, and with a local guide by your side you’ll unearth all the secrets behind this San Jose treasure.
The Central Market will be the last stop on this San Jose tour, and by the end you’ll be full of local knowledge (and perhaps even some local lingo!), giving you the full San Jose experience that is sure to be a highlight of your time in this vibrant city.
Meals: Snacks
Accommodation
Meals
Transport
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Not Included
Travel that Makes a Difference
By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.
Let’s regenerate the planet together
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