9 or 12 days
Guanacaste, Arenal region, San José, Panama City, extension to Colombia
Journey into the heart of Central America as you experience Costa Rica and Panama. Begin in Costa Rica, where you’ll discover the volcanic Arenal Region and the rich wildlife of the Rincón de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste. During your time in Panama, explore the area’s abundant flora and fauna at the Biomuseo and see one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal.
  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Travel 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

  • Day 4: Arenal region

    Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

    Visit the Arenal hot springs

  • Day 5: Arenal region • Sarapiquí • San José

    Travel to Sarapiquí

    Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion

  • Day 6: San José • Panama City

    Fly to Panama City

    Enjoy a walking tour of Cinta Costera

    Visit the Biomuseo

    Take a tour of Casco Viejo

  • Day 7: Panama City

    Enjoy some beach time in the historic El Palmar region

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Surfing lesson

    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 or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Folklore evening

    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.

  • Day 9: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

  • Day 9: Panama City • Cartagena

    Fly to Cartagena, Colombia

    Take a walking tour of Cartagena

  • Day 10: Cartagena

    Take a guided tour of historic Cartagena

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Convento de la Popa
    • San Felipe de Barajas Castle


    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Cooking Class in Cartagena

    Cooking Class in Cartagena

    Dive into the delicious flavors of classic Colombian dishes. An expert local chef will introduce you to local ingredients, take you through the preparation, and explain the varied styles that make up Colombian cuisine. Then, sit down to dine and enjoy your the fruits of your labor.

  • Day 11: Cartagena • Barú Island

    Take a day trip to the beach at Barú Island  

    Enjoy lunch on the beach

    Enjoy a dinner experience that includes traditional music or dancing

  • Day 12: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?
  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Travel 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

  • Day 4: Arenal region

    Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

    Visit the Arenal hot springs

  • Day 5: Arenal region • Sarapiquí • San José

    Travel to Sarapiquí

    Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion

  • Day 6: San José • Panama City

    Fly to Panama City

    Enjoy a walking tour of Cinta Costera

    Visit the Biomuseo

    Take a tour of Casco Viejo

  • Day 7: Panama City

    Enjoy some beach time in the historic El Palmar region

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Surfing lesson

    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 or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Folklore evening

    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.

  • Day 9: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

  • Day 9: Panama City • Cartagena

    Fly to Cartagena, Colombia

    Take a walking tour of Cartagena

  • Day 10: Cartagena

    Take a guided tour of historic Cartagena

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Convento de la Popa
    • San Felipe de Barajas Castle


    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Cooking Class in Cartagena

    Cooking Class in Cartagena

    Dive into the delicious flavors of classic Colombian dishes. An expert local chef will introduce you to local ingredients, take you through the preparation, and explain the varied styles that make up Colombian cuisine. Then, sit down to dine and enjoy your the fruits of your labor.

  • Day 11: Cartagena • Barú Island

    Take a day trip to the beach at Barú Island  

    Enjoy lunch on the beach

    Enjoy a dinner experience that includes traditional music or dancing

  • Day 12: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?

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Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach

  • Hotels

    8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)

  • 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

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • Worldwide Presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • 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.

Lowest price

Includes airfare, hotels, meals, full-time Tour Director, and more.
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      $3,329*
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      Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.

      Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.

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