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Costa Rica & Panama Multi-Adventure Tour

Luxe Escape to Cloud Forests and Caribbean Islands

Pura vida meets island time on this two-nation Central American escape. From misty mountains to luminous Caribbean waters, surround yourself with vivid landscapes—and astonishing luxury.

7 days, 6 nights

Luxury Hotels

Activity Levels 1-3

Couples, Friends & Solos

From $9,799 - $11,299/person

Includes $1,400 internal air

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Reviews

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Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Cultural encounters immerse you in the Costa Rican highlands as you sample chocolate on a cacao farm, meet pampered horses and more
Hike through the lush Talamanca foothills and raft the rushing cascades of the Río General
Discover the off-the-beaten-path Bocas del Toro, one of the Caribbean’s most stunning and pristine archipelagos
Kayak turquoise shallows, hike to a white sand beach and pick tropical fruits straight from the tree
Kick back at two extravagant getaways: one an oasis on a highland hilltop, the other a private island retreat

Hike/Walk

Snorkel

Kayak

Raft

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start San José, Costa Rica Airport & Travel Details

Board a charter flight from San José bound for the Costa Rican highlands
Visit a local chocolate farm for a guided walk between cacao orchards, coffee trees and peppercorn plants, with tastings of house-made chocolate
Birdwatchers, pay homage: visit the historic home of Dr. Alexander Slutch, the father of ornithology
Share a very special home-cooked dinner served by the women of the community
Hike through mossy jungle high in the Talamanca Mountains
Raft a narrow river canyon whose steep banks bristle with steaming jungles
Keep an eye out for river otters playing in the spray and sloths in the low-hanging treetops
Check out the luxe Casa de Agua spa facility, where you can hop from pools to steam rooms to a mineral mud bath and then relax on a heated stone bench with a cup of tea and a mountain view
There’s time built in to try our resort’s many optional activities—from horseback riding to tree climbing—or just to relax on one of its boho-chic verandas.

Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort

(Luxury Hotel, 3 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Reflecting pool next to covered dining area

Two couches facing each other in a seating area

Man and woman standing on a rooftop balcony with cushioned chairs

Nights 1-3

Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort

Pérez Zeledón

Luxury Hotel

A timeless luxury safari aesthetic meets modern Tulum-esque touches at this chic hilltop hideaway. The highland breezes and views of endless green ridges from every corner of the property are the cherry on top. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

A flight and boat ride bring you to our second destination, the Caribbean paradise of Panama’s Bocas del Toro Islands
Unwind from the journey on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard or just relax in your private villa’s plunge pool
Gentle waves and flickering lanterns set the scene as you dine on a terrace over the water
Hike across Bastimentos Island with a local guide
On the white sand of secluded Polo Beach, snorkel in clear shallows or bask in the sun
Kayak through the watery labyrinth of a mangrove forest
A private boat takes you to secret coves for snorkeling and exploring
Toast to the last night of your trip at a beachside dinner under the stars
A yoga session within earshot of the waves might be just the thing to fit in some gentle movement and fresh air before your onward travels.

Nayara Bocas del Toro

(Luxury Hotel, 3 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Aerial shot of docks along the coastline

Hotel dining room and bar with structural light fixtures hanging from the cieling

Hotel room with white bed and long-white sheets

Entrance to hotel with view of ocean in the distance

Nights 4-6

Nayara Bocas del Toro

Isla Frangipani

Luxury Hotel

Did somebody say private island? Thatched-roof bungalows suspended on boardwalks above the shallows are your home away from home at this dramatic escape where no expense is spared. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Frangipani Island, Panama Airport & Travel Details

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End
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Trip direction

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This trip has an activity level range of 1-3

Route & Terrain Notes

The hiking routes on this trip feature gravel and dirt roads through villages and farmland, rain forest paths and some brick trails. Terrain on these hikes can change sharply from one section to another, including rocky sections along riverbanks and rain forest sections which can be muddy and wet, even on well-maintained paths. On our biking routes, be prepared for unexpected potholes (huecos—pronounced “waycos”) and sections of rough roads. Also note that these Tico roads were designed with a soft shoulder, and if you’re traveling over busier holiday periods, you could be sharing the road with plenty of car traffic. Expect some steep sections with gradients over 7 percent for short distances (less than 0.75 miles).

Day 1

Other

Cacao Farm Tour (1 hour)

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

1 miles

100 ft. gain

Level 2

2 miles

200 ft. gain

Day 2

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

3 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 3

5 miles

1600 ft. gain

Other

Coffee Farm Visit (1 hour)

Day 3

Rafting

on the Río General (half day)

Other

Optional Activities at Hacienda AltaGracia (half day)

some not included in the trip price

Day 4

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

2 miles

500 ft. gain

Day 5

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

200 ft. gain

Level 2

5 miles

800 ft. gain

Snorkeling

at Polo Beach (1 hour)

Kayaking

through the Mangrove Forest (half day)

Day 6

Snorkeling

and Island-Hopping (half day)

Day 7

Yoga

(1 hour)

View Dates & Prices From $9,799/person

What to Know

What's Included

See Everything Included

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Shuttle Times

In order to bring you the best of these neighboring countries, this trip includes some days with significant shuttle times, particularly our transfer and flight from Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro on Day 4. We’re confident that this time in the shuttle is worthwhile for the experiences it allows us to offer across this varied region.

Border Crossing

This trip includes an international border crossing from Costa Rica to Panama. Even with the expert facilitation of your Backroads Trip Leaders, border crossings can take time. While some factors are out of our control, we'll minimize the obstacles and make this border crossing just another stop on the adventure.

Flights

On this trip we travel by air to reach the exclusive areas this destination has to offer. We will be flying by charter with Sansa Airlines aboard turbo-prop planes that seat 8-14 passengers. These flights occasionally experience delays or cancellations due to inclement weather. In the rare instance a flight is cancelled we are prepared to travel by land.

Service Standards

Pura vida, or pure life, is not just a Costa Rican greeting–it’s a state of mind. While Costa Rica’s tourist industry is well accustomed to welcoming foreign visitors, you may still notice that service here can lack a sense of urgency, reflecting the slower pace and relaxed approach to life that is typical throughout the region. As such, patience and a sense of humor are always recommended when traveling in Central America. Your Backroads leaders will be close by to ease the way.

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Small Groups

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