From
NZ $1,532 per person

San Jose to Panama City Travel Pass

7 days
From San Jose to Panama City
4.2
1,344 traveler reviews
From
NZ $1,532 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2025

Jan
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Mar
Apr
May
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Aug
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2026

Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Medium Intensity
Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Ages 10+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    San Jose

    Start your time in San Jose by walking through Expression Park with a local guide who'll point out the city's authentic character. You'll see 19th-century buildings like the National Liquor Factory and Metal Building, which give a real sense of the city's history. After that, head to the Central Market where you can try local food and coffee among the bustling vendors and stalls.

    Included Activities

    • San Jose Bites & Sights Experience - guided walking tour
    • Visit Expression Park (oldest park in San Jose)
    • Explore National Liquor Factory
    • Explore Metal Building
    • Visit Parque Nacional
    • Central Market food tasting experience
    Landmarks/POIs
    Expression Park
    Yellow House (Foreign Ministry)
    National Liquor Factory
    Metal Building
    Parque Nacional
    Central Market
  2. Day 2

    San Jose to Puerto Viejo

    A shuttle picks you up from your accommodation in San Jose for the 5-hour drive to Puerto Viejo. You'll be dropped directly at your next lodging, so it's a straightforward transfer day. Settle in once you arrive and get familiar with the Caribbean coast town.

  3. Day 3

    Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro

    This morning you'll get picked up for the journey to Bocas del Toro. The route involves both shuttle and boat transfer over about 4 hours total, taking you from Puerto Viejo across to your next destination. Your accommodation hosts will have the details on where to meet for pickup.

  4. Day 4

    Bocas del Toro to Panama City

    Make your own way to Bocas del Toro International Airport for your 1-hour flight to Panama City. It's roughly an hour's travel from your accommodation to the airport, so plan accordingly for check-in. Once you land in Panama City, head to your hotel to settle in.

  5. Day 5

    Panama City to San Blas Islands

    An early morning pickup gets you started on the adventure to Kuna Yala Islands. You'll head through immigration and handle entrance fees, then drive into the jungle via 4x4 before reaching the dock. From there, a shared boat takes you out to your island accommodation. Both lunch and dinner are covered, so you can relax once you arrive.

    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • 4x4 transportation through the jungle
    • Shared boat transfer to San Blas Islands
    Landmarks/POIs
    San Blas Islands
  6. Day 6

    San Blas Islands

    Wake up to breakfast with ocean views, then spend the day however you like on the island. Swim or snorkel in the turquoise water to see tropical fish and coral reefs, or just hang out in a hammock if you want to take it easy. There's an optional boat trip to a traditional Kuna Yala village where locals sell handmade items. By evening, find a spot to watch the sunset over the Caribbean.

    Meals
    Breakfast (Fresh breakfast with ocean views), Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Breakfast on the island
    • Swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear waters
    • Relaxation on the island

    Optional Activities

    • Hire a boat to visit traditional Kuna Yala village (approx. $20 USD)
    • Purchase handmade souvenirs from local community
    Landmarks/POIs
    San Blas Islands
  7. Day 7

    San Blas Islands to Panama City

    Say goodbye to island life this morning after breakfast. You'll take a scenic one-hour boat ride back to the mainland dock, then a 4x4 drives you through the jungle back to Panama City. Lunch is included during the journey, and you'll be dropped at your accommodation in the afternoon.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch

    Included Activities

    • Boat transfer from San Blas Islands to dock
    • 4x4 transportation back to Panama City
    Landmarks/POIs
    San Blas Islands
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Bamba Travel

Number of tours

282

Age Range

10 to 99 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

96%

Bamba Travel offers the best of both worlds: small group tours that foster...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Stefan
    · February 11th, 2022
    San Blas islands are really amazing. Chichime has few tourists compared to some of the other islands. The first night I was the only tourist on the island. The hosts are preparing fresh seafood for lunch and dinner and one boat trip for visiting other islands and to go snorkelling was included. Accomodation is simple, but beautiful with electricity only a few hours in the evening. The drive from Panama City to the jetty is very scenic and during the boat trip you pass some very beautiful islands. Overall an amazing trip.
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  • Florence
    · December 11th, 2019
    Apart from the clerical error made while booking Canopy Zip-Line and the weather affecting the Arenal Volcano viewing I quite enjoyed the Itinerary of Bamber Experience. Your staff are fantastic, helping and encouraging one when things go wrong. It's a shame about some of the staff on the ground and far away from the Office. I must say majority of the shuttle pick ups arrived promptly. You have made me a more confident, and competent sole traveller. Thank you.
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  • Alexander
    · February 23rd, 2018
    I should start this review off by stating that not only have I traveled quite extensively but I am also a travel agent and book people on tours similar to this one. The drive from Panama City to the "dock" took about 3 hours through the Panamanian mountains and jungle. Once we were off the main highway the road became much more of a roller coaster ride, if you get motion sick make sure to take some gravol prior to leaving Panama City. This road is also filled with pot holes so be prepared to swerve around them. The views from the mountain tops was amazing but brief. Once at the "dock" was were things got a little more interesting. What they call a "dock" is really a dirt parking lot, be prepared to get a little dirty, as the dust gets kicked up by all the cars dropping off/picking up passengers. Neither my wife nor myself speak any Spanish so it was near impossible to communicate with the people at the dock to try and figure out which boat we were suppose to get on. Originally we were told that it would be about 20 - 30 mins and someone would come get us and take us to our boat. After an hour to and hour and a half I started asking around what boat we were suppose to get on. Make sure to ask your driver to let you know which boat and company you are taking. As the companies that operate the boats are not Bamba. The ride from the dock to the island was very rough as the winds were quite high. Nothing you can do about that but be prepared to get wet. The water and air are both warm so it's not so bad. Had we known prior to leaving the dock though we would have put on our swim suits. Once we arrived at the island we figured out that we were not on the island on our itinerary that was given to us from Bamba, no update was sent along to us to let us know about any change in islands either. After 4 - 5 hours of travel and waiting to get on the boat, we found out that we weren't on the island we thought we were meant to be on. Again none of the locals on the island spoke English so we weren't sure what we were meant to do. Luckily one of the other passengers spoke enough Spanish and English to help us out and we figured out that we were indeed where we were suppose to be. Bamba should have emailed us prior to our departure to let us know of this crucial change. Once on the island though everything was better than we had expected, the hut we had was great, the islands and water were beautiful and the food was delicious. It was pretty much the same thing each day just different variations of fish and rice. We had up graded our package which said we would have more options to choose from, again this was not the case, everybody was served the same dish each meal. Overall it was an incredible experience and I would recommend the San Blas Islands to anyone looking to getaway from the hustle and bustle of the real world, just be prepared for a very rustic experience. I would also recommend that anyone looking to do this trip brush up on their Spanish as Bamba doesn't have anyone on the ground, either at the dock or the islands representing the company that speaks even passable English.
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Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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    • Free eSim with every purchase

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • C

    Cassandra

    Asked on December 24th, 2024

    I will be traveling from Liberia to San Jose by bus and am trying to determine the best location to get dropped off so I can meet you for the 11:30 am departure. can you assist?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Bamba TravelOperatorWritten December 2024

      We recommend to arrive to the city center as it's easier to move around.

  • C

    Courtney

    Asked on January 16th, 2024

    I understand that lodging is included for two nights? Are travelers responsible for finding their own accommodations for the rest of the trip? I would like to leave in April.

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • Bamba TravelOperatorWritten January 2024

      That's correct, the bus pass only includes 2 nights, the rest would need to be booked on your own as this gives you the freedom to stay in each city as long as you want. The bus pass can be used for 1 year once you activate it.

    • C

      Courtney

      TravelerWritten January 2024

      Does the accommodation cover the two nights in San Jose? If so, which hotel would we stay in?

    • Bamba TravelOperatorWritten January 2024

      No, the 2 nights are in San Blas Island. This is a flexible travel pass and you will be traveling independently. You can stay as long as you want in each destination but you need to book your own accommodation. We will book/reserve all your transportation and day tours. Transportation is mainly by public buses, but we also book with local mini van shuttle suppliers.

    • C

      Courtney

      TravelerWritten January 2024

      Can the cost be adjusted, in that case? I just discovered that my travel companion can only accompany me on the Costa Rica leg of the tour, with transfer into Panama.

    • Bamba TravelOperatorWritten January 2024

      The price for this itinerary would be 469 USD per person. The dates can change to the date you need, it is just a reference.

    • C
      4 more answers
  • P

    Patrick

    Asked on January 15th, 2024

    Where do we sleep for the rest of the time?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • Bamba TravelOperatorWritten January 2024

      This is a hop on hop off bus pass with activities. It does not include any nights. 2 nights are included only for the overnight tour which includes a jungle lodge stay in Tortuguero. This pass is for travelers that do not want a fixed trip, you decide what day they want to travel to each location, how long you stay in each city and when to take part in the activities in the pass. This is why accommodation is not included.

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From
NZ $1,532 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 195815

  • Currencies
    Costa Rican Colon
    Costa Rica
    B/.
    Balboa
    Panama
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Costa Rica and Panama. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Costa Rica and Panama. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Costa Rica and Panama. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Costa Rica. Yellow fever - Recommended for Panama. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Panama. Ideally 3 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before January 30th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after January 30th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Bamba Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 90 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Bamba Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Bamba Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec