57 days in Panama, Costa Rica & Playa del Carmen Itinerary

Arguably the most modern of Central American cities, Panama City boasts a shimmering skyline of glass skyscrapers.

Get some cultural insight at Cinta Costera and Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Biomuseo and Playa Punta Chame. Go for a jaunt from Panama City to La Chorrera to see Chorro de La Chorrera about 56 minutes away. The adventure continues: appreciate the extensive heritage of Avenida Balboa, contemplate the waterfront views at Gatun Lake, explore the ancient world of Panama La Vieja, and take some stellar pictures from Ancon Hill.

To see maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Panama City vacation maker site.

Toronto, Canada to Panama City is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive. In January, Panama City is warmer than Toronto - with highs of 36°C and lows of 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Bocas Town.

The colorful and relaxed Bocas Town has a welcoming atmosphere, with the modestly sized urban area showcasing typical Caribbean clapboard houses and home to a mixed community from across the world.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Mon): examine the collection at Plastic Bottle Village, then kick back and relax at Wizard Beach, and then stroll around Simon Bolivar Park. Keep things going the next day: relax and rejuvenate at Ana Salon y Spa and then discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For other places to visit, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Bocas Town trip maker app.

You can fly from Panama City to Bocas Town in 2.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and ferry. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Panama City in January, with highs in Bocas Town at 13°C and lows at 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.

On the 11th (Wed), kick back and relax at Playa Punta Uva, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, and then admire the sheer force of Cataratas Bribri Talamanca. On the 12th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the striking landscape of Cahuita National Park.

For other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca journey maker site.

Getting from Bocas Town to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by combination of ferry and car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Bocas Town to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can drive to Drake Bay.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Fri): head off the coast to Cano Island. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa San Josecito and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Drake Bay journey planner.

Drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Drake Bay in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

Get a sense of the local culture at Magic Ananda and The Captain's Booty. Explore hidden gems such as Kayaking & Canoeing and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Get out of town with these interesting Manuel Antonio side-trips: Isla Damas (in Puntarenas) and Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary (in Dominical). There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Playa Biesanz, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, stroll around Parque Nahomi, and head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

For ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Manuel Antonio day trip site.

You can drive from Drake Bay to Manuel Antonio in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Jaco.

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

Explore hidden gems such as Zipline and Off-Road Tours. Escape the urban bustle at Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Spend the 19th (Thu) exploring nature at Carara National Park. There's more to do: take in the views from Tarcoles Bridge.

For reviews, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Jaco day trip planning site.

Drive from Manuel Antonio to Jaco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to drive to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sat): stroll through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun): delve into the lush surroundings at Curi Cancha Reserve, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Monteverde Massage Center.

To find traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Monteverde tour itinerary builder tool.

You can drive from Jaco to Monteverde in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) to allow time to drive to Nosara.

Along with its agricultural and fishing heritage, Nosara stands as one of the oldest expatriate communities in the country.

On the 23rd (Mon), find your balance on the water with Coconut Adventures and then kick back and relax at Playa Guiones. On your second day here, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, enjoy the sand and surf at Samara Beach, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Buena Vista.

To find traveler tips, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, read Nosara trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Monteverde to Nosara takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Tamarindo.

Surfing remains the main reason to take a trip to Tamarindo, as the beachside town is mostly known for its excellent waves.

Get outdoors at Tamarindo Beach and Playa Avellana. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Boat Tours & Water Sports and Playa Conchal. Step out of Tamarindo to go to Brasilito and see Brasilito Beach, which is approximately 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: see Off-Road Tours, stop by Souvenir Guanacaste, and stroll through Monkey Park.

Planning Tamarindo trip won't be overwhelming when you use Klarna Trips's itinerary maker.

You can drive from Nosara to Tamarindo in 2 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Playas del Coco.

A long-established beach community, Playas del Coco has developed a reputation as a favored spot for young travelers and locals to let loose by the sea.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Hermosa, look for gifts at Lis Umana Beachwear, and then meet some fierce fish with a shark diving experience.

For where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Playas del Coco day trip planning site.

Getting from Tamarindo to Playas del Coco by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to go by car to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

Escape the urban bustle at River Rafting & Tubing and Rio Celeste. Step off the beaten path and head to Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Ecotermales Fortuna. The adventure continues: take in the natural beauty of Baldi Hot Springs, explore the activities along Lake Arenal, relax and rejuvenate at Tabacon Hot Springs, and indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour.

For maps, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our La Fortuna de San Carlos trip maker tool.

You can drive from Playas del Coco to La Fortuna de San Carlos in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Playa del Carmen.

The tourist hub of the popular Mayan Riviera, upscale Playa del Carmen remains the jewel of Mexico's Caribbean coastline.

Visiting Two Eyes Cenote and Paradise Beach Cozumel will get you outdoors. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Mayan Museum of Cancun and Mystika Immersive. Change things up with these side-trips from Playa del Carmen: Cozumel (Playa Mezcalitos, Palancar Reef, &more), Ecopark Kantun Chi (in Puerto Aventuras) and Tulum (Gran Cenote, Tulum Beach, &more). Spend the 6th (Mon) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's still lots to do: explore the gorgeous colors at National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, push the limits with an extreme tour, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

To see reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Playa del Carmen trip planner.

You can fly from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Playa del Carmen in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and ferry. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. In February in Playa del Carmen, expect temperatures between 31°C during the day and 21°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 28th (Tue) to allow time for travel back home.