Vacation In Panama Or Costa Rica

If you are looking for a unique and exciting vacation, consider this alternative to the typical Hawaiian getaway. Panama offers everything that Hawaii does but at much lower prices. There are several islands in Panama which makes it a unique vacation spot. You have many options when it comes to an island vacation; your choice will probably depend on you budget.

Panama offers the best hotels, apartments, beaches and real estate. Panama real estate offers some of the most beautiful properties in the world.

If you’re planning a vacation, you probably want to go someplace warm where you can relax. If you’d want advice on this, who better to ask than an experienced travel agent? Many people don’t know that a travel agent can save them a lot of money on vacation packages. You see, the travel agent knows the most current pricing and deals on airline tickets, hotel rooms and other travel-related services. Here are some ways that a good travel agent can help save you money:

Vacation In Panama Or Costa Rica

A vacation is time off to relax and enjoy yourself – time to follow your passions, not just sit by like a bump on the log. When it comes to deciding a place to travel, we often rely on our good old travel guides. But what if there was an unbiased source of information you could trust? What if there was a way to make sure you’re visiting the best place possible for your needs?

Panama vs Costa Rica – travel edition

Tourist attractions in Panama and in Costa Rica

Both countries have more than their share of tourist attractions, with plenty of things to do and see spread all over them. While this is true this topic we need to explain that Costa Rica probably has more attractions but they are less diverse than Panama.

In Costa Rica, almost all the big attractions are national parks, nature hikes, and other outdoor activities. There are very few really interesting man-made tourist attractions. In Costa Rica, the biggest attractions are the Manuel Antonio, the Monteverde Cloud forests, Arenal Volcano, and the whole Cahuita area.

Learn more about the most famous landmarks in Costa Rica

Tourist attractions in Panama and in Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National park in Costa Rica has plenty of animals to spot – Costa Rica vs Panama

Panama, on the other hand, also has nice national parks, beaches, and mountains, but it has a more interesting capital city with attractions that aren’t available in Costa Rica. Things like the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, and old Panama… But you also have the paradisiac San Blas islands and the backpackers hub of Bocas del Toro and the cloud forests and hikes of Boquete.

Have a look here at the most famous landmarks in Panama

Tourist attractions in Panama and in Costa Rica
Boat Crossing the Panama Canal

For this reason, Panama wins this first topic but only by a small margin. However, if nature is the only thing you are looking for, then you are probably better going to Costa Rica.

Outdoors activities in Costa Rica and Panama

Following what we were saying, Costa Rica has to win this topic. It’s not that Panama doesn’t have outdoor activities. In fact, it has many things to do outdoors, with great variety and very enjoyable. Panama is way above the average in terms of things to do in the wild. The thing is… Costa Rica is probably the best country in the world on this!

In Costa Rica, you have an incredible variety of things to do in the wild. You can hike a volcano, go to wild beaches, hike in many cloud forests, go bird watching, whale watching, go search for animals in the park (and actually see them), go rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, surfing in dozens of different places. You can spend weeks doing all these, always at different places. It’s just unbelievable for such a small country.

which country is better Costa Rica or Panama?
Baby sloth and mother sleeping in Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica

Panama is somewhat similar, it has almost all the above-mentioned things to do, but in less quantity. Particularly if we think of animal watching. On this, Costa Rica is easily a better country. It’s much easier to find wildlife in Costa Rica than in Panama. It also helps that Costa Rica is a tourist destination for a longer period than Panama and it also has a more developed tourism sector.

Outdoors activities in Costa Rica and Panama
Views from Bastimentos Cloud forest in Panama

Natural Beauty – Costa Rica vs Panama Travel

Cloud forests, tropical beaches with warm turquoise water and soft sand, national parks with beautiful trails, wonderful mountains… Both countries have them all, and in both countries, they are spread all over.

This is a very difficult call and I think we will have to give it a tie. If are looking for a beautiful, tropical country, you’ll be pleased with either one.

Outdoors activities in Costa Rica and Panama
Hiking Santa Helena cloud forest reserve in Monteverde in Costa Rica

The beaches of Panama vs beaches of Costa Rica

One of the big reasons to travel to Panama or Costa Rica is their beaches… But, which one has the best beaches? This is a tough call, but if I had to choose I would prefer the beaches in Panama. Why?

The two most beautiful beaches in the region are in Panama, the San Blas islands (almost any beach there really), and Pollo beach in Bastimentos. They are absolutely picture-perfect, with almost blue-fluorescent water, soft sand, and snorkeling spots right from the beach. It really doesn’t get better than that.

The beaches of Panama vs beaches of Costa Rica
Beach on Chichime Island in San Blas, Panama

Costa Rica has many great beaches, and some of them have been considered among the best in the world several times. However, in our opinion, they aren’t as good as the two we mentioned above. Some are crowded (in Manuel Antonio for example), others are good, but not as good. What we like the most about the Costa Rican beaches is that almost all of them are pretty decent and many are absolutely gorgeous. Costa Rica has miles of amazing beaches for you to choose from.

The beaches of Panama vs beaches of Costa Rica
Beach in Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica

So, if you have time to explore the whole country, maybe Costa Rica is a good option. You’ll find many beaches to swim, surf and snorkel. However, none of them are as beautiful as the absolute best of Panama, San Blas, and Pollo beach in Bastimentos. Still, I haven’t been to any beach in the world that is better than those…

Local culture and heritage of Costa Rica and Panama

When it comes to local culture and heritage that you can delve into and explore, Costa Rica and Panama are interesting but not extraordinary.

The Costa Rican are famous for their relaxed way of being and an approach to life where finding happiness is important. As they say: Pura Vida! It’s an easy place to travel and connect with locals. The Ticos are extremely friendly and love to talk with foreigners. The Panamanians are similar and also easy to connect to.

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