As two Central American titans of tourism, how do you choose between Costa Rica and Panama? Every have unimaginable landscapes teeming with wildlife, beautiful seashores dotted alongside every the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines and a vibrant native custom.
They’re even troublesome to separate with regards to costs given they’re two of the priciest nations in Central America – nevertheless then, they’ve the infrastructure to match.
The identical traits of these neighboring gems have led to a good-natured rivalry, from the soccer topic to a espresso cup. So, in that nice spirit of rivals, let’s see how these two nations stack up.
Most interesting nation for seashores
Whether or not or not you want to snorkel with rainbow-colored fish, journey the waves or just lounge on powder-soft sand, you’ll uncover breathtaking seashores stretching alongside two coastlines in every Panama and Costa Rica.
Costa Rica
The nation is blessed with some spectacular strips of sand, a staggering 136 of which have Blue Flag standing (an internationally acknowledged sustainability certification).
The image-perfect seashores of the Península de Nicoya embody the hip shopping hangout of Santa Teresa, famed for its extremely efficient seaside break; Sámara, frequent with locals and company for its calm, safe waters; and the blissfully secluded (and just a few minutes from Samara) Playa Barrigona.
In Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa was named Central America’s first World Shopping Reserve in 2022 for its biodiversity and conservation ethos – it moreover offers some world-class waves.
Panama
Panama has a seaside to go nicely with every mood. To catch a wave, head to laid-back Santa Catalina on the Pacific Coast or check out the volcanic-sand seaside of Playa Venao on the bucolic Península de Azuero. For a method of tropical island life, head to the Pacific’s paradisical Pearl Islands or the Caribbean’s Bocas del Toro, to snorkel throughout the gin-clear waters spherical Isla Bastimentos sooner than chilling over a piña colada or two.
Nevertheless for an precise castaway actually really feel, you probably can’t beat the San Blas (Comarca de Guna Yala) archipelago, residence to the indigenous Guna people, the place there’s a palm-fringed, pocket-sized island for day by day of the yr.
The winner: Panama, because of its idyllic islands, nevertheless these on the lookout for a seaside break may be spoiled for choice in each nation.
Most interesting nation for wildlife watching
Every nations teem with endemic species and guarded areas, from mist-wreathed cloud forests to steamy rainforests and fish-filled marine parks.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a wildlife wonderland with 30 nationwide parks (and counting), to not level out dozens of wildlife refuges and reserves, with protected areas defending larger than 30% of its landmass.
The lofty cloud forest reserves of Monteverde are a hotbed of biodiversity, buzzing with birds, amphibians and reptiles, and the “mini-Amazon” of Parque Nacional Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast is a protected breeding ground for inexperienced sea turtles. The wild and nice Parque Nacional Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula is residence to tapirs, scarlet macaws and elusive pumas, whereas the Golfo Dulce is the place for whale and dolphin recognizing.
Dive with faculties of hammerhead sharks and folks mild giants, whale sharks, at Isla del Coco located throughout the southern part of the nation, near Península de Osa.
Panama
This skinny isthmus linking Central and South America is a nature lover’s paradise. Between June and December, 1000’s of olive ridley sea turtles lay their eggs on the seashores of Isla Cañas. Between July and October, humpback whales go to the Golfo de Chiriquí to supply supply throughout the underwater utopia of Isla de Coiba off the Pacific coast.
On dry land, fowl watchers flock to the cloud forest trails spherical Boquete to hunt for the elusive resplendent quetzal. Better than 400 fowl species have been seen alongside Pipeline Avenue in Soberanía Nationwide Park, located throughout the Canal Zone.
And likewise you don’t should depart Panama Metropolis to determine sloths and totally different wild points alongside the rainforest trails of the Parque Pure Metropolitano.
The winner: Costa Rica – it’s a world chief in conservation. No shock the Ticos’ motto is pura vida (pure life).
Most interesting nation for out of doors journey
Thrill-seekers and outdoors lovers will uncover all of the issues from delicate journey to extreme sports activities actions in every Costa Rica and Panama.
Costa Rica
When you want to try white water rafting, canyoneering, diving with whale sharks, or deal with essential surf breaks, then Costa Rica’s the place.
The nation’s residence to the distinctive cowl tour and there are numerous zip strains that’ll give you a monkey’s eye view, sending you dashing – and screaming – over the forest or spherical Arenal Volcano. The Pacuare River, located virtually 124km (77 miles) from the capital of San José, is a renowned white water rafting spot, with rapids ranging from Class II to Class V.
Once more on dry land, take a three-day round-trip hike up the nation’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó. Within the occasion you get to the summit sooner than the mist falls, you’ll have views over the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on the same time.
Panama
Boquete throughout the Chiriquí Highlands is the hub for mountaineering, white water rafting, kayaking, rappelling and mountaineering. You probably can slog to the summit of Volcan Barú for a spectacular daybreak or take an adrenaline-fueled cowl tour, zipping at breakneck velocity over its forested slopes.
Hardcore hikers can strap on their boots and trek coast-to-coast from Panamá Viejo to Portobelo or through the primordial forest of Darién with Jungle Treks. Expert divers can scuba in shark-infested waters off the earlier penal colony of Isla Coiba. Look out for curious capuchin monkeys as you kayak spherical Gatún Lake or watch behemoth ships crossing the Panama Canal.
The winner: Costa Rica for the sheer variety of exterior adventures on present.
Most interesting nation for espresso lovers
There’s masses for espresso aficionados to have a very good time with every nations producing first-class beans.
Costa Rica
As a consequence of its multitude of microclimates, Costa Rica has not one nevertheless eight high-altitude areas, notably throughout the Central Valley and Guanacaste, that produce espresso, each with its private distinct style.
Beans are hand-picked, and it’s the one nation on the planet the place it’s illegal to offer one thing except for top-notch 100% Arabica beans.
To adjust to the bean-to-cup espresso course of first-hand, check-in on the attractive Finca Rosa Blanca in Barva, a carbon-neutral, pure espresso farm and art-filled boutique resort. Non-guests could be a part of the twice-daily espresso excursions.
Panama
Panama’s espresso estates are set spherical its three volcanoes – Volcán Baru, El Valle and La Yeguada – with soil enriched by volcanic ash and cooled by breezes that blow in from every the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts.
The simplest beans are grown spherical Boquete, along with Geisha, one in all many world’s greatest coffees because of its singular type. The Lamastus Family Estates produces the top-rated Elida Geisha Inexperienced Tip, which broke the world doc for the most costly publicly auctioned espresso at USD$1029 per pound. Within the occasion you possibly can’t tour the property, sample a cup on the Sisu Espresso Studio, the family’s industrial-chic cafe in Panama Metropolis, for spherical $9.
The winner: Panama narrowly takes it, because of the legendary Geisha.
Most interesting nation for lovers of custom
Every nations have a rich cultural historic previous, expressed through arts and crafts, music, and delicacies.
Costa Rica
Whereas it’s tempting to bypass the town jungle and head straight for Costa Rica’s wildlife-rich forests, if in case you might have time in San José, spend it exploring quite a few of its beautiful neighborhoods.
Start off by having enjoyable with the architectural splendor of historic Barrio Amón or head to Barrio Escalante, the city’s gastro hub with its Saturday morning farmers market and an outdoor meals court docket docket created from repurposed transport containers. The state-of-the-art Jade Museum, with 5 flooring filled with age-old jade artifacts and additional, is value a look, as is the glittering assortment on the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
Panama
Panama Metropolis is Central America’s most cosmopolitan capital with no shortage of points to do, from the landmark BioMuseo showcasing the nation’s biodiversity to the compact Museo de la Mola exploring the indigenous Guna’s one-of-a-kind textile paintings.
Getting up close to the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal is on many buyer’s bucket lists and you could check out its turbulent historic previous on the interactive Miraflores Visitors Coronary heart. The Panama Canal Museum sits in a preserved colonial mansion in Casco Viejo. Solely a 10-minute drive north is the Afro-Antillean Museum, which celebrates the scores of West Indian laborers who labored on the canal.
The winner: Panama for its buzzy capital and world-famous waterway.
