Panama and Costa Rica may seem more or less the same when it comes to costs, but Panama can be 10 to 20% cheaper than Costa Rica. Its a nature lovers heaven, with easy access to a variety of activities within a short distance of the coast. Parameters. You can easily find fast-food restaurants in both countries. 3) Costa Rica is far more bureaucratic. Guests are bound to see sloths, playful monkeys, lizards, and exotic birds right on the grounds. Last, we escort you to your driver. Latest . If youre from the US especially, you could notice that the price can come cheap. Youll find many beaches to swim, surf and snorkel. The Ticos are extremely friendly and love to talk with foreigners. You can take a bus to Costa Rica from Panama with bus operators such as Expreso Panama, Tica Bus, Panachif, Autotransportes MEPE, Terminales Panama David, and many more. The best beans are grown around Boquete, including Geisha, one of the worlds finest coffees thanks to its singular taste. Even though there are many tourist projects, the area might be inexpensive if you know what youre doing. The average cost of living in Costa Rica ($893) is 0% less expensive than in Panama ($1040). This sea hole goes 500 feet (152.4 meters) deep. In the past, Panama had the attitude that it didn't need no tourists, but has now gotten aboard the tourist train. In hindsight, Panama has generally similar yet lower prices than Costa Rica. As per traveling within Costa Rica and Panama, Panama has more developed infrastructures than Costa Rica. So, if you have time to explore the whole country, maybe Costa Rica is a good option. Learn more about the most famous landmarks in Costa Rica. Panama has animals, birds, two oceans, mountains, rain forests, the Panama Canal, and more. And its not just a beach hotel: its also surrounded by lush Costa Rican rainforest. Panama can be as wild as youd like. ThePanama Canal Museum sits in a preserved colonial mansion in Casco Viejo. Plus, there is a noticeable lack of available products and services in Costa Rica when compared to Panama. Particularly if you are looking for all-inclusive resorts. While Costa Rica doesnt have such an important hub, it has developed tourism for longer and also receives many flights. Panama was where I went on my first vacation as a non-tourist, and it was fun enough that I figured Id stop by on my way to Costa Rica. Surfing in Panama has a number of perks. There are solutions to suit everyones preferences and budget. Fragrant orchids creep out from mangroves. Costa Rica vs Panama: which Central American country is right for you? The thing is Costa Rica is probably the best country in the world on this! However, thanks to their fair share of similarities as both are Latin American countries, it is expected to see a number of similarities. And of course, Panama has the ideal setting that could go perfectly with its eternal sunshine. You can see highly urbanized areas and public facilities across Panama City, and other competitive major cities in the country. The French attempted to build the canal first, but disease and accidents killed an estimated 22,000 men before the project was abandoned and handed over to the United States in 1914. Costa Rica is thus one of the worlds most environmentally conscious countries. There is more to do and it will cost you less. This is a tie, both Panama and Costa Rica can be visited without problems. The best common thing about Costa Rica and Panama, and most of Latin America has to be their absolutely gorgeous beaches all over. By road, either by rental car or bus, and by air, via the many airlines that offer direct flights. Their respective overall vibe has to be the most obvious difference. And despite sharing borders and certain geographic features with countries like Mexico, their culture is a bit more laid-back. Packages By Interest | Top 10 Vacations | Best Destinations | Custom Trip. Panama and Costa Rica are two of the safest, or at least the countries with the lowest crime rates in Central America if not all of Latin America. The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is one of the worlds top five advanced scuba diving locations. 00:00 Intro 01:27 Wildlife 02:30 Panama canal 04:42 Annual rainfall 03:59 Currencies. There are options for everyones taste and pocket So, Panama easily wins this one. The Best Costa Rica Vacation Destinations for 2022 & 2023! Lets face it, you have heard of Panama because of the manmade marvel that is the Panama Canal. Dive with schools of hammerhead sharks and those gentle giants, whale sharks atIsla del Coco located in the southern part of the country, near Pennsula de Osa. It offers complimentary water sports on two beaches, separate sections for adults, and a kid-friendly pool. The Osa Peninsula is the biologically diverse place in Costa Rica as it's home to Corcovado National Park. Costa Rica is a better alternative if you are a nature lover seeking pristine beaches and the chance to explore Costa Rica's amazing jungles, exotic wildlife, and limitless adventure activities. Low taxes are the case in both Costa Rica and Panama, but Panama has zero income tax. Lovely walks in the jungle by waterfalls too. The country itself is built by Mother Nature and runs on Pura Vida a way of living that promotes the kind of life where kindness and taking things slow are king. We compare Costa Rica and Panama to help guide your next vacation or to help you for when. Whether you are seeking peace and tranquility or thrilling outdoor challenges, you'll find it here with . Not everything is perfect and you still find trash, sometimes, but Costa Rica is doing the right things and going in the right direction here. Check. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. "M" means multiple times. Views from Bastimentos Cloud forest in Panama Natural Beauty - Costa Rica vs Panama Travel We say: Costa Rica 1-2 Panama. Costa Ricas beaches, on the other hand, are more developed than Panamas. COSTA RICA vs PANAMA! There are tons of self-guided hikes and nature things to do. You may choose from kilometers of beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. This makes fora seamless, worry-free experience. Here are the top 14 things to do. Heres are season-by-season, month-by-month guide to when to visit. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It's filled with a wide variety of marine life species, from fish to wonderful coral formations. In fact, the food is very very similar in both countries and they share lots of dishes. 2 490 km vs 1 290 km 43.43% lower population density? The border between the two countries goes via the Cordillera Central, which stretches between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Costa Rica is a wildlife wonderland with 30 national parks (and counting), not to mention dozens of wildlife refuges and reserves, with protected areas covering more than 30% of its landmass. The nation offers every imaginable outdoor activity, from trekking volcanoes to surfing, diving, horseback riding, and ziplining, to the adventurous explorer. The well-kept attractiveness of Panamas beaches, owing to fewer visitors than Costa Ricas, may be an advantage. If youre going by land, you can brave the long road between borders and cities, by taking a bus, or by driving yourself. Our local Costa Rica travel Experts will design your customvacation package. Exquisite dining? It lies on the isthmus which connects North and South America. A swanky and cool vibe will make you feel at home as soon as you enter the gates. Nevertheless, Costa Rica wins this one by a landslide. While traveling in Costa Rica youll notice this and all the signs asking for not littering and to reducing pollution. Tropical Villas On 11 Acres Of Jungle In Lagunas. The Pacuare River, located nearly 124km (77 miles) from the capital of San Jos, is a renowned white water rafting spot, with rapids ranging from Class II to Class V. Back on dry land, take a three-day round-trip hike up the country's highest peak Cerro Chirrip. Theres always something exciting happening in cosmopolitan Panama City. If you are planning your travel to this region, we hope the info here can assist you in planning your next vacation, whether it be Costa Rica or Panama, either way you win! Thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts will find everything from soft adventure to extreme sports in both Costa Rica and Panama. Just would like some input on what you think would be a more worthwhile trip since I would only have 3 days. Simply live life without difficulties, with a light sense of delight and respect for the environment. 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. This is a very new trend - and is quite converse to Costa Rica's paradisaical reputation - but experts are starting to target the causes. Manuel Antonio is probably the most crowded place in both countries, and sometimes its uncomfortable entering the National Park can be a bit of a nightmare, but once inside people spread out and its much better. Costa Rica and Panama are two very different countries that have a lot of things in common. An essential purchase like a liter of milk costs around 1 to 2 USD in both Panama and Costa Rica, as well as half a liter of water. Panama has a beach to suit every mood. All rights reserved. Pura Vida pervades their culture, which places high importance on and protects the lands most valuable resource: nature. See these and otherArenal volcano resorts. The country is all about discovery and braving great feats. Cocktails on said beach? Vacations to Costa Rica Made Simple. Locatedin the heart of Manuel Antonio, the property blends seamlessly into the jungle. The Panama Canal, one of the worlds most magnificent technical feats, the ruins of Old Panama, and the Casco Antiguo are all worth visiting. Between July and October, humpback whales visit the Golfo de Chiriqu to give birth around the underwater utopia of Isla de Coiba off the Pacific coast. Apart from steady fame over the years, thanks to the Panama Canal, theres more to Panama than just a revolutionary manmade marvel. Just a 10-minute drive north is Afro-Antillean Museum, which celebrates the scores of West Indian laborers who worked on the canal. Chapters for easy info reference. However, certain services like a one-way transport ticket can cost half a USD in Panama, and a whole dollar in Costa Rica. For guests arriving through San Jose, we offer a VIP meet & greet service. When comparing Panama vs. Costa Rica, Costa Rica has a much more customer-oriented service culture. Cost of a. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For Costa Rica, its top contenders for great nightlife are Jaco, and the capital of San Jose, while Panama only has the capital of Panama City. In Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa named Central Americas first World Surfing Reserve for its biodiversity and conservation ethos, also offers some world-class waves. Some are crowded (in Manuel Antonio for example), others are good, but not as good. It's only 2 hours from Miami and air travel from North America is often quite reasonable. We have had the opportunity to live in Costa Rica for 9 months and in Panama for 6 months. Still, I havent been to any beach in the world that is better than those. Overshadowed by the giants of the Caribbean, and quite possibly its northern neighbor, Costa Rica, Panamas smaller tourism demand may have given it quite a leeway to be a wallet-friendly destination. But when you take a careful look through a more focused lens, you can see that local cultures, attitudes, customs, and ways of life can set them apart in a very obvious sense. These Central American darlings definitely prove that underrated destinations can have the best of history, culture, natural beauty, and manmade wonders. Not near a beach but close to the jungle and certainly plenty to do in terms of adrenaline tours - zip lining, white water kayaking and rafting. We stayed at Hostal Refugio del Rio and really enjoyed it Andaz Costa Rica Resort in Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste Hyatt's luxury lifestyle brand, Andaz, opened doors of its unique resort just a few years ago. When it comes to Central America and the Caribbean, you really cant go past a trip to Costa Rica. Our post today is all about vacations. Panama or Costa Rica? Big yellowfin tuna are being caught on a daily basis from most of the resorts. With great outdoors and nature, comes a great deal of wonders to revel upon, and things to do. The Costa Rican are famous for their relaxed way of being and an approach to life where finding happiness is important. Yet, it also has lots of outdoor activities, wildlife viewing opportunities, beaches, volcanoes It has less quantity, but the quality is similar. 2.3 vs 1.1 1.93x longer coastline? This makes travel life much easier in Panama than in Costa Rica. The dormant cone volcano is directly above the town of La Fortuna, allowing hiking trips along the original lava flow trails. Being a hybrid of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, the country is poised to provide everyone a top-notch beach life. Its conveniently located just over 1 hour from the San Jos International Airport. Costa Ricans, or Ticos, are able to live life without a fuss because of the Pura Vida ideology. Panamanians are similar and easy to communicate with. Many discos, pubs, and upscale restaurants may be found in Panama City. Reason to visit: Pura vida - what a fun phrase and way of life. The natural beauty and culture of this region is almost unparalleleda real paradise on Earth, if you will. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Panama is known for prices that wont break the bank, especially for tourists coming from the US, Canada, or Europe. Pura Vida, or pure life, is the motto of this evergreen island, which remains true to its celebration of the beauty of a life spent in harmony with nature. Laidback beach towns, yoga, surf, and barefoot luxury are quintessential of the Nicoya Peninsula experience. Immerse yourself in thePura Vidaluxury that you wont findelsewhere. Check! Costa Rica's income tax is between 10-15%, depending on the worker's residence scheme. From rich rainforests flora and fauna to the extensively diverse wildlife you might encounter. However, in our opinion, they arent as good as the two we mentioned above. If you like surfing, its one of the largest buffets of diverse beaches, each with its own unique offerings. In Costa Rica, you have an incredible variety of things to do in the wild. Costa Rica takes environmental sustainability very seriously and plans to be carbon neutral by 2021 and to zero out emissions by 2050. After all, what matters are the simplest things. Puerto Rico is home to hilly provinces, caves, and gorgeous waterfalls. Having shared histories of being under Spanish colonial rule for an extensive period, a lot of cultural overtones can be observed in many of the Latin American countries. Panama City is a modern city with everything you would expect to find in a developed, urbanized area. Both countries are also ideally located in-between two bodies of water, sandwiched by the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. If you do want to splurge on costs, you can also find opulent pleasures around the capital of Panama City, which is the most costly place in the entire country. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 0.8 months in Costa Rica compared to 0.7 months in Panama. This resort features a good balance of what customers expect: a great beach, good on-site dining and outstanding service. This property is great for a romantic getaway too. Costa Rica has some very good blue marlin action trolling (far offshore the better) but inshore it's mostly a live bait fishery (troll-hookup . The winner: Costa Rica its a world leader in conservation. Pura vida is a way of life down here. 56 people/km vs 99 people/km 29.13$ billion higher GDP (PPP)? Both countries teem with endemic species and protected spaces, from mist-wreathed cloud forests to steamy rainforests and fish-filled marine parks. In Panama, the San Blas Islands and all of their beaches, as well as Pollo Beach in Bastimentos, are the regions most beautiful beaches. Hence, we preferred Panama to Costa Rica, its more diverse (and has San Blas) but if we had to return we would return to Costa Rica, as we feel that there are more things to see and do than we havent explore Does it make sense to you? Costa Rica and Panama are located in Central America, bridging the Americas. Panama is somewhat similar, it has almost all the above-mentioned things to do, but in less quantity. Its perfectly natural to have, rice, beans, plantains, yucca, etc., all in the same dish. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in Costa Rica through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps. $789,000 US. 3) Pura Vida - Don't worry, be happy. If you stick through main highways across the two counties, driving should be easy. Then we match you witha hand-picked selectionof hotels, tours & transportation. In conclusion, Panama has much more to offer in terms of culture and heritage which is a nice contrast to all the nature and wild you get to explore in the rest of the country. . A swanky and cool vibe will make you feel at home as soon as you enter the gates. On the plus side, in both countries, you can still easily find cheap accommodation (20-40USD) for a couple and public transport are also very affordable. Costa Rica vs Panama. But Costa Rica scores higher than Panama in the crime index with a ten-point difference. They are also producers of high-quality organic coffee and chocolate. Panama hasnt shied away from flexing its muscles since taking power in 1999. With20 years of local experience, you can trust our recommendations and high-quality service. Theres plenty for coffee aficionados to celebrate with both countries producing first-class beans. Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information. Return the howl to the animals that share the canopy. The winner: Panama narrowly takes it, thanks to the legendary Geisha. Panama's pensionado visa is an attractive option for expats. Costa Rica. The Costa Ballena on the South Pacific Coast is lush and remains pristine with numerous luxury accommodations. Both Panama and Costa Rica are more expensive to travel around than their neighbors in Central and Latin America. Viva Colombia has a roundtrip for $205 to Bogota or Medellin and $418 to San Jose or $80 roundtrip by bus. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. See also 7 Reasons to Go All-Inclusive on Your Next Family Vacation Costa Rica has two different types of beaches: warm clear-water beaches on the Caribbean side, often in remote areas, and nightlife-heavy beaches on the Pacific side. The most popular month to go is February, which has the most number of tour departures. Costa Rica has a border with Nicaragua in the North which is 313 kilometers long and a border with Panama to the South which is 348 kilometers long. This is a very difficult call and I think we will have to give it a tie. On dry land, bird watchers flock to the cloud forest trails around Boquete to search for the elusive resplendent quetzal. With a size of 51,100 km2 (19,700 sq mi), it is one of the smaller . Both of these are easily accessible and offer plenty of unique experiences, but there is a lot to choose from. Costa Rica is cheaper than Hawaii. Until the end of the twentieth century, the Americans were in charge. Weather. With each surf area, youll get a unique experience. The project also features a championship golf course and a beach club. Both offer a wealth of wildlife, untamed nature, adrenaline-fuelled activities, and stunning beaches strung along seemingly endless Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. Since we began operations in 2004 we've helped over 10,000 people plan their vacations to paradise and it would be an honor to help you as well. There is no contest on bio diversity. Panama, on the other hand, isnt close to this level of commitment, but its a fairly clean country where ecotourism is perfectly possible, but not to the same extent as in Costa Rica. Just when everybody thought that the Caribbean is the brightest, if not the only shining star in the American tropics, Central Americas luster slowly shines through the marquee of many of the Caribbeans best names. Costa Ricans are known for their easygoing demeanor and philosophy of life that emphasizes happiness. It really doesnt get better than that. WE PLAN so YOU RELAX & enjoy the journey.