Don’t Worry, Be Capy: Mircea’s Costa Rica & Panama Adventure

Joining a guided group tour turned out to be part of the adventure itself. Traveling alone but surrounded by like-minded people, Mircea found company for everything from activities during the day to story-swapping over dinner at night. The trip balanced active exploration with time to slow down, uncovering rainforests, wildlife, beaches, and a side of Panama that goes well beyond the canal. Below, Mircea shares his experience in his own words.

Q: What made you choose a group tour?
A: Being able to share the experience with like minded people and skip the hustle of searching for all kinds of details.

Q: The trip you booked was a guided tour. How did it feel to travel with a guide on this tour? Would you travel with a guide again? Why or why not?
A: We had the honor to have Armando as a guide. He's very knowledgeable about both countries and does a fantastic job to have the trip running smoothly. His laugh and good spirit are a valuable asset to the warm vibes of the places. Having a guide is definitely of value and in each location there's space to explore on your own.

Q: How was it joining a trip to Costa Rica & Panama as a solo traveler?
A: It was fun to share the activities with like minded people. For each activity there was someone that wanted to join and fun to re-join the group at dinner time to tell stories.

Q: How is it to travel Costa Rica & Panama as an Experienced Traveler (40 - 59 age range) traveler? Would you recommend Costa Rica & Panama to other experienced travelers, and why?
A: Both Costa Rica and Panama offer activities for all ages. From active hiking, snorkeling and surfing to laying on the beach or the shore or relaxing on a terrace with live music. Both countries are wonderful places to discover and enjoy, regardless of the age.

Q: Did the tour meet your expectations? Why or why not?
A: There was a good balance between being active and just taking it all in. The tour reaches some of the nicest places in both countries. In the end, I was left wanting to spend more days, as there are so many spots to visit and experience, and Armando had done a great job promoting them.

Q: Were there any parts of the trip that surprised you in terms of quality or value?
A: Everything was as expected, though after visiting many countries, it is hard to be really surprised.

Q: What made you choose this trip, and was it for a special occasion (e.g., anniversary, birthday, family reunion)?
A: I went on this trip as Panama was on my list of countries to visit.

Q: Which destinations, cities, or highlights did you cover on your trip, and which stood out the most?
A: The best part of the tour was Bocas del Toro, especially with the surfing and the visit to Cayo Zapatilla. Taking the public bus was a good opportunity to observe and interact with the locals, giving a more personal flavor to the trip. The nature and animals in Sarapiqui and Boquete are a great way to experience more than the ocean and beaches.

Q: What was a memorable moment or story from your journey that you’d like to highlight?
A: Seeing baby sloths hanging to their mums was a very much expected and memorable moment for the entire group.

Q: What were your favorite activities or excursions, and why?
A: My favorite activity was surfing in Bocas del Toro. It's an excellent beach for beginners and the surf guide was excellent.

Q: Did you try any local food or cultural experiences that you would recommend?
A: With every meal I was looking for some new local dish. I enjoyed the patacones and the seafood the most.

Q: Did you have any unique interactions with locals, guides, or fellow travelers that made your trip special?
A: There were some interactions with the locals in the public bus. All the activities guides were very friendly and sociable, open to chit-chat about everything.

Q: Did this trip change your perspective on the destination, travel, or life in any way?
A: I was surprised to see that Panama is much more than the canal. It offers so much for a tourist, so many places and things to experience and enjoy.

Q: What was the biggest surprise you encountered during your trip to Costa Rica & Panama (positive or unexpected)?
A: The biggest surprise for me was to see how fast the sloths are moving. They're not slow at all. The second biggest was how small the 2 countries are and how little time it takes to travel around, especially from ocean to ocean.

Q: Looking back, what was the best part of your entire journey?
A: The best part was the days spent by the sea and enjoying the rain forest with the sloths.

Q: If you could relive one day of your trip, which day would it be and why?
A: Almost each day had a good highlight. Probably surfing and Zapatilla are something that I would come back to experience again.

Q: What would you say to someone considering this tour or destination?
A: Panama is definitely worth visiting at least once. It offers so much for so many tastes. This tour has a good balance of discovering the country for the first time.

Q: Any funny or unexpected stories from your trip you’d like to share?
A: "Don't worry, be Capy" was written on a t-shirt I saw in Costa Rica. Later on we found some bouncy capybara toys (made of foam) and they quickly became the must have souvenirs for the entire group.

Q: Any tips or things you wish you’d known before going on a trip to Costa Rica & Panama?
A: Better spend no extra time in San Jose and add extra days to visit San Blas or Valle de Anton. Ferry tickets to Taboga in Panama city are better to be booked several days ahead.