2 Guys Exploring Costa Rica
 

So my cousin and I will be traveling to Costa Rica and Panama for the first time early next week to celebrate our graduations and were hoping for some last minute advice - must see's/must do's.

We are flying into San Jose at 4:30pm on May 26 and returning early June 6.
At this point all we have planned is renting a car in San Jose and driving to Tamarindo. We were thinking to stay in Tamarindo for a few nights before traveling down the western coast. We will probably stay in a combo of hotels and hostels. We were then planning to drive across the country to the eastern coast and then to Bocas del Toro in Panama toward the end of our trip. We will most likely stay in Bocas del Toro for a few days before heading back to San Jose for our return flight.

We are both in our 20's, so we would be game for anything fun and exciting. We definitely want to spend the majority of our time on the beach, but also want to check out the rainforest. Any great places to party and any festivals that may be happening during our trip would be awesome.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

You can't take the rental car to Panama. Costa Rican rental vehicles cannot leave the country. Even if you could, a car would be pretty useless in Bocas. You get there by ferry and the main island is pretty small.

With 11 days, I'd limit myself just to Costa Rica.

I should say, vehicles get to Bocas by ferry. If it's just you, there are plenty of smaller boats to take you there.

Great to know. Thanks!

You mentioned partying. Puerto Viejo is Costa Rica's party place on the Caribbean coast, and it would give you a Bocas-like experience.