30 day backpacking trip itinerary suggestion - Nicaragua/Costa Rica/Panama

In general it seems like you have too many destinations, and you need to slow down just a bit. It's hard to see why you need to go to Saraquipi if you're also going to Cahiuta and Tortuguero.If you cut a couple of places out, you could add more days for Granada and Ometepe.

Total budget: $1500 + $420 flight

Is this budget per person? For 2 people it wouldn't work.

Questions:
Is Boca Towns worth it? Considering our interests and crossing an additional border.

The beaches aren't much different from what you can see in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. It sounds like too much effort to me.

Should we bring our camping gear? I have heard mixed reviews about this. National Parks is good otherwise no.

No, don't carry around heavy camping gear. You mostly won't need it.

And tips/tricks for transportation? I understand that San Jose and Managua will be our anchor points.

San Jose, yes. But you should consider Leon and granada your anchor points instead of Managua. You'll never need to do more than change buses in Managua.

Any tips on getting from La Fortuna to Leon?

Take a bus from La Fortuna to Liberia, and then many buses go from Liberia to the Las Penas border crossing. From Las Penas, take a bus to Rivas, and a bus to Managua from Rivas. Change bus stations by taxi in Managua, and then the last minivan to Leon. It looks like a really long travel day to me. Much easier to go from Arenal to Ometepe or Granada in one day.

What hikes do we need a guide for? Is it really necessary.

You need a guide for the Concepcion volcano; the law requires it.

I understand that it is the beginning of rain season, should I flip my itinerary so I travel the Pacific side first?

No.

Sarapiqui-La Selva is well worth the effort, this area is rainforest and cloud forest, mountains and rivers, so far more fauna and diverse eco systems, wildlife galore, a birders paradise, not to take anything away from Tortuguero or Cahuita, but not apples and apples, especially if you like to hike, there 30+ miles of groomed trails in La Selva. Stay the Biology Station Lodge, so you have access to the trails 24/7. Otherwise you can only access the park with a guide from 8-12...

That said, agree Bocas is hardly worth the effort, in fact, the main good beaches are a pain to get to, and they even charge you to bring a cooler in...screw that. You also need to worry about the very strict "Onward Travel" policy at border, and you need proof you are leaving Panama, to enter it, and a flight from CR does not count, needs to be transport out of Panama. So, you need to book a shuttle roundtrip...easy but then more $$.

With 30 days, head to Nicaragua first, as its more a cultural destination and volcano hiking/nature, then come back to CR, and head to caribe, and end your trip with 3-5 days on a nice beach south of Pt Viejo like Playa Cochles or Punta Uva and just rent bikes.

Then last day, raft the Rio Pacuare and get dropped in SJ. Top 10 river in the Americas and though a gorgeouss valley of jungle, waterfalls and indigenous indian lands, not to mention its ClassIII-V and a blast.

Think about flying into Liberia (LIR) as its 2 hours south of the Nica border, and then head to Nica and spend 7-10 days there depending on interest, then come back to CR and head to Caribe, maybe go via San Carlos/El Castillo and the Rio San Juan, cross to Los Chiles CR border side and then bus to SJ...then Sarapiqui, Tortuguero and Cahuita, all 3 each...use public transport.

Thanks @mrmoto and @mstep for the help!

The budget is 1500/per

Looks like Bocas town is not worth it and we wont be heading there.

The description that @mrmoto said about Sarapiqui seems like a perfect fit, and thanks for the tip we will look into booking at the lodge. However I agree that maybe we are vising too many places and maybe looking to lose one location would be practical.

We have already bought the flights to San Jose as it was 400 rather than 700-800 so even if we have a little more travel time it wont be a huge problem. Thanks for the bus tips!

Along these lines what bus companies would you recommenced and should be book them well in advance? Secondly. night trips, what do you think? I reckon it will save us considerable amount of day-light time however doubt that Is it safe to be out that late at night.

Yes we will definitely be doing rafting or kayaking in Rio Pacuare, that was going to be the first thing we do. I am unsure if we will flip the trip around.

Finally, any must go food recommendations and socially minded services or local businesses that we can help support.

It look like Nicaragua has a few organisation that are part of the eco-justice movement ie Quetzaltrekks. Although I recognise that it wont make a huge difference, it would be great to be conscious about who we help support and know that some of the money is helping the country build facilities or supporting local families.

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