How to book your Coiba tour: deposit, payments and weather — explained step by step

Most tour sites hide the payment details until the last screen. We'd rather you know everything before you message us: what the deposit is, how the tax works, what happens if the weather turns, and exactly what you'll pay on tour day. Five minutes here saves ten questions later.

Step 1 — Message us on WhatsApp

Tell us your date, group size and which tour you want (group $65 per person, private boat from $500, or a whale option in July–October). We answer in under an hour during the day and confirm availability. Requesting a booking is free — nothing is charged yet. Use the price calculator on any tour page to see your exact total first.

Step 2 — Hold your spot with the deposit

Once we confirm availability, you secure your seats with a $10.70 per person deposit (that's $10 plus Panama's 7% ITBMS), paid via PayPal or Wise — we send you the link. The deposit comes off your total; it isn't an extra. Spots are limited by park permits, so unpaid requests can't hold a seat in high season.

Step 3 — Pay the balance on tour day

The rest is settled the morning of the tour: Wise, credit card, Yappy or cash — whichever suits you (PayPal is for the deposit only). The park entrance fee ($20 foreigners / $5 Panamanians, under-12s free, plus 7% ITBMS) is paid in cash separately, because it goes to the park. Bring that in exact-ish bills and you're set.

The tax, with no fine print

Panama adds 7% ITBMS to tour prices, extras and park fees. Our calculators already include it in the total they show and in the WhatsApp quote we send — so the number you see is the number you pay. If any operator quotes you a lower headline price, ask whether tax and park fees are in it before comparing.

The weather policy, in plain words

Our captains check the sea every day. If conditions are dangerous on your date, we don't go — we contact you in advance and you choose a free date change or a full refund of your deposit. That is the only case where the deposit is refunded; cancelling for any other reason, or not showing up, forfeits it, because your seat was held for you. Full details in our policies.

Step 4 — Show up at 8:00 am

Meeting point is our rancho in Santa Catalina at 8:00 am; the boat leaves 8:30 sharp. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, the park fee in cash and nothing else — gear, vests, lunch and water are on us. Need help getting to town? Here's how to reach Santa Catalina, and we'll happily match shuttle times to your tour date.