Fresh seafood by the bay; try ceviche or fried fish while watching Panama Bay. The market is typically open 11:00am–6:00pm and is a great introduction to local flavors.
See ships transiting the famous Panama Canal and visit the museum and observation platforms; open ~9:00am–5:00pm, a must-see for the engineering and history.
Stroll the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo historic quarter and have dinner at a rooftop restaurant like Tantalo or a nearby bistro; many places open until late (10:00–11:00pm).
Walk or rent a bike on the Amador Causeway for skyline views and visit the Biomuseo (the museum typically opens ~10:00am) — the causeway is open all day and great for photos.
Allow 45–75 minutes transfer to Tocumen (account for traffic) and take an afternoon flight PTY → SJO so you arrive San José by late afternoon/early evening.
Fuel up with local coffee and gallo pinto; Caféoteca opens early and is a good spot for specialty coffee, Mercado Central offers more traditional fare (open ~6:00am–6:00pm).
Poás: crater viewpoint and short trails (park typically open 7:00am–3:00pm; crater viewing can close on high-emission days). La Paz: waterfalls, trail network and wildlife (usually open 8:00am–5:00pm). Both are ~1–1.5 hours from SJO and make excellent full-morning/early-afternoon excursions.
Stroll downtown to see the ornate National Theater exterior and visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Precolombino), which is typically open 9:00am–5:00pm.
A popular downtown option with varied menu choices; most dinner restaurants open from ~6:00pm onward. Great for relaxed evening dining after a day trip.
Visit the Costa Rica National Museum (usually open 9:30am–4:30pm) to learn national history, then walk the historic Barrio Amón for colonial architecture and street art.
Enjoy a final Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto and coffee at the central market; open early and a reliable, authentic option for a fast morning meal.
Fly back to JFK from Juan Santamaría International Airport — choose an afternoon flight to arrive in New York later that evening; confirm exact flight time with your carrier.