As a thriving metropolis and one of the region's most important financial hubs, Panama City offers a dynamic blend of modern infrastructure and rich cultural heritage. With its strategic location connecting North & South America, Panama is a hotspot for international trade, logistics and finance. Costa Rica, a short journey from Panama City, boasts eco-friendly companies and thriving tourism industries, offering participants insights into these booming industries.
* Please note that this is only a sample itinerary for a full-time MBA group. All of our itineraries are tailor-made and can accommodate any academic level and theme. All itineraries are subject to change.
Day 1: Saturday, January 7Sat January 7Day 1: bienvenidos a Panama!
orientation talkwith ISP Program Manager and faculty
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO DEPARTURE: Get familiar with the upcoming schedule and activities, uncover the secret ingredients for a successful trip and learn some useful tips from what to not forget before flying to what’s happening in the city.
afternoon
intercity transfersarrive Panama City
meet ISP representative at the airport
air
transportationtransfer to hotel, check-in
bus transfer
rest of the day at leisure
ISP recommendation: If you´re looking for an activity to unwind, be like a local and take a stroll or a run on the Cinta Costera. With stunning views of both the old and new town, this is one highlight of Panama City not to be missed. Go around 5-6 pm to avoid the heat and enjoy this beautiful place with Panamanian locals! For soaking up the relaxing sunset, Panama City has you covered! The tropical climate means rooftop bars are open and pumping all year around. Check out Selina or El Faro!
Day 2: Sunday, January 8Sun January 8Day 2: life lessons at Parara Puru
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for full-day trip
2x bus full day
cultural eventfull-day visit to the indigenous Embera community
Leave your phones behind and take a step back in time on a full-day trip to Embera tribe who live in traditional villages deep in the rainforest of Panama. You will take a leisurely boat trip up the river Chagres to the rainforest and learn from the indigenous people about the local wildlife and traditional Embera medicine.
boat/walk
mealsgroup lunch at village
Enjoy this unique opportunity to taste a traditional Embera meal with fresh fish and plantains.
return to Panama City
On our way back to the hotel, let's debrief on the day and reflect on what we have learned and experienced. How impactful was the day?
transportationmeet in the hotel lobby, depart for welcome dinner
evening
mealswelcome dinner with authentic flavours of Panama
Sancocho, ropa vieja, corn cakes, and much more...dive into the flavors of Panama! Enjoy the welcome meal with your friends and classmates and toast to all your experiences awaiting ahead! This is a great opportunity to build valuable relationships with your classmates and get to them beyond the university setting. The perfect way to begin your stay in Panama, salud!
restaurant
Day 3: Monday, January 9Mon January 9Day 3: understanding the business environment of Panama
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visits
Panama is the largest Central American market with huge potential and one of the most stable economies in the region. What does the future hold? The country benefits from its strategic location on the world map and the ongoing boom in globalization. How is the country reacting to disruptive technologies and how is digitalization changing this hub for world trade?
presentation, discussion
late morning
panel discussiondoing business in Panama - real live case studies
Panelists from our network of local professionals and entrepreneurs will be ready to answer all your questions and share real live case studies from Panama's business world. Use the opportunity to also learn about working and living in this region, future outlook, etc. Prepare your questions to make this session as fruitful as possible!
mealsnetworking lunch with panelists
Use the lunch time to continue your discussions, learn more about life in the region, and reflect on your morning learnings.
restaurant
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for city tour
bus/walk
afternoon
cultural eventMiraflores visitors' Center & Panama Canal
At the museum at the Center, you can learn all you ever wanted to know about the history of the Panama Canal, its current operations, and its future expansion project. You might even witness vessels passing through the Miraflores Locks to and from the Pacific!
late afternoon
cultural eventhistory & culture of Panama City through the eyes of a local
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Panama City and see the most important sights, including Panama Viejo archaeological site and historic district of Panama - UNESCO World Heritage sites. The culture and historical beauty of the Old City is starkly contrasted with the modern skyline that looms in the distance across the bay. Explore Panama City's coolest neighbourhoods and get a taste for the capital's most exciting areas, from oceanfront avenues to exotic jungle.
rest of the day at leisure
Day 4: Tuesday, January 10Tue January 10Day 4: drivers of Panama’s next wave of growth
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visits
As companies reconfigure around fast-moving digital technologies and reinvent how employees work, society at large is rethinking systems, products, and organizations. The power of design has never been more evident—or more crucial. Listen the business professionals and explore how to make products and services inclusive, sustainable, ethical, and inspiring.
management presentation, discussion, Q&A
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
visitkey challenges and opportunities for the transportation and logistics industryA.P. Moller - Maersk
As an industry moving to keep up with shifting consumer demands, particularly those driven by technology and innovation, there is a range of challenges and opportunities that transportation and logistics companies will encounter these days. In this meeting you get insight into some of these challenges and opportunities and how businesses can future proof their operations.
management presentation, discussion, tour of facilities
late afternoon
volunteering experienceoptional volunteering: making a difference through education, health and community involvement
Chronic and acute exposure to violence results in trauma, and the most effective way to address trauma is to re-establish healthy, strong social connections. Let's all imagine a future where public schools and health facilities become critical hubs for repairing the social fabric, where communities heal, and violence is not perpetuated, and students believe in themselves, have aspirations for their futures, and thrive as leaders in their communities.
Day 5: Wednesday, January 11Wed January 11Day 5: hasta luego Panama City, hola San Jose!
breakfast
hotel
morning
transportationcheck-out, transfer to airport
bus transfer
intercity transferstransfer to San Jose (duration approx. 1hr 20min)
air
transportationtransfer to hotel, check-in
bus transfer
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visit
bus half day
afternoon
brainstorming sessionintroduction to Costa Rica & how cultural differences impact international businessGlobeCast
According to The Global Institute of Entrepreneurship and Development, Costa Rica is the most prosperous and entrepreneurial country in Central America, offering opportunities for both local businesses and foreign investors. In an era where businesses (both large and small) can sell and ship their products and services to consumers across the globe within a matter of days, it can be easy to forget how markets functioned before the digital age and the innovations in transportation. What are the costs & benefits of globalization, current & future methods of conducting business globally?
Discover the culture and history of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. Stroll through its lovely residential areas, wander in the Metropolitan Park, admire the historic National Theatre and National Museum. Don't miss these and many other of San Jose's charms!
bus/walk
rest of the day at leisure
ISP recommendation: San Jose is the capital and largest city in Costa Rica. It’s home to over 2 million people and is the business center of the country. For a large Latin American city, San Jose has one of the best standards of quality of life and safety. Head outside downtown to enjoy traditional meals such as chifrijo - a combination of rice, beans, and fried pork pieces. There is a super friendly and chilled-out vibe that the locals call “Pura Vida,” which translates to “Pure Life”.
Day 6: Thursday, January 12Thu January 12Day 6: moving towards a green growth approach
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visits
When the company is working toward improving its sustainability performance, it needs a strategy, plan and roadmap. Discuss these steps with industry leaders how to gear the company’s purpose, culture, focus and actions towards sustainability.
management presentation, discussion, tour of premises
late morning
cultural eventStarbucks Hacienda Coffee Tour
Visit the first and only Starbucks farm which has become the company's global agronomy headquarters. Pop into the Visitors Center and learn about the life cycle of coffee-- from the plantation to your home by viewing the working tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio and roaster. Learn how the company is using sustainable practices to promote local farmers and continue innovating the art of coffee.
mealslunch at the coffee farm
Continue the sustainable business discussion over lunch at the coffee farm. After lunch, enjoy a freshly made cup of coffee straight from the source.
Continue to explore the topic of sustainability in Costa Rica. In 2019 Costa Rica received the Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, for its role in the protection of nature and its commitment to ambitious policies to combat climate change. What are the bold actions being taken by the government to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals? What can this world leader in sustainability teach us?
management presentation, case study, discussion
transportationreturn to hotel, rest of the day at leisure
bus transfer
late afternoon
optional cultural eventchocolate making experience
Cocoa, and especially chocolate are incredibly significant resources for the people of Central America. Costa Ricans have a long tradition of harvesting and preparing it, while the rest of the world loves what they make! Learn how to make chocolate, from modern methods to pre-Columbian, mold it into different shapes, and taste for yourself the different flavors that cocoa has to offer!
sts pay individually
Day 7: Friday, January 13Fri January 13Day 7: exciting opportunities in Costa Rica
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visits
bus full day
morning
entrepreneurial labsCosta Rica as the Silicon Valley of Latin AmericaEl Orbe
Costa Rica has been named the Silicon Valley of Latin America numerous times due to its highly-educated workforce, investment incentives by the government, and its booming tech industry. How has the explosion of tech start-ups encouraged further investments? And how has the country's stable political scene encouraged business for entrepreneurs?
Tourism has played an important role in the development of Costa Rica. The pandemic is making the situation difficult not only for the tourism and travel industry but also for locals. How are they dealing with the current situation and what are the employees coming back to this unpredictable sector?
management presentation, case study, discussion
afternoon
debrief sessionclosing up the experience
As the trip is almost at an end, let's take a moment to reflect on this international experience and share our biggest takeaways. How was the journey? What have we learned? What was the most eye-opening moment? Use the time to share stories, pictures, and final reflections on the overall inspiring experience!
free time to freshen up for dinner
ISPer's recommendation: Visit the Mercado Central Market and immerse yourself in San Jose by interacting with locals and discovering local snacks and goods. The labyrinth of stalls and shops are sure to provide some great souvenirs!
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for dinner
bus transfer
evening
mealsfarewell dinner with folklore dance and Marimba music
There is no better way to spend the last evening in Costa Rica than with a night of traditions full of music, mask shows and its most significant cultural manifestations! Taste the local different flavors of the Costa Rican cuisine while you enjoy the dances and colorful folklore of the marimbas.
restaurant
Day 8: Saturday, January 14Sat January 14Day 8: depart for USA
