Panama Vacation

Welcome to join our escorted tours to explore Panama from spectacular canal views, Spanish-colonial buildings to incredible tropical rainforests, indigenous Indian cultures, clear turquoise seas and beautiful isolated islands! The driver will pick you up at Tocumen International Airport according to your flight time. The rest of the time is free on your own. You can have a rest at the hotel or go to explore Costa del Este by yourself. Costa del Este is an upscale community with wide streets, exclusive shops and restaurants.

Things to Know:
1. The US dollar has served as the main currency in Panama for many years and it doesn’t have its own paper money in circulation. So visitors are suggested to exchange their money into US dollars before departure as the exchange rate in Panama is not so competitive. Of course, American tourists don’t need to exchange money. Panama also has another kind of money: the coin called Balboa (PAB) and PAB 1 is equal to USD 1.

2. Purchasing a local SIM card can be a breeze no matter at the Tocumen airport or in the urban area. Believe it or not, the cheapest SIM card at the airport costs USD 30, about 5 times that in the city area. Panama’s main mobile internet operators are Tigo, Cable & Wireless (+móvil), Digicel and Claro and their SIM cards are widely sold at their official stores, convenience stores, and even post offices. Pay attention that SIM cards in resellers like convenience stores or post offices may not be available for foreigners anymore and operators’ official stores are the best choice!

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars)

The guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and then transfer you to today’s first stop, Amador Causeway, which is a scenic seaside road stretching into the Pacific Ocean and linking four small islands to the mainland. Taking a morning stroll here, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy beautiful marine views. Next, we will drive to see the Bridge of the Americas, one of the most significant bridges crossing the Panama Canal. Then continue to head to Casco Viejo (San Felipe), the old Panama City rebuilt by the Spanish with museums, old churches and France Square.

After appreciating beautiful colonial architecture, you will then be guided to see the iconic waterway, the Panama Canal. We will drive to Miraflores Locks, which is the first set of locks on the Pacific side. Standing on the observation deck, you can overlook large cargo ships and cruises transiting through the locks and then be raised or lowered about 17 meters above/ under the sea level. Apart from the amazing ship transit, you can also see a short film in the IMAX Theater to learn more about the canal construction and maintenance.

Later, continue the visit to Panama Viejo, an ancient city that once served as Panama’s capital. However, it was sacked and burned by pirates in the 17th century. Today, there are only scrambling ruins but you can still feel the charm of history. In the end, we will go back to the city center to visit Panama City, to experience the modernity of the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America.

Please Note:
The ship transit schedule at the Miraflores Locks varies every day, and your guide will adjust your visit order according to the official website to make you catch the right time for it!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars)

Today you will start an exploration of Panama’s engineering wonder from another angle, as you will cruise along the Panama Canal for about 6 hours rather than just watch it at Miraflores Locks. In the early morning, you will be picked up and transferred to the Flamenco Marina. The cruise starts from here and will be lifted twice above sea level when transiting through the Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks. On board, a bilingual guide will detail the backgrounds of the canal and you can also take in the beautiful canal views while appreciating the grandeur of bridges and locks. Along the way, it also sails through the Bridge of the Americas, the Miraflores Lake, and the Centennial Bridge. Finally, we will disembark at the Gamboa Dredging Division.

Notes:
1. Our selected 6-hour northbound canal tour will depart very early (check-in at 6:30-7:30 am.). If you think it is not suitable for you, please feel free to contact your travel consultant to arrange a southbound tour departing at noon.

2. Breakfast, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the cruise but it is still suggested you take some food.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars)

According to the flight schedule, the driver will take you to the airport and you will fly to Bocas del Toro, taking about 1 hour. Upon arrival, the driver will wait for you at the airport and take you to the hotel. You are free in the afternoon. As a popular touristdestination, Bocas del Toro is composed of six forest islands and many uninhabited islands. We recommend you to explore Starfish Beach, Red Frog Beach, etc.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort (4 stars)

Today, our first stop is the Dolphin Bay. We will see those cute dolphins jumping up and down on the water. After that, we will go to Coral Cay to experience snorkeling. We will provide snorkeling equipment for you. You will find colorful fish in the clear water. In the afternoon, head to Red Frog Beach in Isla Bastimentos and the time here is on your own arrangements. We recommend sunbathing or surfing. Late afternoon we will send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort (4 stars)

In the morning, we will take a boat to visit an indigenous community like Ngobe, Naso or Bri Bri, to experience their traditional culture, living habits, learn about the knowledge of their medicinal botany and look for the surrounding wildlife. After lunch, take a boat to arrive at Almirante Marina in about 30 minutes, and then the driver will drive 185 km (115 mi), taking about 3.5 hours to Boquete, and check into the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Ladera (4 stars)

In the morning, the guide will take you to the slopes of Baru Volcano or the trails near the private reserve. Here we'll watch birds and look for different finches and other birds. After that, we will hike in the Cloud Forest to look for various wild life. Finally, we will have a Zip Line Tour and glide quickly from the top of the tree canopy. The total length is 3 km (1.9 mi), with 12 different cables. You will enjoy the stunning natural landscape of the plateau and the Balu Volcano National Park during gliding.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Ladera (4 stars)

In the morning, we will visit a coffee plantation to learn about the coffee making process including picking, cleaning, roasting, and grinding. We will visit a local farm in Boquete, where you can admire a clean and modern environmental-friendly processing plant or organic coffee farm. After that, the driver will drive 280 km (174 mi) to Santa Catalina which will take about 4 hours and check into the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Catalina Panama (4 stars)

Today we will take a boat to explore along Coiba National Park. We will visit the Coiba Island, Granito de Oro, and Rancheria Island here. Coiba Island is famous for its past as a prison center and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. If it happens in June to October, we can see humpback whale if we are lucky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Catalina Panama (4 stars)

For the 10th day, you will enjoy a free day at Santa Catalina. You can relax on the beach, go surfing, swimming, snorkeling or diving. If you want to explore the surrounding islands, we recommend Gobernadora Island and Cebaco Island.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Catalina Panama (4 stars)

Today your driver will drive 360 km (224 mi) back to Panama City, which will take 5.5 hours. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is free for you.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars)

Today your tours in Panama end. The driver will pick you up and deliver you to Tocumen International Airport on time. Wish you a pleasant journey home.

Meals: Breakfast