TOUR ITINERARY OLD
Explore the Best of Panama – Adventure Vacation (9 Days, 8 Nights)
Day 1: Panama City
Upon arrival into the Tocumen International Airport you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel in Panama City. At night we will pick you up and take you out to dinner at a Panamanian style restaurant where we will go over the itinerary, answer any last minute questions, and toast for the beginning of a great trip: Salud!
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel in Panama City (Tryp Panamá Centro by Wyndham or similar)
Day 2: The Panama Canal
This morning we go to the area of Gamboa and the Soberania National Park, where we take a small boat and start navigating in the Panama Canal. We will pass right next to huge cargo ships transiting the Canal, allowing you to take pictures from a privileged perspective. But the best part comes when we go exploring through channels in the rainforest made out of small islands to appreciate an incredible diversity of exotic tropical plants and trees, birds, and other animals in their natural environment. On our way back to the city, we will make a stop to visit the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks, where you will see the canal in action and learn about the history and operations of this engineering marvel of the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Hotel in Panama City (Tryp Panamá Centro by Wyndham or similar)
Day 3 & 4: Guna Yala Culture
Prepare yourself for the cultural experience of your life. We start with a drive over the mountains and the Continental Divide all the way to the Caribbean Sea and the Guna Yala autonomous territory, with thousands of acres of protected rainforest and an archipelago with close to 400 tiny tropical islands. We will stay in a small hotel owned and operated by a Guna family. This hotel is representative of the way the Gunas live, so it is very basic, but it is set on a small private island surrounded by two native communities, making it a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience. The daily activities include the opportunity to learn about the fascinating Guna culture and visit picture perfect tropical islands, with white sand, palm trees, and crystal clear waters providing excellent conditions for snorkeling.
Meals: Breakfast (2), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)
Lodging Day 3: Hotel in Guna Yala (Cabañas Ukuptupu)
Lodging Day 4: Hotel in Panama City (Tryp Panamá Centro by Wyndham or similar)
Day 5: El Valle
Today we will cross the bridge over the Panama Canal and drive west on the Pan-American Highway to El Valle de Anton, a picturesque little town nestled 2,300 feet above sea level in the crater of a gigantic extinct volcano. Here you can visit the impresive “El Macho” waterfall, and visit the popular handicrafts market.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel in Santiago (Hotel La Hacienda or similar)
Day 6: Hiking to Hidden Waterfalls
If you are into hiking in the mountains and visiting hidden waterfalls in the rainforest, this day will exceed your wildest expectations. We will visit a small town high up in the mountains and explore the nearby attractions. You will experience life in an off the beaten path location, and you will have the opportunity to hike through lush jungle until reaching amazing waterfalls, in all shapes and sizes, most of them with the conveniently located natural stone pool at the bottom inviting everyone for a swim. On the trails you will also have the opportunity to see tropical plants and trees, and spot colorful butterflies. At night you are invited to go with the guides for a trek in the rainforest in search of nocturnal frogs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel in Santa Fe (Hotel Santa Fe)
Day 7: Las Lajas Beach & Boquete
On this day we take things slow in order for everyone to recharge their batteries. On our way to Boquete, we will visit Las Lajas Beach, where you can enjoy its warm waters, walk in the unpopulated beach (many miles of empty beach), eat fresh fish for lunch, and try a cold Balboa beer. Late afternoon we will arrive in the beautiful Boquete valley, located at 3,500 feet above sea level and with a pleasant temperature of 21’C (70’F) all year round. Cultivation of flowers, coffee, strawberries and other fruits are the main activities for the local community. There will be time to go for a walk, and have dinner at one of the excellent restaurants in this lovely town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Hotel in Boquete (Isla Verde or similar)
Day 8: Boquete
Today you’ll get to choose from a wide variety of tours available in Boquete. You can go on an exciting white water river rafting adventure, fly through the air on the zip-line canopy adventure, or perhaps tone it down a bit and instead take a coffee tour, a horseback riding tour, or go birdwatching. It’s just a matter of deciding which one is the most appropriate for you. Later on in the afternoon we will meet at the hotel to collect our bags and drive to the airport in the city of David for the afternoon flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel in Panama City (Tryp Panamá Centro by Wyndham or similar)
Day 9: Departure
After an amazing trip you will be transferred to the International Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
