Splendid Panama Travel

TPA09: 11 Days Private Tour of Panama City - Charges National Park - San Blas Islands - Panama City - David - Boquete - Bocas del Toro - Panama City
Tour Type: Private tailor-made tour
Guide: English-speaking guide, experienced and knowledgeable
Driver: Private driver with a spacious air-conditioned car
Accommodation: 4-star handpicked hotels, also be open to your own choice
Meals: Authentic local cuisines and western-style food for your choice

Highlights:
  • Ride a canoe to visit Embera Village to explore the indigenous culture.
  • Explore Panama Canal by cruise & overlook ships at Miraflores Locks.
  • Enjoy sunbathing at San Blas Islands & visit Guna Yala Community.
  • Take in colonial buildings in Old Quarter and feel history at city’s ruins.
  • Hike & take a canopy tour and see dolphins at Bocas del Toro.
This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
From USD4589USD4038Free Inquiry
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Day 1 Arrival in Panama City, Airport Pick-up
Our driver will pick you up at Tocumen International Airport on time, and then send you to a well-selected hotel. During the rest of the day, you could rest in the hotel to get over jet lag for the upcoming 11-day Panama tour itinerary or stroll around downtown on your own. The hotel is located in the heart of the Obarrio neighborhood and you can take a walk around the nearby city park and visit a catholic church named Parish National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, within walking distance from the hotel.

Travel Tips:
1. Currency: Panama has its own official currency balboa (PAB) while the US dollar is also circulated in the country as a legal tender. And the change rate is pegged at 1:1. Visitors from the United States don’t have to change money and those from other countries are suggested to change the US dollar cash before departure. As credit cards are not so widely accepted in Panama and San Blas Islands don’t even have any ATMs, just prepare enough cash.

2. Clothes to Pack: Panama features a warm and humid climate throughout the year so it is suggested to pack some light and wicking clothes. Also, prepare a thin coat for air-conditioning rooms.

3. Tap Water: The tap water in Panama’s big cities is drinkable except for those islands. Anyway, we recommend drinking bottled water just for safety.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero
Day 2 Chagres National Park & Indigenous Embera Village
In the morning, we will drive north to Chagres National Park, passing through the tropical rain forests, and then embark on a motorized dugout canoe to the village of Embera Drua. Local Embera people will wait for you there and the adventure starts. Before arriving at the village, you may drop by a pristine waterfall where you can enjoy cool water and beautiful scenery. After arrival, enthusiastic local people will welcome you with their traditional dance and music. Then accompanied by the guide, you can learn about the ancient culture and living habits of the local people, and appreciate their exquisite handicrafts. You will also have the chance to draw the traditional jaguar painting on the body, a natural dye used by locals to decorate their bodies. Apart from communicating with the locals, you will enjoy a local lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit Chagres National Park on foot to see many kinds of animals and plants. Finally, go back to the hotel at the end of day.

Please Note:
It is recommended to wear hiking sandals or sports shoes for your forest hiking and don’t wear beach sandals or flip flops as you may walk by slippery rocks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero
Day 3 Panama Canal Tour & Transfer to San Blas Islands
Panama Canal Cruise Tour
The Panama Canal is a must-see spot for tourists visiting Panama, so this morning we will arrange for you a Panama Canal cruise. In the early morning, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Flamenco Marina Pier. From here you will board the cruise, passing through two locks - Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks on the way, where you can experience the ship being raised about 18 meters and 9 meters above the sea level. After passing the Pedro Miguel Locks, you will view the Centennial Bridge, the second major bridge crossing the canal after the Bridge of the Americas. After marveling at the magnificent structure, you will finally reach the destination Gamboa Dredging Division in the middle of the Panama Canal and disembark. Afterward, we will drive for 2 hours to the Caribbean coast and take a boat for about 40 minutes to the San Blas Islands. Arriving there, check in at a local hotel on a private island.

Please Note:
1. The 6-hour northbound cruise tour we selected will depart in the early morning but the actual departure time will be decided by Panama Authority based on the canal’s operation condition.

2. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the cruise but we suggest taking some of your own food.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yandup Lodge
Panama Canal Tour
Panama Canal Tour
Miraflores Locks
Miraflores Locks
Day 4 Enjoy a Free Day at San Blas Islands
You are free to arrange your time today. San Blas Islands are long time inhabited by more than 30,000 Guna Yala people. You can visit the Guna Yala community on your own to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the local residents. Guna Yala community still keeps a matriarchal social structure, placing women at the center of society. It is interesting to realize the totally different social structure and traditions. However, it is kindly reminded to ask permission before you take photos with them. Though local people are friendly and hospitable, someone may not like to be photographed. Apart from interacting with the local people, you may also have a chance to enjoy their traditional art, mola, and the colorful hand-made textile. You can also wander around the beach or have an island-hopping tour to partake in various water activities. We recommend Fragata Island, Perro Island (Dog Island), Chichime Island, or Starfish Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yandup Lodge
Day 5 Transfer Back to Panama City & Panama City Tour
In the morning, you will take a boat and return to Panama City. The guide and the driver will firstly guide you to Panama Viejo, the historical ruins of the first Panama City. It was built by the Spanish people but later attacked by pirates. Today you can see the Cathedral tower and visit the old Panama Museum to trace back the history. Later, you will be transferred to Miraflores Locks to see the engineering miracle, the Panama Canal. Your guide will check the ship transit schedule at the official website ahead to make you catch the scene where large cargo ships and cruises make their way through the canal locks. At Miraflores Visitor Center, besides overlooking ships at the observation deck, you can also watch a short film to learn more about the canal. After that, you will be guided to stroll around the Casco Viejo (San Felipe), Panama City’s atmospheric old town area, to appreciate gorgeous Spanish-style buildings like the France Square, and some centuries-old cathedrals.

Dinner Suggestion: 
Today’s last stop is the Caso Viejo, and it is a good idea to enjoy a fancy dinner in the historical district. Here we recommend some best dining choices for you. Casa Casco comes first as it not only offers a fantastic rooftop dinner but also is the best place to overlook the old Panama City. You can also just enjoy a cup of drink and see the sun go down. The second one is Casa Blanca, which is also a great restaurant serving lovely food and a romantic atmosphere with lively music. Santa Rita is another top choice in the old town and it features sea food and Spanish cuisines, well worth a try

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero
Panama Viejo
Panama Viejo
Great Cathedral
Great Cathedral
Day 6 Fly to David, Transfer to Boquete, Coffee Tour
The driver will take you to the airport in the morning for the flight to David in about one hour. Upon arrival, the local driver will wait for you at the Arrival Hall of the airport, then drive for about 45 minutes to send you to Boquete. In the afternoon, the guide will lead you to visit a coffee plantation and you can learn the whole produce process of picking, cleaning, roasting and grinding coffee. Then, visit one of Boquete's local farms and you'll see a clean and modern organic coffee farm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Ladera
Day 7 Hiking & Zipline Tour at Chiquiri Cloud Forest
We will start hiking after breakfast. Follow the Quetzales trail, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Central America, and look for animals such as the quetzal, the bell bird, the hummingbird, and the proboscis raccoon. In the afternoon, you will take the Zip Line Tour at Chiquiri Cloud Forest, where you will have an exciting experience and a new perspective on the breathtaking natural scenery of Baru Volcano National Park as you slide through the zipline over the canopies. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Ladera
Day 8 Transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro
In the morning, we will drive about 3.5 hours (185 km) to the Almirante wharf first and then take a boat to arrive at Bocas del Toro in about 30 minutes. On the way, we will visit Los Cangilones, a beautiful natural swimming pool that is famous in Gualaca.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort
Quetzales Trail Hiking
Quetzales Trail Hiking
Los Cangilones
Los Cangilones
Day 9 Bocas del Toro Day Trip
Today we will take a boat to the Dolphin Bay, where you will see many lovely dolphins playing in the water freely. Next we will head to the Coral Cay for snorkeling and in search of stingrays and other colorful tropical fish. In the afternoon, go to visit Red Frog Beach in Isla Bastimentos, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Bocas del Toro. You will be left some free time to join marine activities such as snorkeling, sunbathing, or surfing here. We will go back to the hotel in the late afternoon. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort
Day 10 Fly from Bocas del Toro Back to Panama City
You can move freely in this morning and continue your beach-combing. In the afternoon, the driver will send you to the airport so that you can take the flight to Panama City. The local driver will pick you up on time upon your arrival and drop you off at the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero
Panama City
Street Scene of Panama City
Street Scene, Panama City
Old Town of Panama City
Day 11 Departure from Panama City, Airport See-off
Your itinerary will come to an end today. The driver will send you to Tocumen International Airport according to your flight timetable. May you have had a great time with us and a great experience in this holiday. Have a nice trip home!

Meals: Breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
Tour Prices
Christmas & 2025 Special: 12% off - Book before Dec 31, 2024
Travelers2-3 travelers4-5 travelers
Year RoundUSD5219 USD4592USD4589 USD4038
  • Prices are per person on twin sharing.
  • The prices in red reflect 12% discount.
  • If you are a group of 6 people or more, we will offer a more favorable price by your group size.
Price Includes
  • Economy class airfares of Panama City/ David, Bocas del Toro/ Panama City
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Service of English-speaking guides as per itinerary
  • Service of private driver and air-conditioned vehicle
  • Entrance fees for all tourist sites as per the itinerary
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Price Excludes
  • International flight into and out of Panama
  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Panama visa fee
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