Panama History & Nature Tour

When you land at Tocumen International Airport, you will see our driver waiting for you at the exit of the airport. Then you will be transferred to our well-selected upscale hotel, located in the heart of a prosperous business district. The rest of the day is free on your own. You can rest at the hotel or walk around the neighborhood to take in the city views. Also, there is one cathedral nearby and you can drop by it.

Tips:
1. Money: The US dollar is Panama’s legal tender so it saves American visitors the need to change money. Generally, 1 USD equals 1 PAB (the official money in Panama). Visitors from other countries are suggested to change some US dollar cash in advance as credit cards are not so widely used in Panama.

2. Things to Pack: Panama’s climate keeps warm and humid all year around and packing cool wicking clothes is recommended. However, as some indoor places have air conditioning, it is necessary to pack a thin coat or light sweater. Under such tropical weather, mosquitoes and insects could be a problem, so do remember to take some Bug Spray or Mosquito Repellent.

3. Water: In most cities of Panama, the tap water is drinkable. However, in some islands like Bocas del Toro, it is not possible. Anyway, we recommend you drink bottled water for safety.


Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

Today, you will have an unforgettable trip to the Panama Canal, the most important attraction in Panama. We will take a cruise from the Pacific coast to the middle of the canal, and get a full view of how mega ships and cruises go through the two locks. First, you will be transferred to Flamenco Marina to board the cruise, and then cross the Bridge of the Americas to reach Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks. On the way, you will also see the magnificent Centennial Bridge and the Gaillard Cut. On board, breakfast and lunch will be served, as well as various non-alcoholic drinks. A bilingual guide will also point out all the highlights and patiently answer all your questions. The Panama Canal day trip will finally end when arriving at the Gamboa Dredging Division. Afterwards, go ashore and you will be transferred back to the hotel. 

Please Note:
1. Our cruise tour is the northbound partial cruise tour departing in the early morning and the duration is about 6 hours. If you don’t like to start off too early, you can also contact us to change to a southbound canal trip, which always departs at noon.

2. Though food is served on board, it is still suggested to take some of your own food.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

This day, we will pay a visit to one of the indigenous groups in Panama and dive deep into the local culture of Embera Village. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and sent to board a unique canoe ride across the Lake Alajuela to reach the Embera Village. The boat ride takes about 30-45 minutes and you may also stop by a beautiful waterfall (if water permits) on the way. Setting in the lush rainforests of the Chagres National Park, people in the Embera Village well keep their original language, songs, and lifestyles. You will be welcomed by the enthusiastic dances and music. Step into the ancient village, and you will be guided to learn deeply about their ancient culture, the magic plant medicine therapy, and unique handicrafts. After that, you can also hike through jungles, wander around or have conversations with local Indian people. After today's trip, we will go back to the hotel in Panama City.

Kindly Reminder:
Please prepare a waterproof bag to collect your camera and mobile phone in case of getting wet on the canoe.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

After breakfast, we will visit the ruins of the first Panama City founded by the Spanish people, Panama Viejo, which was once destroyed by pirates. Then we will go to Panama City’s Old Town - Casco Viejo (San Felipe), featuring many beautiful colonial buildings such as the France Square (Plaza de France), the Great Cathedral and so on.

After lunch, we will head to explore the Panama Canal in another way. That is to overlook the cargo ships passing through the canal locks at the observation deck of Miraflores Visitor Center. Your guide will check the transit schedule in advance and make sure you can visit it at the right time. Apart from living a special experience of seeing ships transit at locks, you can also watch a short film to learn about the canal’s history in the visitor center. After the visit, we will drive for about 2 hours (130 km) to arrive at Anton Valley. Check into the hotel and have a good rest tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa

Today we will have a full day touring around Anton Valley, a scenic town located in an extinct volcano. In the morning, the guide will lead you to a frog conservation center that aims to protect critically endangered species, such as the rare Panamanian golden frog. Then we will go to visit a non-profit orchid garden dedicated to protect endemic orchid species and later go to visit the Butterfly Heaven. The next stop is a local craft market, where you can find Guna Yala's 'Mola' embroidery, a hand-made textile made by the indigenous Guna people. In the afternoon, we are going to hike in the rain forest. After crossing several bridges, get to El Chorro Macho Waterfall, where you can swim in the natural pool. At the end of the day, we will go back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa

Today we are going to visit a village full of artists, where you can contact closely with the famous Panamanian hatters and watch the hat-making process. Next, we will see Panama's Legendary Cigar Rollers. Then drive north from Anton Valley for 2.5 hours (140 km) to Chitre and check into a hotel. Later, visit a local museum to learn about this area's pre-Columbian and colonial history. In the evening, you will watch folk dance show and singing performance over dinner, and see various traditional Panamanian drums.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cubita Boutique Resort & Spa

We will spend the morning with the Chitre women, observing how they make handwoven pollera dresses. After that, the guide will arrange a series of activities for you to experience the daily life of a Panamanian farmer. You have the option of touring the farm by riding a horse or seating in a carriage, milking cows or feeding the sheep, or preparing a lunch with farmers. At noon, sample local cuisine and famous rum cocktails. In the afternoon, you can have a rest in the hotel or travel nearby freely.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Cubita Boutique Resort & Spa

In the morning, we will drive about 3.5 hours (250 km) from Chitre to Playa Bonita, a beautiful beach where you can rent chairs and umbrellas to enjoy sunbath. There are some good restaurants around the beach for lunch. After lunch, you can enjoy your leisure time freely on the beach. In the late afternoon, we will go back to Panama City.

Dinner Suggestion:
Boasting a fusion of flavors from Spanish, African, and Caribbean areas, Panamanian food is characterized by rice, fresh sea food, root vegetables and pork, having a rich culinary food heritage. You must have experienced the essence in the past several days. When your Panama tour is drawing to a close, it is necessary to review the delicious local food to tickle your taste buds. Here we offer some good restaurants for your dining choice: La Tapa Del Coco, only about 2 km away from the hotel, offering one of the best Caribbean flavors in the city; Casablanca, a cozy and atmospheric restaurant located in the old town area; Restaurante Salsipuedes, only about 500 meters from your hotel to enjoy an excellent meal. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

The driver will wait for you at the hotel lobby on time, then drop you off at Tocumen International Airport. Your best private tour to Panama will come to an end. May you have a nice trip home!

Meals: Breakfast