Panama Highlights Tour

Welcome to explore the ‘Crossroads of the World’- beautiful and diverse Panama with us together! Our local driver will pick you up on time at the Arrival Hall of Tocumen International Airport. Then you will be transferred to your hotel.

We have carefully selected a comfortable and well-equipped hotel located in the heart of the urban city, about 15 miles from the airport and easy to access the city’s tourist spots. During the rest of the day, you can take a break at the hotel, enjoy a spa or relax at the rooftop pool. You can also get a first impression of the city by walking around.

Warm Tips:
1. Currency: Though Panama has its own official currency Balboa (PAB), the US dollar is legal tender. It means visitors can use US dollars directly in Panama and USD 1= PAB 1. If you are from the US, then there is no need to change money. If you are from other countries, changing money is not so convenient. What’s more, credit cards are only acceptable in some large cities, and some remote islands even don’t have ATMs. So we kindly suggest preparing some US dollar cash in advance.

2. What to Pack: Panama has a tropical climate, humid and hot all year around. Packing wicking clothes is recommended. Also, remember to take bug spray or mosquito repellent, as the wet weather and coffee plantation always bring mosquitoes and coffee bugs. By the way, Panama has the same type of power adapter as those of America and Canada, Type A and B, with the voltage of 110 V.


Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

The guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby in the morning to start today’s Panama City exploration. First, we will go to Amador Causeway, situated at the south entrance of Panama Canal, where you can enjoy a quiet stroll or take a bicycle ride. Then we will drive to see one of Panama’s most important bridges, the Bridge of the Americas. After that, we will move to Panama’s historic district, Casco Viejo (San Felipe). The UNESCO-listed ‘Old Quarter’ is full of local atmosphere with beautiful Spanish colonial buildings.

After lunch, we will go to see the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks and you may have a chance to witness large ships traversing through the canal locks. At the Miraflores Visitor Center, you can see a short movie about the development of the Panama Canal, and visit the Canal Museum, and catch a good view of ship transit on the Observation Platform. For the best experience, your guide will check the ship transit schedule in advance and arrange your visit based on it. Next, we will go to see the ruins of the first Panama City - Panama Viejo, built by the Spanish invaders in the early times of their colonial period. Later, we will return to the downtown and go back to the hotel.

Dinner Recommendation: Sample Panamanian Food!
Finishing a full-day city tour of Panama’s iconic attractions, it is suggested to taste some traditional Panama food to soothe one day’s fatigue. Panama’s recipes are greatly affected by Afro-Caribbean, American, and Spanish cuisines, but it does have its own unique flavor. A typical Panamanian meal generally contains meat, coconut rice, and beans, along with some local fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, and plantains. Some famous dishes include Sancocho, a staple soup of stewed chicken, root vegetables and spices; Arroz Con Pollo, chicken and rice; and Ceviche, a refreshing seafood dish made with fresh chopped fish, lime juice, and onions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

Today's highlight is the Panama Canal cruise. The 6-hour canal cruise will give you a completely different experience compared with just watching at Miraflores Locks. Firstly, you will be transferred to Flamenco Marina to take a ship to Gamboa Dredging Division in the middle of the Panama Canal. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, you will sail by the Bridge of the Americas and Panama Bay. When arriving at Miraflores Locks, the ship will climb 54 feet into Miraflores Lake and then it will sail into Pedro Miguel Locks, where it will rise up 27 feet more as the water level rises. After that, it crosses the southern end of the Gaillard Cut and reaches Gamboa Dredging Division to disembark. You can also see the Centennial Bridge on the way. After today's Panama Canal tour, send you back to the hotel.

Note: To save your time, we have chosen the northbound canal tour which generally departs in the early morning. If you want to start off later, you can also contact us to change it to the southbound tour departing at noon.

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

In the morning we will drive to Soberania National Park for a hiking tour. Wandering along the park's trails, you can look for the endemic animals, and admire the lush tropical vegetation. Then we will take a boat to sail around Gatun Lake and explore Monkey Island and other islands. This area is home to monkeys, iguanas and crocodiles. Next we will arrange a sky tram for you to travel above the Gamboa Rainforest. As you pass through the canopy, you can see many beautiful birds, butterflies and, if you're lucky, sloths. Finally, go back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

Today we will pay a visit to the Embera Village, which is located in the Chagres National Park. After about an hour's drive, we will arrive at Gatun River Dock. Then we need to take a 30-minute canoe ride to the Chagres River. After a long journey through the jungle, we will finally reach the Embera Village. Along the way you can enjoy a variety of exotic tropical vegetation and spectacular waterfalls. In the village you can learn about the history, customs and lifestyles of the native people and learn how they use plants to make herbs to cue diseases. You can also taste the local food, enjoy the distinctive aboriginal dance performances and appreciate their handicrafts. Finally we will go back to the hotel.

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

In the morning, the driver will send you to the dock. You need to take a 1.5 hour ferry to the Pearl Islands on your own and then tour around freely. This area, about 30 miles off Panama's Pacific coast, was once famous for being rich in pearls. The Islands contain Contadora, Saboga, Viveros and San Jose Islands, etc. All of them boast equally breathtaking scenes and soft, clean beaches. You can thoroughly enjoy a relaxing day and take part in various marine activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking and whale watching (July - October). In the afternoon, please take the ferry back by yourself to the dock. The driver will wait for you there and then send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

Your vacation will be over today. The driver will pick you up from the hotel on time and drop you off at Tocumen International Airport. May you a nice trip home!

Meals: Breakfast