San Blas Trip with Panama Canal

Welcome to Panama City! The driver will wait for you at the exit of Tocumen International Airport, and then transfer you to a comfortable hotel for check-in, which is located in the heart of the business area. During the rest of the day, you can have a good rest in the hotel, or wander around Obarrio, with a variety of high-end shops and restaurants, dotted with dense groves of palm trees. There is also a small city park called Urraca Park and a catholic church near the hotel, where you can drop by.

Warm Tips: 
1. Panama’s legal currency includes Balboa (PAB) and the US dollar (USD) and PAB 1 = USD. So preparing US dollar cash is enough. Money changing is not so convenient in Panama and cash is still the king as most places don’t accept credit cards.

2. To deal with Panama’s sultry humid weather, packing some wicking clothes and mosquito repellent is recommended.

3. Panama also uses the same type of power adapters as those of North America: Type A and B and the voltage is 110V.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and take you to explore the capital city’s highlights. The first stop is Panama Viejo, founded in 1519 by the Spanish to serve as the gateway city. However, after being attacked by English pirates in the 17th century, the first Panama City now has become the extensive ruins. You can explore the history of the city in the small museum here. After that, we will head to the Panama City Old Town - Casco Viejo (San Felipe), the second colonial city built in Panama after Panama Viejo. Lingering around the atmospheric district, you can appreciate a large group of Spanish colonial buildings like the France Square.

After lunch, you will be guided to see the city’s most important attraction, the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The guide will accompany you to visit the Miraflores Visitor Center, where you can not only stand at the observation deck to view mega ships passing through the canal locks but also learn about the canal’s history and operation by watching a short film in the IMAX theater. Finish the visit, and we will continue to see the grand Bridge of the Americas, the first bridge spanning over the Panama Canal. Then you will have an evening stroll or bike ride at the scenic Amador Causeway, enjoying the sea breeze and seeing ships on the canal. Finally, tour around the cosmopolitan Panama City.

Please Note:
The visit order of attractions may be adjusted by your guide according to the ship transit schedule on the Miraflores Visitor Center’s official website so that you can catch it rightly.

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

Today, we will arrange a Panama Canal cruise for you, the best way to experience the Panama Canal and its spectacular lock systems at a close distance. The 6-hour cruise trip will start from Flamenco Marina Dock on the bank of the Pacific Ocean and end at the Gamboa Dredging Division. You will be picked up in the early morning and then transferred to board the ship. It will pass the Bridge of the Americas, Miraflores Locks, Miraflores Lake, Pedro Miguel Locks, and the Centennial Bridge. On board, there will be a professional bilingual guide explaining the canal and the area’s information and answering your questions about the canal’s operation. You will also experience the ship being raised 18 meters above sea level at Miraflores Locks and lift 9 meters at Pedro Miguel Locks, which is really a bucket-list moment. After crossing the southern end of the Gaillard Cut, you will eventually disembark at the Gamboa Dredging Division and finally be sent back to the hotel.

Notes:
1. The canal cruise above is the northbound tour that departs in the morning. The check-in time is pretty early, about 6:30-7:30 am. If you think it is not suitable for you, then you can also contact us to arrange you a southbound tour that generally departs at noon.

2. The actual departure time of the cruise will finally be decided by the Panama Canal Authority based on the canal’s operation so the time will be confirmed with you again the day before the tour.

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

The San Blas tour really begins today. First, it will take us about 2 hours to transfer from Panama City to San Blas Islands. It is suggested that you buy water, snacks, drinks and other food in the supermarket on the way, as the variety of goods sold on the islands is limited and expensive. On the way, there will be a passage through the jungle. After arriving at the coast, we will take a boat to the San Blas Islands in about 40 minutes. You can arrange your time freely after arriving and checking into the hotel. The guide will be happy to recommend some interesting outdoor activities. For your information, this area includes Fragata Island, Perro Island (Dog Island), Diablo Island, Starfish Island, and Chichime Island, and there are different travel routes among these islands every day. You can go snorkeling to look for colorful tropical fish in coral reefs, or just lay in a hammock and enjoy sunbathing on the beach. 

Please Note: 
San Blas Island doesn’t have any ATMs. If you have any need to change money, please make it in Panama City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yandup Lodge

Today, the guide will take you to visit the indigenous tribe lived in San Blas Island for generations, the Guna Yala Community. You will be surprised at their faith rooted in nature, such as hummingbirds, and roots. Through today’s trip, you can not only learn about their faith and culture, but also have an impression of their unique art, Mola, which is a kind of colorful hand-sewn cotton textile worn by local women. It features not only bright colors but also intricate designs depicting all kinds of symbols of nature. It is interesting to know about the traditional making process of the remarkable art. If time permits, you can enjoy some free time on the beach. In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel in Panama City.

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

The driver will send you to Tocumen International Airport on time according to your flight timetable. May you have had a great time with us!

Meals: Breakfast