Highlights of Panama

Day 1: Arrive in Panama City, transfer to hotel, settle in.

Day 2: Today is a visit to the world-famous Panama Canal and Miraflores locks. The 48 mile-long (77 km) international waterway known as the Panama Canal allows ships to pass between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, saving about 8000 miles (12,875 km) from a journey around the southern tip of South America, Cape Horn. Visitors may watch the lock gates open and close as vessels begin or end their transit from the observation decks. Four exhibition halls, organized by theme, are the heart of the Miraflores Visitor Center. Through these exhibitions, you can learn about the Panama Canal’s history, its impact on international trade, how it works, its close relationship with nature, and the Canal Expansion. In addition, a 3D movie portrays the story of the waterway.

Day 4: Panama City – San Blas

This morning, you will have a very early start for a light aircraft flight to the San Blas Islands and Mamitupo airstrip. On arrival, you will be met by your Kuna guides and hosts, who will take you to Uaguinega by boat. All meals are included in your stay. The stunning San Blas archipelago is an idyllic group of over 400 palm-fringed islands ringed by white-sand beaches and surrounded by the clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. 75 per person each way.

Day 5: Dolphin Lodge – San Blas

Uaguinega translates as “House of the Dolphins” and is a rustic Kuna Lodge run by Kuna Indians. Therefore, you need to expect it to be a little ‘rough’ around the edges. It has 11 cabins and three junior suites. Each suite is equipped with solar panels to provide electricity (please note that this can be sporadic), and the standard rooms have electricity between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. (again, this can be sporadic). All rooms are spacious (the suites are larger and have a private terrace) and feel cool, despite any ceiling fans. All have ensuite facilities, with cold showers. In the central courtyard, there is a volleyball court and several hammocks strung up between palm trees to relax. The restaurant serves good food, caught during the day, and several exciting excursions to nearby islands. You will choose activities today, which generally include visiting Kuna villages, relaxing on pristine tropical islands, and enjoying some excellent snorkeling. Two tours each day had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 120 per person per night. http://www.dolphinlodgesanblas.com/

Day 6: San Blas – Panama City

This morning, an early start for the short boat trip to Mamitup Airstrip to catch your flight back to Panama City, where you will be met and transferred to Canopy Tower in Soberinia national park for an afternoon check-in at jungle lodge.

Days 7 – 8: Nature tour and birding today exploring the rainforest around the lodge. www.canopytower.com 700

Day 9: You will be transferred to Panama City’s Albrook domestic airport for your short flight to Bocas del Toro, where you will be met by the hotel guide and transferred by taxi to your accommodation 5 minutes away. A day exploring the beautiful island of Isla Colon, lively 75 for flight, 100/night for a hotel.

Day 9: Isla Colon – Bocas del Toro
Discover Bocas Del Toro exploring the beach with snorkeling, diving, water sports, surfing, fishing, and boating opportunities.

Day 10: Isla Bastimentos – Bocas del Toro

Take a 10-minute boat ride from Bocas del Toro to Isla Bastimentos, a whole different world straight from Robinson Caruso. The island’s northern coast is home to palm-fringed wilderness beaches that serve as nesting grounds for sea turtles. In contrast, the southern coast consists of mangrove islands and coral reefs within the Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. Explore this vast wilderness and relax at one thatched-roof cabana bar for an afternoon pina colada.

Day 11: Isla Solarte – Bocas del Toro
Catamaran sailing trip around the archipelago snorkeling, fishing, swimming. Bocas Del Toro explores the beach with snorkeling, diving, water sports, surfing. Mangroves breed, feed, and nursery grounds for many estuarine and marine organisms. This reef is unique because it is very shallow, and you can snorkel through the mangroves with schools of baby fish! From here, we raise the sails and let the wind take us sailing to The Garden, Isla Solarte, where you will once again have the experience of snorkeling. In the meantime, lay back, relax and enjoy the fresh-baked sandwich made to your liking on the boat with drinks, cocktails, and accessible music. Dropping anchor in the sand, “The Garden” is a perfect reef to explore. Large coral heads, schools of parrotfish, coupled angelfish, and marine life of all kinds await your curious eyes. Sargent Major fish, or as we like to call them ” pinananas,” come in schools to eat the pineapple “pina” skins we discard, making for a perfect photographic feeding frenzzie!!!! From here, we raise the sails, enjoy fresh fruit, and sail back to the island, “Tranquilo style.”

Day 12: Bocas del Toro to Panama City
Fly back to Panama City, where you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your flight out of the country or an additional stay in Panama City.

Price from 4500 for two people – only 2250 each for two weeks in Panama

OPTIONAL ADD-ON

1. Santa Catalina Surfing

Santa Catalina is one of the most famous surf breaks in all of Central America, attracting surfers from around the world to this tiny fishing village with one restaurant, one bar, a general store, and a few surf camps. Isolated and idyllic, this location is one of lore in the surfing community and an epic spot to learn, shred and/or relax.

2. Boquete Valley

Boquete has been named one of the most pleasant and desirable cities globally due to its perfect climate set lowlands of a volcanic mountain range with epic nature abound for hiking, climbing, biking, rafting, and coffee plantation tours.