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Panama Signature: Panama City, Boquete & Bocas del Toro

Duration
11 Days
Prices From:
US$ 4,959

DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: See the best of Panama on this unforgettable adventure from Panama City to the beaches of Bocas del Toro. Explore the city’s historic quarters, tour the Panama Canal, venture through the rainforest, trace the coffeemaking process in the highlands, and enjoy several days on a picturesque Caribbean island.


This 11-day Panama vacation begins in the capital, Panama City, where you’ll explore the city’s European history and enjoy some gorgeous views along the way. Delve into colonial quarters dating back several centuries and enjoy the spectaculars views from Cathedral Tower. Then connect to the Miraflores Locks to tour a part of the Panama Canal, the legendary marvel of engineering that bisects the continent and connects the Caribbean to the Pacific. Witness the buildings give way to rainforest canopies as you head into Soberania National Park and cruise the reservoir of Gatun Lake. As you explore the rainforest by boat, you’ll spot howler monkeys calling from the canopy, frigate birds on the shoreline, and green iguanas hiding in the greenery.

Continue your trip to Panama by flying to David and connecting to the mountain town of Boquete in the country’s west. Discover the nation’s relationship with coffee in the Panamanian highlands. Tour the microclimate and learn about the process of coffee making from first picking to final brewing, caping off the day with a coffee tasting, of course. Another day, hike the hanging bridges of the cloud forest to spot exotic wildlife in the canopy, see remote waterfalls, and enjoy views of Baru Volcano.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Almirante and board a ferry to connect to Bocas del Toro, a resort town on the picturesque island of Isla Colon in the Caribbean Sea. Spot dolphins in their natural habitat at Dolphin Bay, snorkel through the colorful coral reefs of Cayo Coral, and pass through the mangrove forest of Red Frog Beach to see, you guessed it, rare red frogs. Another day, explore Solarte Gardens and spot sloths and birds in the jungles. You’ll also have some time at leisure to enjoy the pristine beaches.

Connect back to Panama City for a final night before heading to the airport for onward travel.


 

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Duration
11 Days
Prices From:
US$ 4,959

Itinerary View Trip Map

Day 1

Welcome to Panama

Upon arrival to Panama City, please make your way through Customs and collect your baggage. Once you have made it to the Arrivals section of the airport, please look for a guide holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will take you to an awaiting vehicle and will transfer you to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel La Compañia (Deluxe Room) 

Duration3 Nights
Day 2

Panama City Tour with Panama Canal

Discover the colonial heritage of Panama and visit the famous Panama Canal on this full day, private-guided tour. Meet your guide at approximately 9am in the morning and head to the ruins of Old Panama. Here, you will climb up the Cathedral Tower and visit the Old Panama Museum to gain a better understanding of the history of this historic city. Next, head to Casco Viejo, dating back to the XVII century, and listen to your guide describe the events that led up to the establishment of the capital in its current location. Here, you'll take in the lovely colonial houses, picturesque narrow roads, and impressive churches as you make your way to the French Plaza. Your day continues with a transfer to the Miraflores Locks on Panama Canal, where large ships can be seen as they make their way through the canal. Marvel at this feat of human engineering and explore informative exhibits. Now that you’ve worked up your appetite, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before venturing out to visit small towns surrounding the canal. In the late afternoon you will be returned to your hotel in Panama City.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 3

Soberania National Park with Jungle Boat Tour

In the early morning, close to 7am, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin your journey to Soberania National Park. As you leave the Panama City limits, the cityscape of prominent buildings slowly fades and is replaced by verdant secondary and primary rainforest. En route, you will pass the former Fort Clayton, Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks before entering the park. Upon arrival, you will board a boat and head off on an adventure across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal, passing by monumental cargo ships transiting the waterway. Along the way, keep your eyes out for green iguanas, ospreys, snail kites, frigate birds, and other wildlife local to the area. The boat will circle rainforest covered islands, allowing us to observe and search for the mantled howler monkey, white-faced capuchin, and Geoffroy’s tamarin. After the tour, we will hike one of the trails of the lush forest, and after the hike, you will be returned to your hotel.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 4

Panama City to Boquete via David

Following a leisurely breakfast, and aligned with your onward flight, you will be picked up by a private driver, who will transfer you to the airport. Upon arrival, you will board a flight with direct service to David. Approximate flight time is 45 minutes. Once you have arrived to David, collect your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals section of the airport. Here, you will find a guide holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will escort you to an awaiting vehicle which will transfer you to your hotel in Boquete. Approximate travel time is one hour.

Accommodation: Hotel Panamonte (Terrace Suite Room)

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration3 Nights
Day 5

Birdwatching the Boquete Highlands

Learn about Boquete's rich flora and fauna on a private birdwatching tour of this lush corner of western Panama. This gorgeous region stretches across an area of 905 square kilometers (350 square miles) and at an altitude between 800 to 3,000 meters (2,625 to 9,840 feet) above sea level. Due to the volcanic origin of the area, the land is extremely verdant, which, together with the local tradition of planting abundant flowers, results in marvelous scenery. Birdlife and wildlife are plentiful in Boquete, and lucky visitors may spot the elusive quetzal, considered sacred by the Mayas. With a wide array of incredible creatures, it is impossible to say for sure what you will spot during your exploration, however, you can be certain that the wildlife will impress. With a private guide by your side, venture into the depths of the cloud forest to seek out the numerous bird species that call Boquete their home. After exploring trails around the slopes of the Baru Volcano or a nearby private reserve, your morning birdwatching concludes with a return transfer to your hotel.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 6

Hiking in the Highlands and Coffee Tour in the Highlands

Learn about Boquete's rich flora and fauna on a private birdwatching tour of this lush corner of western Panama. This gorgeous region stretches across an area of 905 square kilometers (350 square miles) and at an altitude between 800 to 3,000 meters (2,625 to 9,840 feet) above sea level. Due to the volcanic origin of the area, the land is extremely verdant, which, together with the local tradition of planting abundant flowers, results in marvelous scenery. Birdlife and wildlife are plentiful in Boquete, and lucky visitors may spot the elusive quetzal, considered sacred by the Mayas. With a wide array of incredible creatures, it is impossible to say for sure what you will spot during your exploration, however, you can be certain that the wildlife will impress. With a private guide by your side, venture into the depths of the cloud forest to seek out the numerous bird species that call Boquete their home. After exploring trails around the slopes of the Baru Volcano or a nearby private reserve, your morning birdwatching concludes with a return transfer to your hotel.

The first coffee plants arrived Panama at the beginning of the 19th century and were brought to Boquete, where the microclimate turned out to be ideal for coffee. Its great height, the influences of the oceans, the rich volcanic soil and the shadow of the Baru Volcano all contributed to the full development of the aromatic potential of coffee.

In Boquete you will tour one of the local farms where you will be able to admire a clean and modern environmental processing plant or an organic coffee farm.

Visit a coffee plantation and your guide will explain the whole process, from the picking of the coffee cherries by the Ngäbe-Bugle Indians to its journey to your cup while you walk through the coffee fields.

Learn about the coffee plants and how the coffee beans are harvested and processed, and wrap up the tour with a taste of the product, and finally, a transfer back to your accommodation.

Day 7

Boquete to Bocas del Toro

This morning, following breakfast, set out for beautiful Bocas del Toro. Your transfer begins after meeting your private driver in the hotel lobby. You’ll soon be on the road and heading toward Almirante, a scenic drive which will take approximately three hours and 30 minutes. Once you reach Almirante, you will board a boat which will ferry you over to Bocas del Toro in roughly 30 minutes. Here another driver awaits to bring you to your spectacular accommodations; the final leg of this journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

Accommodation: Las Carolinas Island House (Standard Double Room)

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration3 Nights
Day 8

Bastimentos Dolphin Bay, Cayo Coral & Red Frog Beach

Naturally, the best things to do in Bocas del Toro revolve around being near to and on the water. On this tour you will have the opportunity to see many of the beautiful beaches and reefs of Bocas del Toro in one day. Your day begins around 9:30am with a boat excursion, heading directly to Dolphin Bay. This quiet bay is located about 15-20 minutes from the main island, Isla Colon. The abundance of fish and crustaceans in these waters make Dolphin Bay the perfect place for their habitat within the archipelago. If we are lucky, we may observe friendly dolphins jumping, swimming and playing in pairs and groups of five to six. Around noon the boat heads towards Cayo Coral, a great area for snorkeling. As you float weightlessly surrounded by the turquoise sea, relax and take in the sights as hundreds of reef fish go about their daily business. This is also the place where you can sate your appetite with exquisite Caribbean dishes, offered by a panoramic restaurant on the sea. The menu varies depending on the day's catch (please note: lunch not included in the tour cost and must be purchased on-site). Following lunch, it is time to visit Bastimentos Island, and walk through the mangroves of this national park to reach Red Frog Beach. Named after the red frogs found in the lush parts of the island, Red Frog Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Bocas. It’s on the windward side facing out to sea, and may be a bit rough at times, so be careful if you decide to swim. Here you can also enjoy some restaurants and bars if you wish. After enjoying some free time in this wonderful corner of Bocas del Toro, you will be returned to your hotel.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 9

Hiking in the Jungle

Located only a few minutes from Bocas Town by boat, Isla Solarte offers an entirely different experience. Raw jungle and hiking paths make this island destination a must-see when staying in Bocas del Toro. On a 3-minute boat ride from Isla Colon to Isla Solarte you’ll pass through Solarte Gardens, a beautiful area off the coast of Solarte where many diving lessons take place. Soon after, you will disembark at Pelican Dock and start the tour up the hills and across to the bluff overlooking Bastimentos. Along the way you will - all but surely - see leaf-cutter colonies, birds of all types, red frogs and some of the largest trees in the area. With luck, you may also spot three-toed sloths, rare birds and eagles, and much more.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 10

Bocas del Toro to Panama City

Following breakfast, you’ll begin your return trip to Panama City. The day begins with a transfer to the airport on Bocas del Toro. From there you will board a regional plane with direct service to Panama City. Approximate flight time is one hour. Upon arrival to Panama City, collect your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals section of the airport. Here, you will find a guide holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will escort you to an awaiting vehicle which will transfer you to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel La Compañia (Deluxe Room)

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration1 Night
Day 11

Departure

Timed to correspond with your return flight, you will be transferred to the international airport by a private driver. Approximate travel time is 30 minutes.

Meal Plan Breakfast

Other Information

DEPARTURES:

Daily

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Private arrival and departure airport transfers
  • 4 nights in deluxe accommodations in Panama City
  • 3 nights in deluxe accommodations near Boquete
  • 3 nights in deluxe accommodations in Bocas del Toro
  • Private guided Panama City Tour with VIP Visit to Miraflores Locks
  • Private guided tour of Soberania National Park with Jungle Boat
  • Private transfer from Panama City hotel to Panama City domestic airport
  • Private transfer from David to Boquete
  • Private guided morning birding tour
  • Private guided Highlands Coffee tour
  • Private guided morning hike in the Highlands
  • Private transfer from Boquete to Almirante
  • Shared transfer from Almirante to Bocas del Toro
  • Shared tour of Bastimentos Dolphin Bay, Cayo Coral and Red Frog Beach
  • Private guided Jungle Hiking in Bocas del Toro
  • Shared transfer from Bocas del Toro hotel to Bocas del Toro Airport
  • Private transfer from Panama City domestic airport to Panama City hotel
  • Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1), 2 lunches

 PRICE EXCLUDES:

  • Travel insurance
  • International airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees if applicable

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.


18 Aug 2024
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