10 Day Pleasures Of Panama Tour

Cloud Forest - Interoceanic Train - Canal Transit
TOURCODE: PA1

Duration:
10 Days

Activity Level:
2

When To Go:
Feb, Nov

Countries Visited:
1

Arrive In / Depart From:
/

Max Group Size:
Never more than 18

Tour Style:
Cultural

Price From:

  Overnight in: Panama City, Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro

Discover the country's true culture with the help of experienced local guides.

  • Small group sizes to help escape the beaten path.
  • All-inclusive with top-rated restaurants and hotels.
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Tour Overview
Tour Overview
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Countries Visited: 1 Activity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural

Christopher Columbus touched down on the beautiful white sands of Bocas del Toro, where 92 per cent of the land is covered in dense rainforest.

Panama is a land rich in natural wonder and we get right into the meat of things when we board a passenger ferry down the world-famous Panama Canal.

See the intricate process of how boats are elevated with rising and lowering waters controlled by a purely gravity-powered system.

The country is teeming with an immense population of wildlife. In 1985, a world record was set by a team who counted 385 species of birds in Soberania National Park in a span of just 24 hours.

So, it will be no surprise when we become familiar with originally unrecognizable animals, such as a prong-billed barbet or a volcano hummingbird.

On our Pleasures Of Panama tour, you'll be able to take time to absorb the sights of the valleys that support the interspersed coffee plantations or vegetable farms.

 


 

Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices

 

Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.

 

Select a date below to reserve your spot:

 

Optional Single Supplement: $740 USD (number of singles limited).

 


 

Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival in Panama City
Arrival at Tocumen International Airport, Panama City.

The most cosmopolitan capital in Central America, Panama City is both vibrant metropolis and gateway to tropical escapes. Welcoming both east and west, Panama is a regional hub of trade and immigration. The resulting cultural cocktail mix leads to a refreshing attitude that's dynamic and fluid.

Overnight in Panama City.

Included Meal(s): Dinner



Day 2 Partial Canal Transit
We have an early morning pick-up at the hotel for the 15 minute drive to the port of Balboa where we board the passenger ferry that will take us on the world famous journey through the Panama Canal ("partial" transit; one-way). For many, this tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At the MiraFlores Locks we experience how ships are raised 16 m / 54 feet in a two step process. This activity is achieved by sending water from Pedro Miguel's lake by gravity to fill the chambers where the ship is locked. Once the first set of locks is transited, the vessel arrives at the Pedro Miguel locks to be raised up to 26 m / 85 feet. Again no water pumps are used; they take advantage of gravity to transfer water from Gatun Lake, filling the last Chamber of the Pacific site. We cross the Continental divide and narrowest part of the Panama Canal arriving at the town of Gamboa, home to the dredging division, an important part in the functioning of the canal.

The tour includes breakfast and lunch and a specialist guide. Light clothes, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen and very comfortable shoes, are suggested. Do not forget your camera!

Overnight in Panama City.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 3 Panama City & Interoceanic Train*
Today we travel by bus to Portobelo, once the main port of entry and exit for all of South America. The exchange of merchandise took place annually at Portobelo in the form of a fair which lasted from 30 to 60 days. During this time, this sleepy little place was a beehive of activity. Transactions frequently totaled from 10 to 12 million gold pesos. These fairs took place once each year until 1738 when, as a result of continual attacks by pirates, Spain was forced to abandon the Isthmian route for the longer but more secure one around Cape Horn. The frequent pirate attacks forced the Spaniards to adopt a convoy system. Each year two fleets of 40 to 70 ships sailed from Spain, one bound for Veracruz, the other for Portobelo. Our visit / tour also includes the Maria Chiquita coastal area.

For our return to Panama City, we proceed to Colon where we board the Interoceanic Train for a scenic one hour journey back to the capital.* The Panama Railroad became the first transcontinental railway when it was completed in 1855 -- of course, a "transcontinental" line is a lot easier to make when you've only got 50 miles to cross! The California Gold Rush brought the new railway lots of business; eventually it was sold to first the French, and then
the Americans, in conjunction with the efforts to build the Panama Canal, and it eventually passed to Panama in 1979 under the terms of the Panama Canal treaty. Now it's a private venture, completely rebuilt, with elegantly refurbished passenger coaches. The passenger trade is just a sideline, though. The real business of the railway is freight, moving containers between the Atlantic and the Pacific in less time and at lower cost than a canal passage. The train follows the canal and runs across narrow artificial causeways in Lake Gatun that are indeed spectacular, and the ambiance of the train is very pleasant. We will also go to Aguas Claras to see the new set of locks with their fascinating overflow tanks.

* PLEASE NOTE: The above described excursion was discontinued due to pandemic and, though we were hopeful that this service would resume starting from late 2022, it is quite possible/probable that this situation may be indefinite. If service has not resumed for your chosen departure, we will accomplish this distance by bus instead. Should this suspension go beyond 2023, we may remove mention of the train from this day's description (current as of July 2023)

Overnight in Panama City.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 4 Parque Metropolitano & Amerindian Village
Today we head north of downtown to Parque Metropolitano, which protects vast expanses of tropical semi-deciduous forest within the city limits and serves as an incredible wilderness escape from the trappings of the capital. Our walking route takes us to 150m-high mirador (lookout) with panoramic views of Panama City, the bay and the canal all the way to the Miraflores Locks.

This afternoon we visit an Embera / Choco Amerindian village. We take a boat along the route commonly used by the Indians for their daily transport along the river. A short walk through a forest follows, with a local guide to explain botanical novelties and the culture of this authentic village. We return to Panama City.

Overnight in Panama City.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 5 Panama City - David, Chiriqui Highlands
Today we are picked up at our Panama City hotel and transferred to Panama City's Albrook domestic airport where we board the scheduled flight to David in the province of Chiriqui.*

This enchanted land is the Chiriqui Highlands, the part of the Cordillera Central that defines the northern border of the province of Chiriqui. Primeval rainforests bedecked with clouds, noisy, chattering birds flash brilliant iridescent colours as they dart about their daily chores, flowering epiphytes bloom en masse high above the forest floor while gurgling streams glisten and tumble hurriedly over great boulders in their dance towards the sea. It is a beautiful
landscape of cloud forests, volcanic peaks, coffee plantations and home to most of Panama's Guaymi Indians.

* Due to 12 kilo weight restriction on this flight and on the flight from Bocas back to Panama City, we strongly recommend that you pack a smaller bag for the next few nights and leave excess baggage in storage at our Panama City hotel.

Overnight in Chirqui Highlands.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 6 Chiriqui Highlands
Today we will travel to Cerro Punta to explore the area with a local naturalist guide on a nature walk.

This area is good for resplendent quetzal, black and yellow silky flycatcher, prong billed barbet, and the volcano hummingbird. From here we'll travel to the area of La Amistad International Park Headquarters. La Amistad is a bi-national park that stretches from Costa Rica into Panama, a small portion of which extends into the Chiriqui province encompassing mostly cloud forests. Here the land rises in excess of 1500 m / 4,950 feet and warm air ascends the mountains where it meets with cooler air and condenses into a persistent cloud cover. Cloud forests exhibit a unique ecosystem with an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna.

We also tour Haras Cerro Punta, a thoroughbred breeding farm in a mountain valley between Cerro Punta and Guadalupe – the highest inhabited part of Panama. The 100-hectare farm is surrounded by one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the country. With an average population of 200 animals, the farm turns out racehorse champions for Panama and beyond.

NOTE: The order of our Chiriqui sightseeing may vary due to weather, accommodation availability, and other logistical considerations.

Overnight in Chirqui Highlands.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 7 Chiriqui Highlands - Bocas del Toro
After a leisurely morning we prepare for our drive to Almirante on the Caribbean side of the country. En route we stop to view the impressive Fortuna Dam and spectacular waterfalls along the Continental Divide. We will be crossing the Palo Seco Protected Area that serves as buffer zone to La Amistad International Park. The transition from the cloud forests to the coral reefs of Bocas del Toro is impressive. In Almirante we are met by our boat and transferred to the island.

Five hundred years ago, Christopher Columbus arrived at a tropical paradise he named Bocas del Toro. Overwhelmed by the most incredible contrasts of vivid colour and sheer unspoiled natural surroundings, Columbus decided to drop anchor and spend a bit of time in this idyllic place. Not much has changed since that pristine time with the exception of the provocative Calypso beat and the alluring accent of the Caribbean inhabitants. Bocas is the best place to sink your toes in the white sand, to explore lush tropical rainforests and coral reefs and to look for the faithful sea turtles that have come to these islands for millennia.

Overnight in Bocas del Toro.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 8 Bocas del Toro
Ninety-two percent of this island is covered by tropical forest that helps keep a natural balance of the ecosystem. This huge national patrimony has 200 species of plants, 55 amphibious and reptiles, 57 mammals, 200 types of birds, 1500 bugs, and more than 58 species of corals.

Bocas del Toro Province is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Veraguas Province to the east, Chiriqui Province to the south and Costa Rica to the west. Most of the province is on the slopes of the Talamanca and Central mountain ranges, but the majority of its 93,000 inhabitants live in low-lying areas along the coast and on islands.

The province contains the large Archipielago de Bocas del Toro at the mouth of the Laguna de Chiriqui, beginning 35km from the Costa Rican border. The chain consists of 68 islands and numerous mangrove keys. Around them are fields of coral, a titanic variety of marine life and water so emerald in colour that Christopher Columbus named the region Veraguas, a contraction of verdes aguas (green waters).

Today we have a boat tour to the surrounding attractions of the island so you can appreciate the incredible beauty of this place. There will be time for swimming in the surf and walking along the coastline to Red Frog Beach where you will be amazed by a sort of symphony of rather non-musical chirping that sounds like it must be coming from crickets. When you look closer, however, you will be surprised to find that this strangely beautiful noise is coming
from a small frog, about the size of your thumbnail.

Overnight in Bocas del Toro.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 9 Bocas de Toro - Fly to Panama City: Panama City Touring
Today we fly back to the capital and enjoy some city sightseeing on arrival.

Our tour includes a visit to the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Viejo (the old city compound) which dates from the late 1600's. We will learn of the events in history leading up to the eventual movement of the capital city to its present location. Casco Viejo is home to monuments to Ferdinand de Lesseps and others who were instrumental in the ill-fated French attempt to construct a canal through Panama. Here we visit the Altar de Oro at the San Jose
church. As it's name would suggest this large barouque altar is made of pure gold. The church was built soon after the first Spanish settlement was established on the Pacific Coast in 1519. In the 17th Century this settlement was abandoned and moved to it's present location on the small peninsula that that contains the San Felipe district of the city. When the church itself was moved so was it's most famous possession. Our tour ends with a visit to the Panama Canal Museum.

Overnight in Panama City.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 10 Departure
Today we depart from Panama City.

BUEN VIAJE!

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

 


 

Trip Info
Trip Info

Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants). All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available). Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving / late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.

Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable). Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on not included meal costs, shopping, and locally paid departure taxes.

Seasonality and Weather
This tour is offered during the northern winter and outside hurricane season. Temperatures are high across the whole country throughout the year, though cooler at higher altitudes. The rainy season lasts from May to November.

Transport and Travel Conditions
Road transport by private air-conditioned motor coach, 24-36 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Numerous nature walks and walking tours on uneven surfaces. Internal flights via scheduled domestic carriers in smaller aircraft with limited space for luggage.

Our difficulty level "2" rating refers to the above-mentioned busy days, walking tours on uneven terrain, lack of handrails (public and elsewhere, ie shower stalls), and fatigue that can be caused by heat and humidity and unfamiliar food and drink.

Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.

Accommodation
Well-located, heated / air-conditioned, mid-range (3 star) hotels with en suite toilet and bath throughout (probably shower only). Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than doubles. Hotel porter service is sometimes available (see 'inclusions') though you should be independent with your luggage. Some hotels have outdoor swimming pools.

Staff and Support
Tour Leader, driver/s, and local step-on guides at various locations.

Group Size
Maximum 18 (plus Tour Leader)

Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:

18 Day Panama & Costa Rica Tour
FEB NOV
TOUR CODE: PA2
Tour Overview
21 Day Colombia Tour & Panama
JAN OCT
TOUR CODE: CM5
Tour Overview
Panama, Costa Rica & Nicaragua
FEB NOV
TOUR CODE: PA3
Tour Overview

 


 

Map & Hotels
Map & Hotels

Regions visited: Central America
Countries visited: Panama


*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.


The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.


Hotel El Panama by Faranda Grand
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Panama City
Country: Panama
Offering upscale comfort and authentic Latin style, our hotel provides full-service stays in the heart of downtown Panama City. From sumptuous rooms and comprehensive meeting facilities to our expansive lagoon pool, you’ll ... the difference.

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Bocas del Toro Hotel
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Bocas del Toro
Country: Panama
This charming hotel offers a unique blend of simple elegance and the historical ambiance of Caribbean wood craftsmanship with the sparkling sea beneath. Nicely appointed with wood and nautical furnishings the 11 ... boutique hotel offers the concept of comfort with 400-thread count cotton sheets, WI-FI, flat Screen cable TV, air conditioning, telephones, coffee makers, ocean and town balcony views.
Read More

 


 

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Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
01. What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?
Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 60-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
02. Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?
Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
03. How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?
The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone. A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 60 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s). Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time. Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
04. What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?
Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
05. I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?
All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location. This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement. The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible. On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available. Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed.
06. Do you have a shared accommodation program?
Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").

 

What People are Saying
Fiona R.
Wasaga Beach, ON - CA
Particularly enjoyed Panama Canal, both old and new locks. Bocas del Toros resort was lovely. Our local guide was incredibly good - went above and beyond and was very nice. The meal plan exceeded out expectations. Our tour leader was amazing - probably the best tour leader I've ever had on my many tours. He was enthusiastic and went well out of his way to help. What a treasure. I would love to tour with him again. The hotels were excellent.
Ron H.
Narol, MB - CA
Particularly enjoyed the Panama canal and the cloud forest. The local guides were excellent. The transportation was prompt, timely, and comfortable. The guides determine the quality of the trip. Our guides and tour leader were excellent so we had an excellent trip.
Katherine B.
Studio City, CA - US
I particularly enjoyed visiting the locks (old and new) and Panama City. Visiting the Embera village and the boat ride in Bocas del Toro. All local guides were excellent. Our tour leader was an outstanding addition to the enjoyment of the trip, he made the trip exciting and interesting. A very enjoyable, interesting trip. Above my expectations.
Joel B
Studio City, CA - CA
We particularly enjoyed the canal, the new locks, and the wild life viewing. Very good local guides, interesting and spoke english well.
Mary K.
Lawrenceburg, IN - US
I particularly enjoyed the Panama canal and locks--especially the new area. Local guide was excellent, well versed, sense of humor, and worked well with the tour leader. Enjoyed the variety of the meal plan. The hotels on this tour were very good. Enjoyed the trip, will definitely look at Adventures Abroad for more trips.
Marian B.
Victoria, BC - CA
This sounded like a good opportunity to see the Panama canal at close quarters and we did - from the water, shore viewing platforms, road and railway. The partial transit of the canal and the information available from the on deck ferry service guide was excellent. The trip to the Indian village was interesting but the boat ride on the river was wonderful. To be able to see the green lushness of the vegetation and the easy comfort of the local people, young and old, in their dugouts on the water was very interesting. Our local guide was readily available to answer our broad range of questions and appeared to be very knowledgeable. We had a good variety of choices in the meals available and some excellent taste experiences when the meal was pre-ordered for us. Laura was an attentive and cheerful tour leader. Laura was a great and friendly tour leader and very helpful to the people on the tour.
Carolyn D.
Massapequa Park, NY - US
Andres is amazing. He is knowledgeable about all aspects of the culture/history/geography of Central America and firm about his expectations of the group and keeping everyone on top of what is happening and he goes above and beyond the course of duty to work for each member of the tour
Archibald M.
Oakville, ON - CA
The information given by local guides while on excursions was first class. Local guides were top notch. The evening meal plan met my expectations. Transportation was in good order and driven in a responsible fashion.
Linda S.
Calgary, AB - CA
Panama was a surprising country for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The Canal was amazing and totally impressive. The food was excellent. The group I was travelling with was one of the best I have met.
Lorine B.
Saskatoon, SK - CA
Andres is very knowledgeable and has a very good delivery of such. a good sense of humour. A professional in his field, he is the kind of person that I would like to have in my realm of friends.
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Countries Visited: 1

Panama.
Activity Level: 2

These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
Tour Style: Cultural

These three- and four-star hotel-based, "soft adventure" trips concentrate on the culture, history, and natural attributes of our destination. Though there are no strenuous activities built into these tours, you need to be prepared for some full days with some early starts, plenty of walking on uneven surfaces through villages, cities and archaeological sites, and not a lot of "down time." Independence, reasonable fitness, and an ability to be steady on one's feet are critical in order for you to get the most out of these programs.
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