10-Nights Classic Panama: City, Highlands & Caribbean from $3,512

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive Panama City

Transfer: Panama City Tocumen International Airportto Panama City - City Centre

Hotel: Bristol Panama (4 Star Rating)

Nestled in the heart of Panama City's bustling (Financial District), Bristol Panama is one of the city's premier addresses for executive and holiday stays. Annually recognized as the "Best Hotel in Panama" and among the "Top 10 Hotels in Latin America" by Conde Nast Traveler, our legendary hotel envelops each in an embrace of uncompromising urban style and sophistication. Dramatic views of the city's architectural treasures set this intimate 125-room upscale hotel as a refined retreat for the discerning world traveler, positioning guests at the epicenter of Panamanian culture, shopping, dining, and the headquarters of international finance and trade. A short walk brings you to fashionable Balboa Avenue and notable Panama City, Panama attractions that include the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo, Metropolitan National Park, and the Bio-Museum designed by Frank Gehry. Amidst inspiring architectural flourishes like neo-classical ironwork and red tile gables.

Discover the colonial heritage of Panama and visit the famous Panama Canal on this full day, privately guided tour. Meet your guide in the morning and head to the ruins of Old Panama. Here, climb up the Cathedral Tower and visit the Old Panama Museum to gain a better understanding of the history of this Central American nation. Next, head to Casco Viejo, dating back to the XVII century, and listen as your guide describes the events that led up to the establishment of the capital in its current location. Here, take in the lovely colonial houses, picturesque narrow roads, and impressive churches as you make your way to the French Plaza. Your day continues as you 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 see 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.

This morning, you will be picked up from the lobby of your hotel by a naturalist guide and begin a 45-minute drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Here you will board a boat and head off on an adventure across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal, passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the waterway that contrast dramatically with the natural surroundings. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to spot green iguanas, ospreys, snail kites, frigate birds, and other wildlife local to the area. The boat will circle rainforest covered islands, formerly hilltops prior to the creation of Gatun Lake, in search for the mantled howler monkey, white-faced capuchin, and Geoffroy's tamarin. After the boat tour, you will head to Soberania National Park to hike one of the forests impressive trails. As one of the most accessible national parks in Panama, known for both birdwatching and general wildlife observation, you're sure to enjoy your hike. Following the hike in Soberania National Park, you will be returned to your hotel in Panama City.

Transfer: Panama City - City Centre to Panama City Albrook Marcos A Gelabert Intl Airport

Transfer: David Airportto Boquete

Hotel: Boquete Garden Inn (4 Star Rating)

Visitors from all over the world come to Boquete Panama for its unspoiled beauty and breathtaking views. Boquete Garden Inn is in the heart of it all, yet only a two-minute drive to town (or, an easy 20-minute walk), with restaurants close by. Throughout Panama, Boquete Garden Inn is known for its beautiful gardens and wildlife -- more than 100 species of Panama birds have been spotted on the premises. Within this natural setting, Boquete Garden Inn offers modern comforts and amenities and a level of personalized service that is unmatched by other hotels in Boquete. Escape the ordinary.

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 Ngabe-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.

This morning, set out to hike on one of the many spectacular trails surrounding Baru Volcano National Park, which is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. With excellent hiking options for all ages and conditions, this is your perfect opportunity to discover the unique microclimate of the Panamanian highlands. Hike through cloud forests, visit waterfalls and admire the surrounding area all while looking out for animals such as howler monkeys, sloths, deer, peccaries and hundreds of species of birds. After a morning exploring the highlands, you will be returned to your hotel.

Transfer: Boquete to Bocas del Toro Town

Hotel: Hummingbird Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Opened in 2015, The Hummingbird is a small, boutique, 6-room bed & breakfast situated on Bluff Beach, a stunning and unspoiled beach that stretches for 7km and known as one of the most important Caribbean nesting beaches for marine turtles. With a rainforest backdrop, this property consists of 2 detached bungalows, each with 2 individual suites. There are also 2 rooms situated on the ground floor of the property’s main house. With touches of luxury throughout, all rooms have a private deck or patio overlooking the ocean and gardens.

Naturally, the best things to do in Bocas del Toro include being in, around, and on the water. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to see some of the many beautiful beaches and reefs of Bocas del Toro. Start by boat, 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. You may be able to observe friendly dolphins jump, swim and play in pairs and groups of five to six. Around noon the boat heads towards Coral Cay, a nice area for snorkeling. As you float weightlessly surrounded in the turquoise sea, witness hundreds of reef fish go about their daily business. Here you will also break for lunch (not included), with exquisite Caribbean dishes offered by a panoramic restaurant on the sea. Lastly, you will visit Bastimentos Island, and walk through the mangroves of this national park to make it to 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 is on the windward side facing out to sea, and may be a bit rough at times, so be careful if you decide to swim. You can also enjoy restaurants and bars in this area if you wish. After this shared boat tour, you will be returned to your hotel.

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 your 3-minute boat ride from Isla Colon to Isla Solarte, you will pass through the Solarte Gardens, a beautiful area off the coast of Solarte where many diving lessons take place. Disembark at Pelican Dock and start the tour up the hills and across to the bluff overlooking Bastimentos. Along the way, you will surely see leaf-cutter colonies, birds of all types, red frogs and some of the largest trees in the area. You may also spot three-toed sloths, rare birds and eagles, and much more. After a lovely adventure on Isla Solarte, you will be returned to your hotel.

Transfer: Panama City Albrook Marcos A Gelabert Intl Airportto Panama City - City Centre

Hotel: Bristol Panama (4 Star Rating)

Nestled in the heart of Panama City's bustling (Financial District), Bristol Panama is one of the city's premier addresses for executive and holiday stays. Annually recognized as the "Best Hotel in Panama" and among the "Top 10 Hotels in Latin America" by Conde Nast Traveler, our legendary hotel envelops each in an embrace of uncompromising urban style and sophistication. Dramatic views of the city's architectural treasures set this intimate 125-room upscale hotel as a refined retreat for the discerning world traveler, positioning guests at the epicenter of Panamanian culture, shopping, dining, and the headquarters of international finance and trade. A short walk brings you to fashionable Balboa Avenue and notable Panama City, Panama attractions that include the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo, Metropolitan National Park, and the Bio-Museum designed by Frank Gehry. Amidst inspiring architectural flourishes like neo-classical ironwork and red tile gables.

Transfer: Panama City - City Centre to Panama City Tocumen International Airport