Best of Panama
Best of Panama
Best of Panama
12 Days Starting and ending in Panama City, Panama
Visiting: Panama City, Chagres National Park, Soberania National Park, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, Isla Colon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IndTur313
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 6
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Panama" tour and immerse yourself in the rich culture and stunning natural beauty of this Central American gem. Witness the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks, and explore the vibrant history of Panama City. Journey through the lush Chagres National Park by canoe to visit an Embera indigenous village, and discover the coffee-making process in the highlands of Boquete. Hike through cloud forests, marvel at cascading waterfalls, and enjoy breathtaking views of Volcan Baru. In Bocas del Toro, spot playful dolphins, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and relax on the pristine Red Frog Beach. This adventure promises an unforgettable experience, blending cultural insights with thrilling outdoor activities.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: - Panama City (Arrival)
Location: Panama City
Accommodation Name: hotel
Make your own way to the airport for your international flight to Panama City. Upon arrival in Panama City, you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Panama City
Day 2: Panama City (B/-/-)
Location: Panama City
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, discover the colonial heritage of Panama and visit the famous Panama Canal on a 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 to your guide describe the events that led to the establishment of the capital in its current location. Take in the views of 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 youve 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 return to your hotel in Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City
Day 3: Chagres National Park (B/L/-)
Location: Chagres National Park
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Wake up early and enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Later you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to El Corotu, on the shores of Madden Lake. Here we will board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel through the dense jungle up the Chagres River to one of the Embera indigenous villages for the day experience. The boat journey takes you through the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the Chagres River, you may spot the little blue and green heron, great egret, anhinga, neotropical cormorant and green kingfishers, and ospreys flying above. Upon our arrival at the Embera village, we will be welcomed with traditional dancing and music. You will learn about fascinating Embera traditions and their close relationship with nature. They are master artisans, famous for their woven baskets and masks, as well as their qualitative wooden carvings of cocobolo and intricate tagua. There will be handcrafts available for sale, and you will have the chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a traditional Embera lunch, we will head back to Panama City
Overnight in Panama City
Day 4: Soberania National Park (B/-/-)
Location: Soberania National Park
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Choose what you wish to eat from a delicious breakfast buffet, and then your guide will meet your guide to begin your journey to the Soberania National Park. As you leave the Panama City limits, buildings will slowly be replaced by secondary and primary rainforests. You will pass the former Fort Clayton, Miraflores, and Pedro Miguel Locks before entering the park. 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 Geoffroys tamarin. After the tour, we will hike one of the trails of the lush forests and then will return to Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City
Day 5: Panama City - David (By Flight) - Boquete (B/-/-)
Location: Boquete
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, at the appropriate time you will be picked up at the hotel to catch your 45-minute flight to David located in the Chiriquí Province. After that you will be transferred to Boquete where your hotel for the next few days is located.
*IMPORTANT: Each passenger is entitled to carry 23kg on flights from Panama City to David free of charge. If you want to take more luggage you will have to pay a penalty of approximately 2USD for each additional kg. If you need to arrange to leave any additional luggage, please inform us in advance so we can provide storage in Panama City with our representatives.
Overnight in Boquete
Day 6: Boquete (B/-/-)
Location: Boquete
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 we will tour one of the local farms where we will be able to admire a clean and modern environmental processing plant or an organic coffee farm. We will 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. We will learn about the coffee plants and how the coffee beans are harvested and processed. The tour ends with a taste of the product, and lastly, a transfer back to your accommodation.
Overnight in Boquete
Day 7: Boquete (B/-/-)
Location: Boquete
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, we will visit a local honey plant on a small farm in the highlands of Boquete. Learn about the many fascinating native honeybees of the area and the history of beekeeping in Panama. Spot the bees in the beautiful gardens with their different types of flowers, which give the honey a unique taste and aroma. Walk the “finca” and learn about the tools used to work with bees and produce honey. Finish with world-class honey tasting and visit the Casita de Miel Honey Shop. We will also visit the butterfly house, hosting numerous native butterfly species. Watch them glide through the plants looking for the perfect landing spot. Dont miss the educational area where you can observe the fascinating butterfly chrysalises .
Overnight in Boquete
Day 8: Boquete (B/-/-)
Location: Boquete
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Experience Panamas cloud forests from a unique vantage point as you embark on a hiking adventure, taking you through a series of hanging bridges over a lush natural reserve. Following an early morning departure, you will be transferred to the valley neighboring the town of Boquete. On the way, get a glimpse of the countryside with its ubiquitous coffee farms. Upon arrival at the site of todays adventure, you will receive a briefing and begin hiking the 3-mile loop across 5 bridges that range from 990 to 1,100 feet (300 to 335m) above sea level. Walk through the treetops of the cloud forest and keep your eyes open for exotic bird species, as well as other animals native to this area. Admire the surrounding scenery as your guide interprets the ecosystem that surrounds you. See rushing rivers and cascading waterfalls below, and take in breathtaking views of the towering Volcan Baru. Note: You must inform us of any surgery youve had (especially on arms, legs, or spine) or any physical/medical condition that may put your health at risk.
Overnight in Boquete
Day 9: Boquete – Bocas Del Toro (B/-/-)
Location: Bocas del Toro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning you will have a land transfer from Boquete to Almirante where you will take a shared boat to Isla Colon. Rest of the day is free.
Overnight in Bocas del Toro
Day 10: Isla Colon (B/-/-)
Location: Isla Colon
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Naturally, the best things to do in Bocas del Toro include being in, around, and on the water. And on this tour, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful beaches and reefs of Bocas del Toro in one day. We will 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 makes Dolphin Bay the perfect place for their habitat within the archipelago. If we are lucky, we may observe these friendly dolphins jump, swim, and play in pairs and groups of 5 to 6. 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. This is also the place where we can delight ourselves with exquisite Caribbean dishes, offered by a panoramic restaurant on the sea. The menu varies depending on the day's catch. (Lunch not included). Lastly, well 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. Its 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.
Overnight in Isla Colon
Day 11: Isla Colon - Panama Isla Colon - Panama City (Flight) (B/-/-) City (Flight) (B/-/-)
Location: Panama City
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
At the appropriate time you will be transferred to Bocas airport where you will catch your flight back to Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City
Day 12: Panama City (Departure) (B/-/-)
Location: Panama City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will be transferred back to Tocumen International Airport for your departure flight.
What's Included
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11 Nights Accommodation
Accommodation on a twin sharing basis at listed standard hotels or similar.
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Daily Buffet Breakfast
Enjoy a daily buffet breakfast during your stay.
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01 Lunch
One lunch as per the itinerary.
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Arrival and Departure Airport Transfers
Transfers to and from the airport upon arrival and departure.
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All Transportation in AC Modern Vehicles
Travel in air-conditioned modern vehicles throughout the tour.
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Services of English-speaking Guide
An English-speaking guide will accompany you during the sightseeing tour.
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All Sightseeing as per the Detailed Itinerary
All sightseeing activities mentioned in the detailed itinerary.
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River Transportation in Chagres National Park
River transportation within Chagres National Park.
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Entrance Fee to Chagres National Park
Entrance fees to Chagres National Park are included.
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Domestic Flights
Domestic flights between Panama City and David, and Bocas del Toro and Panama City.
What's Not Included
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Items of Personal Nature, Tips and Gratuities
Expenses of a personal nature, including tips and gratuities, are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included.
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Arrival & Departure Transfers for Land Only Travellers
Transfers for travelers who have not booked flights through the tour provider are not included.
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Departure Airport Taxes
Departure airport taxes (40 USD per person for Panama) are not included.
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International Airfare for Land Only Travellers
International airfare for travelers who have not booked flights through the tour provider is not included.
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Items Not Mentioned as Included
Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary are excluded.
Mode of Transport
Travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers and sightseeing, with additional river transportation in Chagres National Park and domestic flights between Panama City, David, and Bocas del Toro.
Accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights of comfortable accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed standard hotels or similar, ensuring a restful stay throughout your journey in Panama.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
Travel is provided in modern, air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers and sightseeing. Additionally, there is river transportation in Chagres National Park and domestic flights between Panama City, David, and Bocas del Toro.
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What type of accommodation is included in the tour?
The tour includes 11 nights of comfortable accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed standard hotels or similar.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes daily buffet breakfast and one lunch as per the itinerary.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, an English-speaking guide will accompany you during the sightseeing tours.
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What activities are included in the Chagres National Park visit?
In Chagres National Park, you will take a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) through the dense jungle up the Chagres River to visit an Embera indigenous village. You will experience traditional dancing and music, learn about Embera traditions, and have a traditional Embera lunch.
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What can I expect during the visit to Boquete?
In Boquete, you will tour a local coffee farm to learn about the coffee-making process, visit a honey plant to learn about beekeeping, and explore a butterfly house. You will also go on a hiking adventure through cloud forests, crossing hanging bridges and enjoying views of Volcan Baru.
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What will I experience in Bocas del Toro?
In Bocas del Toro, you will visit Dolphin Bay to see dolphins, snorkel at Coral Cay, and walk through mangroves to reach Red Frog Beach. You will also have free time to explore Isla Colon.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?
Yes, expenses of a personal nature, tips and gratuities, visa fees, departure airport taxes, and international airfare for travelers who have not booked flights through the tour provider are not included.
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What should I know about luggage restrictions for the domestic flight to David?
Each passenger is entitled to carry 23kg on flights from Panama City to David free of charge. If you want to take more luggage, you will have to pay a penalty of approximately 2 USD for each additional kg. If you need to arrange to leave any additional luggage, please inform the tour provider in advance so they can provide storage in Panama City.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.
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If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?
You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.
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Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?
In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.
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Low Deposit
Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.