Best of Panama Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Panama City, Panama!

Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport you will be met by your friendly Private Tour Guide and transferred to the historic area of Panama City, Casco Antiguo, and then dropped off at your hotel. The Sofitel Legend Casco Antiguo Panama is located in the heart of the Historic District of Casco Viejo Panama, a UNESCO protected site and United Nations designated world heritage. The Hotel provides a superior Waterfront location, a multitude of outstanding amenities to suit the most discerning traveler, and outstanding service that attracts attracting leisure and business clientele seeking a luxury experience in the context of a historic locale.

Night at Sofitel Legend Hotel Casco Antiguo – Magnifique Ocean View Room

Day 2: Panama City and Miraflores Locks Visitors Center

Take a historic walking tour of Old Panama City, the oldest Spanish settlement in the Pacific and a bustling merchant centre in the mid 17th century. Visit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, an impressive feat of engineering. Watch the ships as they move through the system from an observation deck high above.

See the “Causeway”, a group of three islands linked to the mainland by the breakwaters of the Panama Canal that feature fine cuisine, nightlife and shopping. Pick up beautiful handcrafted items including wood carvings, unique jewelry and mola applique fabrics created by the Kuna Yala Indians of the San Blas Islands.

Night at Sofitel Legend Hotel Casco Antiguo – Magnifique Ocean View Room

Day 3: Gatun Lake Boat Expedition & Aerial Tram

A thrilling tram ride takes you up into the lush rainforest canopy of Gamboa where the sunlight shines through the green leaves and flowers. Climb to the top of an observation tower and admire the views of Soberania National Park. You see giant cargo ships maneuvering through the Galliard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal.

Next up, a 20-minute high speed boat ride through the heart of the Panama Canal. Journey through the jungle-covered islands of Gatun Lake where you might spot howler monkeys, 3-toed sloths, capuchin monkeys, toucans, caimans, turtles, crocodiles and many other creatures. Your highly knowledgeable naturalist guide will educate you about these animals and their natural habitat.

Night at Sofitel Legend Hotel Casco Antiguo – Magnifique Ocean View Room

Day 4: Chagres River Adventure & Embera Culture

This trip is truly paradise found in its purest form! The enchanting journey takes us deep into the dense jungles of Chagres where the Emberá Indians have lived for centuries. Our adventure begins with a one-hour ride up river in dugout canoes, visiting with the Emberá indigenous people, learning about their tradition and hand carved boats. Upon arrival at the village you will be taken back in time as you are immersed in the ancient Embera cultural dances and music that have not changed much since Columbus arrived in the 1500´s. The Indians will give you a glimpse into their mystical rituals and amazing knowledge of medicinal plants and other natural remedies. The Embera women are known as one of the world’s finest basket makers, and you will be able to watch them create these beautiful objects made out of palm leaves and dyed with natural dyes.

Night at Sofitel Legend Hotel Casco Antiguo – Magnifique Ocean View Room

Day 5: Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour

Experience a partial transit through the amazing Panama Canal. Your ship will sail through the Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Canal. You will also get a chance to see the impressive expansion work that is being completed on the Panama Canal. At Pedro Miguel Locks the ship will be lowered 9.4 meters into Miraflores Lake. You will then travel through the Miraflores Locks – the tallest in the locks system. The vessel will be lowered into the Pacific Ocean and you will then sail under the bridge of the Americas. Disembark at the Amador Marina and return to your hotel.

Night at Sofitel Legend Hotel Casco Antiguo – Magnifique Ocean View Room

 

Day 6: Boquete Nature Hike and Hidden Waterfalls

Fly from Panama City to the city of David and take a scenic one hour drive through the countryside with your Private Guide to tranquil Boquete. Once here, you will begin your easy yet beautiful hike through the cloud forest in search of the Resplendent Quetzal, which is said to be the world’s most beautiful bird. This nature hike is an ideal location for spotting many different species of birds in addition to the Quetzal. The Pipeline Trail gently winds through dense cloud forest, passing over small walking bridges and passing by ancient trees.  Wildlife abounds on this scenic hike and the trail terminates at a nearly 200ft tall waterfall.

Night at Valle Escondido Resort and Spa – Junior Suite

Day 7: Canopy Adventure Zipline & Hanging Bridges

This will be a thrilling day you will never forget – the day that you soar through the treetops high above the ground in the Panamanian rainforest. The zipline takes you flying through the air, so that you can look down upon the pristine rivers and waterfalls of La Amistad National Park and the famous Baru Volcano.

Did you know that ziplines were used hundreds of years ago by indigenous people as transport in the rainforest? They were also later used by naturalists and botanists to study the behavior of wild creatures in their natural habitat. Now they are used as a thrilling extreme adventure sport and when you are strapped into the harness you will feel like you are flying like a bird high above the forest.

Night at Valle Escondido Resort and Spa – Junior Suite

Day 8: White Water Rafting on the Old Chiriqui River

If you are looking for Panama’s most exciting and intense river rafting, the Rio Chiriqui is your river, well known for its thrills. The river meanders along the Panamanian-Costa Rican border and is not as easy to access as some of the other rivers, but provides rafters with a spectacular drive full of views which certainly make up for the lost time.

While driving higher and higher up to the put in, rafters will get to take in beautiful scenes of untouched, dense rain forest corridors, breath-taking views of Volcan Barú and even Costa Rica’s rows of teak plantations.

Night at Valle Escondido Resort and Spa – Junior Suite

Day 9: Welcome to the Westin Playa Bonita Beach Resort  

Located just a short distance from Panama City across the Bridge of Americas spanning the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal lies picturesque Playa Bonita which is literally a world apart. The Westin Playa Bonita is one of Panama’s best beach resorts and boasts a prime beachfront location with views of ships lined up waiting to enter the Panama Canal with the tropical rainforest on the other side of the resort.

Night at Westin Playa Bonita – Deluxe Ocean View Room

Day 10: Day at Leisure to Enjoy the Beach

The Westin Playa Bonita is about relaxation where you can recline in a lounge chair with a tropical beverage and drink with spectacular views of the ocean and Playa Bonita, just steps from the resort’s pool area. The private beach is only for hotel guests and features lounge chairs, beach cabanas, and food and beverage services. The Westin also offers all of the amenities one would expect from a world-class resort including four beachfront pools offering captivating views of the Pacific Ocean; a rejuvenating Sensory Spa by Clarins featuring 13 treatment rooms with ceiling to floor views of the gardens and ocean; and a state-of-the-art Westin Workout Studio.

Night at Westin Playa Bonita – Deluxe Ocean View Room

Day 11: Depart Panama

Today you will be picked up in the lobby of the hotel about 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight to be transferred to Tocumen International Airport.

Enjoy breakfast before departure.

*This is your private tour which can be customized to extend your stay and include visits to San Blas Islands, Bocas del Toro or the Pacific Beaches!