Panama

DAY 1: PANAMA CITY

For your added comfort, you will have an English-speaking guide waiting for you outside of customs with a sign with your name on it. Your representative will help you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Country Inn & Suites Panama Canal

Welcome to the Country Inn & Suites Hotel Panama Canal, where you can experience and enjoy the grandest view of the entrance to The Panama Canal, the Pacific Ocean, of every ship that travels the Canal, and of the Bridge of the America's, which spans the entrance. With its charming décor and comfortable amenities, the Country Inn & Suites Panama Canal is located at the entrance of the Panama Canal and is close to Panama's leisure attractions. Please note that this property is not located in the city center, but rather beside the canal, 15km from downtown, so a taxi ride in and out of the city center would be required to go into the historical area of the city.

DAY 2: PANAMA CITY

Your English speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a private tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks. You will start the tour with a 30 minute drive to Miraflores to see the huge vessels passing the Panama Canal. The busiest hours are from 9am to 10am and from 2pm to 5pm, so you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. Enjoy the view on the locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations from your guide. To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal – a masterpiece of engineering. You will also learn about the history of the canal and its significance for Panama and the entire world trade as well as on the current expansion project.

After the visit to the Canal, continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views on the Canal on one side and on the skyline of Panama City on the other side.
Lunch will be served in a Panamanian restaurant on the causeway. 

After lunch, the tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial quarter. Take in the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches in this part of the city which may well remind you of bygone days. You will get a good idea about Panama’s history by driving or walking through the main attractions of this quarter. Continue on to Panama Viejo, the Old Panama. Panama Viejo was the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas and unfortunately, was looted and destroyed by the notorious English buccaneer Henry Morgan in 1671 and therefore abandoned. Today there are only ruins left, however the tower of the ancient cathedral is standing and has become a landmark of the town. After the tour you will be taken back to your hotel.

Included: Transportation from and to Gamboa Hotel, English speaking driver/guide, entrance fees and lunch.

Please note: Depending on ship traffic in the locks the order of the tour might be inverted to try to ensure that you will  see ships in the locks.

Accommodation: Country Inn & Suites Panama Canal

DAY 3: PANAMA CITY - GAMBOA

Early in the morning a Panama Trails representative will pick you up at the hotel and bring you to the local train station (Corozal). Undertake a train trip on the historical and original railway course from Panama City to Colón. This 1-hour travel leads you through the jungle and along the Panama Canal. This course was finished in 1855. The French Panama Canal company had acquired the railway line in 1880, as an assistance to build the Canal. In 1904 the Americans bought the Canal and the railway line and were operating it line until 1979. In 1998, Panama privatized the railway line and renewed it completely. Since 2001, the course is again passable and a unique attraction.

After the beautiful train trip, you will continue with your guide from Colón to the port of Portobelo. This port was the gathering point of the Peruvian treasures in the 15th century. The gold and silver was shipped from here towards the metropolis of the empire, and in addition, Portobelo was the center of control and inspection of the goods, which arrived from Spain. The ruin complex is built and set up in the middle of the tropical jungle and covers a set of fortresses, castles and military bases.

After this historical excursion, you will continue to an Embera Indian Village on Gatun River. A fascinating and dense jungle will accompany you on a short boat trip to the village. Downriver you will step out of the dugout canoes and enter the village of the Embera Indians, one of seven indigenous tribes in Panama. The people of the Embera tribe will welcome you at the pier and gladly give you an idea on how they still live today. The village's chief will give you a brief explication on the history of the tribe, its traditions, cultures, believes and handicrafts. Then, a traditional lunch of fish and plantains prepared by the Embera women will be served to you. In the afternoon you will experience a traditional Embera dance and have the opportunity to shop for handicrafts. The sale of local products directly benefits the village and helps to pay the school fees for the children. You can also get a temporary Embera tattoo painted on your arm or leg.

After the tour, transportation to Gamboa Rainforest will be provided.

Accommodation: Gamboa Rainforest Resort

Deep in the heart of the Panamanian rainforest lies the completely unique Gamboa Rainforest Resort. This magnificent five-star destination rests where the scenic Chagres River meets the Panama Canal and is the only resort property in the area. Few places on earth offer such an amazing natural experience while providing an unsurpassed level of luxury. Escape the noise and hectic pace of everyday life and surround yourself with the tranquility of the mystical Soberania National Forest. Here, just a short 30-minute ride from Panama City, on 340 acres overlooking the stunning Panama Canal, you can commune with nature in a pristine environment where explorers and pirates once tread.

DAY 4: GAMBOA

Get ready for some excitement today as you strap in and fly along an aerial tramway which traverses a mile long tract of Humid Forest that lies within the Gamboa Resort’s boundaries! You will observe the forest canopy in some areas in which you'll probably find birds and hear the howler monkeys. The tram ascends 280 feet over half a mile and ends atop a hill.
On the following boat tour, you will pass by the Panama Canal right beside the huge tankers and container ships.
The White-Face Capuchin and Howler Monkeys are the main attractions of this tour. Usually the Captain of your boat brings them some fruit so you can watch them coming down from their trees to get it. If you are attentive you will spot a sloth, always so lazy sleeping in their trees. You will see turtles, timid but brave at the same time, along with the proud caiman and crocodiles that live in the lake. To complete the tour, a delicious lunch will be served at Los Lagartos restaurant overlooking the Chagres River. The tour is approximately 6 hours in duration and transportation to and from the Gamboa resort as well as an English speaking guide, drinking water and packed lunch are included.

Accommodation: Gamboa Rainforest Resort

DAY 5: GAMBOA - PLAYA BLANCA

Relax on your private transfer from Gamboa to Playa Blanca in the company of an English speaking driver. The transfer should take approximately 3.5hours.

The JW Marriott Panama Golf & Beach Resort is the perfect place for families as it has everything that kids and big kids would ever wish for in a fun-filled vacation (great spa, pool areas, golf course and restaurants for the "big" kids and a jam-packed program of activities for the kids (3 - 11 yrs). The JW Kids program is designed for children to have a fun adventure, exploring wonderful landscapes with indoor and outdoor activities. A complimentary lounge with a games room from a pool table, ping pong, foosball, movies, music and more to organized club activities are offered. Horseriding, bird watching, flora and fauna crafting, treasure hunts, pool time as well as tennis, football or golf clinics are just some of the fun activities available. Your kids are sure to have a fabulous time and may well not want to leave at the end of their stay!  (Please note that this property is not a beach front property. It is about a 10 minute walk to the beach from the hotel).

Accommodation: The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort is located on a pristine stretch of beach, framed by graceful Spanish Colonial architecture, beautifully landscaped pools, an 18-hole Nicklaus Design golf course and the exquisite Corotu Spa. Whether you’ve come to relax and unplug, reconnect with friends or rediscover how special family-time can be together, an abundance of adventures and activities await. Sink into a comfy lounge by the pool, sneak away for a morning of spa pampering, or allow the on-site concierge to plan a day of sailing, surfing, hiking, horseback riding and more. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the resorts oceanfront setting, luxurious rooms and top-notch service.

DAY 6: PLAYA BLANCA

For golfing enthusiasts (or fanatics!) there is the Buenaventura Panama Golf Club by Nicklaus deign that may be of interest. Here you can discover an unmatched golf experience at the 18 hole 72-par course. Making use of the natural landscape, the course cuts into the Pacific coastline with views of the Panama beach. There are also threee local courses within the vicinity - Manta Raya, Vista Mar and Playa Blanca.

The Corotu Spa has five multi-functional treatment rooms and offers everything from pampering massages to facials and polishing body scrubs. A hydrotherapy area also features whirlpools, deluge showers, sauna and steam room. Please arrange either golf tee times or spa treatments directly with the concierge of the hotel if you are interested.

 (Please note that this property is not a beach front property. It is about a 10 minute walk to the beach from the hotel).

Accommodation: The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort

DAY 7: PLAYA BLANCA

Enjoy some leisure time on the Pacific shores of Playa Blanca. Optional activities are available at your resort (watersports, snorkelling, kayaking).  (Please note that this property is not a beach front property. It is about a 10 minute walk to the beach from the hotel).

Accommodation: The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort

Relax on your private transfer from Playa Blanca to Tocumen International airport in Panama City. The transfer should take approximately 2 hours.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard)

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.