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Panama Canal, Rainforests, Volcanoes and Beaches
Type of Trip: Nature, Cultural Length: 9 days Season: November-May Rating: Grade I
Southwind’s newest itinerary takes travelers through the best-loved highlights of Panama with a tasting menu of its most exciting landscapes and cultures.
You’ll find yourself easily transported through drastically changing scenery, from the urban metropolitan areas to carefully conserved rainforests, from a highland cloud forest where looming volcanoes and coffee plantations coexist, and finally to the coast with its islands, mangroves and long stretches of stunning beaches.
Trip Highlights:
- Get a panoramic view of Panama City from the edge of Old Town’s historical quarters
- Witness the lifting and lowering of massive ships in the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal
- Rise above the rainforest on a 130-foot observation tower in Soberania National Park
- Have a cross-cultural encounter with the tribal people of the Embera Quera community
- Navigate the Panama Canal on a private boat to Gatun Lake, surrounded by tropical wildlife
- Fly through highland cloud forest treetops in a canopy-level zip line adventure
- Seek the elusive resplendent quetzal and other exotic birds in Finca Lerida’s private reserve
- Follow the footsteps of pre-Columbian Indians hiking through primary cloud forest
- Explore the Gulf of Chiriqui National Park by boat, on foot, by kayak and by snorkel
- Toast the sunset over the Pacific Ocean aboard a sundown boat ride
Brief Itinerary
DAY 1 (SAT): USA / PANAMA CITY
Arrive to Panama City, where you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to a lovely hotel in the heart of Old Town.DAY 2 (SUN): PANAMA CITY / GAMBOA RESORT
Take in Panama’s urban life at the Miraflores Locks, a tour of Old Town, and a visit to the Biodiversity Museum before driving to a tropical resort.DAY 3 (MON): SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK / EMBERA VILLAGE
The rainforest adventure begins with a visit to Soberania National Park and a cross-cultural encounter in the Embera community.DAY 4 (TUE): PANAMA CANAL / BOQUETE
Take a private boat excursion into the Panama Canal, take an aerial tram through the treetops, then fly to David and transfer to the cloud forest highlands of Boquete (3,900 feet).DAY 5 (WED): BOQUETE
This morning enjoy a scenic hike through the Falling Waters Nature Reserve, followed by a cloud forest adventure with a treetop zip line excursion.DAY 6 (THU): FINCA LERIDA / PACIFIC COAST
After a nature hike and birdwatching in a private reserve, take an up-close coffee production tour, then transfer to the Pacific coast of Boca Chica.DAY 7 (FRI): GULF OF CHIRIQUI NATIONAL PARK
Today, two exciting and different boat excursions to nearby islands and beaches will introduce us to the many sides of Panama’s coastal ecosystem.DAY 8 (SAT): PACIFIC COAST / PANAMA CITY
Enjoy the clear ocean waters with a kayaking and snorkeling adventure, then transfer by short flight back to the capital city.DAY 9 (SUN): PANAMA CITY / USA
Transfer to the Tocumen International Airport to board your international flight home.Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, difficulty rating, weather, and other planning details.Departures
On request, for any dates during the November-May season.
This trip is customizable according to travel preferences and season.
Land Cost, 2024/2025
4-6 participants: from $5,550 p.p.d.
7-12 participants: from $5,200 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $1,550p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy. Price does not include international or local flights. Southwind ticketing affiliate helps coordinate flights to match your itinerary.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Panama City: American Trade Hotel
On arrival to Panama City, stay the night in the capital’s most talked-about boutique hotel. Set in the heart of Casco Viejo (Old Town), the hotel occupies a fully-restored historical building dating back to 1917.
Soberania: Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
Tucked away amidst Panama’s scenic Soberania National Forest is a luxury rainforest lodge beyond compare. Splendid architecture and elegant coastal design and décor, along with stunning views of the Panama Canal and Chagres River, inspire the senses.
Boquete: Finca Lerida
An intimate family home and coffee estate with a deep history, Finca Lerida is a special place in the heart of the Boquete cloud forest. With its expansive private reserve, the land is ideal for nature hiking and birdwatching.
Boca Chica: Bocas Del Mar
A stunning waterfront boutique hotel with modern comforts and luxurious features. In a privileged coastal location on the mainland near Boca Chica, it is perfectly positioned for exploring the Gulf of Chiriqui Marine National Park as well as enjoying a relaxing beach experience.
Panama City: Bristol Hotel
The elegant Bristol Hotel has earned prestigious listing as one of the Leading Hotels of the World. Refined and sophisticated, the Bristol Panama embodies a new generation of Panamanian hotels that celebrate Panama’s progress in design and amenities.
Panama Canal
Length: 2 Days/1 Nights from Panama City
Season: November through May
The Panama Canal, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in August 2014, is Panama’s most famous landmark. The best way to experience the Canal is in a cruise onboard the Pacific Queen. During this full-day voyage, you will have the unique opportunity to see the Canal up close in operation. You will transit with the big ships, the small tug boats, and of course, the locks themselves in action. Travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean on the same day. Return to the city by bus.San Blas
Length: 3 Days/2 Nights from Panama City
Season: November through May
Along the Caribbean Coast of Panama are the San Blas Islands, a chain of 365 islands and keys. You’ll navigate through turquoise blue waters and a magnificent barrier reef. Arrive to small dream-like island of palms, white sandy beaches, and a thatched roof village. This is the realm of the Kuna Yala people, a self-governing tribe who live in simplicity, zealously protective of their environment and their traditional way of life. Here, spend three days living the experience of their bright culture and ceremonies, while at the same time enjoying walks on the beach, snorkeling, and kayaking in the crystalline waters.Bocas Del Toro
Length: 3 Days/2 Nights from Panama City
Season: November through May
Along the Caribbean Coast of Panama are the San Blas Islands, a chain of 365 islands and keys. You’ll navigate through turquoise blue waters and a magnificent barrier reef. Arrive to small dream-like island of palms, white sandy beaches, and a thatched roof village. This is the realm of the Kuna Yala people, a self-governing tribe who live in simplicity, zealously protective of their environment and their traditional way of life. Here, spend three days living the experience of their bright culture and ceremonies, while at the same time enjoying walks on the beach, snorkeling, and kayaking in the crystalline waters.Testimonials
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“Tom arranged our trip and was excellent in every way. He created an outstanding vacation/adventure for us. The itinerary was outstanding. We liked the contrast of the Old City/Modern City of Panama City, the Panama Canal experiences, the Island experience, the Rain Forest nature hikes, and the Boquete region activities. It was a wonderful trip.”
Regina Einstein – Mount Kisco, NY
★★★★★ -
“We enjoyed this trip tremendously! Berner (our guide) was very special! He seemed to know every plant, bird, insect and other animals and he knew four names for many of them: Latin, Spanish, English and Quechua or Machiguenga. He made sure we were safe and happy and his love and respect for nature was evident always.”
Patricia Dahle – Lancaster, CA
★★★★★ -
“Our experience with Southwind was outstanding in every way. The guides were personable and extremely knowledgeable on the history and customs of their area. We couldn’t have fit much more into this 3 week sample of South America. Thank you for a job well done.”
Wayne & Nancy Snyder – Alamo, CA
★★★★★
