Best of Panama

8 day Best of Panama

Day 1 – Arrive Panama

On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, you will be met by a company representative and transferred to Hotel. Central. The undeniable charm of Panama, Central Hotel was built nearly 150 years ago in the heart of the city, facing the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia in Casco Antiguo (Old Town) – a designated World Heritage Site. The hotel is one of many historic buildings recognized by UNESCO for its architectural significance, and it was the first hotel in the country at the time of its opening in 1874, quickly becoming a meeting place for intrepid travelers. Their clientele has included the French builders who constructed the Panama Canal, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and Count Ferdinand de Lesseps. By the turn of the century, the hotel was recognized as the finest in Panama, known by its unique French-influenced design and its reputation for high-style services. The hotel underwent full renovations, including meticulous work to preserve the façade and original structure, and the finished property creates a sense of historic luxury that can only be experienced first-hand.

Day 2 – Chiriqui Highlands. (B,L)

Head to Albrook airport for a flight to David, capital of the Chiriqui province, in western Panama. Chiriqui is the country’s “breadbasket” contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. After arrival to David Airport, you continue to the Eastern side of the Volcano, where you will spend the next three nights in the atmospheric town of Boquete. 3 nights at Hotel Garden Inn Boquete. Visitors from all over the world come to Boquete for its unspoiled beauty and breathtaking views. Boquete Garden Inn is in the heart of it all, yet under a two-minute drive to town (or, an easy 20- minute walk), with restaurants close by. Throughout Panama, they are known for their beautiful gardens and variety of wildlife. More than 100 species of birds have been spotted there. Within this natural setting, they offer modern comforts and amenities, and a level of personalized, responsive service that is unmatched by hotels at their price range.

Day 3 – Touring the Chiriqui Highlands (B,L)

Half Day Hiking in the Highlands We will hike on one of the many scenic trails surrounding Baru Volcano National Park, home to diverse flora and fauna. Boquete and its surrounding areas offer its visitors excellent hiking options for all ages and conditions. Hike through cloud forests and lush vegetation, visit waterfalls and admire the surrounding area while looking out for animals such as howler monkeys, sloths, deer, peccaries and hundreds of species of birds.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon coffee tour. 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 hotel.

Departure from your Hotel in route to the Farming town of Cerro Punta. Once in the Cerro Punta town you will be taken to the Colibrí (ummingbird) farm, in order to experience first hand the way our farmers harvest their produce. You will get a chance to go by the Guadalupe Community, where many members sell their home made jams, local cookies, freshly made popsicles, shakes and local pastries. At Guadalupe we will visit Dracula Farm where a specialist will show us and teach us about these incredible flowers, as they have over 500 species of orchids grown and taken care here. Lunch will be done at one of the local restaurants of the area (depending on your dietary restrictions). Towards the end of the tour, you will be visiting the Sitio Barriles, which is an archeological site, where for decades there have been findings of old clay ceramics and stone tables for example. This town was according to archaeologists destroyed by the last volcanic eruption of the area 600 A.C

Day 4 – Boquete (B)

This day is at leisure. Relax at the hotel and spa and explore the charming town of Boquete. If you prefer activities such as a chocolate tour, zip lining, nature hiking, or farm tours ask us about day tours that you can add-on.

Tour example: Farming town of Cerro Punta. Once in the Cerro Punta town you will be taken to the Colibrí (hummingbird) farm, in order to experience first hand the way our farmers harvest their produce. You will get a chance to go by the Guadalupe Community, where many members sell their home made jams, local cookies, freshly made popsicles, shakes and local pastries. At Guadalupe we will visit Dracula Farm where a specialist will show us and teach us about these incredible flowers, as they have over 500 species of orchids grown and taken care here. Lunch will be done at one of the local restaurants of the area (depending on your dietary restrictions). Towards the end of the tour, you will be visiting the Sitio Barriles, which is an archeological site, where for decades there have been findings of old clay ceramics and stone tables for example. This town was according to archaeologists destroyed by the last volcanic eruption of the area 600 A.C

Day 5 - Transfer to Almirante, Bocas del Toro (B,L)

Transfer to the Caribbean Coastal town of Almirante for the water taxi to Isla Colon. 3 nights Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel. If you’re looking for a beautiful boutique hotel in Bocas del Toro, then look no further! Stay at Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel, just steps away from Main Street in Bocas Town, located on the southern tip of Isla Colon. Divers Paradise is built over the water and offers panoramic views. Guests love starting and ending their days in the restaurant & bar or scuba diving or snorkeling, and hanging out in lounge chairs on the deck while enjoying the gorgeous sea views. They also love the convenience of the in-house PADI 5 Star Bocas Dive Center, the professional staff, and specially-built dive boats. And while you’re there, how about kayaking, stand-up boarding, or grabbing a bike to discover Bocas Town? During your visit, make sure to discover all the fun Bocas del Toro has to offer!

Day 6 – Bocas del Toro Zapadilla Island (B)

Day trip for boating and snorkeling to Dolphin Bay, Coral Key and Zapadilla Island. Entrance fees to marine park included.

Naturally, the best things to do in Bocas del Toro include being in, around, and on the water. And in this tour you will have the opportunity to see 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 make 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, we’ll visit one of the islands of the famous Zapadilla Keys, named after their shoe-like shape. These two islands are within the Bastimentos Island Marine National Park, and are surrounded by a coral reef teeming with marine life. The islands are covered with mangrove and surrounded by fine white sand and palm trees. Enjoy this unique paradise, walk along the shore, relax in the shade of a palm tree or explore the rich coral reef. If you choose to do the latter, the current can get a bit strong at times, so be careful as you approach the reef. You can swim, dive, and snorkel for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 7 – Bocas del Toro (B)

Day at leisure to enjoy the archipelago's unique charm.

Per person pricing based on twin share: 

Day 8 – Panama City (B)

Per person pricing based on twin share: $ 4,060 CAD / $ 3,150 USD