
Historical
Historical
Local
Culinary
Photography
Adventure
Hiking
Historical
Local
Culinary
Photography
Adventure
Hiking
Day 1: Welcome to Panama
You arrive at Panama Airport with your flight. The driver will be waiting for you and will take you to Le Meridien hotel on Balboa Avenue in central Panama. The sea is right in in front and the whole Balboa boulevard. Neighborhoods like Casco Historico are just a short taxi ride from your accommodation. Taxis are not expensive in Panama. Overnight with breakfast included.
You have a credit of 50 usd to use in extra services in the hotel so you can have dinner there if you want.
Meals included: dinner
Day 2: Discover Panama City, Old and New
After breakfast we will depart for our full day City Tour around the glorious city of Panama focusing on places such as our Unesco world heritage site: Casco Viejo. Here we will stroll over the cobblestone streets and alleys, getting to know the most representative cathedrals, colonial houses and palaces of a city that was once named the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific side of the continent. Here expeditions to South America were planned and took off.
We will also visit the first settlement built by the Spanish called Panama Viejo, founded in the year 1519. It was once a wealthy City that pirates tried to attack and sack for the golden treasures hidden inside its walls. The City was a mandatory path to move treasures and merchandise from South America to Europe (The Gold Route). Even though the city suffered fires, earthquakes, political and social turmoil, Panama City has always prevailed as a City where its inhabitants learned how to overcome adversities. This is visible on today´s City, where we will drive around and find the most modern city in Central America, considered the Banking, Technological, Logistical and Business hub of Latin America.
We will have a local lunch included during this tour and we will stop for delighting the best coffee in the world and treat yourselves with the freshest chocolate.
As temperatures are expected to be in the mid 80´s °F, during the tour, you will enjoy our typical “Raspao”: flavored iced cones.
Panamanian folkloric Show and dinner: Join us in a delicious gastronomic journey in Panamanian Cuisine. Influenced since early days by Spanish, Africans and Indigenous, later by Chinese, French and North American cultures, our todays food is flavored with delicious and fresh ingredients such as guandú or pigeon green peas, curry, colorful peppers, coconut milk and abundance of seafood. Also, get ready to shake your body at the rhythm of the Panamanian Traditional music, led by various drums (different pitches), accordion and guiro.
You will admire what is considered the most beautiful national dress in the world: La Pollera. Handmade polleras are worn during festivals or celebrations. They are mainly made of cotton and wool. Normally, dominant color is white, and adornments are colorful flower designs.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Through the Panama Canal
We will sail through the 8th wonder of the world: The Panama Canal, we will do a half transit, navigating across the 2 sets of Locks located on the Pacific Side (Miraflores & Pedro Miguel) and through the Miraflores Lake and the Continental Divide (The Culebra Cut). Witness how men were able to create this engineering marvel that divided the continent but united the world.
Lunch will be offered on board the vessel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Tonight, dinner is not included. Your hotel is in the heart of the city, we highly recommend to go out and get fascinated by the array of great restaurants located in Panama City, which happens to also be considered a Gastronomy Mecca of Latin-America.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 4: Visiting the Indigenous Community of Embera
In the late 1700s, the Emberá began migrating from the Choco region to modern-day Colombia to what is currently the Darién province of Panama, which had been home to the Tule or Kuna people at the time of European conquest. This migration was prompted by the Spanish and took the form of a conflict between the Emberá and the Kuna, moving the latter into the lands along the Caribbean coast which now form the Comarca Guna Yala and San Blas Islands. The Darién has subsequently become recognized as the homelands of the Emberá in Panama, though they had also settled as far west as Lake Gatún and the riverine areas of what would become the Canal Zone.
Witness this Oasis of Peace in the middle of the Panamanian Jungle. Time has stopped here as the Emberas don’t live in a world of technology, malls, banks or publicity. They have chosen to better focus on keeping a green environment, homeschooling based on ancient values, and being happy despite economic poverty. Dance with them, learn basic Embera languages, cook fresh caught fish, and laugh with their innocent children and smiling inhabitants.
Return to hotel. Afternoon free.
Farewell dinner at Casco Viejo with a glass of wine included for toasting while overlooking the impressive skyline of Panama City.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Free Time and Transfer Out
Free time till your transfer to the airport according to your flight.
Meals included: breakfast
4 nights with breakfast in hotel accommodation
Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles
Touring in small groups of 14 people max
Local English-speaking guides
Entrance fees (except camera fees)
Return airport transfers to accommodation
Meals as indicated
International or domestic airfare
Visa fees
Food & drinks outside of indicated meals
Personal expenses
Tips & gratuities for local guides and drivers
Health & travel insurance
This request will be sent directly to the travel agency