If you are looking to experience an exotic journey through the most popular and beautiful destinations in Panama, without compromising comfort and luxury, this is the perfect package.
Spend your holidays discovering the magic of the cosmopolitan Panama City, the Caribbean lifestyle of Bocas del Toro archipelago, the colorful wildlife of the Boquete forest, and the idyllic beaches of Boca Chica – all of this while you stay at the most charming boutique hotels, and enjoy a world-class cuisine.
Day 1
Duration: 25 minutes approximately
In Central America, Panamá stands as the most cosmopolitan city and the only capital on the seashore. Its tropical climate is characterized by high temperatures ranging between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
The city offers a variety of choices for all tastes, combining impressive, modern infrastructure with some treasures of distant times such as the Old Quarter – a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Inspired in Panama’s culture and modern architecture, Bristol Panama exudes style and comfort with a flair for luxury – including five-star amenities and a truly bespoke experience. The property is located in the prestigious Financial District of Panama City – just 12 miles from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) – and offers easy access to the most popular attracctions of the city including the Panama Canal or the Bio-Museum designed by Frank Gehry.
Day 2
Duration: 1 hour approximately
Lodging at Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge
Eclypse de Mar Acqua-Lodge is a young eco-resort located in Bastimentos Island, approximate 10 minutes away from Colon Island – the main island of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, where the airstrip is located.
Its seven overwater bungalows were built in local wood and with natural palm-leaf roofing, as well as glass viewing-floors for watching sealife from inside the bungalow. Besides, all of them have been carefully decorated and feature a private deck, perfect for diving into the sea or relaxing while watching the most unique sunsets. Bungalow’s ammenities include private bathroom with hot water, ceiling fans, hammocks, chaise lounges, wireless Wi-Fi and complimentary room service.
Important: Electricity is generated by solar panels located on the roof of the restaurant and is available in the Bungalows from 18:00 until 8:30 am. Bungalows and rooms don’t have air-conditioning and hair dryers are not allowed in the lodge.
Day 3
The paradisiac archipelago of Bocas del Toro is one of the Panama’s top beach destination.
This full day tour combines the most popular spots in the area to enjoy its natural wonders and its relaxing beaches.
First, you will make a short boat ride to Laguna Bocatorito or Dolphin’s Bay, where it’s almost guaranteed to spot the semi-permanent population of bottlenose dolphins that graciously will play around the boat.
Then, you will make a stop in Crawl Cay – one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Bocas del Toro.
After lunch you will visit the Zapatilla Cay located on the southeastern of the Bastimentos National Marine Park – 30 minutes’ boat ride from Crawl Cay.
Zapatilla Cay is considered the most beautiful island of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago and offers visitors pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and some of Panama’s most attractive coral reefs – with lots of tropical fish, and crevices full of lobsters, crabs, eels and an immense amount of tiny sea invertebrates.
Lunch is included in a local restaurant.
– Lodging at Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge
Day 4
Duration: 30 minutes approximately
Duration: 3 hours approximately
Boquete is a small, charming town in the province of Chiriqui – located in a valley surrounded by towering elevations of the Central Cordillera, and with a huge abundance of natural resources including mountains covered by primary and secondary forests, an important and very diverse fauna, clear streams and rushing rivers, a majestic volcano, national parks and forest reserves.
– Lodging at Valle Escondido Resort Golf & Spa
Valle Escondido Resort Golf & Spa is an entire community of wellness and relaxation located in Boquete. The town of Boquete – in Chiriquí province – is a beautiful valley full of ecotourism experiences, a paradise for birdwatchers, and in recent years has been recognized for producing one of the finest coffees in the world.
The resort boasts 37 guestrooms and suites set throughout the property, and all of them feature modern technologies and comforts including flat-screen TV, in-room safe, blow dryer, telephone, and Wi-Fi internet access. Besides, the master suites feature Jacuzzi, coffee maker, DVD player, and robes.
For dining, “Sabor Escondido” – the restaurant of the hotel – offers a variety of local specialties as well as International cuisine, all with a touch of Chiriquí flavor; and “La Cantina” – the bar of the property – is the place to meet with family and friends to enjoy the most delicious drinks and cocktails before or after dinner.
Day 5
Los Quetzales birdwatching trail goes through the Baru Volcano National Park, and connects the towns of Cerro Punta and Boquete. The entire trail is 10 km long and lasts approximately from 4 to 6 hours; passing from tropical rainforest to tropical cloud forest.
The path goes at an altitude of 6000 ft., on a ridge with amazing views, and full of ancient trees; as well as a numerous variety of bird species including Prong-billed Barbet, Wrenthrush, White-naped Brush-Finch, Lange-footed Finch, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, and The Resplendent Quetzal.
The resplendent quetzal is considered among the world’s most beautiful birds, and lives in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America. The most spectacular feature of this specie is the greatly elongated, glistening emerald-green tail feathers of breeding males.
Day 6
Duration: 1 hour and a half approximately
Boca Chica is a paradisiac destination within the Chiriqui Marine National Park – which protects an area of over 14,000 hectares, including two dozen islands and their surrounding waters.
The area offers pristine blue waters, lush vegetation, picturesque islands with white sand and swaying palms, fishing, diving and snorkeling world class
Bocas del Mar is a boutique hotel located on the mainland at Boca Chica, in the province of Chiriqui – 50 minutes away from David airport. The Gulf of Chiriqui is one of the main spots in Panama to experience whale watching, since the humpback whales migrate from the South to the warm waters of the North Pacific Ocean to mate and give birth.
Its 20 bungalow-style guestrooms have a beautiful contemporary design, and feature modern amenities. Besides, the hotel boasts two relaxing infinity pools and a beautiful bar & restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Day 7
Optional tour (not included in the package):
The Gulf of Chiriqui is one of the best destinations in Panama to observe humpback whales as they move into warmer waters from the colder south – from mid to late July to mid-October. The Pacific coast of Central America is one of the few areas in the world where humpback whales from both the northern and southern hemisphere come to mate and to give birth.
For this expedition, accompanied by an experienced captain, you will depart from the hotel in a small boat looking for whales and dolphins in the waters of the Chiriqui National Park. Luckily, you will find these beautiful giants swimming alongside with their babies.
After a while contemplating this wonder of nature, you will enjoy some free time to snorkel nearby the amazing coral around Bolaños Island. This island will give you the opportunity to observe a rich marine life including colorful fishes, sponges, mollusks, green turtles, and many other species living in these tropical waters.
Day 8
Duration: 1 hour approximately
Optional tour (not included in the package):
More than a simple tour, this experience will take you to one of the best restaurants in Panama City where you will have the opportunity to delight in a typical Panamanian dinner while enjoying a folkloric show and musical presentation.
Day 9
The Embera Quera Indigenous Community is located at the end of the Gatun River. The tour begins with a 30-minute ride through the river in a canoe with outboard; during the trip is possible to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of the region and learn a little bit about the lifestyle of the community.
Once in the community, one of the members will explain you in detail about the culture, the food and the language of the Emberas; and will answer all the questions you may have about their way of life. Besides, a cultural presentation with traditional dances and music will allow you to interact with the group and the members of the community.
At the end, you will have the opportunity to shop some of the handmade crafts by the community residents.
A light, traditional lunch is included during the tour; usually based on the catch of the day.
Day 10
First thing, you will visit the ruins of the “Old Panama” – the first city on the Central American Isthmus founded by the Spanish and later plundered by the famous pirate Henry Morgan in 1671.
From here, accompanied by your guide, you will continue to the “Casco Antiguo” or Old Quarter – the city built in 1673 after the “Old Panama” was looted and burned. The predominant architectural style of the Casco Antiguo is a combination of Italian, French and Spanish colonial.
During the expedition through this colonial part of the city you will have the opportunity to visit some churches – including the famous Golden Altar which survived the plundering and destruction of pirate Morgan, and different parks and plazas while you learn about the history of the city.
On the way from one city to the other you will get a panoramic glimpse of the most modern part of Panama.
Lunch is included in one of the restaurants of the Casco Antiguo.
To end of the day, you will visit to the emblematic Panama Canal. Visiting the Miraflores Locks visitor center – the nearest set of locks to the city, makes it possible to learn about the history and the daily operation of the Canal. This visitor center has three main attractions: The Museum, the audiovisual presentation, and the lookout point where it’s possible to observe the ships passing through each one of the chambers.
Day 11
Duration: 25 minutes approximately
You must be at the airport 2 hours prior the flight time.
