7-Day Panama Tour Packages

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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Panama itineraries

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SteffPanama travel expert at TourRadar

7 Days in Panama, incl. Panama City and San Blas Islands
A comprehensive Panama tour stretches from Panama City's historic center to San Blas Islands' paradise. The itinerary covers 6 major sites including Miraflores Locks, Panama Viejo ruins, and Casco Viejo colonial district, with three nights at Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero and two at Yandup Lodge.
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- Day 1
  Panama City Arrival
  Arrive at Tocumen International Airport and take a 30-minute transfer to your hotel in Punta Pacifica. Try to book a morning flight to avoid rush hour traffic. Spend your evening walking through Punta Pacifica's waterfront area where you'll find excellent restaurants and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
- Days 2-3
  San Blas Islands Adventure
  Take an early morning 2-hour drive to the Caribbean coast followed by a 40-minute boat ride to the San Blas Islands. Pack essentials like water shoes coral beaches, reef-safe sunscreen and cash. Visit the Guna Yala indigenous community on your first afternoon to see their traditional mola textiles and learn about island life. Your third day is perfect for island hopping. Visit Fragata and Perro Islands for great snorkeling or check out Starfish Island's amazing marine life in clear blue waters. Water taxis run between islands about every 2 hours until 4pm.
- Day 4
  San Blas to Panama City
  Take a final morning swim before heading back to Panama City. Consider taking motion sickness pills for the boat ride if you need them. Spend your evening trying restaurants in El Cangrejo where you'll find both traditional Panamanian food and creative fusion dishes.
- Day 5
  Panama Canal Cruise
  Get an early start at Flamenco Marina (check in between 6:30-7:30am) for your 6-hour Panama Canal cruise. You'll see the famous locks and go under the Bridge of the Americas. Bring a light jacket for the strong air conditioning. Get your camera ready for the Miraflores Locks around mid-morning for the best photos.
- Day 6
  Panama City Exploration
  Start at the Amador Causeway in the morning when it's cooler. The 3.5km walkway gives you great views of the city. Next visit Casco Viejo before the crowds show up. Plan to see the Miraflores Visitor Center in late afternoon when large ships pass through. Look up the daily ship schedule online to time your visit right.
- Day 7
  Departure
  Most flights leave in the afternoon. Book your airport transfer at least 3 hours before your flight time since traffic can be heavy especially during rush hours (7-9am and 4-7pm).
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7 Day Panama Itinerary, incl. Panama City and Pearl Islands
A 7-day Panama adventure unfolds across Panama City's UNESCO sites, Soberania National Park's rainforest, and Pearl Islands' beaches. The trip includes 6-hour canal cruises, colonial architecture at Casco Viejo, and indigenous culture at Embera Village, with stays at Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero.
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- Day 1
  Panama City Arrival
  Arrive at Tocumen International Airport and take a 30-45 minute transfer to your hotel in the Financial District. If you get in before 3 PM, take a walk through the modern Punta Paitilla neighborhood. The waterfront promenade is perfect for watching the sunset. Book your hotel near Via España for easy access to restaurants and metro stations.
- Day 2
  Panama Canal Cruise
  Check in at Flamenco Marina between 6:30-7:30 AM for the northbound canal cruise. You'll spend 6 hours going through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Bring sunscreen and a light jacket since the boat's AC can get cold. Not an early bird? Book the afternoon southbound cruise instead. Morning cruises usually have fewer people and better photo opportunities.
- Day 3
  Historic Panama City Tour
  Start your day at Casco Viejo around 8 AM before it gets too hot and crowded. Visit Panama Viejo ruins first. Plan to see the Miraflores Visitor Center between 3-5 PM when big ships usually pass through. A recent visitor shared: "The massive container ships passing through Miraflores Locks feel close enough to touch - get there at least 15 minutes before a scheduled transit to secure a good viewing spot."
- Day 4
  Embera Village Experience
  Drive an hour to Chagres National Park early in the morning. Wear shoes that can get wet for the dugout canoe ride and bring cash to buy authentic crafts. The 30-minute canoe trip can get bumpy so sit in the middle for a smoother ride. The humidity is strong here so pack bug spray and clothes that dry quickly.
- Day 5
  Soberania National Park & Gatun Lake
  The park opens at 6 AM - get there early to see more wildlife. Start with the Gamboa Rainforest aerial tram then do boat tours later when animals are more active in the warmth. Bring binoculars if you like bird watching since the park has over 525 species. Want to see monkeys? Take the lake tour around 10 AM.
- Day 6
  Pearl Islands Day Trip
  Take the morning ferry at 7:30 AM from Panama City to Contadora Island. The 1.5-hour ride can be rough so take motion sickness medicine if needed. Book your water activities ahead of time since equipment can be limited. Visit between July and October to spot whales. The last ferry back leaves around 4:30 PM.
- Day 7
  Departure Day
  Give yourself 2 hours to get to the airport because Panama City traffic is unpredictable. Late afternoon flight? Spend your morning at the Biomuseo or shopping at Albrook Mall near the airport.
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7 Days in Panama, incl. Panama City and Gamboa Rainforest
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- Day 1
  Panama City Arrival
  Fly into Tocumen International Airport and head to your hotel in Panama City. Book your stay in the Banking District or Casco Viejo to be close to great restaurants and nightlife. The airport ride takes 30-45 minutes. Try to book an afternoon flight to avoid the morning traffic.
- Day 2
  Panama City & Canal Exploration
  Get an early start in Casco Antiguo, Panama's UNESCO heritage site. Visit before 10 AM when it's quieter and cooler. Stop by San José Church to see its famous golden altar and get great bay views from the Metropolitan Cathedral tower. After lunch, visit the Miraflores Locks around 3 PM to see ships passing through. Bring a light jacket since the visitor center is quite cold.
- Day 3
  Panama City to Gamboa Transition
  Spend your morning in Panama City before taking the 45-minute drive to Gamboa Rainforest Reserve. The resort has a perfect spot where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal, making it great for wildlife watching. Take some time to look around - you can ride the aerial tram until 4 PM for amazing views of the forest canopy.
- Day 4
  Gatun Lake Wildlife Tour
  Take the morning lake tour at 7 AM when the animals are out and active. The tour runs about 3.5 hours. Watch for howler monkeys, sloths and toucans. If you have binoculars, bring them - you might spot crocodiles sunning themselves on distant banks.
- Day 5
  Gamboa Free Day
  Try out the resort activities today. Pipeline Road is perfect for bird watching with over 500 species in the area. Join the morning guided hike. A recent visitor shared: "The early forest walk revealed more wildlife than we imagined - our guide spotted a sloth with a baby that we would have missed entirely."
- Day 6
  Return to Panama City & Evening Tour
  Start your day in Gamboa before heading back to Panama City. Take an evening trip to Amador Causeway around 6 PM for sunset views of the city. At 7:30 PM, enjoy dinner and traditional Panamanian dancing in Casco Viejo.
- Day 7
  Departure
  Your morning is free until it's time to leave for the airport. If you have a late flight, most hotels will store your bags while you shop at Multiplaza Mall, just 15 minutes from the airport.
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