Itinerary
- Day 1
Panama City
Your driver meets you at Tocumen International Airport and takes you to your hotel for check-in. After settling in, the day is yours to do as you like. Some people prefer relaxing at the hotel, while others head to Costa del Este to walk around the upscale neighborhood and check out the restaurants along the wide streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Costa del Este neighborhood
- Day 2
Panama City to Pearl Islands
This morning your driver brings you to the pier where you'll board a ferry to the Pearl Islands, which takes about 1.5 hours (roughly 30 miles from the coast). Once you arrive and drop off your luggage at the hotel, the afternoon is open for you to explore on your own. Contadora, Saboga, and Viveros are the islands people typically visit, with Contadora being the most well-known option.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer to Pearl Islands
Optional Activities
- Explore Contadora Island
- Explore Saboga Island
- Explore Viveros Island
Landmarks/POIs Contadora Island Saboga Island - Day 3
Pearl Islands
You have the full day to arrange however you'd like. If you're there between July and October, whale-watching tours run from Contadora Island. Other options include snorkeling, diving, taking a small cruise to see other islands, or doing a forest hiking tour through the interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Whale-watching tour on Contadora Island (July-October only)
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Small cruise to explore other islands
- Hiking tour in the forest
Landmarks/POIs Contadora Island - Day 4
Pearl Islands to Panama City
After taking the ferry back to Panama this morning, your driver and guide meet you at the wharf. You'll visit Panama Viejo, the original colonial settlement from the early Spanish period that pirates destroyed in 1671. From there, head to Miraflores Visitor Center to see the Panama Canal and watch the locking systems work (you might catch mega ships passing through). The 3D IMAX film about the canal's history is also worth your time. Later, walk through Casco Viejo (San Felipe), the second colonial city, stopping at France Square and the old churches. Before heading back to your hotel, take an evening stroll along Amador Causeway for views of the marine life and canal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Panama Viejo ruins
- Visit Miraflores Visitor Center and Panama Canal observation
- 3D IMAX movie about Panama Canal history
- Visit Casco Viejo (San Felipe) and France Square
- Visit centuries-old churches in Casco Viejo
- View Bridge of the Americas
- Evening stroll along Amador Causeway
Landmarks/POIs Panama Viejo Miraflores Visitor Center Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Casco Viejo France Square Bridge of the Americas Amador Causeway - Day 5
Panama Canal Cruise
Your day involves a 6-hour Panama Canal cruise starting early in the morning. You'll transfer to Flamenco Marina and begin a northbound transit tour covering all the Pacific side sights. The route takes you through the Bridge of the Americas, Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and Centennial Bridge, with the ship being lifted about 9 and 18 meters at each lock station. A professional guide talks through the canal's construction while you take in the scenery. After reaching Gamboa Dredging Division, you'll return to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- 6-hour Panama Canal cruise - northbound transit
- Transit through Miraflores Locks
- Transit through Pedro Miguel Locks
- Professional guide commentary during cruise
Optional Activities
- Southbound canal tour (alternative departure at noon)
Landmarks/POIs Flamenco Marina Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Pedro Miguel Locks Bridge of the Americas Centennial Bridge Gamboa Dredging Division - Day 6
Panama City to Bocas del Toro
Your driver takes you to the airport for a 1-hour flight to Bocas del Toro. When you arrive, your driver meets you and transfers you to your hotel. The afternoon is free to explore, and Starfish Beach and Red Frog Beach on Bocas del Toro Island are both worth checking out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Bocas del Toro
Optional Activities
- Visit Starfish Beach
- Visit Red Frog Beach
Landmarks/POIs Starfish Beach Red Frog Beach - Day 7
Indigenous Community Tour
Today you'll visit an indigenous community (Ngobe, Naso, or Bri Bri people) to see their local culture and how they live traditionally. You'll learn about medicinal plants and look for wildlife in the area. Walking through mangrove forests gives you chances to spot monkeys and sloths if you're lucky.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit indigenous community (Ngobe, Naso, or Bri Bri)
- Experience local culture and traditional lifestyle
- Learn about galenic chemicals
- Wildlife viewing
- Mangrove forest walk to search for monkeys and sloths
- Day 8
Dolphin Bay, Carol Cay, Red Frog Beach
Start at Dolphin Bay where you can watch dolphins playing in close range. Next stop is Carol Cay for snorkeling to see colorful tropical fish. After grabbing lunch, head to Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos where you can spend the afternoon sunbathing, snorkeling, or surfing depending on what you're in the mood for. Your driver picks you up in the late afternoon to bring you back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Dolphin Bay and observe dolphins
- Snorkeling at Carol Cay
- Visit Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos
Optional Activities
- Sunbathing at Red Frog Beach
- Snorkeling at Red Frog Beach
- Surfing at Red Frog Beach
Landmarks/POIs Dolphin Bay Carol Cay Red Frog Beach Isla Bastimentos - Day 9
Bocas del Toro to Panama City
Your driver takes you to the airport in the morning for your flight back to Panama City. Once you land, your driver meets you and brings you to your hotel. The afternoon is open for you to rest up or go out and see some sights if you still have energy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Panama City
- Day 10
Departure
Your driver picks you up from the hotel and takes you to Tocumen International Airport for your departure. Have a safe trip home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
