A 15-day round trip to all of Panama's highlights, with the Panama Canal, Camino Real, and colonial old town, a relaxing stay on the San Blas Islands, and the highlands of Chiriquí through to Bocas del Toro.
Highlights
- San Blas Islands in the Caribbean
- Panama City and a Panama Canal boat trip
- Highlands of Chiriquí (coffee and cloud forest)
- Island paradise of Bocas del Toro
Highlights of Panama with the San Blas Islands
This exceptional round trip takes you to all of Panama’s highlights, including the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean. You begin with a boat trip on the Panama Canal, then explore the colonial old town of Panama (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). From there you head out onto Gatún Lake to watch wildlife and cruise alongside the huge ships crossing the canal. The Spanish fortresses of the Caribbean draw you into the region’s colonial history. You visit a village of small-scale farmers in the rainforest and walk the Camino Real, the gold route of the Spanish conquistadors. Afterwards you travel to the San Blas Islands and relax under the palms.
Next you fly to western Panama and the province of Chiriquí. Here you tour a coffee plantation and hike in the cloud forest, visit an orchid farm with hundreds of different species, and in Boquete cross suspension bridges through the cloud forest canopy. To round off the trip, you relax in the natural paradise of Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean.
Type of trip: Round trip
Duration: 15 days
Participants: 2-16
Highlights
- San Blas Islands
- Panama City and a Panama Canal boat trip
- Highlands of Chiriquí (coffee and cloud forest)
- Island paradise of Bocas del Toro
Itinerary Overview
- Day 01 | Welcome to Panama!
- Day 02 | Boat trip on the Panama Canal
- Day 03 | Visit to the Miraflores Locks and the old town
- Day 04 | Boat trip on the Camino Real and Portobelo
- Day 05 | San Lorenzo fortress and Agua Clara Locks
- Day 06 | Boat trip to Monkey Island and a visit to the Emberá
- Day 07 | San Blas Islands
- Day 08 | San Blas Islands
- Day 09 | Coffee in the province of Chiriquí
- Day 10 | Hike in La Amistad National Park – orchid farm
- Day 11 | Across suspension bridges through the treetops
- Day 12 | Bocas del Toro
- Day 13 | Bocas del Toro
- Day 14 | Return flight to Panama City
- Day 15 | Departure from Panama
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 | Welcome to Panama!
On arrival at Panama’s international airport, you are met by your driver and taken to your hotel. Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 02 | Boat trip on the Panama Canal
In the morning you drive to the harbor and board a boat that lets you experience the workings of the canal up close. The canal runs a total of 80 km from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast. You pass beneath the “Puente de Las Américas,” reach the Miraflores Locks, then cross the Gaillard Cut. After about 4 hours you arrive at Gamboa and disembark. Optional visit to the ruins of Panama Viejo. Overnight in Panama City (B, L).
Day 03 | Visit to the Miraflores Locks and the old town
In the morning we drive to the Miraflores Locks, the best-known locks on the Panama Canal. From a viewing platform we watch the ocean giants pass through the narrow lock chambers, then catch a 3D film about the canal’s construction at the IMAX cinema. Next we head to the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ornate churches and quiet squares. From the Plaza de Francia we take in spectacular views of the skyline and the canal entrance. Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 04 | Boat trip on the Camino Real and Portobelo
In the morning we drive to Chagres National Park and trace the history of the Camino Real, forerunner of the canal and gold route of the Spanish conquistadors. We take a boat trip on Lake Alajuela and hike about two hours along the Camino Real, reaching the village of Quebrada Ancha for a delicious lunch. Then we take the boat back to the landing and continue to Portobelo. [3 km, 80 m ↑, 80 m ↓, walking time approx. 2 hrs.] Overnight in Portobelo (B, L).
Day 05 | San Lorenzo fortress and Agua Clara Locks
In the morning we visit the customs house and Fort San Geronimo, both dating from the Spanish colonial era. Then we continue to the Agua Clara Locks, where we see the new locks of the expanded Panama Canal in action. Afterwards we visit the San Lorenzo fortress at the mouth of the Chagres River (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 06 | Boat trip to Monkey Island and a visit to the Emberá
In the morning we drive to Gamboa and take a boat trip on Gatún Lake, stopping at small islands where capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, and Geoffroy’s tamarins live in the wild. Then we visit the Emberá people. Reaching their village by traditional dugout canoe, we get to know Emberá culture and daily life and share a traditional lunch. Overnight in Panama City. (B, L)
Day 07 | San Blas Islands
Today calls for an early start: around 5:00 a.m. you set off for the San Blas Islands, 365 unique coral islands scattered off Panama’s pristine Caribbean coast. We drive over the mountains to a landing in the Gulf of Guna Yala, then continue by fishing boat to a paradise island. The San Blas Islands form part of the “comarca” of Guna Yala, an autonomous territory of the Guna people. Here you can relax on one of the dreamy white beaches in turquoise water, discover the rich underwater world while snorkeling, and get to know Guna culture. Overnight in San Blas in a simple lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 08 | San Blas Islands
Today you can explore your island’s beach or take another excursion. In the afternoon you take the boat back to the harbor, followed by a drive of about 2.5 hours to Panama City. Overnight in Panama City. (B, L)
Day 09 | Coffee in the province of Chiriquí
In the morning we fly to David, capital of Chiriquí province, home to the highlands of the same name and the Volcán Barú (3,475 meters). We drive to the Janson Coffee Farm, where a guided tour teaches us all about coffee and how it’s grown. At the end you can judge the quality for yourself at a tasting. Overnight in Volcán/Bambito (B).
Day 10 | Hike in La Amistad National Park – orchid farm
In the morning we hike through the impressive cloud forests of the “La Amistad” biosphere reserve, a cross-border protected area of 400,000 hectares spanning Panama and Costa Rica. With luck you may even spot the quetzal. In the afternoon you visit Finca Dracula, an orchid farm with more than 1,500 different orchid species. Then we drive to Boquete. Overnight in Boquete (B).
Day 11 | Across suspension bridges through the treetops
In the morning we experience the cloud forest from a whole new angle: a trail of suspension bridges carries us through the treetops. The rest of the day is yours, so you might, for example, glide through the canopy on a zipline. Optional: a 4x4 drive to the summit of the Volcán Barú before sunrise, or a climb on foot [28 km, 1,700 m ↑, 1,700 m ↓, walking time approx. 10-12 hrs.]. Overnight in Boquete (B).
Day 12 | Bocas del Toro
After breakfast you continue to the Caribbean island paradise of Bocas del Toro. The archipelago’s inhabitants are mostly of Afro-Caribbean origin, which only deepens the Caribbean feel. You can simply relax and soak up the sun, the beach, and the sea. Overnight in Bocas del Toro (B).
Day 13 | Bocas del Toro
Today we take an excursion through the islands of Bocas del Toro: first to Dolphin Bay, where you may spot dolphins, then to the Cayos Zapatilla, a paradise beach. At midday we head to Cayo Coral, a coral reef where you can snorkel to your heart’s content. Overnight in Bocas del Toro (B).
Day 14 | Return flight to Panama City
Today is yours to enjoy. In the afternoon we head to the airport for our return flight to Panama City. Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 15 | Departure from Panama
Today is yours to enjoy. Alternatively, you can hike up Cerro Ancon, Panama City’s own hill (walking time approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon your driver picks you up and takes you to the international airport. (B)
Services & Hotels
Included services
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels, lodges, or resorts of the 3, 4, and 5* category
- All admissions included in the program
- Meals as per the program
- Private English-speaking guide on several days
- Domestic flights (Panama - David, Bocas del Toro - Panama)
Not included
- International flight to Panama
- Meals not listed in the detailed program
- Drinks
- Optional tips
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
Notes, Info & FAQ
What are the requirements of this trip?
- 3-4 x walks of about 2 hours
- 2 x hikes of 2-3 hours (shorter hikes are possible on request)
- Maximum elevation changes of 250 meters
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination, and which vaccinations do I generally need for Panama?
The standard vaccinations are sufficient protection. More information on health, tropical diseases, and vaccinations here.
Dates & Prices
As a local travel agency based in Panama, we can run this trip for you at any time. The program (day 01) starts every Friday in Panama City. You’re also welcome to arrive on any other day of the week.
Prices
| Participants | Price p.p. | Guide in San Blas |
|---|---|---|
| Individual trip, 2 participants | EUR 3225 | + EUR 225 |
| Small group, 4+ participants | EUR 2595 | + EUR 120 |
| Small group, 6+ participants | EUR 2410 | + EUR 80 |
| Group trip, 12+ participants | EUR 2465 | |
| Group trip, 14-16 participants | EUR 2375 |
Prices per person in a double room. Single room supplement: EUR 850.
