A 22-day combination of guided tours around Panama City, an excursion to the San Blas Islands, and an individual self-drive tour through the western provinces of Panama.
Highlights
- San Blas Islands
- Panama City and a transit of the Panama Canal
- Chiriquí highlands (coffee and cloud forest)
- Island paradise of Bocas del Toro
Panama Self-Drive Tour with San Blas – 3 Weeks
This trip pairs guided tours around Panama City and an excursion to San Blas at the start with a self-drive leg through the western provinces, so you take in all the country’s highlights. The guided tours teach you plenty about Panama and its people, leaving you well prepared for the drive ahead. From there you travel independently and pick the activities you enjoy most.
In Panama City we begin with a guided excursion to the colonial old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the locks of the Panama Canal. The next morning we drive to a village of small-scale farmers in the rainforest and walk the Camino Real, the gold route of the Spanish conquistadors, before continuing in the afternoon to Portobelo on the Caribbean coast. From there we follow the Caribbean coast to the new, larger Agua Clara locks and the Spanish fortress of San Lorenzo. On Lake Gatún we take a boat trip to several islands and watch plenty of monkeys and other wildlife, then visit an Embera village. Over the next two days you travel to the San Blas Islands and relax beneath the palms. A transit through the Panama Canal locks rounds off the excursions around Panama City.
Then your self-drive tour begins. You collect your car at the hotel and drive to El Valle de Antón, on to the Azuero Peninsula, and then to Santa Catalina, the launch point for a boat trip to Coiba Island. From there you head into western Panama and the province of Chiriquí, where you can tour a coffee plantation, hike in the cloud forest, and visit an orchid farm with hundreds of different species. In Boquete you can explore the cloud forest canopy on hanging bridges and drive up the highest mountain in Panama. Finally you return your rental car and unwind in the natural paradise of Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean.
Type of trip: Self-drive tour
Duration: 22 days
Participants: 2-6
Highlights
- San Blas Islands
- Panama City and a transit of the Panama Canal
- Chiriquí highlands (coffee and cloud forest)
- Island paradise of Bocas del Toro
Itinerary Overview
- Day 01 | Welcome to Panama!
- Day 02 | Visit to the Miraflores Locks and the old town
- Day 03 | Boat excursion to the Camino Real and drive to Portobelo
- Day 04 | Spanish fortress at San Lorenzo and the Agua Clara locks
- Day 05 | Boat trip to Monkey Island and a visit to the Embera
- Day 06 | San Blas Islands
- Day 07 | San Blas Islands
- Day 08 | Sailing the Panama Canal
- Day 09 | El Valle de Antón
- Day 10 | El Valle de Antón
- Day 11 | El Caño – Chitré
- Day 12 | Folklore of the Azuero Peninsula and drive to Santa Catalina
- Day 13 | Excursion to Coiba Island
- Day 14 | Santa Catalina
- Day 15 | Drive to the province of Chiriquí
- Day 16 | Sitio Barriles and a visit to a coffee plantation
- Day 17 | Hike in La Amistad National Park and an orchid farm
- Day 18 | Across hanging bridges through the treetops
- Day 19 | Bocas del Toro
- Day 20 | Bocas del Toro
- Day 21 | Return flight to Panama City
- Day 22 | Departure from Panama
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 | Welcome to Panama!
After your arrival at Panama’s international airport you are met by your driver and taken to your hotel.
Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 02 | Visit to the Miraflores Locks and the old town
In the morning we visit the Miraflores Locks, the most famous locks on the Panama Canal. From a viewing platform we watch the ocean giants navigate the narrow lock chambers, then catch an impressive 3D film about the canal’s construction and operation at the IMAX cinema.
Next we head to the old town of Panama City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The district charms visitors with its ornate churches, quiet squares, parks, and colonial buildings from the 19th century. We take a walking tour, and from the Plaza de Francia at its far end we take in spectacular views of the skyline of Panama City’s modern banking and financial district, along with the canal entrance and the Bridge of the Americas.
(Depending on ship transit times, the order of the activities may change.)
Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 03 | Boat excursion to the Camino Real and drive to Portobelo
In the morning we drive to Chagres National Park to trace the history of the Camino Real, which once served as the gold route of the Spanish conquistadors between the Pacific and the Atlantic. Christian Strassnig rediscovered this route on adventurous expeditions through the park’s all-but-impenetrable rainforest.
We take a boat excursion on Lake Alajuela. From the starting point on the shore we hike about two hours along the Camino Real through hilly country, learning more about the route’s history along the way: the Spanish conquistadors, the mule caravans, Francis Drake and other pirates. Several times we come across well-preserved colonial cobblestones of the old trail.
In the village of Quebrada Ancha we refuel with a traditional lunch and get to know the way of life and culture of the Panamanian campesinos. The village played an active part in the research on the Camino Real and has reopened part of the route. Your visit supports a village project building sustainable tourism. Afterwards we take the boat back to the landing and continue to Portobelo.
[3 km, 80 m ↑, 80 m ↓, walking time approx. 2 hrs]. The hike can be adapted to your fitness level.
Overnight in Portobelo (B, L).
Day 04 | Spanish fortress at San Lorenzo and the Agua Clara locks
In the morning we visit the customs house and Fort San Geronimo, both from the Spanish colonial era and built to fend off pirates and other attackers.
Then we continue to the Agua Clara locks, where we see the new locks of the expanded Panama Canal in action and watch the huge ships pass through, opened in 2016.
After that we drive on to the mouth of the Chagres River and visit the San Lorenzo fortress, another relic of the Spanish colonial era, standing where the Chagres flows into the Caribbean. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was captured by the English pirate Henry Morgan during his 1671 attack on Panama City.
We cross a bridge over the Panama Canal with views of both the old and new lock systems, then drive back to Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City (B).
Day 05 | Boat trip to Monkey Island and a visit to the Embera
In the morning we drive to Gamboa and take a boat excursion on Lake Gatún, crossing the lake right alongside the huge ships transiting the Panama Canal. Tropical rainforest covers the whole area, and we stop at several small islands where capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and Geoffroy’s tamarins live in the wild. Watching free-roaming monkeys at close range makes for unforgettable moments.
Afterwards we visit the Embera, an indigenous people of Panama, reaching their village by traditional dugout canoe. There we get to know Embera culture and daily life and share a traditional lunch, then walk a short rainforest trail to learn about the plants the Embera use for medicine. Afterwards we drive back to Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City (B, L).
Day 06 | 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, from where a fishing boat carries you on to a paradise island. Here you have time to relax, or you can take an excursion to other islands. The “Piscina Natural,” a shallow turquoise-water spot, and “Isla Perro” are popular destinations.
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 the turquoise water, take in the wonderfully varied underwater world while snorkeling, and get to know Guna culture and daily life. The Guna inhabit only a few of the archipelago’s islands.
Overnight in San Blas in a simple lodge; lunch and dinner are also included (B, L, D).
Day 07 | San Blas Islands
Today you can explore your island’s beach or take another excursion. Lunch is included again today.
In the afternoon you take the boat back to the harbor, followed by a drive of about 2.5 hours to Panama City, where you stay again at our city hotel.
Overnight in Panama City (B, L).
Day 08 | Sailing the Panama Canal
In the morning you head to the harbor and board a boat that lets you experience the workings of the canal up close. In all, the canal runs 80 km from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast. At the start you pass beneath the “Puente de Las Américas” and soon reach the Miraflores Locks. The Pedro Miguel Locks come next on the Pacific side, lifting the boat to the level of Lake Gatún. You then cross the Gaillard Cut, the narrow stretch of canal that had to be blasted through the central cordillera. After about 4 hours you reach Gamboa and disembark, and a bus brings you back to the starting point in Panama City (the transit can also run in the opposite direction).
In the afternoon you can optionally visit the ruins of Panamá Viejo, the first European settlement on the Pacific. Founded in 1519, the city lies about 10 km east of today’s old town of Panama (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). A few ruins and the well-preserved church tower still hint at its former importance. This was the launch point for the conquest of South America (Francisco Pizarro, Diego Almagro and their associates) and for the Camino Real to the Caribbean. The city flourished for over 150 years before the English pirate Henry Morgan destroyed it in 1671.
Overnight in Panama City (B, L).
Day 09 | El Valle de Antón
In the morning you pick up your rental car and set off along the Pan-American Highway, the legendary road running from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. You drive about 2.5 hours southwest, and roughly 4 km past the town of San Carlos you turn off the highway and climb into the mountains to El Valle. El Valle de Antón sits in the largest inhabited volcanic crater in Central America, dormant for over 12,000 years. On arrival you can visit the El Valle market, which is especially worthwhile on Sundays. In the afternoon you can head to the El Macho waterfall or the Aguas Termales hot springs.
Overnight in El Valle (B).
Day 10 | El Valle de Antón
In the morning you can hike up the India Dormida, the Cerro La Silla or the Cerro Gaital. These hikes take about 2-3 hours and offer you a wonderful view from the summit. Afterwards visit the Piedra Pintada, which displays pre-Columbian rock carvings. In the afternoon you can tour a breeding station for the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki), also known as the “Golden Frog of El Valle” – an absolutely recommended experience!
Alternatively, you can stroll through the local market or visit the butterfly house, a reptile exhibit with snakes, or the local zoo.
Overnight in El Valle (B).
Day 11 | El Caño – Chitré
Today you continue to Chitré, a town on the Azuero Peninsula and widely regarded as the cradle of Panamanian folklore and rural traditions. Along the way we recommend a stop in Natá de los Caballeros, founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1522 and one of the oldest European settlements on the American continent. Afterwards you can visit the El Caño archaeological site, where archaeologists have uncovered pre-Columbian princely tombs and spectacular gold artifacts, before driving on to Chitré.
In the afternoon a nearby rum distillery makes a good stop. Here you can watch rum being made from sugarcane molasses and then sample the fine spirits.
Overnight in Chitré (B).
Day 12 | Folklore of the Azuero Peninsula and drive to Santa Catalina
In the morning you visit a mask maker and watch up close as he crafts the colorful masks worn in Corpus Christi processions and the dances of the Diablos Sucios, the “dirty devils.” Afterwards you continue to Parita, a town that has kept its traditional architecture and offers an authentic glimpse of how Panama’s small towns looked in the 19th century. From there you drive on to Santa Catalina, the launch point for the excursion to Coiba Island.
Overnight in Santa Catalina (B).
Day 13 | Excursion to Coiba Island
Today you can take a boat excursion into Coiba National Park. With its white sandy beaches lapped by turquoise water and shaded by palms, Coiba Island feels straight out of Robinson Crusoe. The park’s waters teem with large fish species and offer excellent snorkeling and diving.
A large area around Coiba Island is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and, together with the national park, protects the coral reefs of the Pacific. These reefs shelter countless marine creatures and form part of a marine corridor that reaches all the way to the Galápagos Islands. The boat trip to the island takes about 2 hours. Once there you find white coral-sand beaches and, with a little luck, can watch sea turtles while snorkeling. In the afternoon you return by boat to Santa Catalina.
Overnight in Santa Catalina (B).
Day 14 | Santa Catalina
Today you can take another diving or snorkeling excursion, or try surfing: the beach at Santa Catalina is a firm favorite with surfers for its waves.
Alternatively, you can stroll the beach, relax by the pool with a view of the surrounding cliffs, or do nothing at all and settle into a hammock.
Overnight in Santa Catalina (B).
Day 15 | Drive to the province of Chiriquí
After a relaxed breakfast it is time to say goodbye to Santa Catalina and the picturesque Pacific as you continue your journey into the province of Chiriquí. This province in the far west of Panama borders Costa Rica and is home to the majestic Volcán Barú, the highest mountain in the country at an imposing 3,475 meters. In clear weather its summit offers a breathtaking view of both oceans. Thanks to the volcanic ash, the soil is extremely fertile, allowing a wide variety of crops such as coffee, oranges, tobacco and much more to grow in the rain and cloud forests around the volcano.
Overnight in Volcán/Bambito (B).
Day 16 | Sitio Barriles and a visit to a coffee plantation
In the morning you can visit the Barriles archaeological site. At this unassuming spot, stone statues and ceramic fragments were excavated in the 1940s. They come from pre-Columbian cultures and date to the period between 500 and 800 AD.
In the afternoon the Janson Coffee Farm makes a good stop. The tour gives you a fascinating look at how coffee is grown and produced, along with plenty of facts about this beloved bean. Thanks to the ideal local climate, the coffee grown here ranks among the best in the world. Most notable is the famous, highly prized Geisha variety, whose mild, tea-like flavor has made it especially popular in Asia. To finish, you get to sample some of the delicious coffees yourself and treat your palate.
Overnight in Volcán/Bambito (B, L).
Day 17 | Hike in La Amistad National Park and an orchid farm
In the morning a fascinating hike awaits through the impressive cloud forests of the “La Amistad” biosphere reserve (“Friendship” in Spanish), a cross-border protected area of 400,000 hectares spanning Panama and Costa Rica. The park has two trails: the first takes about 1 hour and is fairly well maintained (walking time approx. 1 hour, +50 m/-50 m), the second is barely maintained and runs through a landscape dotted with fallen trees, suitable only for experienced hikers (walking time approx. 2 hours, +150 m/-150 m). Either route leads you through the national park’s mystical mountain cloud forests. With a little luck you might even catch a glimpse of the quetzal, the legendary divine bird of the Aztecs and Maya.
Afterwards Finca Dracula makes a good stop, an orchid farm with an impressive range of more than 1,500 different orchid species. You then continue your journey to the other side of Volcán Barú and drive to Boquete.
Overnight in Boquete (B).
Day 18 | Across hanging bridges through the treetops
In the morning you experience the cloud forest from a whole new angle: a trail of hanging bridges carries you through the treetops, where you can marvel at the fascinating world of the canopy up close. The rest of the day is yours. You might take a zipline tour through the canopy, set off on a hike, or explore the picturesque town of Boquete.
There are two ways to reach the summit of Volcán Barú:
- Drive to the summit: an early start at 4:00 a.m. by off-road vehicle takes you up the Volcán Barú. Once there, with a little luck, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of both oceans at once during sunrise. You’re back at the hotel by around 10:00 a.m. with the rest of the day free, perhaps for the planned hike through the treetops.
- Alternatively, you can climb the Volcán Barú on foot, with the ascent beginning at midnight. The climb covers 28 km with 1,700 meters of ascent and 1,700 meters of descent, and a walking time of about 10-12 hours.
Overnight in Boquete (B).
Day 19 | Bocas del Toro
After breakfast you continue your journey to the Caribbean island paradise of Bocas del Toro. Once there, you have the rest of the day free.
The archipelago’s inhabitants are mostly of Afro-Caribbean origin, which only deepens the Caribbean feel. Indigenous communities live here too, together forming a harmonious melting pot. You can simply relax, soak up the sun, the beach and the sea, and immerse yourself in the vibrant Caribbean way of life. For the more adventurous, a wide range of excursions into the surrounding islands is on offer, with ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling, diving and much more. The island’s main draw is the magnificent offshore coral reefs: with just a mask and snorkel you can explore an impressive underwater world. Divers can arrange diving excursions (please let us know when booking).
Overnight in Bocas del Toro (B).
Day 20 | Bocas del Toro
Today you have plenty of time to unwind in the perfect place for it: Bocas del Toro is a dreamlike Caribbean island world full of natural treasures protected by Bastimentos National Park. The park also holds one of the few breeding grounds for sea turtles, which come ashore to lay their eggs from May to October.
Today we take an excursion through the islands of Bocas del Toro: first to Dolphin Bay, where with a little luck you can spot dolphins, then to the Cayos Zapatilla, a paradise beach where we let the Caribbean waves spoil us. At midday we head to Cayo Coral, a coral reef where you can snorkel to your heart’s content, with a restaurant right above the reef for anyone who’d rather enjoy a wonderful piña colada.
Overnight in Bocas del Toro (B).
Day 21 | 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 22 | Departure from Panama
Today is yours to enjoy, perhaps with a stroll around the city or some souvenir shopping. Alternatively, you can hike up Cerro Ancón, Panama City’s own hill (walking time approx. 2 hours total). Cloaked in rainforest, it offers a wonderful panorama of the old town and the Panama Canal.
The rest of the day is yours. In the afternoon your driver picks you up and takes you to the international airport. (B)
Photos
Services & Hotels
Included services
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels, lodges or resorts of the 3, 4 and 5* category, see accommodation list
- All entrance fees included in the program
- Meals as per the program
- English-speaking tour guide on days 2, 3, 4, 5
- English-language excursion on day 8 (Panama Canal transit)
- Domestic flight Bocas del Toro – Panama
Not included
- International flight to Panama
- Excursions and entrance fees during the self-drive tour and in Bocas del Toro
- Meals not listed in the detailed program
- Drinks
- Optional tips
- Other personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
Hotels
Panama City, 6 nights
- Classic/Comfort: Plaza Paitilla Inn 4*, Tryp Panama Centro 4*
- Luxury: Central Hotel Panama 5*, Hilton Panamá 5*, Waldorf Astoria Panama 5*
Portobelo, 1 night
- Classic/Comfort: Bongo Boutique Hotel 3*, Casa Congo 3*
- Luxury: El Otro Lado 5*
San Blas Islands, 1 night
- Simple accommodation only: Yanis Island Cabins, Hotel El Porvenir
El Valle de Antón, 2 nights
- Classic/Comfort: Hotel Campestre 3*, Golden Frog Inn 3*
- Luxury: Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel 5*
Chitré, 1 night
- Classic/Comfort: Hotel Cubitá 3-4*
Santa Catalina, 3 nights
- Classic/Comfort: Villa Coco 3*, Vista Coiba Villas 3-4*, Hotel Santa Catalina 4*
Volcán / Bambito, 2 nights
- Classic/Comfort: Hotel Bambito 4*, Hotel Dos Ríos 3*
Boquete, 2 nights
- Classic/Comfort: The Inn at Palo Alto 3*, Boquete Garden Inn 3*, Hotel La Ladera 3*
- Luxury: Hotel Panamonte 4-5*, Valle Escondido Resort Golf & SPA 4-5*, Finca Lerida 4-5*
Bocas del Toro, 2 nights
- Classic/Comfort: Ataraxia Guesthouse 3*, Los Secretos Guesthouse 3*, Villa Fabienne & Benoit 3*, Bambuda Lodge 3*, Palmar Beach Lodge 3*, Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort 3-4*
- Luxury: Red Frog Beach Resort 4-5*, Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge 4-5*
Notes, Info & FAQ
What are the requirements for this trip?
On this tour you will do:
- 3-4 walks of about 2 hours each
- 2-3 hikes of 2-3 hours each (shorter hikes are possible on request)
- Maximum elevation changes of 250 meters
Boat trips (lakes, rivers and sea)
In addition, you travel one day by dugout canoe, on 6 further days by boat, and once by vessel on the Panama Canal.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination, and which vaccinations do I generally need for Panama?
The standard recommended vaccinations provide sufficient protection. The stories of malaria and yellow fever epidemics date back to the construction of the Panama Canal from 1881 and were overcome long ago. The last native case of yellow fever in Panama was recorded in 1972.
Weather and climate in the various regions (daily lows and highs)
- Coastal areas, lowland rainforest and lowlands: 24 – 34 °C
- Boquete, 1,000 meters altitude: 15 – 25 °C
- Cerro Punta/La Amistad National Park, 1,900 meters altitude: 8 – 20 °C
- Summit region of Volcán Barú, 3,475 meters altitude: 0 – 10 °C
What clothing and equipment do I need for this trip?
- For excursions, breathable lightweight outdoor or summer clothing to suit each day; for higher elevations in Chiriquí you’ll want extra layers (the onion principle) such as a fleece, plus a rainproof, windproof jacket, which also comes in handy on the flight
- Comfortable trekking shoes with good, non-slip tread
- Crocs or sandals; flip-flops are only of limited use
- (Sun) hat, sunglasses, possibly cream or remedy for sunburn/sun allergy, camping towel
- Swimwear; you can swim in Bocas del Toro, on the Camino Real and in Portobelo
- Suitcase or travel bag for your main luggage
- Daypack for excursions (ideally a waterproof backpack/drybag, the only kind that keeps things dry in tropical rain or on boat trips)
- A foldable bag or light backpack for the luggage you’ll need on days 6 and 7 (main luggage stays at the hotel)
- First-aid kit and your personal regular medication, (blister) plasters
- Sunscreen (high factor, at least 30), insect repellent & ointment for insect bites
Top tips for equipment
- Waterproof daypack
- Sports or trekking shoes with good tread
- Crocs for the beach
With your booking you receive detailed travel documents, including the corresponding packing list.
General country and travel information for Panama
Follow this link to read detailed country and travel information for Panama.
Dates & Prices
As a local travel agency based in Panama, we can run this trip at any time, every week of the year, rather than only on a handful of fixed dates like many operators back in Germany.
The program (day 01) starts every Saturday from Panama City.
You’re also welcome to arrive on any other day of the week, so please note your planned or preferred arrival and departure dates in the inquiry form.
If you arrive on a Sunday, you begin the program the very next day and fit in the day 02 activities at the end of the itinerary.
If you arrive earlier, our team will gladly suggest a suitable pre-program.
Prices
| Number of participants | SUV Regular | SUV Large | Kia Carnival (6-7 seats) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 participants | EUR 3580 | EUR 3780 | EUR 3750 |
| 3 participants | EUR 3070 | EUR 3190 | EUR 3170 |
| 3 participants (triple room) | EUR 2870 | EUR 2990 | EUR 2970 |
| 4 participants | EUR 2810 | EUR 2910 | EUR 2890 |
| 5 participants | – | EUR 2735 | EUR 2720 |
| 6 participants | – | – | EUR 2595 |
- Prices per person in a double room.
- The price may vary depending on the hotels booked in the individual destinations.
- Single room supplement: EUR 1390
- With 3 and 5 participants, if one person is accommodated in a single room, a single room supplement is payable once.
- For trips during Christmas, Easter and national holidays (3-10 November) there is a holiday surcharge of EUR 150 per person.
