Private Tour to Panama Canal & Bocas del Toro Islands, Daily Start

The guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and then transfer you to today’s first stop, Amador Causeway, a scenic seaside road stretching into the Pacific Ocean with beautiful marine views. Next, we will drive to see the Bridge of the Americas, one of the most significant bridges crossing the Panama Canal. Then head to Casco Viejo (San Felipe), the old Panama City rebuilt by the Spanish with museums, old churches and France Square.

We will then drive to Miraflores Locks, the first set of locks of the Panama Canal on the Pacific side. Standing on the observation deck, you can overlook large cargo ships and cruises transiting. You can also see a short film in the IMAX theater to learn more about the canal construction and maintenance. Later, continue the visit to Panama Viejo, an ancient city that once served as Panama’s capital. However, after being sacked and burned by pirates in the 17th century, there are only scrambling ruins now. In the end, we will go back to the hotel.

Please Note:

The ship transit schedule at the Miraflores Locks varies every day, and your guide will adjust your visit order according to the official website to make you catch the right time for it!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars) or similar

Today you will start an exploration of Panama’s engineering wonder from another angle, as you will cruise along the Panama Canal for about 6 hours rather than just watch it at Miraflores Locks. In the early morning, you will be picked up and transferred to Flamenco Marina. The cruise starts from here and will be lifted twice above sea level when transiting through the Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks. On board, a bilingual guide will detail the backgrounds of the canal and you can also take in the beautiful canal views while appreciating the grandeur of bridges and locks. Along the way, it also sails through the Bridge of the Americas, the Miraflores Lake, and the Centennial Bridge. Finally, we will disembark at the Gamboa Dredging Division and go back to the hotel.

Notes:

1. Our selected 6-hour northbound canal tour will depart very early (check-in at 6:30-7:30 am.). If you think it is not suitable for you, please feel free to contact your travel consultant to arrange a southbound tour departing at noon.

2. Breakfast, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the cruise but it is still suggested you take some food.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars) or similar

According to the flight schedule, the driver will take you to the airport and you will fly to Bocas del Toro, taking about 1 hour. Upon arrival, the driver will wait for you at the airport and take you to the hotel. You are free in the afternoon. 

As a popular tourist destination, Bocas del Toro is composed of six forest islands and many uninhabited islands. We recommend you explore Starfish Beach, Red Frog Beach, etc.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort (4 stars)

Today, our first stop is the Dolphin Bay. We will see those cute dolphins jumping up and down on the water. After that, we will go to Coral Cay to experience snorkeling. We will provide snorkeling equipment for you. You will find colorful fish in the clear water. In the afternoon, head to Red Frog Beach in Isla Bastimentos and the time here is on your own arrangements. We recommend sunbathing or surfing. In the late afternoon, we will send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Playa Tortuga Hotel & Beach Resort (4 stars)

In the morning, we will take a boat to visit an indigenous community like Ngobe, Naso or Bri Bri, to experience their traditional culture, living habits, learn about the knowledge of their medicinal botany and look for the surrounding wildlife. After lunch, take a boat to arrive at Almirante Marina in about 30 minutes, and then the driver will drive 185 km (115 mi), taking about 3.5 hours to Boquete, and check into the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Ladera (4 stars)

In the morning, the guide will take you to the slopes of Baru Volcano or the trails near the private reserve. Here we'll watch birds and look for different finches and other birds. After that, we will hike in the Cloud Forest to look for various wild life. Finally, we will have a Zip Line Tour and glide quickly from the top of the tree canopy. The total length is 3 km (1.9 mi), with 12 different cables. You will enjoy the stunning natural landscape of the plateau and the Balu Volcano National Park while gliding.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Ladera (4 stars)

In the morning, we will visit a coffee plantation to learn about the coffee-making process including picking, cleaning, roasting, and grinding. We will then visit a local farm in Boquete, where you can admire a clean and modern environmentally-friendly processing plant or organic coffee farm. After that, the driver will drive 280 km (174 mi) to Santa Catalina which will take about 4 hours and check into the hotel.

­ 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Catalina Panama (4 stars)

Today we will take a boat to explore the Coiba National Park. We will visit Coiba Island, Granito de Oro, and Rancheria Island here. Coiba Island is famous for its past as a prison center and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. If it happens in June to October, we can see humpback whales if we are lucky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Catalina Panama (4 stars)

For this day, you will enjoy a free day at Santa Catalina. You can relax on the beach, go surfing, swimming, snorkeling or diving. If you want to explore the surrounding islands, we recommend Gobernadora Island and Cebaco Island.

­ 

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Santa Catalina Panama (4 stars)

Today your driver will drive 360 km (224 mi) back to Panama City, which will take 5.5 hours. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is free for you.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero (4 stars) or similar

Today your tours in Panama end. The driver will pick you up and deliver you to Tocumen International Airport on time. Wish you a pleasant journey home.

Our professional travel consultant is very happy to customize this private tour to your needs. Don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you! 

Meal: Breakfast