Lands and Traditions: Natural Panama

An adventure trip to the heart of Panama

Choose to visit Panama like few others. An immersive and sporty journey through all the country’s landscapes, alongside wild nature, authentic traditions and encounters

  • Panama City: a modern, dynamic capital surrounded by national parks and unspoilt jungle.
  • Coiba National Park: a jewel in Panama’s crown, which you’ll discover in a different way by staying overnight.
  • The Terres Hautes region with its highest point: the extinct volcano Baru, which you’ll tackle with a night climb.
  • Bocas del Toro: best known for its « archipelago » facade, the region also has a much lesser-known coastal part, which preserves the traditions of its indigenous communities.

a holiday of adventure and authenticity that will take you to the essentials of Panama, but to be discovered in a different way.

Length of stay: 17 days

Theme: Adventure

Difficulty: Moderate

This trip has been designed for travelers looking to surpass themselves, meet new people and make real discoveries. You'll come into contact with Panama's essentials, but in a different way: by sleeping as close as possible to the places you'll be visiting, and by exploring the wilderness on foot, by climbing, by packraft...

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Discover Coiba on a camping trip

Overnight in a tent in Coiba National Park: to enjoy the park and its wonders even more.

Discovering the Ngäbés-Buglés lands

Discover the Ngäbés-Buglés indigenous community, their territory and traditions.

On the vintage road

For adventurers and those who want to challenge themselves in an enchanting setting.

Travel Itinerary

Jour 1 :

Panama City

Welcome to Panama!

We’re delighted to welcome you to this dynamic city, at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, ocean and skyscrapers.

Your driver will be waiting for you at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City to take you to your hotel.

overnight in a Panama City hotel.

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Jour 2 :

Panama City

Morning sunrise bike tour of Panama City.Discover the city at a time when everyone is busy. After enjoying an excellent geisha coffee, you’ll set off from Casco Viejo towards the ocean, passing through the main squares, markets, churches and alleyways of the historic center. You’ll discover the ocean, the transit of boats heading for the Canal, and the flight of pelicans over the water. You finish the tour on Amador, Panama City’s emblematic promenade, thanks to a palm-lined road offering spectacular views of the Canal, the Bridge of the Americas and the city skyline.Next, discover Panamanian gastronomy.The experience begins in Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic colonial center. You’ll walk with your expert local guide in search of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Once you’ve got your ingredients, you’ll return to the cooking studio to begin the course. On the program: creation of a 4-course Panamanian menu, while learning about the spices and herbs that are unique to Panamanian cuisine. The activity ends with lunch, during which you’ll taste the meal you’ve just prepared.Overnight in a Panama City hotel.

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Jour 3 :

Panama City

Immerse yourself in Panama’s history, through the streets and squares of the historic Casco Viejo district to the Canal.In the morning, we recommend you explore the historic Casco Viejodistrict , whereyou’ll find historic symbols, numerous craft stores and interesting art galleries, including one on molas, the art of the Guna Yala Indians. If you’d like to learn more about the history of the construction of the Panama Canal, then don’t miss the Museo del Canal.

Afterwards, a stroll through the Plaza de Francia, home to the French Embassy, pays homage to this era, and offers a beautiful view of the Canal and the Bridge of the Americas.In the afternoon, a visit to the Panama Canal.Thanks to the morning’s historical strolls, you’ll now be well equipped to understand what’s at stake with the Canal. The Panama Canal is one of the most impressive sites to discover on a trip to Panama. From the Miraflores locks, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of all kinds of ships in transit (container ships, ocean liners, tiny sailing boats, etc.), while exhibitions trace the history of the locks’ construction and describe how they work.Overnight in a Panama City hotel

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Jour 4 :

Panama City

Jungle & packraft expedition on the ancient Camino de las Cruces trail.Early in the morning, depart Panama City for the jungle of Parc Soberania. After a briefing with your guide, you’ll set off for the 11 km hike on the Camino de Cruces, an ancient historical route across the Isthmus of Panama, which once linked the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean in the days of Spanish colonization, long before the construction of the canal.

Today, this route is rarely used, with remnants of the stone-paved road and, above all, untouched jungle and abundant wildlife: sloths, howler monkeys, wild boar and parrots accompany you along the way. The walking conditions are tough, and much of it takes place in the riverbed.After several hours of walking, you arrive at the edge of the Rio Chagres, where you inflate your packraft and set off to navigate the river that joins the Panama Canal. Disembark near Gamboa in the late afternoon. An adventure that allows you to fully experience the jungle and immerse yourself in Panama’s history.Overnight in a Panama City hotel.

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Jour 5 :

Santa Catalina

Pick up your rental car anddrive from Panama City to Santa Catalina,in the province of Veraguas. A day’s drive along the Pan-American Highway. Settle in and discover the small village of Santa Catalina.Santa Catalina used to be a small fishing village, receiving very few visitors. In recent years, however, it has become a must-see stop for surfers. Surfers from all over the world and of all levels gather on Santa Catalina’s beaches every year, and gradually, departures for Coiba National Park have also been made from Santa Catalina. Today, Santa Catalina remains unspoilt and is developing at its own pace, but still offers some activities apart from surfing lessons and discovering Coiba. Contact us for more information.Overnight in a Santa Catalina hotel.

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Jour 6 :

Coiba National Park

Authentic stay in Coiba National Park with overnight camping.Discover Coiba National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, located off Panama’s Pacific coast in the Gulf of Chiriqui. Today, the marine park boasts some of the highest biological diversity in the world. Coiba is a world-class diving destination located in the same corridor as the Galapagos Islands, offering access to the largest reef off the west coast of the Americas. Diving in its waters, you’ll have the chance to see manta rays, whales and hammerhead sharks. If you come between December and April, you’ll even be able to see some of the biggest fish in the ocean: whale sharks! Your day will be punctuated by several stops to discover this place at its best. You’ll go snorkeling, where you’ll be able to observe all these aquatic splendors. Relax on the park’s beaches. After a good day’s work, your crew will settle in for the night at the base camp on one of the islands. Enjoy dinner and drinks, share stories at moonrise and fall asleep to the sound of the waves, ready for another day of adventure!Overnight in a canvas tent.

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Jour 7 :

Santa Catalina

Wake up to thesound of the waves and birds in Coiba National Park. Start the day with breakfast before exploring the islands you haven’t yet visited. You’ll return to Santa Catalina in the late afternoon.Overnight in a Santa Catalina hotel.

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Jour 8 :

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Drive from Santa Catalina to Boquete, thenon to Chiriqui province. Arrive in David, and continue to the higher reaches of the region, to the village of Boquete, famous for its flowers and coffee.Night-time nature outing.Enjoy a magical experience in the heart of the forest, just after sunset. As night falls, nature is transformed: sounds change, nocturnal wildlife awakens, and a mysterious world is revealed. Guided through the darkness, you’ll discover a vibrant, rarely-seen ecosystem, where every sound and glow tells the story of the forest’s secret life. You’ll have the chance to observe snakes, spiders, frogs… and other nocturnal species.Overnight in a hotel in Boquete.

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Jour 9 :

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Discover the Boquete region:Boquete is a small town set in a colorful, wooded valley surrounded by the Chiriqui mountains. Here you’re in the capital of Panamanian coffee, and many fincas can be added to your program

  • Birdwatching: over 300 species of birds live here.
  • Hiking, for all tastes and levels.
  • Horseback riding: there are many horse fincas in the region, where horses roam freely in the wilderness.

overnight in a hotel in Boquete.

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Jour 10 :

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Discover the rainforest by walking on suspension bridges. Enjoy the forest from a different point of view, this unique way of seeing the rainforest will give you an unforgettable experience! On this 4.5 km trail, you’ll cross 6 bridges offering breathtaking views of lush tropical vegetation, rivers, waterfalls and the imposing Volcan Baru.Overnight at a hotel in Boquete.

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Jour 11 :

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Ascent and sunrise at Volcan Barú. At 3,475 metres, Volcan Barú is the highest point in Panama and one of the few places in the world where, on a clear day, you can see both the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific Oceans. This dormant volcano is surrounded by lush nature and exceptional biodiversity. The adventure begins at 11.30pm, when you meet your guide who will accompany you on this unforgettable experience. In a small group, you’ll begin your ascent of Panama’s highest volcano. If the skies are clear, you’ll be able to enjoy a splendid 360° panoramic view of the region in the early hours of the morning.

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Jour 12 :

Rambala

Road from Boquete to Rambala.

Departure for Bocas del Toro, on the coast, gateway to the Caribbean archipelago. On the way, you’ll encounter a variety of landscapes from the Talamanca mountain range to the Caribbean coast, and see the dwellings of the Guayamies Indians.

overnight in a hotel in Rambala.

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Jour 13 :

La Gloria

Stay 2 days and 1 night in the Ngäbé-Buglé community anddiscover the Ngäbés-Buglés waterfall, a well-kept secret. The Bocas del Toro archipelago may be seductive for its turquoise lagoons and uninhabited islands, but the region as a whole offers much more. The mainland reveals another facet of Bocas: rougher, greener and more steeped in tradition. For two days and one night, immerse yourself in an authentic world, where nature and culture still live in perfect harmony. Meet the Ngäbe-Bugle indigenous community of Bocas del Toro.Overnight in a wooden hut.

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Jour 14 :

La Gloria

Immerse yourself in the Ngäbe culture asthe community opens its doors to you: you’ll witness the processing of organic cocoa using ancestral know-how, explore the secrets of traditional medicine and admire the work of Ngäbe artisans.
You’ll also have the chance to dress in traditional clothing and immortalize your experience in a unique photo session. Return your vehicle to Almirante. Meet up at the port of Almirante and board a public motorboat bound for Isla Colón.Overnight in a Bocas del Toro hotel.

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Jour 15 :

Bocas del Toro

Alancha, as they call them here, will pick you up at your hotel. You’ll sail into the dolphin-spotting area of Bahia Honda, then watch for sloths in their natural habitat before heading to Cayo Coral for a snorkeling stop to observe the coral gardens and the wildlife that inhabit them. You’ll end the day at Cayo Zapatilla, 2 uninhabited islets on the edge of the Isla Bastimentos marine national park, where you’ll enjoy the beach and explore the island for the rest of the afternoon. Return to Cayo Coral for lunch in a restaurant by the sea. Overnight in a Bocas del Toro hotel.

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Jour 16 :

Bocas del Toro

A free day in Bocas del Toro, renowned for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, Afro-Caribbean culture and exceptional marine biodiversity, this is a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, surfing and cultural encounters. Depending on your requirements, we’ll advise you on the best way to organize your day

  • Beaches for swimming or surfing.
  • Hiking and wildlife watching.
  • Sea cabs to other islands and beaches.

As an option, we can arrange for you to visit other parts of the archipelago or take part in certain activities.Overnight in a Bocas del Toro hotel.

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Jour 17 :

Panama City

You will take a domestic flight from Bocas del Toro to Panama City. Transfer from Albrook airport to Tocumen airport. Your driver will pick you up at Gelabert airport (Albrook) for your private transfer to Tocumen international airport for your international flight home.

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Why travel with us?

Local expertise

Custom design

Tracking and safety

Authentic experiences

Without intermediaries

Responsible tourism

Are you planning a trip to
Panama?

Our commitment to more responsible travel

  • Partners carefully selected according to CSR criteria

  • Raising our teams' awareness of environmental issues

  • Commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of our trips

  • Terra Panamerica's committed work charter

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Lands and Traditions: Natural Panama

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