Travel from Panama City to Bocas del Toro: archipelagos and culture

Welcome at Tocumen international airport in Panama City.

Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in a Panama City hotel.

Discover Panama City and the Canal in private service

First stop: Panama La Vieja, the country’s first capital before it was destroyed by the notorious pirate Henry Morgan.

Then it’s on to the Panama Canal and the Miraflores locks. The visitors’ center offers a bird’s-eye view of all kinds of ships in transit (container ships, liners or tiny sailing boats…).

In addition, exhibitions retrace the history of the locks’ construction and describe how they work.

Then it’s on to the Casco Antiguo. This bohemian district plunges you into the country’s historic past, with its typical alleyways and colorful buildings leading to the Place de France.

Discover the art-deco architecture and the cathedral. In the late afternoon, transfer to your hotel andovernight in a Panama City hotel.

A day dedicated to meeting the Embera Quera: you’ll make your way to the pier of the Rio Gatún, from where you’ll take a motorized pirogue to one of the community’s villages.On the other side of the river, you’ll be welcomed by the cacique (spiritual leader) and the village children. Throughout the day, you’ll discover their way of life and traditions, including the art of tattooing,an introduction to their knowledge of medicinal plants, a performance of ancestral dances and a trip to a small island to observe the monkeys.

Finally, a typical fishmeal will be served in banana leaves.In the afternoon, your driver will pick you up at the pier to take you to Gamboa. Overnight in Gamboa.

Day trip to Lake Gatun and jungle trekking

Head for Lake Gamboa, where you’ll board a boat for a canal cruise as close as possible to the ships in transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. You’ll come close to several islands inhabited by different species of monkeys, including the famous capuchin monkeys that live in the region. The day continues with a short walk in Soberania Park, Camino de Plantacion or El Charco, depending on how busy it is (where it won’t be too crowded). Lunch at a local farm andovernight in Gamboa.

Transfer to Albrook aerodromefor flight to the Bocas del Toro archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.Arrive in Bocas del Toro and check into hotel.Overnight in a hotel on the main island (Isla Colon).

Sea outing to Bahia HondaYou start the day with a snorkeling trip to Punta Hospital to admire the magnificent coral reef, before heading to Bastimentos Island to observe the dolphins at Bahia Honda.You then travel through a channel inside the mangrove for about 20 minutes (it’s possible to observe sloths, caimans and various bird species), then meet up with the local guide for a short jungle hike . You can see red tree frogs, sloths and the occasional monkey along the way.You then enter the cave, where you can observe several species of bats on the roofs and explore the cave to a small natural pool.Overnight in a hotel on the main island (Isla Colon).

Explore the flora and fauna of Isla Colon.Discover the northern part of Isla Colón, with a first stop at Bird Island. You’ll then head down to Boca del Drago for a short stroll, during which you’ll discover the magnificent scenery along the beach. Free time to enjoy Playa Estrella beach, famous for its starfish. End the day with a snorkeling activity.Overnight in a hotel on the main island (Isla Colon).

Free day in Bocas del Toro, where you can enjoy the beaches, restaurants and lively island life.In the evening, come and experience the phenomenon of bioluminescence
During the night, you’ll take the boat to discover the incredible bioluminescence of plankton. For 2 hours, you’ll see how they react to light and movement in the water at 3 different locations to discover the 2 types of bioluminescent plankton. Part of the tour involves snorkeling in the middle of the bioluminescence, a unique experience!
In the dark, you can watch the water glow as you stir it with your paddle or swim!Overnight in a hotel on the main island (Isla Colon).

Return flight to Panama City.