Highlights
- Sea kayak along the world-famous Panama Canal
- Hike through the biodiverse cloud forest of Volcán
- Snorkel the wildlife-rich waters of the Bocas del Toro archipelago
- Taste-test your way through Panama's old town of Casco Antiguo
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Panama City, Market Tour | Panama City |
| Day 2 | Sea Kayaking Adventure on the Panama Canal | Panama City |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Volcán & the Highlands | Volcán |
| Day 4 | Volcán Cloud Forest Hike, Summit the Barú Volcano | Volcán |
| Day 5 | Highlights Tour of Chiriquí Province | Volcán |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Isla Bastimentos & Tranquilo Bay | Bastimentos Island |
| Day 7 | Boat Trip to Monkey Island & Snorkeling Experience | Bastimentos Island |
| Day 8 | Discover Bastimentos Marine National Park | Bastimentos Island |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Panama City, Casco Antiguo Foodie Walking Tour | Panama City |
| Day 10 | Depart Panama City |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Panama City, Market Tour
Welcome to Panama! You'll arrive at Tocumen International Airport, where a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Panama City. Panama's iconic capital and commercial center is like nowhere else in Central America, where big business and giant skyscrapers meet cobbled colonial streets.
In the afternoon, you'll get your first look at the capital with an immersive tour through its bustling food markets and vibrant neighborhoods. Start at the historic Coca-Cola Café and stroll through the legendary streets of Salsipuedes to learn about Panamanian culture and shop for traditional souvenirs. Visit the old Chinatown to enjoy popular snacks and tour the San Felipe Neri Food Market for seasonal produce before ending the day at the Seafood Market for traditional ceviche and a taste of the national beer, Balboa.
Day 2: Sea Kayaking Adventure on the Panama Canal
Today's adventure takes you on a half-day escapade along one of the world's most astonishing artificial structures. More than 12,000 ships a year pass through the mighty Panama Canal, as day and night, massive oceangoing cruises, container ships, yachts, and watercraft of all kinds arrive from different continents.
You'll hop in a stable and efficient sea kayak for an up-close look at the famous waterway, following your experienced guide past busy ports and remote beaches. Pass the Bridge of the Americas, the first permanent structure to link North America and South America, then take a break on a stretch of sand surrounded by tropical forest for some bird-watching before heading back to Panama City, where you'll have the rest of the afternoon free.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcán & the Highlands
Today you'll hop on an early flight toward your next destination: the small mountain town of Volcán. Located in the highlands of the Chiriquí province, in the shadows of the impressive Barú stratovolcano, this region is an off-the-beaten-path gem and gateway to the region's pristine cloud forests and nature reserves. With its cooler year-round temperatures, it's also a farming hub, producing much of the country's flowers and produce.
Upon your arrival at David Airport, you'll be picked up and transferred to your comfortable accommodations at a local lodge. Get settled in, then take the rest of the day to explore Volcán at your own pace. Visit a local animal sanctuary, Raquel's Ark, to see various jungle wildlife being rehabilitated, or sip world-class coffee at Janson Coffee Farm. Explore ancient petroglyphs and artifacts at the archaeological museum, Sitio Barriles, or shop for local handicrafts such as woodcarvings in town.
Day 4: Volcán Cloud Forest Hike, Summit the Barú Volcano
Start today with a guided walk through the area's biodiverse, cool-climate cloud forest. You'll follow the Big Tree Loop, passing plenty of stunning waterfalls and scenic lookout points along the way as you keep an eye out for local wildlife. The forests of Chiriquí are known for their remarkable birdlife, including the smokey-brown woodpecker, scarlet-rumped tanager, and the famous resplendent quetzal.
In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to summit the Barú volcano, the highest point in Panama. You can hike to the peak via the charming town of Boquete or take a Jeep safari to its peak for a quicker excursion. From there, you'll admire some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Panamanian coastline, Pacific and Caribbean. If the timing's right, stay for an incredible sunset above the clouds, or consider camping there to experience a night close to the stars.
Day 5: Highlights Tour of Chiriquí Province
Today, you'll head out for a highlights tour of Chiriquí province. Start in the village of Cerro Punta to explore the area with a local naturalist guide on a nature walk through the jungle. If you're lucky, you may spot various rare bird species, such as the resplendent quetzal or the volcano hummingbird.
From here, you'll travel to La Amistad International Park Headquarters. La Amistad is a bi-national park stretching from Costa Rica to Panama, a small portion of which extends into the Chiriquí province's cloud forests. Here, the land rises to more than 4,950 feet (1,500 m), and warm air ascends the mountains, meeting with cooler air to condense into a near-constant cloud cover. Cloud forests exhibit a complex ecosystem with an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna, and this one is no different.
You'll also tour Haras Cerro Punta, a thoroughbred breeding farm in a mountain valley between Cerro Punta and Guadalupe, the highest inhabited part of Panama. The famous farm, the origin of many racehorse champions for Panama and beyond, is surrounded by one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the country.
Day 6: Transfer to Isla Bastimentos & Tranquilo Bay
Bid the Panamanian highlands farewell this morning as your driver transfers you 4.5 hours east to the country's Caribbean coast. From here, you'll catch a ferry into the tropical Bocas del Toro archipelago to reach your base for the next three nights on Isla Bastimentos.
Check into your all-inclusive ecolodge, then start exploring your surroundings. The grounds comprise over 200 acres (80 ha) of island habitat, home to monkeys, sloths, iguanas, butterflies, poison dart frogs, and more. If you're feeling adventurous, opt for a guided or self-guided activity like bird-watching from the canopy observation tower, a jungle nature hike, or a fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, or standup paddleboarding excursion. For a slower pace of the afternoon, head straight to the beach, where you'll have the clear Caribbean waters and golden sands to yourself.
Day 7: Boat Trip to Monkey Island & Snorkeling Experience
Today you'll set sail in the waters around Isla Bastimentos to visit a small private reserve known as Monkey Island. Disembark to spot dozens of monkey species, including three native Panamanian species, and visit the island's conservation center. During the tour, you'll get the chance to interact with the monkeys (from a distance), learn more about how the center helps abandoned and orphaned animals, and see these curious and playful creatures scampering throughout their natural habitat.
Monkey Island is also surrounded by turquoise waters teeming with tropical fish. After your tour, you'll sail to some prime spots along the island's shore and drop anchor to snorkel and swim before cruising back to Bastimentos for the afternoon.
Day 8: Discover Bastimentos Marine National Park
Get back out on the water today for another boat trip around the islands of Bocas del Toro, taking in the archipelago's natural highlights along the way. Observe dolphins in the wild and visit a small mangrove forest to see sloths in their natural habitat, then continue to Cayo Coral to snorkel among the coral gardens before stopping for lunch at a seaside restaurant.
For the rest of the afternoon, you'll explore the beautiful Cayos Zapatilla, two uninhabited islands east of Isla Bastimentos. These islands attract nesting sea turtles and are part of the vast Bastimentos Marine National Park. Relax on the gorgeous beaches fringed by pristine jungle, or grab your snorkel to explore more of the surrounding coral reefs. After returning to Bastimentos in the afternoon, you'll have a free evening to savor your last night on the island.
Day 9: Transfer to Panama City, Casco Antiguo Foodie Walking Tour
Today you'll be transferred to the Bocas del Toro Airport for a domestic flight back to Panama City. Once you arrive back at your hotel and settle in, you'll head back to the city's Casco Antiguo neighborhood for a walking food tour of the historic district. The Panamanian capital was the first city to earn UNESCO's "Creative City of Gastronomy" title, and its culinary scene is a fusion of flavors influenced by its diverse cultural heritage. Take your pick of three tours today, depending on your tastes.
The first visits local restaurants serving traditional foods, such as sancocho de gallina, a chicken soup that's become the national dish, or ceviche, marinated seafood with a Panamanian twist. The second option explores a more modern part of the neighborhood, allowing you to sample traditional regional plates with international infusions. The third tour is hosted by a Panamanian-Chinese chef and celebrates the culinary traditions introduced by the Chinese railroad workers who immigrated to Panama in the mid-1800s. Try staple Panamanian dishes that have roots in Chinese culture, like fried rice, stir-fried noodles, or roasted pork with sweet sauce.
Day 10: Depart Panama City
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