9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS
PANAMA CITY – SAN BLAS – YANDUP LODGE – EMBERA TRIBE – CHANGRES NATIONAL PARK – PANAMA CANAL – BOCAS DEL TORO – PLAYA TORTUGA
DAY 1 ARRIVAL DAY. PANAMA CITY
Upon arrival to Panama City a representative of Ocean2Ocean will pick you up at the airport and transfer to your city hotel.
Overnight at Eurostars hotel 5*. This hotel is in the downtown area, close to restaurants and bars, only 10 minutes’ walk from Balboa av. We recommend having dinner this first night in Panama at the hotel, at its restaurant, located by the way on the 26th floor. You will be surprised by how modern Panama City is and its skyscrapers and vivid night life.
DAY 2
Early in the morning our driver will pick you up and take to Albrook domestic airport for your flight to San Blas. Up on arrival at Playon Chico airport you will be picked up by a representative of Yandup lodge and taken by boat to the island the lodge is located on.
Yandup lodge is located on an island with its own beach, but despite of that you are invited to join the daily tours to different islands, beaches and communities included into your accommodation rate. Meals are included. Please, read carefully your confirmation for more details.
DAYS 3 AND 4 SAN BLAS ISLANDS/ YANDUP LODGE
San Blas islands are inhabited by kuna (guna) people, who came to this islands and land hundreds of years ago. They used to confront Spanish conquerors by collaboration with English pirates and troops. It is also the only people in Panama (including other 6 indigenous ethnicities) who accomplished a revolution in 1925 to defend their rights and traditions, so you can say by this fact this people are very freedom-loving and proud of their culture. A trip to San Blas is a once in a lifetime journey and a must do in Panama!
DAY 5. SAN BLAS/ CHAGRES NATIONAL PARK/ PANAMA CITY
After breakfast at Yandup Lodge you will head to Playon Chico airport to catch your flight back to Panama City. Up on arrival to the capital of the country you will be met by your guide. We consider some time for refreshments or coffee before starting today’s tour.
The Embera Village tour will get you out of the XXI century comfort zone and will make you look differently at the magic of life. You will learn about the pre-Columbian history of Panama, the origin of the Embera tribe, their customs and traditions. They make incredibly beautiful and sophisticated baskets, tagua nut carvings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
Refresh your mind and body in cool and crystal clean waters of a tropical waterfall, dance with the Indians their ancient dances, try delicious local food, feel the fresh air on your face and get totally renewed at the Chagres National Park.
Night at Eurostars Hotel 5*
DAY 6. PANAMA CITY & CANAL
Panama City was founded in the XVI century by Spanish conquistadors. It was the first Spanish port on the Pacific. Now the capital has three towns: the “old town” (Panamá Viejo), the “colonial” town (Casco Antiguo, Spanish for Old Quarter) and the “new town” (Modern Panama). During today’s tour you will visit the Old Quarter, which represents a significant stage in the development of Spanish colonial style and the modern part of the city – the most developed city in all Central America.
The 6-hour city tour also includes visit to Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal Visitors Center. It is the perfect place to witness how the Panama Canal works. From the observation decks, visitors may watch the lock gates open and close as vessels begin or end their transit. Through the exhibitions, you can learn about the Panama Canal’s history, its impact on international trade, how it works, its close relationship with nature and the Canal Expansion. A 3D movie portrays the story of the waterway.
We will visit old and modern parts of the city, starting from the Former Canal Zone where the Americans lived during the construction of the Panama Canal, going through Amador Causeway, which is a long, winding road that connects three smaller islands: Naos, Perico, and Flamenco to the main land, stopping by Las Americas bridge and ending with the Balboa Avenue, one of the most beautiful streets of the city along the bay.
The historic quarter of Panama City, Casco Antiguo, declared World Heritage site by UNESCO, is a colorful neighborhood with colonial style avenues, parks, and squares. You will visit Herrera Square, St. Joseph church with its remarkable golden altar, ruins of Jesuits and St. Dominic convents, French Square and Paseo Esteban Huerta, National Theater, Bolivar Square with the gorgeous St. Francis church and Bolivar palace and least, but not by last, the Cathedras Square and the Cathedral itself. The tour in Casco is a panoramic walking tour with pleasant stops by chocolateries, coffee or gelato shops and off course souvenir shops and original brands boutiques.
Night at Eurostars Hotel 5*.
Additional you can purchase on site a Folk show dinner for this night. Anyway, our representative will be more than pleased to recommend you some of Panama City’s outstanding places for dinner.
DAY 7. PANAMA CITY & CANAL
Breakfast.
Transfer to Albrook airport to catch your flight to Bocas del Toro, Colon island.
Today you will be moving to Bocas del Toro, Playa Tortuga hotel. Bocas del Toro is the name of an Archipelago, located on the Caribbean Sea. A group of 10 heavenly beautiful islands with white sand beaches, some of them totally wild and pristine, crystal clear waters, dense tropical forest – Bocas is unique and mind blowing.
It is a place where time stops for bliss. If you want company, you will find new friends from all over the world, if you want privacy – you’ll find yourself lying on white sand on a beautiful beach. Whatever you are looking for it will be Bocas style: Afro Antillean food, Panamanian reggae, colorful boats, easeful locals or expats riding their bikes on the streets of Bocas town, over the water wooden stilt houses, – all of this and even more expects you in Bocas del Toro.
Upon arrival a representative of the hotel will meet you and take you to Playa Tortuga.
DAY 8-9. BOCAS DEL TORO.
Breakfast.
In Bocas nobody stays at the hotel during the day. It is all about boat tours and activities, visits to diverse islands and beaches. So, we recommend following tours to be purchased on the island or in addition to this package:
- Boca del Drago, Starfish beach and Birds island
- Snorkeling at Coral Cay
- Zapatillas islands
- Bastimentos National Marine park
- Red Frog Beach
- Surf on Bluff Beach
- Amphibia board
- Oreba cacao plantation
- Zip Line
- Indigenous village
- Diving on Polo Beach or other locations
For dinner or party at night we would recommend some of Boca’s best locations.
Anyway, don’t stay at the hotel for the whole trip. Explore, get wild, enjoy the sunsets, dance, party all night and feel the original Bocas vibes.
DAY 8-9. BOCAS DEL TORO – PANAMA CITY – FLIGHT BACK HOME
Breakfast.
Pick up at Playa Tortuga hotel for a ride to the Airport. A flight back to Panama City awaits you.
Up on arrival to Panama City you will be received by a driver who will take you to Tocumen Airport. Depending on the time between those two flights it may be possible to stop by a shopping mall or Biomuseum if you want and by previous agreement with the driver.
Drop off at Tocumen International Airport. End of service.
