Panama highlights

Panama is undoubtedly now one of Latin America's hottest destinations, with its tropical mix of rainforest, wildlife and stunning Caribbean and Pacific coastline. We've put together a 'Highlights of Panama' trip that showcases the best the country has to offer.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Panama City, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to a hotel overlooking the Panama Canal, where you will stay for two nights. Facilities include two small swimming pools, lighted tennis courts, a Jacuzzi and spa.
Day 2: Half-day private tour of Panama City. The tour starts with a visit to the remains of Old Panama, the first city founded in the isthmus by the Spanish conquerors at the beginning of colonial rule. The remaining ruins are the vestiges left by pirate Henry Morgan in 1671 after sacking the town. Continue to Altos del Golf, an upmarket residential neighbourhood where the controversial Dictator General Manuel Antonio Noriega used to live. From there head to Casco Viejo, the colonial city of Panama, built in 1673. The architecture of this area is of exquisite taste including French, Italian and Spanish styles.
Day 3: Full Transit of the Panama Canal: this day-long trip along one of the engineering wonders of the world starts with an early morning collection from your hotel taking you to the Pacific Ocean entrance to the canal, where you board ship. The crossing takes you through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks, through the infamous Culebra cut, where they blasted through the continental divide to reach Gatun Lake (26m above sea level). The voyage ends at the Gatun Locks where the ship is again lowered to sea level. Disembark and transfer buy coach to Gamboa, where you will stay for 3 nights at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. The hotel overlooks the Chagres River and Gatun Lake, and dates back to the 1930s.
Day 4-5: At leisure at the hotel. Excursions include an aerial view of the National Park and Canal from a specially designed tram, and sport fishing trips from the marina. Gamboa also has a freshwater fish aquarium, orchid/botanical gardens, butterfly nursery, and turtle & iguana nesting areas. Canoeing excursions can be arranged locally from the hotel.
Day 6: Transfer by road back to Panama City and fly to archipelago of Bocas Del Toro. You will be met at the Airport and taken to your hotel, where you will stay for three nights.
Day 7-8: At leisure in Bocas del Toro. Bocas with its beautiful beaches and rainforests is one of Panama’s top tourist attractions. First discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, the islands later became a safe haven for English pirates.
Day 9: Transfer to the airport for your flights back to the UK.