Across Panama Self-Drive

On this two weeks itinerary you will cross Panama from East to West with stops at some of the most beautiful and secluded spots of the country. After 3 days in Panama City you will drive to towns and villages that could not be more diverse. The tranquil El Valle and Boquete with exuberant nature, Santiago with its rich cultural life in the heart of Panama as well as unspoiled beaches on the Azuero Peninsula and on Isla Boca Brava: this self-drive program lest you experience Panama and all its facets.

Day 1 Arrival in Panama City :
Upon arrival to Panama a representative of Panama Trails will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your first night in Panama.

Panama City is the capital and largest city in the country. It is home to a diverse blend of cultures and an enormous historical sector in the Old City. The lively and vibrant banking district on the other hand is very modern and often compared to Miami. Panama City is a thrilling location you will surely enjoy during your visit to this gorgeous country.

Overnight at the Baru Lodge, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 2 Half Day Panama City tour of Panama City & Miraflores Locks :
In the morning, your English speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a private tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks. You will start the tour with a 30 minutes drive to Miraflores to see the huge vessels passing the Panama Canal. The busiest hours are between 09:00 and 11:00, so you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps. You will enjoy the view on the Locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations of your guide. To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal – a masterpiece of engineering. You will also learn about the history of the canal and its significance for Panama and the entire world trade as well as on the current expansion project.

After the visit to the Canal you will continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views on the Canal on one side and of the skyline of Panama City on the other side. The tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial quarter. At the Casco Viejo you feel set back in time as you admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. While visiting the highlights of this colonial district – the Cathedral, the golden Altar, French Plaza and the Huertas Passway – you will sure get an idea on Panama’s long and interesting history.

This tour includes transportation, English speaking guide and all entrance fees. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, your camera and a bottle of water.

Overnight at the Baru Lodge, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 3 Embera Indians Village :
In the morning your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you up north towards Lake Alajuela. There you will step into small boats, which will carry you up the Rio Chagres. A fascinating and dense jungle will accompany you on your boat trip. Upriver, you will step out of the dugout canoes and enjoy a short hike (can be a bit muddy) to a beautiful waterfall in midst of the rain forest. Enjoy this tropical paradise far away from any civilization, take a swim in the refreshing pool just beneath the waterfall and submerge in this true tropical getaway. Now you are ready to visit the village of the Embera Indians, one of seven indigenous tribes in Panama. The people of the Embera tribe will welcome you at the pier and gladly give you an idea on how they still live today. The villages chief will give you a brief explication on the history of the tribe, its traditions, cultures, believes and handicrafts. Then, a traditional lunch of fish and plantains prepared by the Embera women will be served to you. In the afternoon you will experience a traditional Embera dance and have the opportunity to shop for handicrafts. The sale of local products directly benefits the village and helps to pay the school fees for the children. You can also get a temporary Embera tattoo painted on your arm or leg.

Overnight at the Baru Lodge, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 4 Panama City – El Valle :
Today your rental car, a Toyota Yaris Advance or similar, will be delivered to your hotel. You can decide beforehand at which time you want to receive the car. After a short explanation about driving in Panama you are free to explore the country on your own. Drive to El Valle de Antón (approx. 2 hr drive) situated in the midst of an extinct volcanic crater. Here you stay for two nights at the charming family guest house Park Eden surrounded by lush and green gardens.

Overnight at the Park Eden, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 5 El Valle :
Enjoy your day off and feel free and adventurous to explore the El Valle area which is surrounded by the caldera of the former volcano. Get advantage of the numerous tour opportunities such as hiking, horse riding, biking and bird watching as well as plenty of flowering plants bloom in its "eternal spring" micro-climate. There are small scale local enjoyment including natural thermal water, mud baths, petroglyphs (cave pictures) and a waterfall plus the delights of a must visit gourmet restaurant "Los Mandarinos".

Overnight at the Park Eden, standard room, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 6 El Valle - Pedasi :
Linger south-west down the Azuero Peninsula in Los Santos Province. This region is the folkloric heart of Panama. The locals have a passion for what they call, "cultura tipica". Here they stitch the national costume - brightly colored, multi-layered, ruffled skirts, "pollera" and make the myriad hued papier-mache masks worn at festivals. This is an arid cowboy ranching region edged by empty Pacific beaches. Stay for two nights in the center of Pedasi, at the lovely colonial style Casita Margarita.

Overnight at Casita Margarita, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 7 Azuero Peninsula :
Enjoy a free day on the Azuero Peninsula. Book an optional snorkeling tour to Isla Iguana, explore the mangroves by kayak or watch the turtles nest on Isla Cañas.

Overnight at Casita Margarita, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 8 Pedasi – Santa Catalina :
Take an easy start into the day, leave the coast and head in-land maybe via Tonosi and Macaracas (saddle making workshop) to Santiago, the region's bustling commercial hub. Perhaps make a small side trip north to visit the impressive, ornately decorated church at San Francisco de La Montana. Built in 1727 this pilgrimage site has elaborate carvings, and vibrantly colorful frescos which mix Catholic images with Indian folklore. Then continue via Sona to Santa Catalina.

Santa Catalina is a small fishing village located on the Pacific Ocean in the province of Veraguas. It is home to black sand beaches and world class surf. First discovered in the 1970s by adventurous surfers, the waves were kept secret for years, but today people from all over the world travel here to surf Santa Catalina’s incredible waves. Santa Catalina is quickly transforming from a remote secluded little village to one of the most recommended places to visit during a trip to Panama.

But there is much more to do in Santa Catalina than just surfing. The village is also the closest access point to Isla Coiba which is literally a tropical paradise, offering a plethora of wildlife to spot, jungle to explore, and sea life to dive or snorkel with. Santa Catalina is like taking a step back in time. Literally at the end of the road, its beautiful beaches, local charm and friendly people make it a great place to visit whether you are coming to surf, dive or explore Coiba on a sea kayak expedition.

Overnight at the Hibiscus Garden, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 9 Santa Catalina :
Free day in Santa Catalina. Relax at the beach or book an optional snorkeling, diving or kayaking tour to Coiba, try surfing or take Yoga classes at the beach – the choice is yours.

Overnight at the Hibiscus Garden, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 10 Santa Catalina - Boquete :
The journey from Santa Catalina towards David is a picturesque one with grazing horses and cattles; sparkling rice paddies, coffee plantations and numerous rivers heading down from the central Cordillera to the Pacific. Then head up into the cloud forest on the eastern slopes of Barú volcano to the growing mountain resort of Boquete. Here you stay for two nights at the charming Finca Lerida, surrounded by a beautiful coffee plantation.

Overnight at Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day 11 Boquete :
Free day for to explore Boquete. We recommend a visit to one of the high quality local coffee estates to learn all about the process from cultivation to grinding. There are plenty of hiking, bird watching, white water rafting, zipline and hot springs offerings available locally, plus some extraordinary gardens which are open to the public.

Overnight at Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.

Day 12 Boquete – David – Isla Boca Brava :
After breakfast ,drive down to David where you will return your rental car.

Afterwards you will enjoy a private speed boat tour through the mangroves to Boca Brava Island in the Gulf of Chiriquí where you will stay for three nights at the boutique hotel Cala Mia. This beautiful eco-lodge offers 11 cozy cabanas. Boca Brava is one of about 100 islands in the Archipelago of Chiriqui marine national park. The park contains many secluded white sand beaches. The forested islands are home to howler monkeys, coyotes, ocelots, margays, raccoons, jaguarondis, ant-eaters and in the bays and in the ocean there are leatherback and hawksbill turtles, dolphins, whales and a wide variety of other tropical, colorful fishes. The rest of the day is at your free disposal. Relax in the hotel's infinity edge pool or at the beach.

Overnight at the hotel Cala Mia, bungalow suite, breakfast included.

Day 13 Cala Mia Hotel :
Enjoy the free day at the hotel Cala Mia on Boca Brava Island. Guests also have unlimited use of kayaks and snorkeling equipment. Optional excursions are available locally to explore the archipelago (costs not included in the package).

Overnight at the hotel Cala Mia, bungalow suite, breakfast included.

Day 14 Isla Boca Brava – David – Panama City :
Today you will travel by boat to Boca Chica and then enjoy a transfer to David where you will be dropped off at the airport to catch a local flight to Panama City. At the airport, a representative of Panama Trails will pick you up and transfer you to your city hotel for your last night in Panama. Enjoy an evening out in this vibrant and lively city often compared to Miami.

Overnight at the Baru Lodge, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 15 Panama City - Departure :
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home

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