Panama Experience

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Panama City

Arrive in Panama City at any time. As your fellow travellers are arriving at various times throughout the day, there are no planned activities other than a group dinner and info session, so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

Day 2 Panama City

Spend the day at leisure or partake in one of the many optional activities such as visiting the world-famous Panama Canal, exploring the old city and ruins, and shopping.Lying in the centre of Panama’s southern coast, the country’s capital is a modern, bustling city, thanks to the enormous trade and commerce that passes through each year. However, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the Panama City aside from the world-famous canal. The city has a long and varied history, and the site was an important stop on the “Gold trail” of treasures being shipped from the Spanish colonies in the Americas back to the motherland. For this reason, the early settlement was attacked numerous times and at one time the city was burned to the ground. This part of the city is now known as Panama La Vieja (Old Panama) and still has some great old buildings, as well as some interesting museums that document the history of the region. After the fire, the city was relocated 8 km away, on a small peninsula planners felt would be easier to defend. This area is now known as the “Casco Viejo,” and is surrounded by sea on 3 sides and a moat on the fourth, making it a very strategic location. The area is beautiful, and great for a glimpse into history with its narrow cobblestone streets and colonial-style buildings. Heading out of the city there is a fantastic 2 km-long causeway linking the city with 4 small islands off the coast. The causeway has great views of the city and ocean, and if you are lucky you can sometimes spot dolphins.The Panama Canal is a fabulous example of modern engineering and is considered to be one of the engineering wonders of the world. Many times before was a canal attempted to join the two oceans at this point. The first to try were the French, but they encountered endless trials and catastrophes, in the end claiming the lives of 22,000 people—and the canal was abandoned. The United States eventually completed the canal in 1914, and today it extends 80 km across the country. Gigantic lock systems raise and lower the water levels, allowing ships to go from lake to lake (the canal is made up of entirely fresh water), and eventually from ocean to ocean. According to statistics, more than 12,000 ocean-going vessels pass through it a year–over 30 a day! Watching a freighter pass through the locks is something not to be missed.

Day 3-4 El Valle

Not far from Panama City, El Valle makes a great stop along the Pan-American highway on our way to the coast. Explore the village, shop in the handicraft market, or climb the India Dormida rock formation. Other options available include biking and horseback riding.A little village in an extinct volcanic crater, El Valle is a pleasantly cool mountain town nestled in the crater of a huge extinct volcano. The town is mostly known for its very colourful handicraft market, but there are also a plethora of amazing walking trails in the area, perfect for enjoying the cool climate and varied wildlife of the region. The surrounding forest is filled with a variety of birds and animals, and several spectacular waterfalls. If you are lucky you might even spot the area’s rare golden frog. This is also a good opportunity for shopping, as the market offers an assortment of crafts unique to the indigenous people of Panama, as well as the local fruit and vegetable trade.Estimated Travel Time: 3 hoursApproximate Distance: 150 km

Day 5-7 Boquete

Our journey continues, taking us next to the mountain retreat of Boquete. A plethora of outdoor options await us here, including numerous hikes, whitewater rafting and a tour of a coffee plantation.The picturesque town of Boquete is nestled in a green mountain valley, with a beautiful river running through it. The town is well-known for its cool, fresh climate and unspoiled natural environment, making it an outdoor lover’s paradise. There are numerous hiking tours to choose from, as well as horseback riding and whitewater rafting. It is also a good place to just relax in the mountain climate as a break from the lowland heat. For the coffee lovers, there are many plantations that offer tours of their factories as well as taste tests.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 330 km

Day 8-10 Bocas del Toro

We travel by means of buses and a boat to arrive at the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Our time here offers us plenty of opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, or just relax on the beach.The Archipelago of Bocas del Toro is made up of 6 islands, only 2 of which have roads and services for tourists. The islands are unique in many ways. The islands and closest shoreline form an isolated pocket of lowlands between the mountains and swamps of most of nearby mainland. As a result there is much wildlife found only in this region and nowhere else. The islands are mostly covered in rainforest, and have spectacular beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling or diving.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 340 km

Day 11-13 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Begin with an incredible bus ride over the Panama border to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Fourteen kilometers of incomparable white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. There are several optional activities available. Hike to Monkey Point through the Gandoca - Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Try snorkelling or take it easy and explore La Isla Botanical Gardens.Rent a boogie board if the waves are calling, dance the night away to reggae and calypso, taste flavourful Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and succumb to the natural beauty of this tropical paradise. This area of Costa Rica was quite isolated until a road was built a only a couple of decades ago, and it still hasn’t lost its charm.Estimated Travel Time: 7 hoursApproximate Distance: 70 km

Day 14 San José

Travel north through the beautiful Costa Rican countryside to the capital city for one last night out on the town.Located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains. Start your exploration of the city in the main plaza, a great place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere. A source of pride for the Ticos (Costa Ricans) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished. The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park, used to be the international airport and the museum is now housed in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvelous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San José are the markets. The two main ones are the ones in Plaza de la Cultura, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in San José after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and area that you can participate in, many of them outdoors.Probably the hardest thing you will do in San José, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one. Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 230 km

Trip Details

Accommodation	Simple hotels (may be multi-share) (14 nts).
Brochure Notes	The Pamana Experience tour is a component of our Great Mexico and Central American Journey (JPX).
Combination	The Panama Experience tour is a component of our Great Mexico and Central American Journey JPX.
Departure	Departs Wednesdays and Sundays, departures vary
DepEnd	Wed-Wed, Sun-Sun
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 10
Local Payment	USD250
Meals Included	No meals included.
Recommendation	Want something longer? Consider adding Nicaragua and Guatemala with part of our Great Central American Journey CPPA.
Reverse Itinerary	This trip also runs in reverse - see trip code JSP.
StartFinish	Panama City to San José
Testimonial	"The trip was excellent, the tour guide Natalia, was outstanding. The trip exceeded my expectations in every way." - Howard Brandon travelled on Panama Experience
Transport	Public bus, boat, van.
Brochure Intro	The best of southern Costa Rica and western Panama, featuring an abundance of both natural and man-made wonders. As Panama is still off most travellers' radars, it's the perfect place for a genuine discovery experience, with plenty of activities ranging from fantastic bird watching to exhilarating white water rafting.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-09-24	2008-10-08	7+
2008-10-22	2008-11-05	7+
2008-11-12	2008-11-26	7+
2008-11-26	2008-12-10	7+
2008-12-03	2008-12-17	7+
2008-12-10	2008-12-24	7+
2008-12-24	2009-01-07	7+
2008-12-31	2009-01-14	7+
2009-01-07	2009-01-21	7+
2009-01-14	2009-01-28	7+
2009-01-21	2009-02-04	7+
2009-02-04	2009-02-18	7+
2009-02-25	2009-03-11	7+
2009-03-04	2009-03-18	7+
2009-03-11	2009-03-25	7+
2009-03-18	2009-04-01	7+
2009-03-25	2009-04-08	7+
2009-04-08	2009-04-22	7+
2009-04-15	2009-04-29	7+
2009-04-22	2009-05-06	7+
2009-04-29	2009-05-13	7+
2009-05-06	2009-05-20	7+
2009-05-20	2009-06-03	7+
2009-06-10	2009-06-24	7+
2009-06-17	2009-07-01	7+
2009-06-24	2009-07-08	7+
2009-07-01	2009-07-15	7+
2009-07-08	2009-07-22	7+
2009-07-22	2009-08-05	7+
2009-07-29	2009-08-12	7+
2009-08-05	2009-08-19	7+
2009-08-12	2009-08-26	7+
2009-08-19	2009-09-02	7+
2009-09-02	2009-09-16	7+
2009-09-16	2009-09-30	7+
2009-09-30	2009-10-14	7+
2009-10-14	2009-10-28	7+
2009-10-28	2009-11-11	7+
2009-11-11	2009-11-25	7+
2009-11-25	2009-12-09	7+
2009-12-09	2009-12-23	7+
2009-12-23	2010-01-06	7+

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