Panama: Canals, Cloud Forests & Private Islands
Introduction
All of our journeys can be completely personalized and curated with our commitment to sustainable tourism.
Journey Overview
Panama's position between two continents and two oceans has shaped nearly every aspect of the country, from its extraordinary biodiversity to its Indigenous cultures, colonial history and global importance as a crossroads.
Begin with five nights in Panama City, allowing the capital to serve as a base for experiences extending well beyond its skyline. Walk through the restored streets and plazas of Casco Viejo before considering the Panama Canal from both an engineering and environmental perspective. At Miraflores, watch vessels negotiate one of the world's great transportation corridors, then enter the forests and waterways surrounding the canal, where tropical wildlife exists remarkably close to the city.
On the Caribbean coast, Portobelo tells another side of Panama's history. Once one of Spain's most important ports in the Americas, its forts and harbor are intertwined with colonial trade, piracy and the enduring Afro-Panamanian Congo culture of the region.
A very different Panama awaits in Guna Yala. Travel into the autonomous Indigenous territory for time with Guna hosts, including an encounter with a master mola artisan, then spend the day moving among small Caribbean islands surrounded by clear turquoise water, white-sand beaches and palm-fringed shores. The return to Panama City by air provides a striking perspective across the isthmus.
Continue west to Boquete and the volcanic highlands of Chiriquí. Cooler elevations, cloud forest and some of the world's most sought-after coffee provide a distinct contrast to the capital and Caribbean coast. Walk forest trails in search of resplendent quetzals and visit a leading coffee estate to follow the cultivation and preparation of Panama's celebrated Geisha varieties.
The journey concludes on Isla Palenque in the Gulf of Chiriquí, surrounded by Pacific beaches, tropical forest and protected waters. Days can include nature walks, kayaking, snorkeling and island excursions, or simply time to enjoy the setting at leisure. It is a fitting close to a journey that has crossed Panama through historic cities, Caribbean islands, rainforest and mountain country.
Highlights
Walk through Panama City’s historic and modern quarters, from Casco Viejo’s plazas, churches and restored mansions to the contemporary capital shaped by its position at the crossroads of the Americas.
Stand above the Miraflores Locks with an engineer or canal specialist, watching massive vessels pass through while gaining a deeper understanding of the engineering, logistics and global importance of the Panama Canal.
Join a specialist-led visit at the Biomuseo, examining how the formation of the isthmus changed global biodiversity, migration patterns and Panama’s ecological importance.
Enter the rainforest and waterways surrounding the canal, searching for monkeys, sloths, toucans and other wildlife within one of Panama’s richest natural corridors.
Walk the fortifications and waterfront of Portobelo, tracing the Caribbean port’s role in Spanish trade, piracy and the movement of wealth across the Americas.
Spend a day in Guna Yala among its island communities and Caribbean cays, meeting Guna hosts before traveling between white-sand beaches, turquoise water and palm-fringed islands.
Fly across the isthmus for a thrilling aerial view of the Panama Canal, with the waterway, rainforest and surrounding landscape unfolding below.
Traverse the cloud-forest trails around Boquete, looking for resplendent quetzals and other highland birdlife in the cooler slopes of Chiriquí.
Taste Geisha coffee where it is grown, visiting a leading estate in the Chiriquí highlands to follow the process from cultivation and harvesting through roasting and cup.
Finish on Isla Palenque, with Pacific beaches, tropical forest, and time for kayaking, snorkeling, nature walks, or simply enjoying the island.
Dates & Rates
Price From:
$
13,500
Departure Time:
Duration:
Guests:
Sustainable Contribution
Environmental Impact:
Measures have been taken to positively impact our environment
Community Impact:
This journey positively affects the local communities visited.
Cultural Engagement:
Experiences on this journey provide authentic cultural interaction and connection
Wildlife Conservation:
Wildlife encounters included in this journey are conducted with the intent of providing the highest level of protection to the animals and their natural habitat.
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TO TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE?
“The evolved traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”
Please Note: If the journey above does not fit your needs, we would be happy to help you compose one that perfectly fits your lifestyle.
