Best of Panama Vacation Package: Tropical Beach, Islands, and More

Panama City is a whirlwind of contemporary culture and colonial history, tropical weather, and modern architecture connecting to the marvels of the Panama Canal. The diverse landscape touches lush jungle terrain, serene coastline, and chic shopping districts for a variety of adventures to enjoy across the city. You will arrive at the airport, where your transfer will meet you at customs and escort you to the comforts of your centrally located accommodations. The remainder of the day is yours to settle into Panama City at your leisure.

Whether enjoying a visit to the Museo de Sitio Panama Viejo for a deeper look at the scale of Spanish settlement in the 17th century or walking the coastal avenue of Paseo de las Bovedas to enjoy a view of the water opposite the collection of artisans showcasing their craftsmanship, you can embrace the ambiance at your pace.

The Panama Canal is one of the contemporary world’s most famous feats of engineering. After breakfast, you will have a partial tour with a cruise traveling through a portion of the waterway and famous locks.

As you step onto the boat and venture across the engineered canal, you may learn how the waterway travels 50 miles and opens faster and safer trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. At the Miraflores Locks, you can watch the walls sink as the water rises to 54 feet, elevating the boat to help it pass comfortably between oceans.

Before leaving Panama City for the highlands of Boquete, you will have a morning guided tour winding along the cobblestone streets of the antique neighborhood known as Casco Viejo. The historic ambiance exudes from the architectural style and aesthetics as you visit highlights like the 17th-century Plaza Bolivar and the narrow streets leading away from the public square.

Witness the climbing bell towers of the Catedral Metropolitana or enter into the remains of the 18th-century Iglesia y Convento de la Compania de Jesus, which can feel like a quiet escape when wandering through the nooks offering shade from the tropical sun. In the afternoon, your transfer will take you to the airport for your brief flight to Boquete, where you can relax in the remote quiet of the mountainous landscape.

Boquete is a land of waterfalls and coffee plantations, dense cloud forest canopies, and majestic waterfalls. Venture out into meandering trails crisscrossing the rolling terrain with a tour along the hanging bridges. The cool morning mist can give you insight into how the cloud forest thrives in the moisture, with flora and fauna preferring the colder climate beneath the 11,400-foot tall peak of Volcán Barú. Enjoy the view of treetops among the variety of hanging bridges connecting the trails and search for the sulfur-winged parakeets or dozens of hummingbird species known to feed heavily on the blossoming flowers.

After embracing the treetops, you have the option of indulging in the local tastes of coffee with a plantation tour, learning how the volcanic soil and temperate climate impact the flavor as your guide takes you through the growing and roasting techniques before offering a sample that may result in fruity notes of berry, citrus, and mango.

Your transfer will meet you at the hotel and escort you to the airport for your flight to Bocas del Toro and your continued boat ride to Isla Bastimentos. While the island may be physically close to the main town, it can feel like a world away, where palm-fringed beaches and turtle nesting grounds overlook untouched coral reefs and the protected expanse of Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos.

Take your time to relax as you settle into the remote and welcoming environment of the tropical island setting. You may find a small beach connected to your resort where you can sink your toes into the warm, soft sands and listen to the water lap against the island shore.

With the day at leisure, you can relax on the coastline with the soothing waters and the dense forest as a backdrop to your tropical lifestyle. You can listen to the Atlantic Ocean or feel the golden sunlight spreading across your skin. You could take to the island's natural wonders by visiting Nivida Bat Cave, where you can find a large collection of nectar bats near the shores of a subterranean lake. During a guided tour, you can wind through the channel bordered by mangrove trees and listen to the sounds of wildlife, giving you a quintessential jungle atmosphere.

With another day at leisure on the island, you can continue embracing beach life on sheltered coves or take to the waters on a sailing excursion bound for coral gardens and remote islands. Your excursion may take you to Cayo Coral, a small island between Isla Bastimentos and Isla Popa, offering crystal-clear shelter from the open ocean. You can dive down and enjoy the views of the coral, reaching up to 12 feet deep with golden sponges surrounded by queen angelfish or seagrass hiding stoplight parrotfish. Time can slow down as you enjoy exploring the marine life, colors, and gentle sway of the water.

When you are ready, your transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to Panama City. You can relax in your accommodation near the city center before exploring new corners or returning to your favorite spaces for the remainder of the day. You can spend time at the Museum of Biodiversity to view the exhibits sharing the incredible natural history for which Panama is known. Renowned architect Frank Gehry designed the structure, and the interior demonstrates the importance of Panama’s location as the bridge between continents, sharing elements of the Americas, North and South.

Panama City feels cosmopolitan, and in the morning, the aromas of delectable Panamanian coffee often drift through the narrow streets of Casco Viejo alongside the scents of pineapple or rambutan. If you have time, you may choose to walk through the streets once more to enjoy the city’s unique culture and style before meeting your private transfer bound for the airport. Your highlights tour of Panama will come to an end when you board your plane bound for home, but you could always extend your adventure in Central America.