At a Glance
Click each day for more details.
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Day 1: Panama City - Arrival
Arrive to Central America’s answer to New York – the stunningly modern seaside metropolis of Panama City. You'll be met by a driver to whisk you away to the American Trade Hotel, a luxurious oasis in the heart of the city's colonial Casco Viejo neighborhood. Settle in for some rest and relaxation after a long travel day, or get out to explore Casco Viejo’s charming cobblestone streets on foot.
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Day 2: Panama City - Art, architecture & historic Panama City
Begin your day with a guided walking tour through Casco Viejo, Panama City’s “Old Town”. Wander cobblestone streets, marveling at the beautiful colonial architecture and plazas, as you learn about the rich history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, discover an impressive feat of engineering at the world-famous Panama Canal, where you will watch ships transit from the viewing platform at Miraflores Locks.
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Day 3: Panama City to Boquete - Magnificent mountain vistas
This morning, trade the concrete jungle for the real one. Take a quick puddle-jumper flight north to David, where you’ll board a transfer bound for the beautiful green forests of Boquete. Check into Finca Lérida Lodge, a charming boutique hotel situated on the on a coffee farm, still renowned today for producing some of the best and most desirable coffees in the world. Perfectly manicured grounds hug the hotel’s cottage architecture, while coffee plantations and private cloudforest reserve drape the surrounding hills, and inside, warm classic country décor and contemporary amenities make for a comfortable, luxurious stay.
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Day 4: Boquete - Hike cloudforested peaks & taste gourmet coffee blends
Today, discover the export that Boquete is best known for – coffee! Your tour begins in the fields of Boquete, where coffee experts will guide you through the lifecycle of gourmet coffee, beginning in the plant nursery and following the beans through their growing cycle, then careful collection and selection of the finest beans. Learn how Boquete’s unique climate and diverse landscapes provide perfect growing conditions for gourmet coffee beans. Next you will be enchanted by the aromas of the roastery where you will discover how different roasting techniques affect the beans and the brew. Here, your coffee experts will reveal the roasting and packing secrets that enable them to deliver the best coffee from Boquete’s plantations to your cup - anywhere in the world. Learn how experts ‘break the cup’ by using techniques to taste coffee, and identify and grade the characteristics that qualify a gourmet coffee.
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Day 5: Boquete to Bocas del Toro - Crossing to the Caribbean
Now, the beach is calling! What’s a tropical beach vacation without some sun? Take a transfer east to the Caribbean Coast, and board a ferry to Bocas Town, a colorful tourist hub filled with local artisans, trendy bars, and international restaurants. Soak up the laid-back Caribbean vibe, then transfer 20 minutes to Bluff Beach, an idyllic jungle haven with palm-fringed beaches and offshore coral reefs. Check into your luxe private bungalow at The Hummingbird, and spend the afternoon exploring the island’s labyrinth of trails, walking down sandy shores, or cooling down in crystal waters.
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Day 6: Bocas del Toro - Cruise with dolphins and discover treasure troves of tropical fish and stunning reefs below the waves
After a restful sleep in paradise, wake up to nature’s gentle alarm clock – the sounds of waves crashing on the shore. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise from your deck, then spend your day discovering a world beneath the waves. Watch bottlenose dolphins at play, before donning a snorkel and fins, and slipping into the warm water to explore abundant coral formations that provide homes to brightly colored tropical fish, sea stars, anemones, eagle rays and nurse sharks.
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Day 7: Bocas del Toro - Spend a day lounging on the white sand beaches in the Cayos Zapatillas
Wake up refreshed and raring to go, as you embark on an exploration of the Cayos Zapatillas, a pair of uninhabited tropical islands surrounded by coral reefs, and the calm, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. These islands are so beautiful, so pristine, that their name (Slipper Cays in English) comes from a local indigenous legend that the islands were formed when God stepped down to Earth from the heavens, leaving an imprint of his shoes. Wander golden sand beaches, snorkel, hike and cruise around the islands, before you finish the day under a spectacular sunset at Tranquilo Bay.
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Day 8: Bocas del Toro to Panama City - Wander Casco Viejo's beautiful cobblestone streets at sunset
After a last walk on the beach, transfer back to the airport at Bocas del Toro and board a flight bound for Panama City. Check into the Bristol Hotel, then take a guided walking tour through Casco Viejo, Panama City’s “Old Town”. Wander cobblestone streets, marveling at the beautiful colonial architecture and plazas, as you learn about the rich history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Day 9: Panama City - Departure
Feeling fully refreshed and revived, bid farewell to the city, with a quick transfer to the airport to catch your international flight home. Adios!
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Day 10: Panama City -
