Wildlife Expedition: from Sea to Sky

Name: Wildlife Expedition: from Sea to Sky
Brand: Panama
Price: 3300.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Trip Type

Adventure

Length

12 Days / 11 Nights

When to Go

Year-Round

Revel in raw, natural beauty

The awe-inspiring landscapes of Panama are home to some of the most incredible creatures in the world – jaguars and pumas, manatees, orcas and humpback whales, as well as toucans, sea turtles, quetzals, dolphins and monkeys! The opportunity to watch these animals in their natural environment is a memory that will not easily fade. After a brief exploration of Panama City and its historic canal, set out into the wild to discover the reefs and jungle of Bocas del Toro. On moonless nights, discover a remarkable natural phenomenon as bioluminescent plankton light up the seas. Travel west for the cloud forests of Boquete to hike alpine trails surrounded by mountains and spot rare bird species, before heading to the nature mecca of Panama, the tiny uninhabited Isla de Coiba on the Pacific, surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific side of the Americas. This is Panama as nature intended.

Trip Highlights

rich history, lush cloud forest & deserted beaches • exotic wildlife • Panama Canal partial cruise • Gatún Lake jungle boat cruise • kayaking • bioluminescence night tour • Zapatilla Cays beach excursion • rainforest waterfall hike • Coiba National Park snorkeling • beach time

similar trips per person from:

$3,300.00 low season (May - Oct)

$3,550.00 high season (Nov - Apr)

prices vary based on departure season.

At a Glance

Click each day for more details.

Day 1: Panama City - Arrival

We'll meet you at the airport and whisk you off to your urban oasis in the heart of Panama City - the luxuriously appointed Bristol Hotel.
Day 2: Panama City - Cruise the Panama Canal and discover jungle splendor on an expedition of Gatún Lake

Experience a partial transit through the infamous Panama Canal, then board a lancha and begin to discover some of the country's most exotic creatures - sloths, monkeys, caimans, crocodiles and more - on Gatún Lake.
Day 3: Panama City to Bocas del Toro - Find Caribbean bliss

Trade the concrete jungle for the rainforest and white sand shores with a quick puddle-jumper flight to Bocas del Toro. Transfer to Bastimentos Island and check into your serene hideaway at Tranquilo Bay Lodge.
Day 4: Bocas del Toro - Kayak crystalline waters by day, and, on moonless nights, watch as bioluminescent plankton light up the seas

Explore the island by foot or kayak, and at night, if the moon cycle is right, head out onto the water for a magical canoe excursion through waters that light up as you paddle.
Day 5: Bocas del Toro - Lounge on pure white sand beaches on the Cayos Zapatillas

Spend a day beach-combing the Cayos Zapatillas, or Slipper Islands, pristine uninhabited isles in the Bocas del Toro archipelago with soft white sand surrounded by turquoise water. Hello paradise!
Day 6: Bocas del Toro to Boquete - Magnificent mountain vistas

Ride through rolling green hills and expansive coffee plantations to find a mountain retreat on an operating coffee farm, Finca Lerida Lodge.
Day 7: Boquete - Waterfalls, misty cloud forests & rare bird species

Hike into a vast sea of greenery on a guided expedition in search of hidden waterfalls and the elusive Resplendent Quetzal.
Day 8: Boquete to Santa Catalina - Pacific beach-bound

Leave the cloud forest behind, and wind your way from mountains to the laid-back surfer town of Santa Catalina. Check into the hip, yet super chilled out Hotel Santa Catalina.
Day 9: Santa Catalina - Get up close & personal with the undersea life in Coiba National Park

Set off for Coiba Island, a national park and UNESCO-recognized natural sanctuary that boasts some of Panama's best snorkeling. The reefs around Coiba have the widest variety of coral species in the country, in addition to impressive schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, squid, eels, sharks, dolphin, whales, and much, much more.
Day 10: Santa Catalina - Gear down and catch some rays poolside, or kick back in a hammock with a good book

Spend today how you wish - get some much needed R&R, or check out the great surfing and sport fishing in Santa Catalina.
Day 11: Santa Catalina to Panama City - A parting glance

After a transfer to David and a quick flight to Panama City, head out for a last night on the town in bustling metropolis Panama City, or opt for an early night in before your departure tomorrow. Spend the night at the luxe Bristol Hotel.
Day 12: Panama City - Departure

Transfer to the international airport for your flight home. Adios!

Accommodations

Bristol Hotel, Panama City

The Bristol Hotel, in Panama City’s financial district, is an enchanting and elegant hotel located just minutes from some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping malls and nightlife. Stylish and sophisticated, The Bristol’s refined grace is a subtle nod to the vibrant art, architecture and history of the capital city where it resides, and its modern design, bespoke service and elegant fine dining have earned the legendary hotel its consistent title as the best hotel in Panama. View hotel website.

Tranquilo Bay, Bastimentos

This wildly luxurious adventure eco-lodge retains its tropical feel with six cabanas crafted from local hardwoods that melt into the tranquil surroundings, and decorated in a calming color palate, with tiled floors and fine linens. Gigantic, ancient trees offer peace and serenity, and provide a home for abundant wildlife all around – sloths, caimans, monkeys, iguanas and several ocean dwellers including sea turtles and dolphins. View hotel website.

Finca Lérida Lodge, Boquete

Rich in culture, coffee and tradition, Finca Lérida Lodge is a charming boutique hotel situated on the property of the first coffee farm ever established in Panama, 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. View hotel website

Hotel Santa Catalina, Veraguas

Hotel Santa Catalina sits just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean, and popular Panamanian surf spot, La Punta. Enjoy rustic comfort combined with village hospitality in this beachfront locale, where air-conditioned rooms come complete with private terraces and hammocks. View hotel website

What's Included?

Your trip includes everything you want & need, plus a few surprises along the way. Unique, unforgettable destinations; tours with local experts; authentic local cuisine; lessons, demonstrations & new cultural insights; more adventure than you can handle; blissful relaxation; romantic touches; and a feeling of total freedom. ROAM takes care of everything so that you can enjoy a hassle-free journey without worrying about a thing.

Airport pickup
All hotel accommodation
11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Detailed maps and trip preparation guide
All special events and tours
All vehicle and regional air transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
All baggage transportation
All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service

Know Before You Go

Itinerary prices are dependent on season of departure. Christmas, New Years and Easter (Semana Santa) are peak season, and prices during these periods are significantlky higher than other times of year. High season runs from November through April, and green season from May through September.
Arrival: hotel check-in times are at 3:00pm, but you may arrive at any time during the day. If you arrive prior to the scheduled check-in time, we will arrange for early check-in wherever possible.
Departure: hotel check-out times are at 9:00am. International flights on your departure day should be arranged to depart after 1:30pm.
All prices in USD.
For vaccination recommendations, please visit the CDC website.
For American, Canadian, and British citizens, a valid passport with 6+ months remaining is required for entry to Panama.
Debit cards may not work in Central America, but most establishments accept major credit cards.
Please ensure you have immediate access to a minimum of USD $250 as an emergency fund to be used if circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) require changes to your planned route.
If departing Panama by air, all major airlines include exit taxes (USD $40) in the price of your airfare.
It is customary to tip service providers (waiters) around 10% depending on service. Tipping taxi drivers is not required.
Gratuities for guides and drivers are deeply appreciated, and provide an important supplement to their income. If you are pleased with the tour services you've received, a guideline for tipping in Central America is USD $8-10 per person per day for multiple-day tours, or USD $5-10 per person for day tours.

Terms & Conditions: By reserving your space with registration and payment, you are agreeing to the policies, terms and conditions in our Terms & Conditions Agreement.

Privacy Policy: Before communicating with ROAM – and particularly before you provide personally identifiable information to us – you should check out our Privacy Policy. Your use of this site, and any communication with us constitutes your agreement to the terms of this policy. Questions? Contact us here.

Getting There

From North America: several airlines offer direct and connecting flights to Panama’s international airport: Tocumen International Airport in Panama City (airport code: PTY). Including connection time, flights from the USA typically range from 2.5-9 hours in duration, while most flights from Canada range from 9-15 hours in duration.

From the UK: there are currently no direct flights to Panama from the UK, but there are several flight options connecting in the United States and/or Canada. Including connection time, flights from the UK typically range from 12-18 hours in duration.

When you arrive in PTY, there will be an airport transfer waiting to take you to your first destination. If you have questions about flights, or require assistance booking, please contact us here. We're here to help!