Panama’s Fabulous Forests and Coral Reefs
Tour Introduction
Experience three of Panama’s habitat highlights on this excellent value tailor-made tour which includes many meals, a good variety of activities and tours and tried and trusted accommodation. Explore Gatun Lake, passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the Panama Canal and see a plethora of mammal, reptile and amphibian bird species; search for the resplendent quetzal in the cloud forests of the Chiriqui Highlands; head to laid-back Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast and snorkel amongst colourful coral reefs and look for red poison dart frogs. All these habitats – lowland rainforest, highland cloud forest and warm tropical coral reefs – await you in this keenly priced and truly varied itinerary.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Panama City, capital of Panama in the early evening. Met and transfer to your accommodation.
Staying at Canopy Bed and Breakfast. Includes In-flight Meals.
Board an expedition boat and explore Gatun Lake, passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the Panama Canal. Along the way spot green iguana, three-toed sloth, caiman, osprey, snail kite and keel-billed toucan, and look out for white-faced capuchin, mantled howler monkey, Central American spider monkey, and Geoffroy’s tamarin.
Staying at Canopy Bed and Breakfast. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
After breakfast explore Soberania National Park in the Panama Canal watershed. The 55,000-acres of tropical rainforest boast 525 species of birds including the black hawk-eagle and a great array of North American migrants, 105 species of mammals including tamandua, two and three-toed sloth, four species of monkeys, and 59 endemic plant species in four life zones. Enjoy spectacular views of Soberania’s vastness and canopy bird species from a 32-metre observation tower at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, hike the trails and explore the famous Pipeline Road.
Staying at Canopy Bed and Breakfast. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Transfer to Albrook domestic airport and fly to David where you'll be met on arrival
Transfer to Boquete at 1,060 metres in the cloud-forested Chiriqui Highlands.
Staying at Boquete Garden Inn. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
After breakfast hike the Sendero La Cascada (The Waterfall Trail). At an altitude of 2,286 metres this trail passes through the lush cloud forest of Baru Volcano National Park. Birdlife is plentiful and includes the elusive resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bellbird, black-faced solitaire, volcano hummingbird, long-tailed silky flycatcher, and prong-billed barbet.
Spend the afternoon relaxing in the town.
Staying at Boquete Garden Inn. Includes Breakfast.
In the morning enjoy the Tree Trek zipline. The Tree Trek starts with a short drive up to1,853 metres in Los Quetzales National Park, and a 200 metre walk down to the first platform. From here there are a series of 12 zip lines which traverse the lush cloud forest over a rushing mountain stream. The longest line is 410 metres.
In the afternoon enjoy a coffee tour at one of the main coffee growers in the region. Visit the coffee fields to learn about harvesting, the processing plant where the beans are washed, dried and selected, and the factory where the beans are roasted and bagged, or ground for sale. The tour finishes with a tasting of some of the coffee varieties.
Staying at Boquete Garden Inn. Includes Breakfast.
In the morning drive up through the cloud forest and across the Continental Divide, leaving the Pacific behind and descending through the forest to the pineapple fields and banana plantations of the Caribbean, arriving at Almirante.
From here it is a short boat transfer to Bocas del Toro on Colon Island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.
Staying at Bocas Inn. Includes Breakfast.
In the early morning take a boat to Boca del Drago and weather permitting visit Swan’s Cay, a rookery for red-billed tropic birds (the only location in Panama where they can be found) and brown boobies. Then return to Bocas del Toro, stopping at mangrove isles and coral reefs to snorkel. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Staying at Bocas Inn. Includes Breakfast.
The day is at leisure to relax and explore the town on your own, or perhaps arrange a snorkelling tour.
Staying at Bocas Inn. Includes Breakfast.
Enjoy a morning at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
In the afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Albrook domestic airport, Panama City and on to your hotel.
Staying at Country Inn and Suites. Includes Breakfast.
The morning is at leisure to relax, do any last minute shopping, or perhaps Panama City’s Casco Viejo old town on your own.
In the afternoon transfer to Tocumen International Airport for the flight out.
Staying at On Plane. Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Canopy Bed and Breakfast
Overview
Part of the Canopy Tower family, the Canopy Bed and Breakfast is a relatively new guesthouse in Gamboa providing good quality accommodation just 15 minutes’ walk from the world famous Pipeline Road. The wooden building is an historic, restored canal house that dates back to 1937 when the Canal was being built.
Accommodation is in five air-conditioned rooms, all with comfortable double beds and modern private bathrooms. A hearty breakfast is included, and dinner can be pre-ordered. Friendly staff are always on hand to provide any assistance.
Canopy Bed and Breakfast is just a 45-minute drive away from Panama City and located next to the famous Panama Canal. Gamboa town itself has plenty of history and points of interest.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, air-conditioning, kitchen, dining room (breakfast and pre-booked dinner only), and lounge.
Optional Activities
Tours to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Canopy Tower, mountain bike hire, wildlife boat trips and guided birdwatching along the Pipeline Road.
Radisson Hotel Panama Canal
Overview
This large 4-star hotel offers the best views to the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. All of the 254 rooms have air-conditioning, LCD satellite TV, security safe, minibar, ironing board, balcony, Garden or Panama Canal view and wireless internet access is complimentary.
In addition to the onsite restaurants, bar and cafe it is a 5-minute taxi ride to the lively bars and restaurants of Amador Causeway. The domestic airport is also within a short drive.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Bridge View restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, 24 hour Cafe 1914, lobby bar, TGI Fridays, swimming pool, fitness centre, air-conditioning, TV, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, minibar and business centre.
Local Wildlife
The nearby Panama Canal is home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife that includes 546 bird species, 112 species of reptile and 80 species of amphibian. Brown-throated three toed sloths, white fronted capuchins, Geoffrey’s spider monkeys, mantled howler monkeys and caiman are all regularly spotted.
Optional Activities
The hotel is well positioned for exploring the Panama Canal and other attractions nearby include the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Boquete Garden Inn
Overview
The Boquete Garden Inn is located in a peaceful wooded spot next to the Palo Alto River on the outskirts of lovely Boquete town in the highlands of western Panama.
There are five cabanas, each with two en suite guest rooms, scattered around the lovely colourful gardens where 80 species of birds have been identified. Five of the rooms have a queen and single bed, two have a queen and bunk bed, and one has a king bed, all with kitchenettes. There are also two king suites with a full kitchen. All of the rooms are elegant and have individual colonial style decoration and furnishings, and local art. Room amenities include a 32 inch LCD cable TV, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi access, ceiling fan and dehumidifier. The cool and comfortable climate of Boquete means there is no need for air-conditioning.
A tasty continental buffet breakfast is included in the main building but there is no lunch or dinner service available.
At the back of the Inn there is a covered social area with seating – El Colibri Gazeboo Bar – where a complimentary glass of wine is served between 6 pm and 7 pm every evening.
The surrounding area is excellent for cloud forest birding and wildlife observation, and the Tree Trek zip-line in Los Quetzales National Park is one of the best in the country.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathroom, LCD cable TV, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, ceiling fan, tea and coffee-making facilities,
Optional Activities
Cloud forest birding and hiking, zip-lining and white water rafting.
Bocas Inn
Overview
The well-run Bocas Inn is a simple wooden, two-storey structure built on stilts over the water on the edge of Bocas town.
The small accommodation wing is at the back of the hotel. Breakfast is served on the waterfront deck, and there are plenty of dining establishments, shops and bars within a 10 minute walk. The Inn is just a five-minute drive from the international airport.
The rooms are simple but comfortable and clean and have private bathrooms with hot water. The two best rooms (on the top floor facing the sea) have balconies with hammocks – perfect for watching the sunset or the boats going by. One may swim off the front of the building but watch out for boats: there is no beach.
The Bocas del Toro archipelago in the Caribbean Sea is one the best destinations for snorkelling and scuba diving in the country, with its calm waters and abundant marine life in the reefs and mangroves.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, waterfront deck, simple bar, lounge, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
The coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems support a great diversity of marine fauna including four species of turtle. Bocas Del Toro is home to the endemic red dendrobates posion dart frog (different islands support a different colour variation) and sloths and monkeys can be seen on the island of Colon. Sea birds include brown pelican, brown booby and magnificent frigate bird are fairly common.
Optional Activities
Snorkelling, scuba diving, island tours and boat trips.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly from London and certain regional airports to Panama City on KLM via Amsterdam, on Iberia via Madrid, or via the USA on Delta, American or United.
Best Visited:
December to April
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Whilst staying in Bocas del Toro arrange a visit to Salt Creek village to see night monkeys, red poison dart frog, caiman, turtles and manakins amongst other wildlife.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Panama was a fascinating and extraordinary country. The pleasing thing was to see its immense areas of rainforest, i.e the Darien. An amazing place. We encountered many different Panamanians and what came across to us was their pride in their country. This holiday was amazing, all the things we like doing and seeing and more. Thank you so much for all your hard work in making this a holiday to remember and savour long after our return, and at such short notice!
