Panama Family Adventure Tour

Highlights

Panama City and Canal, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, All-Inclusive Pacific Coast Resort, Monkey Island & Gatun Lake, Family Trip.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Panama City

After arriving at Panama City's international airport, you will be met by a Southern Explorations representative to transfer you to your hotel in the capital. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring this cosmopolitan city on your own.

Day 2: Tour of Panama City and Canal

Begin your day with a tale of two Panamas. Walk up Cerro Ancon, 200 meters above sea level, for a spectacular 360 view of Panama City and the Canal. Here, your guide will explain important details of the modern history of Panama, including the former US presence and how it shaped Panama into the country we see today. 
Your next stop will be the famous fish market to try the city’s famous fresh ceviche. This market was donated by the Japanese government in 1989 at a cost of 8 million dollars; it opened its doors to the public in 1994. The idea was for local fishermen to greatly benefit from being able to sell their catches here, creating a sustainable living for themselves and their families. Today, the fish market is a must see when visiting Panama City.
You’ll continue on to the picturesque Casco Viejo, commonly called the walled city. Casco Viejo was founded by the Spaniards in 1673 after the First City of Panama (Old Panama) was destroyed. Together with Old Panama, Casco Viejo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is appreciated worldwide for its unique historical and artistic value. The neighborhood’s character comes alive with a walk through its narrow cobblestoned streets. Marvel at the area’s beautiful colonial and neoclassical architecture, squares and monuments, while learning more about the history and culture of the city. 
You’ll visit the famous Santa Ana Park, which was used by the Spaniards in the 19th century as a place for celebrations and special events. Visit the famous Café Coca-Cola, built in 1875, the oldest café in Panama. Many famous personalities have visited this historic site, including Che Guevara. Get to know the places were the locals do their shopping and live their day-to-day lives.
7 hour tour

Day 3: Embera Indians Lake Alajuela

After breakfast, you’ll meet your driver in the lobby for a special journey to a local Embera village on the Chagres River for a unique peek into the lives of one of Panama’s seven recognized indigenous tribes. The Embera people have populated the Choco region of western Colombia and the Darien region of eastern Panama for centuries, long before Spanish colonization. Today, more 30,000 Embera inhabit Panama. While most still live in the Darien region, some communities have migrated to Chagres National Park between Panama City and Colon, allowing visitors a chance to experience their unique culture. 
Your adventure will begin with a 1-1.5-hour drive into the Panamanian jungle. From here, you will take an Embera dugout canoe ride down the Chagres River, observing the lush flora and fauna of this virgin rainforest along the way. Keep an eye out for a great variety of birds, turtles, caiman, monkeys, sloths, and more. After you’re welcomed at the pier by members of the community, you will have the rare opportunity to interact with the Embera natives and learn more about their traditions, music, homes, typical dances, native dress, and overall way of life. They are proud of their history and culture and open to sharing. 
Enjoy a typical lunch prepared by the Embera women, consisting of catch of the day, fried plantains and rice. You will also have time to buy handcrafted souvenirs (please bring small change for purchases) to support the community. (B,L)
 8 hour tour

Day 4: Soberania National Park & Gatun Lake

Spend the day in nature on an exciting day outside of Panama City in the surrounding rainforest. After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide in the lobby to begin with a morning visit to Soberania National Park, a biologically diverse swath of rainforest only 16 miles outside of the city. Spanning 55,000 acres, the park is known for its abundance of birds, with over 525 species identified here. Soberania National Park is also part of an ecotourism and environmental education project whose main objective is to conserve the area’s birds through environmentally sustainable projects. 
At the park, enjoy a walk on the trails to take in the rainforest scenery and discover its great variety of bird and mammal species. Howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, coatis and white-faced capuchin monkeys all call the park home. Visit the viewing platform by the lake, or climb Soberania’s 40-meter (131-ft) observation tower to observe the famous blue cotinga and toucans.
After lunch, continue to Gatun Lake for an amazing ecological boat ride. Gatun Lake is located within an immensely diverse tropical ecological zone and is surrounded by untouched exotic rainforest. Barro Colorado Island, the largest island on the lake, has been protected as a nature reserve by the U.S. Government since 1923 and is the one of the most important sites of scientific study on tropical forests in the world. A boat ride on the lake will reveal the area’s many different species of birds, monkeys, iguanas and sloths, among others. It will also give you the opportunity to get close to massive ships as they wait to cross the Canal. (B,L)
7 hour tour

Day 5: Panama City - Pacific Coast Resort

Today you’ll be transferred from the city to the beach (2 hour drive). You will cross the famous Bridge of Americas to reach the Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama Autograph Collection. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the many amenities of the resort. (B)

Day 6-7: Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort

Enjoy the next two days at the Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama Autograph Collection. (B)

Day 8: Beach Resort - Panama City - Home

You will be transferred to Tocumen International Airport for your family's flight home, ending Southern Explorations' services. (B)

Trip Dates

Can’t find a date that works for you in the list below? Southern Explorations can arrange a private departure on any date that works with your schedule. Custom tours are also available. Contact us for details.

Saturday, October 12, 2019 to Saturday, October 19, 2019

Saturday, November 16, 2019 to Saturday, November 23, 2019

Saturday, December 21, 2019 to Saturday, December 28, 2019

Saturday, January 18, 2020 to Saturday, January 25, 2020

Saturday, February 15, 2020 to Saturday, February 22, 2020

Saturday, March 14, 2020 to Saturday, March 21, 2020

Saturday, April 11, 2020 to Saturday, April 18, 2020

Saturday, May 23, 2020 to Saturday, May 30, 2020

Saturday, June 20, 2020 to Saturday, June 27, 2020

Saturday, June 27, 2020 to Saturday, July 4, 2020

Saturday, August 15, 2020 to Saturday, August 22, 2020

Saturday, September 5, 2020 to Saturday, September 12, 2020

Saturday, October 10, 2020 to Saturday, October 17, 2020

Saturday, November 21, 2020 to Saturday, November 28, 2020

Saturday, December 12, 2020 to Saturday, December 19, 2020