This is a special itinerary that is ideal for lovers of nature and wildlife, visiting both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines enables you to see a diversity of land and marine animals as well as the numerous bird species, plants and insects. You will hike in the cloud forests of Boquete, snorkel the remote Coiba Island with a chance to see reef sharks, turtles, tropical reef fish and possibly even whales if travelling between July and October.
Crossing to the Caribbean side of Panama you will relax on beautiful tropical islands of the Bocas del Toro province and snorkel reefs that have different soft and hard corals than the Pacific coast. A chance to see sloths, frigate birds, dolphins, starfish and red poison dart frogs. Enjoy some laid back island life and sandy beaches for a few days.
You holiday finishes with a guided boat trip on Gatun lake which is surrounded by steamy jungle and plenty of wildlife such as Mantled Howler monkeys, Geoffroys tamarin, iguanas, caiman and a variety of birdlife such as Keel Billed toucans, snail kites and the purple gallinule. Observing the wildlife as huge great tankers pass along the canal is a surreal experience.
Day to Day
Below is an example day by day itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Panama City where you will be met and transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel in the old town (Casco Viejo). Overnight Central Hotel.
Day 2
Today you will have a guided tour of the Casco Viejo which was built in 1673 after pirates destroyed the original Panama City (Panama Viejo). Many buildings are being restored, and there are plenty of boutique hotels, lively plazas and bars and restaurants, some with roof terraces with views over the modern Panama skyline. *Optional excursions could include visiting the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal, or even doing a partial transit of the canal. Overnight Central Hotel (B).
Day 3
Transferred to the town of Santa Catalina in air-conditioned vehicle (approx. 6 hours). Santa Catalina is a small fishing village popular with surfers, divers and snorkellers, and located on the Pacific coast. You will be staying at Hotel Santa Catalina which has just 16 rooms and an enviable position right in front of the beach. Overnight Hotel Santa Catalina (B).
Day 4
Today you will have a boat trip to visit several different islands in the National Marine Park, including Isla Coiba. This island once housed a penal colony, after it was closed down, the lack of habitation on the island made it ideal as a protected reserve and distance from the mainland has meant isolation of species and there are several endemic species to Coiba such as the Coiba howler monkey and the Coiba spinetail, scarlet macaws are also resident on the island as well as capuchin monkeys and numerous other birds and wildlife. The waters around the island are rich with coral, reef sharks, turtles, Manta rays, eagle rays and whales (between July and October). You will have the opportunity to snorkel in several spots and may visit other islands before returning to the mainland (weather dependent). Overnight Hotel Santa Catalina (BL).
Day 5
Day at leisure, enjoy walking along the volcanic sand beaches, or take a surf lesson. Overnight Hotel Santa Catalina (B).
Day 6
Transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to Boca Chica on the gulf of Chiriqui where there are more islands and coral reefs to explore in the scenic area. Overnight Bocas del Mar (B).
Day 7
Today you will enjoy a shared boat trip for several hours to enjoy the scenery of the area, observe wildlife and option to snorkel some of the coral reefs. *Option to upgrade to private trip. Overnight Hotel Boca Chica (B).
Day 8
Transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle to the cooler climate and mountain town of Boquete which is on the edge of the Baru Volcano National Park. You will stay at Finca Lerida which is part of a working coffee plantation dating back to the 1920's. It now has 21 converted rooms and suites, the restaurant serves local produce and the coffee shop is an opportunity to try the famous export coffee from this region the award winning Geisha coffee. In the afternoon you will have a shared guided birdwatching tour along the trails on of the hotel. There is excellent birdwatching on the hotel grounds and the surrounding trails. Overnight Finca Lerida (B).
Day 9
Early morning hike the Pipeline trail with a guide and enjoy the pristine cloud forest in the surroundings of the Baru Volcano National Park, you will hike for 3 to 4 hours in the forest enjoying the old growth forest, butterflies and a variety of birds, as well as a chance to see the Resplendent Quetzal, sloths and monkeys. Overnight Finca Lerida (B).
Day 10
Today you have the option to do a different hike, this time on the Lost Waterfall Trails of the La Amistad National Park, seeing spectacular waterfalls as you hike. This is a challenging hike and requires moderate fitness. *Alternative less challenging excursions could include a hanging bridges walk, or a tour of the coffee plantation. Overnight Finca Lerida (B).
Day 11
Today you will head to the Bocas Del Toro province. You will be transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to Almirante where you will board a boat to Bocas Town on Isla Colon. On arrival you will be transferred by vehicle to Bluff Beach and to your hotel Island Plantation which is set on the beach. Relax on the beach or enjoy walking and exploring 4km of sandy beach. Overnight Island Plantation (B).
Day 12
Today you will enjoy a tour to discover Bastimentos Marine National Park, on this private boat tour you will have the opportunity to spot sloths in the mangroves, dolphins and frigate birds around the islands and snorkel in the warm Caribbean seas to see the beautiful soft corals and brightly coloured tropical fish. You will finish the trip with time on the stunning, tiny Zapatilla Cayes where you can swim in the azure coloured gentle waters, relax on the white sand beach or explore the small island. Overnight Island Plantation (B).
Day 13
Day at leisure to explore the island. *Optional excursions could include a boat trip to Isla Bastimentos to visit a Ngobe village and learn about their way of life on the island or learn about how they make chocolate in a chocolate tour. Overnight Island Plantation (B).
Day 14
Transfer to Bocas del Toro airport and take a short flight back to Panama City. Met at the airport and you will then take a guided boat trip on Gatun Lake, not far from Panama City. Gatun Lake is an artificial lake that was created during the production of the Panama Canal, in a hot and humid part of the country, this lake is now home to a variety of wildlife and bird species. You may see Geoffroys Tamarin monkeys, howler monkeys, iguanas and caiman, as well birds such as Keel Billed Toucans, blue egrets and snail kites. You will then take a guided walk in the Soberania National Park, crossing the Chagres River to the rainforest discovery centre, from the lookout here you will have spectacular views across the forest then continue along some of the trails before having a picnic lunch and returning to your hotel. Overnight Central Hotel (BL).
Day 15
Transferred back to Panama International Airport for your international flights back to the UK (B).