Destinations: Panama City, Boquete, Isla Popa/Bocas del Toro

Duration: 9 days

*Price Range: $$$

*Rates inclusive of full vacation experience – hotels, tours, domestic transfers, and tax (excluding international airfare).  Actual price based on length of travel, number of travelers/rooms, seasonal rates (high, low, peak), number of tour activities, and mode of domestic transportation.

$$$: At or under $1,200 per person.

$$$: $1,200 – $1,800 per person.

$$$: $1,800+ per person

1. Day 1

   Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY) where one of our local airport representatives will meet you as you exit your plane and guide you through an expedited immigration process.  They will show you to the VIP Lounge where you can enjoy snacks and drinks while they collect your luggage for you.  Once you are ready, the airport representative will guide you to your private transfer waiting outside the airport.  A 20-minute drive will bring you to Waldorf Astoria, an upscale hotel located steps from the popular business district.  While the Waldorf Astoria isn’t exclusive to adults-only, its high end amenities and services generally cater to the adult client.  If you’ve arrived to Panama by the early afternoon, enjoy a historical tour of both Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo prior to being dropped off at Waldorf Astoria.  This evening, enjoy dinner at Ginger, one of Panama City’s top Asian restaurants located within the hotel.

2. Day 2

   After an early breakfast at Waldorf Astoria, you’ll begin a full day adventure of Panama City, seeing nature, wildlife, and the Panama Canal up close.  A short drive will bring you to Gamboa, where you’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride on Gatun Lake in search of crocodiles, iguanas, white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and tamarins.  Return to shore to enjoy a picnic lunch before the city portion of your tour in the afternoon.  Visit the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to learn the history and engineering feats behind the Panama Canal with opportunities to witness large ships navigate through the Miraflores Locks.  Afterwards, walk through the Biodiversity Museum to learn how the Isthmus of Panama was created along with the different native and migratory flora and fauna species that can be seen here.  Your afternoon will conclude with a visit to UNESCO sites Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo (if you didn’t have the opportunity to visit these locations on Day 1).  Stay in Casco Viejo for happy hour drinks at one of many rooftop bars and dinner at one of many gourmet restaurants.  Return to Waldorf Astoria in the evening to explore nearby nightlife within walking distance or a short taxi ride to the hotel or sip on a cocktail while enjoying a swim in Waldorf Astoria’s outdoor pool with pool bar.

3. Day 3

   After breakfast at Waldorf, indulge in a spa treatment at the on site spa or simply lounge by the pool.  For those interested in a half-day morning tour, explore the rainforest canopy on a scenic gondola ride at the Metropolitan Nature Park.  For a more active tour, enjoy a moderate walk along the Pipeline Road located in the Soberania National Park.  Your guide will help point out the wildlife along the hike, with over 500 bird species and over 100 mammal species seen within the park.  Return to Waldorf Astoria for a quick lunch before a private transfer takes you to Albrook Airport for your domestic flight over to David in Western Panama.  Another private transfer will be waiting for you at David Airport to take you to your cozy retreat in Boquete.  Boquete is a small mountain town an hour from David known for its wonderful scenery, hikes, birding, and some of the finest coffee in the world.  Boquete Garden Inn is a lovely boutique hotel with only 10 rooms and caters to adults or families with older children (must be 9-years and older).  Enjoy an early evening cocktail (complimentary) during social hour at the hotel before dinner in town.  Enjoy dinner just down the road from Boquete Garden Inn at The Rock restaurant for an ambient setting and delicious menu selection.

4. Day 4

   A three-course breakfast is served alongside flowering, manicured gardens, which attract over 90 species of birds and a number of butterflies.  After fueling up with a delicious and fresh breakfast, you’ll head to Boquete Tree Trek for a full day of exploring the cloud forest canopy.  Start your morning with a moderate hike along 8 hanging bridges while keeping a watchful eye out for the mystical quetzal that is often seen nesting along the trail.  Your knowledgeable guide will point out the various species of flora and fauna that are easily overlooked with the untrained eye.  Next, you’ll fly from the treetops within the cloud forest canopy on 12 different canopy zip-lines.  By now you’ve surely worked up an appetite, so have lunch on site at The Rio Cristal Restaurant.  After lunch you’ll enjoy a coffee tour to learn how the coffee bean is harvested and roasted as well as  how to properly prepare a good cup of coffee.  Conclude the tour by sampling different award-winning coffee roasts from Boquete.  Return to Boquete Garden Inn for social hour cocktails before sampling a different restaurant in town.

5. Day 5

   If you’re willing to wake-up early this morning (3:30 am), you’ll have the rare privilege to watch the sunrise from the highest point in Panama as well as see both oceans from 11,398 feet!  To do so, you’ll depart on an adventurous 4×4 Jeep ride up the side of Baru Volcano for an arrival just before sunrise.  Return to Boquete Garden Inn by 10am for a late breakfast and mid-morning nap.  For those that prefer to wake-up with/after the sunrise, enjoy a moderate-to-challenging hike to a set of three waterfalls at The Lost Waterfalls.  Have lunch in Boquete at one of many local restaurants and enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring town.  Check out local cafes and shops or stop by Boquete Bees for a honey tour and tasting.  Enjoy your last dinner in Boquete at the historical Panamonte Hotel, known for their gourmet dining.

6. Day 6

   After your final breakfast at Boquete Garden Inn, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive up to the Caribbean Coast.  This 3.5 hour drive is yours to enjoy, so feel free to stop at any point to take photos, use the restroom, or have a bite to eat.  You’ll arrive to Almirante dock and purchase the next boat ticket over to Isla Colon, Bocas del Toro (45 minutes).  Popa Paradise will be there to greet you once you’ve arrived to Isla Colon and take you on another 45 minute ride to Isla Popa.  Popa Paradise is an adult-only, all-inclusive boutique island resort offering a barefoot luxury experience.  Upon arrival to Popa Paradise, sip on a cold welcome drink from the swim-up pool bar before dinner in their open-air restaurant.

7. Day 7

   After breakfast, enjoy the morning kayaking out to nearby snorkel spots.  Return to Popa Paradise for frozen cocktails at the swim-up bar or relax alongside the pool with a good book.  Take a nap under the shade of palm trees or hike their trail system to explore the 25-acre island.  Enjoy another dinner under the stars and fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the sandy shoreline.

8. Day 8

   Repeat another day relaxing around the resort or sign up for an off-island tour.  You can snorkel nearby beaches (Red Frog Beach, Isla Zapatillas, Starfish Beach, or Bastimentos National Park) or learn how chocolate is created from bean to bar (samples included!).  Return to Popa Paradise in time for a sunset sailing trip or splurge on a jungle massage treatment.  Cheers to celebrate your last evening in Bocas del Toro and a memorable Panama vacation!

9. Day 9

   Popa Paradise will take you to the Bocas del Toro airstrip.  Enjoy your domestic flight back to Panama City for your international flight home.