On this exciting family trip in Panama, you begin the adventure in Panama City, meet the rainforest Emberá Indians in Chagres and Soberiana National Park. Continue exploring the unspoilt community of the Kuna Indians and enjoy the beautiful beaches of San Blas. You then continue to the islands of Bocas del Toro on the border with Costa Rica. The trip ends with some beautiful days with sun, swimming and beach.
On this exciting family trip to Panama, you begin your adventure in Panama City and see the impressive Mirafloress Lock and the Panama Canal. You will meet the rainforest Emberá Indians in Chagres and Soberiana National Park. Here you get to see how you still live in symbiosis with nature and how old customs and traditions live on. You continue to explore the unspoilt community of the Kuna Indians and enjoy the beautiful beaches of San Blas which are managed by the Kuna Indians themselves and which are still an unspoilt paradise far from mass tourism. Here you live easily by the beach and the luxury consists of idyllic, tropical islands and pleasant relaxation. San Bals consists of about 365 islands, 49 of which are inhabited by the Kuna Indians. You then continue to the islands of Bocas del Toro on the border with Costa Rica.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia and arrival in Panama City
You travel from Scandinavia and arrive in Panama City late at night local time. You will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel.
Day 2: City tour of Panama City and visit at Mirafloresslussen
Today awaits an eventful day! You first do a city tour and see Panama City – it is usually said that Panama City consists of 3 cities and you see all three; The historic city – remnants of 16th century Panama “La Vieja”, the old city, “Casco Antiguo” with the colonial buildings and then the modern city with skyscrapers and modern houses. After lunch you continue to Miraflores where there are balconies from which you have a very good view of the lock and canal and the huge container ships that begin their journey through the Panama Canal. Every year, more than 14,000 ships make the 10-hour journey through the Panama Canal and it has had an enormous impact on the country’s economy as well as the world economy. By passing through the Panama Canal instead of rounding Cape Horn, you save almost 12,500 kilometers each time. The canal officially opened in 1914 after many years of work. It was mainly the United States that saw the importance of creating a connection between the world’s two largest seas and entered into a cooperation agreement with Panama that gave them the rights until 1999 when they transferred to Panama. The canal is also one of today’s largest engineering companies. Enjoy the fantastic story that you get to experience a part of today! (F , L )
Day 3: Panama City – Chagres National Park – Emberá Indians – Soberania National Park
After breakfast you begin your jungle adventure. You have a transfer from the hotel to the port of El Corotú located on Lake Alajuela. You are greeted by your guide who is Emberá, you go out into the beautiful rainforest with a motorized piragua canoe. During the boat trip you can see the animals along the river bank, here there is also a rich bird life. You can also make a stop to hike up to a waterfall before continuing on to one of the small Emberá villages. Here you will meet the villagers and learn about traditions, customs and usages as well as the complex ecosystem of the rainforest. Here you still live in harmony with nature and show it great respect. You will have lunch in the village and can botanize among crafts and arts before driving to your lodge in Soberiania National Park. The rest of the day is on its own. ( F , L)
Day 4: Boat trip and hike in Soberania National Park – Panama City
Early morning when your guide takes you on a nice boat trip on Gatunsjön which is connected to the Panama Canal. If you are really lucky, you are out at the same time as one of the large container ships that locks between the world’s two largest oceans. As you cross the lake, you will come to Soberiana National Park. Your guide will take you on a hike along some of the park’s many paths and tell you about the local flora and how to use plants and herbs for both cooking and medicine. After a nice day in the park, you then return to Panama City. ( F )
Day 5: From Panama City to the paradise islands of San Blas
Today you will be picked up at the hotel at sunrise. You have a 5-6 hour drive ahead of you before arriving on the Caribbean coast. On the way there is the opportunity to stop and buy some breakfast, stop at a store and buy snacks, sweets, drinks, etc. as there are no shops out on the islands. You also make a stop at the immigration authorities before it’s time to board the boat that will take you out to San Blas. The Kuna Indians are the colorful, indigenous people of this area and are the ones responsible for the San Blas archipelago with the approximately 365 islands that are scattered along the coast and which is a protected nature reserve. They live on one of the 49 inhabited islands themselves. Once there, check in to your simple but cozy accommodation on Isla Aguaja island. ( Q . M )
Day 6-7: Relaxation on the San Blas Islands
Nice days in the San Blas Islands. Enjoy breakfast to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach and relax with a book in a hammock. Here you swim and snorkel in the clear water among tropical fish. You can rent a boat or visit one of the Kuna Indian villages. You can buy beautiful handicraft souvenirs and contribute a little to the economy in this isolated part of Panama – you can easily book interesting excursions with the hotel. ( F , L , M )
Day 8: San Blas – Panama City
You now leave San Blas and continue by boat back to the mainland and then by car to Panama City where you check in at your hotel again. You have the rest of the day on your own to continue exploring the city.
Day 9: Panama City – Bocas del Toro
Today, the flight to the archipelago Bocas del Toro – six beautiful, tropical islands. After arriving at your beachfront hotel, take time on your own to enjoy the hotel’s facilities or explore the Marine Park Pargue Nacional Marino Bastimentos on your own. ( F )
Day 10-12 Bocas del Toro on your own
Nice days – you can just laze by the pool or the beach or maybe look for the red frogs on Red Frog Beach. If you want to beer beer among the islands and look for animals both above and below the water, the hotel is happy to help you book excursions. ( F )
Day 13: Bocas del Toro – Panama City
Today you leave the beaches of Boca del Toro and fly back to Panama City in the afternoon and have the essence of the day on your own. ( F )
Day 14: Panama City – Scandinavia
Then it’s time to say goodbye to Panama (though you can always book extra days or maybe go on to Costa Rica or some other exciting and interesting place in Central or South America). You land in Scandinavia the next day.
Day 15: Homecoming
You land in Scandinavia again – the time depends on which airline you have chosen to fly with.
Overnight stays
Four nights in standard hotel in Panama City
One night in tourist class lodge at Soberania National Park
Three nights in Isla Aguja San Blas in simple bungalow
Five nights in standard hotel in Bocas del Toro
